7 Pretty Litter Alternatives

As a cat owner myself, I’ve spent hours on the internet searching high and low for a reasonably-priced Pretty Litter alternative that would stand up against the colorful crystals in some way; lock in moisture and control odor, provide a low-tracking low-dust formula, offer a subscription, or any combination of those.

While I couldn’t find any that offer the unique health indication colors, I found plenty of high-quality litters that offer similar texture for a better price.

Here are the seven best ones.

The Best Pretty Litter Alternatives

1. GreatLitter (5/5)- Best premium litter for Litter-Robot users
2. Boxiecat Air Unscented Litter (4/5)- Best lightweight clay alternative with low dust
3. World’s Best Cat Litter (4.5/5)- Best natural, flushable, and eco-friendly litter
4. Dr. Elsey’s Crystal Attract (4/5)- Best for training cats with litter box issues
5. Vibrant Life Silica Crystal Litter (4/5)- Best budget-friendly silica litter
6. Kitty Poo Club (4/5)- Best subscription-based litter and disposable boxes
7. Tuft and Paw Really Great Cat Litter (4.5/5)- Best high-end, plant-based litter with minimal dust

How I Chose These Alternatives

• Odor Control & Absorption- I looked for litters that effectively neutralize odors and absorb moisture to keep litter boxes fresh.
• Dust & Tracking–  Low-dust formulas that lead to minimal tracking are key to keeping your house clean and protecting respiratory health for cats and owners.
• Clumping & Cleanup- I chose litters that form strong clumps or have exceptional moisture-locking properties for easy scooping.
• Material & Eco-Friendliness- I considered natural, biodegradable, and sustainable options as well as traditional clay and silica-based litters.
• Cost & Availability- I offer both premium and budget-friendly options to provide choices for different needs.
• Bonus Points for a Subscription Option- Since one of PrettyLitter’s standout features is a subscription option, I made sure to throw a few of those in here, too.

1. GreatLitter

Best premium litter for Litter-Robot users

If you have a litter robot, you’re not going to do better than GreatLitter.

Designed specifically for use in the litter robot, this premium litter absorbs moisture exceptionally well, forming tight clumps that are sure to get swept away by the robot. It’s also really great at getting rid of odor on contact and minimizing tracking so you don’t find litter all over your home.

While it’s a super high-quality choice, it’s mostly only well-suited for Litter-Robot owners and may not be the most affordable option on this list for standard litter boxes.

PS. While the litter itself doesn’t change color, Litter Robot can actually also help you track your cat’s health by showing how often your kitty is using the box and notifying you when the waste drawer is full, so you can keep up with increases or decreases in usage.

Price: From $30 for one 20lb bag per month

Pros

• Designed for seamless use with Litter-Robot
• Super absorbent and effective at odor control
• Low-dust formula reduces respiratory irritation
• Minimal tracking especially compared to other clay litters
• Long-lasting formula reduces need for frequent changes
• Subscribe and save option

Cons

• Expensive compared to standard clay litters
• Not as widely available as others on this list

2. Boxiecat Air Unscented Litter

Best lightweight clay alternative with low dust

Boxiecat Air is a lightweight, plant-based litter designed for cat parents who want a low-dust, easy-to-handle alternative to traditional clay litter and PrettyLitter. 

It forms tight clumps for easy scooping and offers users strong odor control without artificial fragrances. I like that similarly to PrettyLitter, it’s a healthy, low-tracking alternative to traditional clay litter.

Boxiecat also offers a litter additive called “Health Check-In Boosters” that, like PrettyLitter, contains color indicators that signal potential health issues in your cat.

However, some users find that its lightweight formula can lead to tracking issues and that it’s not as strong at odor control as some traditional clay litters.

Price: around $20 for a 16lb bag

Pros

• Ultra-lightweight and easy to pour
• Low-dust formula is great for sensitive cats
• Strong clumping action for easy cleanup
• Unscented with natural odor control
• Hypoallergenic and no harsh chemicals
• They offer a “frequent buyer” subscription option

Cons

• Can track more than some heavier litters
• A bit pricier than standard clay options
• Clumps may not be as firm and together as traditional clay litter

3. World’s Best Cat Litter

Best natural, flushable, and eco-friendly litter

Made from whole-kernel corn, World’s Best Cat Litter is biodegradable, low-dust, and safe to flush down the toilet. It provides pretty decent odor control and clumps pretty well while being safe for even the most sensitive of septic systems. 

Unfortunately, it can be more expensive and may not control odors for as long as clay-based litters. It also isn’t quite as good at clumping as traditional clay litters. And since it’s made from corn, it could attract other critters if you don’t store it properly.

