Last updated Mar 5, 2025
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
If you’re looking for litter that’s lightweight and long-lasting, crystal litter is probably on your radar. Crystal litter is made from amorphous silica gel, a highly porous and non-toxic mineral related to sand and quartz. Unlike traditional clumping clay, crystal litter absorbs urine and dehydrates solid waste.
The main draw of crystal litter is its unbeatable absorbency. It can hold up to 40% of its weight in liquid! This means a dry and comfortable litter box for your cat—and less frequent litter changes for you. Crystal litter is also super light, a huge convenience for folks who struggle with heavy litter pails.
As the market expands, pet parents have more choices than ever. A good thing, but it also makes it harder to choose. To simplify your decision, we’ve researched the market and tested eight standout products. Below, you’ll find an overview of the best crystal litters, with explanations of who might find them a good fit.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Crystal Cat Litter
Want a quick look at the products reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Ultra Micro Crystals
- Nearly dust-free
- Highly absorbent
- Excellent odor control
Pretty Litter Health Monitoring Cat Litter
- Changes color to indicate potential health issues
- Super fine grain and soft texture
- Gentle on sensitive paws
Tidy Cats Tidy Care Alert
- An affordable substitute for Pretty Litter
- Good odor control
- Has no smell to it
VibrantLife Mini Crystal Unscented Cat Litter
- Budget-friendly option
- Controls odors well
- Super absorbent
Fresh Step Crystals
- Motion-activated fragrance
- Kills bacteria and bad odors fast
- Moderate dust levels
Litter Pearls Micro Crystal Cat Litter
- Fine, sand-like texture
- Good for sensitive paws
- Good odor control
PetSafe ScoopFree Premium Fresh Crystal Cat Litter
- Heavier granules tend to track less
- Mild fresh scent
- Widely available
Dr. Elsey’s Crystal Attract Cat Litter
- Larger particles shouldn’t stick to cat fur
- Contains an herbal attractant
- Affordable
Why Trust Cats.com
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
I’ve had cats for most of my life, so I have scooped, scraped, and raked my share of litter over the years. However, until recently, crystal litter was fairly new to me.
To write this review, I explored how silica gel litter works, its pros and cons, and the specific issues it aims to address. I also studied customer feedback to identify people’s main concerns and recurring challenges with crystal litter.
Personally, I found crystal litter to be innovative and beneficial. But my senior cat disagreed, preferring her familiar clay litter over the crystal options I provided. To gauge the absorption and odor control of these litters, I conducted a test using a vinegar-water solution. I also considered factors like dustiness (bummer alert: crystal litter is super dusty!), granule size, texture, appearance, and smell.
Ultimately, we aim to provide clear and honest insights about products so you can make the best decision for your household and cat.
A variety of factors determines our rankings. Every cat is different, so while Ultra Micro Crystals Cat Litter is our top choice, it may not work best for your cat. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve broken down our recommendations by key features, like dustiness, odor control, and litter texture.
#1 Overall Best: Ultra Micro Crystals
There’s a lot to like about Ultra Micro Crystals. In testing, this crystal litter outperformed the others on nearly every account. While it may be a bit pricier, many users find the benefits worth it.
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
One thing I learned quickly about crystal litter is just how dusty it can be—so much so that I wore a face mask while testing. But to my delight, I noticed almost no dust when I poured Ultra Micro Crystals into the litter box. It felt like a miracle!
This litter had no scent whatsoever, which I appreciated (and most cats will, too). A common complaint with crystal litter is that it’s rough and sharp. This litter, however, was very fine and soft, which is more comfortable underneath kitty paws.
Ultra Micro Crystals did an excellent job eliminating odors, and many cat parents report minimal tracking. It’s also super absorbent, preventing urine from settling and creating that dreaded mush at the bottom of the litter box. With regular stirring, you can expect to keep odors in check for up to a week.
What We Liked:
- Virtually no dust
- Highly absorbant
- Small grain and soft texture
- Low tracking
- Lightweight
What We Didn’t Like:
- Bag is not resealable
- On the pricier side
#2 Best Health-Monitoring Litter: Pretty Litter Health Monitoring Cat Litter
If you’re willing to pay more for a premium litter, Pretty Litter is worth considering. This ultra-lightweight litter features a fine texture that’s gentle even on the most sensitive paws.
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
What makes Pretty Litter unique is that it changes color according to your cat’s urine pH. This helps you identify bladder issues early while they are still treatable, though you may have to do some observation in a multi-cat household to identify which cat is having the issue.
It won’t suit every household, but Pretty Litter could be a good choice for cats prone to urinary infections or those at risk of diabetes or kidney problems.
What We Liked:
- Helps identify health issues
- Low dust formula
- Particles are very fine and soft
- Great odor control
What We Didn’t Like:
- Pricier option
- Hard to identify health problems in multi-cat homes
- Potential for inaccurate results
#3 Budget Health-Monitoring Litter: Tidy Cats Tidy Care Alert
If you’re intrigued by the health-monitoring capabilities of crystal litter but find Pretty Litter a bit pricey, Tidy Cats Tidy Care Alert is a good alternative. At just $2.60 per pound for an 8-pound bag, it offers significant savings compared to Pretty Litter’s $3.38 per pound for the same size.
