PrettyLitter vs Fresh Step Crystals: Which One Wins? (2025 Buyer’s Guide)

Choosing the right cat litter can mean fewer smells, easier cleanups, and even early detection of your cat’s health issues. Two standout contenders in the crystal litter category are PrettyLitter and Fresh Step Crystals. While both are made with moisture-absorbing silica gel, they serve different purposes—and different budgets.

Cat owners often compare these two because of their odor control, ease of use, and special features like health monitoring or long-lasting freshness. If you’re deciding between these options, this detailed guide will help you figure out which one is best for your cat—and your home.

✅ Best For:

• PrettyLitter: Best for cat owners who want to track their cat’s health with color-changing crystals.
• Fresh Step Crystals: Great for multi-cat homes needing strong odor control at a lower cost.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	PrettyLitter	Fresh Step Crystals
Type	Health-monitoring silica crystals	Odor-control silica crystals
Health Tracking	✅ Yes	❌ No
Clumping	No	No
Odor Control	Moderate	Strong
Dust	Very low	Low
Price Range	$$$	$
Ideal Audience	Health-conscious owners	Multi-cat or budget homes
Subscription	✅ Yes	❌ No
Return Policy	30 Days	Retailer dependent
Avg. Rating	4.2/5 ⭐	4.6/5 ⭐

Winner: Fresh Step Crystals – Stronger odor control at a more affordable price.

Brand Overview

PrettyLitter

Founded in 2015, PrettyLitter is best known for its color-changing technology that reacts to your cat’s urine to detect potential health issues like UTIs, kidney disease, or inflammation. It’s a subscription-based service, so you’ll get a fresh bag delivered monthly without needing to reorder manually.

Customer service is praised for its prompt responses and convenient cancellation options. Many users appreciate the brand’s mission of proactive feline health.

Fresh Step

A well-established name under the Clorox brand, Fresh Step has a strong reputation for high-performance litters and wide availability. Their crystal litter is part of a broader product line, and while it doesn’t include smart features, its affordability and reliability make it a go-to choice in multi-cat homes.

Winner: PrettyLitter – Innovative mission, trusted customer support, and proactive health features.

Features & Functionality

PrettyLitter

• Health Monitoring: Changes color to flag potential issues.
• Odor Control: Neutralizes smells, but may fade midway through the month.
• Dust-Free: Virtually no dust—great for cats with allergies.
• Subscription Model: Automatically delivered every 30 days.

Check Latest Price on Amazon → PrettyLitter

Fresh Step Crystals

• Dehydrates Waste: No clumps—moisture evaporates quickly.
• Powerful Odor Control: Strong ammonia blockers mask smells for weeks.
• Fragrance Added: Pleasant for most, but strong for scent-sensitive cats.
• Easy Maintenance: Pour, stir occasionally, and replace monthly.

Check Latest Price on Amazon → Fresh Step Crystals

Winner: PrettyLitter – Offers unique health insights alongside ease of use.

Durability & Materials

PrettyLitter

• Designed to last 30 days for one cat.
• Silica crystals are soft and gentle on paws.
• Needs regular stirring to maintain performance.
• Can lose effectiveness in high-humidity areas.

Fresh Step Crystals

• Longer-lasting freshness in dry environments.
• Crystals are slightly larger and firmer.
• Excellent for households with more than one cat.
• Can be too coarse for kittens or declawed cats.

Winner: Fresh Step Crystals – Better overall durability and moisture absorption.

Price & Value

PrettyLitter

• ~ $22–24/month (one cat) with subscription.
• Includes health monitoring, delivery, and less vet guesswork.
• Available as one-time Amazon purchase or monthly subscription.

Fresh Step Crystals

• ~ $14–17 for a 4-lb bag lasting 30 days per cat.
• Widely available in-store and online.
• More flexible buying options with no commitment.

Winner: Fresh Step Crystals – Offers better cost-per-use and flexible purchasing.

Customer Feedback

PrettyLitter

⭐ 4.2/5 (Amazon average)
Pros:

• “Saved my cat’s life with early warning for a UTI!”
• Great for small apartments

Cons:

• Mid-month freshness can drop
• Not ideal in humid homes

Fresh Step Crystals

⭐ 4.6/5 (Amazon average)
Pros:

• “Totally eliminated odors—my guests don’t even know I have cats.”
• Works well for 2+ cats
  

Cons:

• Fragrance may be too strong
• Some tracking outside the box

Winner: Fresh Step Crystals – More consistently high reviews across platforms.

Final Verdict Table

Category	Winner
Quick Comparison	Fresh Step Crystals
Brand Overview	PrettyLitter
Features & Functionality	PrettyLitter
Durability & Materials	Fresh Step Crystals
Price & Value	Fresh Step Crystals
Customer Feedback	Fresh Step Crystals

Overall Winner: Fresh Step Crystals

Winner: Fresh Step Crystals – With excellent odor control, affordable pricing, and higher customer satisfaction, Fresh Step Crystals stands out as the better all-around choice for most cat owners. It’s easy to use, long-lasting, and ideal for households with one or more cats.

That said, if monitoring your cat’s health is your top priority, PrettyLitter still offers a unique and valuable feature that brings peace of mind.

Summary: Go with PrettyLitter if health tracking is your priority.
Choose Fresh Step Crystals for stronger odor control, better value, and multi-cat convenience.

Not Sold on Either?

Explore other top-rated cat litters in our Best Cat Litters of 2025 guide—perfect for clumping preferences, eco-conscious shoppers, or automatic litter boxes.

Watchouts

• PrettyLitter may lose effectiveness faster in humid climates.
• Fresh Step Crystals has a strong scent—not ideal for fragrance-sensitive cats.
• Neither litter clumps—if you prefer clumping, consider a clay-based option.

FAQs

Is PrettyLitter better for multi-cat homes?

It can work, but you’ll need to use more and replace it more frequently. Fresh Step may be more practical for multiple cats.

Does Fresh Step Crystals clump?

No, both litters use non-clumping silica crystals. Waste is dried and odor is locked in.

Is PrettyLitter safe if my cat eats it?

It’s non-toxic, but ingestion isn’t recommended. Contact your vet if it happens frequently.

Can I use Fresh Step Crystals in a self-cleaning litter box?

Some automatic boxes support crystals—check your brand’s compatibility before use.