This one doesn’t help you track your cat’s health, either.

Price: around $20 for a 15lb bag

Pros

• 100% natural and biodegradable
• Safe to flush and septic-friendly
• Low dust and gentle on paws
• Good odor control without additives
• Lightweight and easy to handle vs clay litter

Cons

• More expensive than standard clay litter
• Clumps are softer than clay litter
• May attract pests if not stored properly
• They don’t have a direct subscription option (but you can subscribe via Amazon or Chewy)

4. Dr. Elsey’s Crystal Attract

Best for training cats with litter box issues

If your kitty seems to want to go everywhere but the litter box, Dr. Elsey’s Crystal Attract is the PrettyLitter alternative for you. It’s infused with natural attractants that encourage cats to use the litter box.

Aside from encouragement, the crystal formula absorbs moisture very effectively and helps reduce that kitty odor. 

On the downside, it’s still more expensive than traditional clay litter and also requires frequent stirring to maintain that freshness.

Price: around $20 for an 8lb bag

Pros

• Infused with natural attractants to encourage litter box use
• Absorbs moisture extremely effectively to control odors
• Low-dust formula for better respiratory health
• Long-lasting freshness compared to standard clay litter
• Great for multi-cat households with litter box issues

Cons

• More expensive than regular crystal litter
• Requires frequent stirring to maintain freshness
• Some cats may take time to adjust to crystal litter texture
• Like World’s Best, you have to go through a site like Amazon or Chewy to get your subscription

5. Vibrant Life Silica Crystal Litter

Best budget-friendly silica litter

If the price is what’s keeping you from using PrettyLitter, Vibrant Life is for you. This is a far more affordable crystal litter option that still offers good odor control and moisture absorption for a fraction of the price.

This lightweight formula is easy to handle, though it needs regular maintenance (stirring) to maximize effectiveness. 

While it’s budget-friendly, I do think that the crystal size can be a bit uncomfortable for some cats’ paws. It also doesn’t offer health-monitoring benefits. Still, it’s a super affordable option for cat parents wanting to experiment with a crystal litter like PrettyLitter.

Price: around $13 for an 8lb bag

Pros

• More affordable than other silica crystal litters
• Good moisture absorption and odor control
• Low-dust formula for cleaner air and less respiratory issues
• Lightweight and easy to use
• Longer-lasting than many clay-based litters

Cons

• May require frequent stirring to extend use
• Some cats dislike the texture of large crystals
• Can stick to paws, leading to tracking
• You’ll have to get your subscription through a third party

6. Kitty Poo Club

Best subscription-based litter and disposable boxes

If it’s the delivery part you liked, then you’ll love this one. Kitty Poo Club offers a convenient monthly litter delivery complete with disposable, recyclable litter boxes.

The subscription model is a great way to make sure that you never run out of litter, and the disposable (recyclable!) boxes are designed to minimize odors. 

Just be careful of the price! The ongoing monthly cost of the subscription may be higher than just buying litter separately.

Price: from $28 per month

Pros

• Convenient subscription with litter and disposable boxes
• Reduces odor with Ill-designed, anti-odor boxes
• Variety of litter types are available
• Environmentally friendly and recyclable
• Great for travel or temporary setups

Cons

• More expensive over time compared to traditional litter
• Limited control over litter brand selection
• Disposable boxes are not as durable as permanent ones

7. Tuft & Paw Really Great Cat Litter

Best high-end, plant-based litter with minimal dust

Want something totally different? Tuft and Paw’s Really Great Cat Litter is a premium, biodegradable litter made from soybean byproducts that clumps well and is low-dust.

It’s made without artificial ingredients, making it an eco-friendly choice for cat owners who want something healthier for their cats and the environment than clay-based litters. 

But this luxury litter comes at a luxury price. The cost is definitely a downside for budget-conscious cat owners.

Price: $30 for a 9lb bag

Pros

• Made from sustainable, biodegradable materials
• Clumps well and provides strong odor control
• Basically dust-free for better air quality
• Soft texture is gentle on paws
• Packaging is recyclable and eco-conscious
• Subscribe and save option

Cons

• Most expensive option on this list
• Limited availability compared to mainstream brands
• May take time for some cats to adjust to the unique texture

Which Is the Best Pretty Litter Alternative?

The best Pretty Litter alternative depends on your needs. If you use a litter robot, you can’t get better than GreatLitter. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly alternative that you can pick up at your local Walmart, you’ve gotta go with Vibrant Life’s crystal litter. And if you want a litter subscription that comes complete with a recyclable litter box, give Kitty Poo Club a try.