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
During testing, we observed that the color changes functioned as intended. However, there are a few minor drawbacks: it produced a bit more dust than Pretty Litter, and the granules were slightly larger. Nonetheless, it serves as a reliable, budget-friendly option for cat parents.
What We Liked:
- More affordable than pretty litter
- Impressive odor control
- Completely unscented
What We Didn’t Like:
- Tends to track
#4 Best Multi-Cat: VibrantLife Mini Crystal Unscented Cat Litter
Crystal litter isn’t cheap. If you’re buying it for multiple cats, costs can add up quickly. VibrantLife is a wallet-friendly option available at Walmart (Amazon carries it too, but charges substantially more). At only $1.61 per pound (vs. the average $3.35/lb), it’s an economical choice for multi-cat homes.
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
People really like this litter, and it’s garnered quite a loyal following. It’s earned an impressive 4.6 out of 5 stars on Walmart’s site, with 90% of those reviews awarding it 4 or 5 stars. VibrantLife is exceptionally absorbent and offers excellent odor control, two critical factors for multi-cat homes.
That said, the savings do come with some tradeoffs. It’s very dusty, and despite being labeled as “mini,” the crystal particles are rather large and rough.
What We Liked:
- Affordable option
- Absorbent
- Good odor control
What We Didn’t Like:
- Limited buying options (I could only find it at Walmart)
- Coarser texture
#5 Best Odor Control: Fresh Step Crystals
Fresh Step’s patented design releases its fragrant, odor-killing scent when the crystals are activated. You’ll only notice the smell when your cats are active in the litter box, and the crystals are effectively tackling bacteria.
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
The smell can be pretty powerful, but I wouldn’t call it unpleasant. It’s rather nice and refreshing. And since it only activates when the litter is moved, it shouldn’t be enough to drive your cats away.
This crystal litter had moderate dust levels—nothing crazy, but certainly noticeable.
What We Liked:
- Motion-activated fragrance
- Kills bacteria and bad odors fast
- More affordable option
What We Didn’t Like:
- Particles were bigger and rougher
#6 Softest: Litter Pearls Micro Crystal Cat Litter
This cat litter leans toward the pricier side, but many pet parents find that the comfort it offers outweighs the cost. Unlike many other crystal litters that can be harsh on paws, these Litter Pearls are incredibly soft. The super fine, almost sand-like particles are gentle on sensitive paws. (And unsuspecting human feet!)
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
This formula has no perceptible smell, but unfortunately, it’s very dusty. And while the odor control is decent, it’s not perfect.
What We Liked:
- Softest crystal litter we tested
- Had no perceptible smell to it
- Highly absorbant
What We Didn’t Like:
- The most expensive option we tested
- Very dusty
#7 Best Low-Tracking: PetSafe ScoopFree Premium Fresh Crystal Cat Litter
While all litters track to some extent, PetSafe’s ScoopFree Crystal Litter minimizes that issue, thanks to its larger particle size. This lightweight formula ensures less litter outside the box (and under your feet—ouch!)
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Even though the crystals are larger, they’re still soft. This litter does have a subtle fresh scent, which I didn’t find overpowering. But if you’re sensitive to fragrances, you might want to consider this factor.
What We Liked:
- Good odor control
- Mild fresh scent
- Widely available
What We Didn’t Like:
- Bag isn’t resealable
- Very dusty
#8 Best for Long-Haired Cats: Dr. Elsey’s Crystal Attract Cat Litter
Dr. Elsey’s Crystal Attract Litter features larger particles that shouldn’t stick to your cat’s fluffy coat. A number of long-haired cat owners have had success with this litter, reporting it doesn’t adhere to their pet’s tresses the way other litters tend to
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Dr. Elsey’s also contains a natural herbal attractant that’s said to encourage cats to use it. I like that it doesn’t have any smell to it, and it absorbs liquids well. On the downside, the larger granules have a slightly rougher texture. This litter was also pretty dusty.
What We Liked:
- Shouldn’t stick to long fur
- Low tracking
- Absorbent
What We Didn’t Like:
- Granules were a little rough
- Dusty
What To Consider When Buying Crystal Litter
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
If you’re new to crystal litter, there are some critical factors to keep in mind.
It’s Not for Every Cat
Crystal litter has a coarse texture that might not suit every cat. If your cat is declawed, their sensitive paws may find it uncomfortable. Kittens, known for their curious nature, may nibble on this litter, which can be dangerous. It’s usually best to wait until they’re older to introduce crystal litter.
Choose a Low-Dust Formula
Most litter creates some amount of dust, but I was stunned at the plumes of dust crystal litter created. This won’t be a deal-breaker for many people, but I would advise looking for a lower dust formula if you have sensitive lungs or if your cat has respiratory problems.
Look At the Particle Size
Crystal litter comes in various particle sizes and textures. Larger crystals tend to track less but may feel rough on some cats’ paws. On the other hand, microcrystals resemble sand and tend to be softer, which some cats prefer. Finding what your cat enjoys may take some experimentation, so starting with a small bag is a smart move.
There Is Some Maintenance Involved
Most crystal litters are non-clumping, so you’ll just need to scoop solid waste daily. While you don’t need to scoop urine, it’s essential to rake and stir the litter for optimal odor control. With regular maintenance, you can keep crystal litter fresh for up to a month for one cat. This means less frequent changes, reduced waste, and potential long-term savings on litter.