Scented Clay
Fresh Step Scented
A dependable grocery-store clay option with decent clumping, a noticeable fragrance profile, and fair everyday value.
Overall score
8.1/10
Cost per day
$0.40
Reviewed Mar 3, 2026
Head-to-head comparison
Fresh Step Scented vs Frisco by Chewy: Which Should You Buy?
Frisco is the cheaper bag by a clear margin. Fresh Step clumps better and covers smell with fragrance. Frisco is also the one we list as automatic-box friendly, dust aside.
ReviewCatLitter editorial teamUpdated Mar 3, 2026
This comparison page is maintained by the ReviewCatLitter editorial team and grounded in the same scoring framework used across the published review catalog.
Clumping Clay (Budget)
Frisco by Chewy
Strong raw value with easy Chewy availability and decent automatic-box compatibility if you can live with more dust.
Overall score
8/10
Cost per day
$0.30
Reviewed Oct 28, 2025
Overall winner
Fresh Step Scented
Fresh Step Scented is the strongest all-around pick in this comparison for convenient store-bought clay.
Lowest daily cost
Frisco by Chewy at $0.30/day
Budget is often the deciding factor in this tier.
Best odor control
Fresh Step Scented at Strong fragrance masking
Odor control often decides whether a litter feels tolerable long term.
Tracks less outside the box
Fresh Step Scented at Moderate
Tracking can be more important than overall score in small spaces.
What we actually measured
Every figure below is a reading from our own test runs, not a rating. Where a run never took a reading it says so.
| Reading | Fresh Step Scented | Frisco by Chewy | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dust weighed per pourParticulates caught in the air while the bag goes into the box. Lower is better. | 0.42 mgbetter | 0.58 mg | 0.16 mg |
| Clumps that survived the drop testShare of clumps still whole after a three-foot drop. Higher is better. | 66%better | 58% | 8 points |
| Bag priceWhat the tested bag cost. Bag sizes differ, so read it next to cost per pound. | $18.99 | $13.00 | $5.99 |
| Cost per poundBag price divided by what is in the bag. Lower is better. | $0.45 | $0.33better | $0.12 |
| Cost per dayWhat the box costs to keep running each day. Lower is better. | $0.40 | $0.30better | $0.10 |
| Cost across a yearThat daily cost carried over a full year of use. Lower is better. | $146 | $110better | $36 |
Neither run recorded granules outside the box, ammonia after one day and ammonia after three days, so those rows are left out rather than filled in from a similar bag. The full test data shows every reading we have.
Why Fresh Step Scented wins this matchup
Primary tradeoff: Fresh Step Scented's weakest area here is dust control.
Best dust control here at 0.42mg per pour.
Strongest odor control in this set with strong fragrance masking.
It still lands a stronger overall score than cheaper options because it is more balanced.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.1 | 8 |
| Pricing | ||
| Price | $18.99 | $13.00 |
| Weight | 42 lbs | 40 lbs |
| Cost / Day | $0.40 | $0.30 |
| Performance | ||
| Dust Control | 6.2 0.42mg per pour | 5.5 0.58mg per pour |
| Clumping | 7.9 Decent | 7.4 Acceptable |
| Odor Control | 8 Strong fragrance masking | 7.3 Fine with daily scooping |
| Tracking Outside the Box | 6.2 Moderate | 5.8 Moderate-high |
| Value for Cost | 7.9 $0.40/day · $18.99 | 9.4 $0.30/day · $13.00 |
| Features | ||
| Type | Scented Clumping Clay | Budget Clumping Clay |
| Flushable | ||
| Scented | Yes | No |
| Our Verdict | ||
| Best For | Convenient store-bought clay | Cheapest everyday clay |
| Read ReviewCheck Price | Read ReviewCheck Price | |
Best fit
Fresh Step Scented
Fresh Step Scented makes the most sense for convenient store-bought clay.
Worth it if
You want a dependable grocery-store clay option with decent clumping, a noticeable fragrance profile, and fair everyday value.
Skip it if
You need a formula that solves convenient store-bought clay better.
Best fit
Frisco by Chewy
Frisco by Chewy makes the most sense for cheapest everyday clay.
Worth it if
You want strong raw value with easy chewy availability and decent automatic-box compatibility if you can live with more dust.
Skip it if
You need a formula that solves convenient store-bought clay better.
If neither option is quite right
The closest litters we have tested to this matchup, on score and on price.
Pine Pellet
Feline Pine
Weighed 0.08mg per pour and runs at $0.31 a day.
Best for pellet users and sifting boxes
Paper Pellet
Ökocat Paper Pellet
Weighed 0.00mg per pour and runs at $0.52 a day.
Best for post-surgery or severe dust sensitivity
Fast-Clumping Clay
Arm & Hammer HardBall
Weighed 0.48mg per pour and runs at $0.47 a day.
Best for fast hard clumping on a mid-range budget
Read the full reviews
Use this page to choose a winner quickly, then open the full product reviews if you want the long-form test notes.
Keep comparing nearby options
Related matchups that share one of the same products and answer the next likely decision.
Related matchup
Fresh Step Scented vs Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal
Two perfumed supermarket clays. Clump & Seal holds smell down longer and clumps harder. Fresh Step is the cheaper bag and pours a little less dust.
Winner: Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal
Related matchup
Dr. Elsey's Ultra vs Fresh Step Scented
Ultra if you want the box to stop smelling of perfume and stop clouding when you pour. Fresh Step if you want it in the cart tonight.
Winner: Dr. Elsey's Ultra
Related matchup
Dr. Elsey's Ultra vs Frisco by Chewy
Frisco is the cheapest clay bag we have tested, and it shows in the dust and the crumbling clumps. Ultra is the opposite trade.
Winner: Dr. Elsey's Ultra
Related matchup
Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal vs Frisco by Chewy
Frisco is cheaper per day and has no added scent. Clump & Seal is the one to buy if the box sits in a room you actually sit in.
Winner: Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal
Related matchup
Fresh Step Scented vs World's Best Cat Litter
Fresh Step is cheaper and everywhere. World's Best flushes, weighs less, and pours a fraction of the dust.
Winner: World's Best Cat Litter
Related matchup
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract vs Fresh Step Scented
Fresh Step is the supermarket default. Cat Attract is a targeted fix for a cat that has started going on the floor.
Winner: Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract
Quick Answers
Which is better: Fresh Step Scented or Frisco by Chewy?
Fresh Step Scented comes out ahead on the balance of dust, clumping, odor control, tracking and daily cost. Frisco by Chewy is still the one to buy for cheapest everyday clay.
Which is cheaper per day: Fresh Step Scented or Frisco by Chewy?
Frisco by Chewy runs at $0.30 a day against $0.40 for Fresh Step Scented.
Which controls smell better: Fresh Step Scented or Frisco by Chewy?
Fresh Step Scented scored higher: strong fragrance masking, against fine with daily scooping for Frisco by Chewy.
Which tracks less outside the litter box: Fresh Step Scented or Frisco by Chewy?
Fresh Step Scented keeps more litter in the box: moderate, against moderate-high for Frisco by Chewy.