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 PrettyLitter: Which Should You Buy?
Fresh Step is the cheap perfumed clay. PrettyLitter is the light unscented crystal you buy to watch a cat's health. PrettyLitter costs about twice as much per day and does not clump.
ReviewCatLitter editorial teamUpdated Mar 4, 2026
This comparison page is maintained by the ReviewCatLitter editorial team and grounded in the same scoring framework used across the published review catalog.
Silica Crystal
PrettyLitter
A crystal litter built around health monitoring and light weight, with a strong subscription convenience angle and weaker clumping value.
Overall score
8.8/10
Cost per day
$0.80
Reviewed Mar 4, 2026
Overall winner
PrettyLitter
PrettyLitter is the strongest all-around pick in this comparison for health monitoring and lightweight convenience.
Lowest daily cost
Fresh Step Scented at $0.40/day
Budget is often the deciding factor in this tier.
Best odor control
PrettyLitter at Very good urine odor control
Odor control often decides whether a litter feels tolerable long term.
Tracks less outside the box
PrettyLitter at Minimal
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 | PrettyLitter | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dust weighed per pourParticulates caught in the air while the bag goes into the box. Lower is better. | 0.42 mg | not measured | only one side measured |
| Clumps that survived the drop testShare of clumps still whole after a three-foot drop. Higher is better. | 66% | not measured | only one side measured |
| Bag priceWhat the tested bag cost. Bag sizes differ, so read it next to cost per pound. | $18.99 | $24.00 | $5.01 |
| Cost per poundBag price divided by what is in the bag. Lower is better. | $0.45better | $3.00 | $2.55 |
| Cost per dayWhat the box costs to keep running each day. Lower is better. | $0.40better | $0.80 | $0.40 |
| Cost across a yearThat daily cost carried over a full year of use. Lower is better. | $146better | $292 | $146 |
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 PrettyLitter wins this matchup
Primary tradeoff: PrettyLitter's weakest area here is clumping.
Best dust control here at Very low crystal dust.
Strongest odor control in this set with very good urine odor control.
It still lands a stronger overall score than cheaper options because it is more balanced.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.1 | 8.8 |
| Pricing | ||
| Price | $18.99 | $24.00 |
| Weight | 42 lbs | 8 lbs |
| Cost / Day | $0.40 | $0.80 |
| Performance | ||
| Dust Control | 6.2 0.42mg per pour | 8.6 Very low crystal dust |
| Clumping | 7.9 Decent | 4.2 Non-clumping |
| Odor Control | 8 Strong fragrance masking | 8.9 Very good urine odor control |
| Tracking Outside the Box | 6.2 Moderate | 9.1 Minimal |
| Value for Cost | 7.9 $0.40/day · $18.99 | 6.8 $0.80/day · $24.00 |
| Features | ||
| Type | Scented Clumping Clay | Silica Crystal |
| Flushable | ||
| Scented | Yes | No |
| Our Verdict | ||
| Best For | Convenient store-bought clay | Health monitoring and lightweight convenience |
| 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 health monitoring and lightweight convenience better.
Best fit
PrettyLitter
PrettyLitter makes the most sense for health monitoring and lightweight convenience.
Worth it if
You care more about health signals and easy lifting than classic clumping performance.
Skip it if
You want traditional scoopable clumps or the best value per pound.
If neither option is quite right
The closest litters we have tested to this matchup, on score and on price.
Walnut Shell
Naturally Fresh Walnut
Weighed 0.13mg per pour and runs at $0.54 a day.
Best for natural clumping without corn
Soft Wood / Pine
Catalyst Soft Wood
Weighed 0.15mg per pour and runs at $0.72 a day.
Best for cats that reject pellets
Clumping Clay
Dr. Elsey's Ultra
Weighed 0.03mg per pour and runs at $0.51 a day.
Best for dust-sensitive homes
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
Dr. Elsey's Ultra vs PrettyLitter
Ultra is scoopable clay. PrettyLitter is crystals that change color to flag a health problem.
Winner: Dr. Elsey's Ultra
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
Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal vs PrettyLitter
Clump & Seal covers smell with fragrance and clumps for far less money. PrettyLitter is unscented crystals that keep an eye on your cat's urine instead.
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
PrettyLitter vs World's Best Cat Litter
World's Best flushes and clumps. PrettyLitter does neither. Its pull is the color change that can flag a health problem early.
Winner: World's Best Cat Litter
Quick Answers
Which is better: Fresh Step Scented or PrettyLitter?
PrettyLitter comes out ahead on the balance of dust, clumping, odor control, tracking and daily cost. Fresh Step Scented is still the one to buy for convenient store-bought clay.
Which is cheaper per day: Fresh Step Scented or PrettyLitter?
Fresh Step Scented runs at $0.40 a day against $0.80 for PrettyLitter.
Which controls smell better: Fresh Step Scented or PrettyLitter?
PrettyLitter scored higher: very good urine odor control, against strong fragrance masking for Fresh Step Scented.
Which tracks less outside the litter box: Fresh Step Scented or PrettyLitter?
PrettyLitter keeps more litter in the box: minimal, against moderate for Fresh Step Scented.