The 7 Best Reptile substrates (2023 reviews)
We consider a reptile substrate to be a worthy investment in the long run.
We are here to help you choose the right one for your purposes from all the best available products in market today.
Our review process:
Our Top Picks:
Best Overall: Buy: reptichip premium Coconut Substrate Reptile Substrate READ REVIEWBest For Hermit crab: Buy: Zoo Med Reptile Substrate READ REVIEWBest For sunflower And pea shoot Micro greens: Buy: Zilla Reptile Substrate READ REVIEWBest For Tortoise enclosure: Buy: reptichip premium Coconut Substrate premium Coco Substrate READ REVIEWBest For crested Gecko: Buy: Repticasa Reptile Substrate READ REVIEWBest For box turtle: Buy: Zilla Reptile Substrate READ REVIEWBest For growing plants: Buy: Repticasa Coconut Substrate READ REVIEWBest Overall: reptichip premium Coconut Substrate Reptile Substrate
Buy on Amazon
The substrate is a must have accessory for your daily purpose. ReptiChip was created by reptile keepers who have a keen interest in providing the highest-quality products for reptiles, amphibians, arachnids and other tropical creatures. It is suitable for geckos, tarantulas, iguanas, pythons, and other reptiles and amphibians.
This loose chip bedding is ready to use—just add water for expansion and increased humidity.Customers also found that its wise to buy a reptile bark substrate, along with this substrate.
Why We Like This:
- Reptichip products are 100% organic, safe, and sustainable
- Made by reptile people, for reptile people
- Good brand reputation
Best For Hermit crab: Zoo Med Reptile Substrate
Buy on Amazon
Next on the list, we've got yet another substrate that manages to win our hearts. It's the zoo med reptile substrate and it's widely considered as substrate that has the most suitable features. These frogs (and most other frogs) need a substrate that is "impaction-safe" meaning that it's fine enough that they won't mistake it for food. It is used to increase humidity in an enclosure. It is good for white's tree frogs like sphagnum moss and mulch. It is a compressed coconut fiber that is ideal for burrowing animals. It is easy to clean and it lasts a long time.
This product works well for tortioses. It is definitely a lot more than the standard bricks. It is easy to care for and looks good.Why We Like This:
- Great soft substrate for hermit crabs
- One of the new comers and featured product
Best For sunflower And pea shoot Micro greens: Zilla Reptile Substrate
Buy on Amazon
The zilla reptile substrate is capable of outshining several other substrate featured in this list in overall features for the price point. This is probably perfect if you need a lot of coconut husk at once. It is made from 100% coconut fiber. It will absorb that much, but it will be a soppy mess that will attract mold like no other. It can absorb up to 10x its weight in water so the roots won’t get dehydrated so long as a routine watering schedule is adhered to.
The husk holds moisture very well without it being wet. It also doesn't stick to their legs and shells when it's wet like the damp sand does for them. It keeps moisture in/humidity up really well. It is inert so don't forget to give your plants some food.Few customers got sphagnum moss for reptile, along with the substrate.
Why We Like This:
- Holds moisture, humidity and temperature well
- Works really well and lasts a long time
- New and hot release
Best For Tortoise enclosure: reptichip premium Coconut Substrate premium Coco Substrate
Buy on Amazon
The reptichip premium coconut substrate premium coco substrate is capable of outshining several other substrate featured in this list in overall features in its price range. ReptiChip was created by reptile keepers who have a keen interest in providing the highest-quality products for reptiles, amphibians, arachnids and other tropical creatures. It is small shredded pieces of coconut husk that are about 3/8"-1/2" long by 1/4" wide. It definitely provides some aeration, water retention, and chunkiness without being too bulky.Customers say that buying a reptile bark substrate and orchid bark reptile substrate, with this substrate made their life much easier.
Why We Like This:
- Reptichip products are 100% organic, safe, and sustainable
- Made by reptile people, for reptile people
- Good investment for long term
Best For crested Gecko: Repticasa Reptile Substrate
Buy on Amazon
Best part: repticasa reptile substrate costs comparatively low and it is available to ship in 24 hours. Keep plants and animals growing strong and healthy by supporting your terrarium with all-natural coconut husk substrate. This coconut husk substrate is ideal for creating flooring or bedding for frogs, turtles, tortoises, snakes, and spiders. It allows them to maintain their body temperature more effectively, which can help increase their natural energy levels. It works for growing plants, flowers, herbs, vegetables, and other garden plant life.
This is an all-natural material which means it not only breaks down odors and waste it can be disposed of outside in a garden area or in your backyard. The coconut substrate for reptiles helps breakdown liquids and wastes to minimize odors and keep their tanker cleaner, longer. It is easy to shred to fill terrariums and tanks. They have 6 to 8 inches of substrate to dig in.Why We Like This:
- Very small mince, no long pieces to tangle around their legs
- Desert and tropical, it is very absorbent
- Stimulates natural digging and burrowing behaviors
Best For box turtle: Zilla Reptile Substrate
Buy on Amazon
The zilla reptile substrate is satisfactory and appropriate and fits well with your daily purpose. Customers also discovered that its wise to buy a reptile incubation substrate, along with this substrate.
Why We Like This:
- Promotes transfer of heat and moisture inside the enclosure
- Ideal for chameleons, frogs, snakes, skinks and rainforest geckos
- Easy to scoop out and toss when dirty
Best For growing plants: Repticasa Coconut Substrate
Buy on Amazon
The repticasa coconut substrate might be a relatively new release, but it's still nothing short of impressive this year, thanks to multiple price cuts and added new features over the past few months. Keep plants and animals growing strong and healthy by supporting your terrarium with an all-natural coconut husk substrate. This coconut husk substrate is ideal for creating flooring or bedding for frogs, turtles, tortoises, snakes, and spiders. It allows them to maintain their body temperature more effectively, which can help increase their natural energy levels.
This is an all-natural material which means it not only breaks down odors and waste it can be disposed of outside in a garden area or in your backyard. It is perfect for maintaining a balanced ecosystem. It is easy to shred to fill terrariums and tanks.Why We Like This:
- Stimulates natural digging and burrowing behaviors
- Helps absorb odors and smells for a cleaner environment
- New and hot release
