There are many types of bearded dragon substrate to choose from, including some homemade ones. However, you need to ensure they are safe, easy to clean (spot clean), affordable, absorbent but don’t trap moisture if fluids spill, are less dusty and messy.
They should also provide grip, resemble their natural habitat, and help wear their nails, among other features.
We looked at 100s of various brands, and here are the 11 best bearded dragon substrates reviews to help you choose what will serve you best.
1. Zilla Reptile Terrarium Bedding Substrate Liner
The Zilla Reptile Terrarium Bedding Substrate Liner is the most popular low maintenance, safe and indigestible reptile carpet suitable even for juvenile or younger beardies that comes in brown or green colors.
Besides its biodegradable enzyme that will minimize odor, washing it is very easy. You only need cold tap water.
Finally, it comes in typical bearded dragon tank sizes, i.e., their 10 gallons, 15-20 gallons, 29 gallons, 30 gallons, 50 gallons, 55 gallons, and 125 gallons. Alternatively, you can easily fold and cut it into any size you want.
2. Zoo Med Eco Earth Loose Coconut Fiber Substrate and compressed
This loose Zoo Med substrate will create a naturalistic habitat for your beardie as well as all other reptiles, invertebrates, and amphibians. If you intend to use for these pets or any that thrive in desert areas, use it dry, i.e., don’t wet it to avoid a rise in humidity.
Besides creating a naturalistic terrarium, you can recycle this eco earth substrate (use it in your garden or potted plants) or take it to your composite pit.
Finally, this substrate is easy to spot cleaning easy, has a great scent, and quite affordable.
If you don’t want the loose version, you can buy the Zoo Med Eco Earth Compressed Coconut Fiber Substrate that expandable.
3. Zilla Ground English Walnut Shells Desert Blend
Using the Zilla ground walnut shell bedding is a perfect way to create a stunning desert-like terrarium habitat. Besides encouraging digging and burrowing behavior, it is one of the best loose substrates that have dustless uniformly grounded grains, making it very comfortable for these pets.
Your bearded dragons will stay warm since it is an excellent heat conductor. Also, it is affordable, easy to clean, and very light in weight.
4. Zoo Med Excavator Clay Burrowing Substrate
This Zoo Med excavator clay is an excellent burrowing and digging substrate as well for molding multi-level tunnels and terraces that won’t collapse, something that will closely mimic their natural semi-arid habitat.
It is all-natural, i.e., it is chemical-free and has no dyes. Furthermore, it is easy to clean, use, and worth every penny you spend on it. Your creativity is the only limitation if you want the most naturalistic terrarium.
5. Hamiledyi Reptile Carpet Natural Coconut Fiber
This reptile carpet made from 100% coconut fiber is not only good looking and dustless but also healthy and comfortable (nonabrasive).
Furthermore, it minimizes odor thanks to its biodegradable enzyme, is easy to clean (use cold tap water), is absorbent, holds heat, and comes in various colors to help match your bearded dragon’s décor or furniture.
While it comes in standard sizes of 19.7″x11.8″, you can cut in to fit into your terrarium. Other pets, including your spider, ball pythons, leopard geckos, frog, snakes, tarantula, boas, spiders, and so on, can also use it.
I bet you will love its high density, sturdiness, low prices, great packaging, among other attributes.
6. Exo Terra Sand Mat for beardies
The Exo Terra Sand Mat is an appealing option of a naturalistic, desert-like looking bedding that is safe and hygienic. Moreover, unlike sand or loose substrate, it cannot be ingested and has a texture that will provide an excellent grip making him or her feel safer and comfortable.
Additionally, the mat will ensure little or no bacterial growth, is sturdy, comes, and comes in various sizes, or you can cut it to whatever size you like. Typical sizes are mini, small, medium, and large, as well as those for 10, 20, 40, and 60-gallon bearded dragon tanks.
7. Zilla Alfalfa Meal
The Zilla Alfalfa Meal is an all-natural substrate made from exclusively alfalfa making it safe for your adult or juvenile bearded dragon or any herbivorous or carnivorous reptiles, including iguanas, monitors, tortoise, and so on.
It’s easily digestible in case your pet ingests it, will reduce bacteria and other germs (reptile-safe bacteriostatic), is easy to clean, and very absorbent. These features will ensure it stays fresh for a longer time and thus giving you value for your money.
8. Vita Sand for Bearded Dragons – calcium sand
Vita Sand is an all-natural calcium carbonate substrate that has been fortified by only water-soluble vitamins and beta carotene substrate. It doesn’t have any artificial colorants or color sealers, will help increase calcium intake, and it is ultra-fine to avoid impaction.
Additionally, it available in six colors, and besides bearded dragons, you can use it on uromastyx, geckos, desert tortoises, and monitors.
As discussed before, the safety of Vita sand or any other calcium sand such as Reptile Sciences Terrarium Sand, which orbicular grains with potassium, odor neutralizer, strontium but no silica or phosphate are debatable.
9. Zoo Med ReptiSand
This natural desert red or white sand is an excellent option if you love sand substrate. It will create a breathtaking naturalistic terrarium that will encourage burrowing and digging behaviors.
Furthermore, Zoo Med Reptisand will keep your pet warm as it is an excellent heat conductor, has no chemical or dyes, and you can also use it for your soft-shell turtles or sand boas.
10. Zoo Med Repti Cage Carpet
The Zoo Med Repti Cage Carpet is an all-natural carpet that comes in green, brown, or gray color and a soft, non-abrasive surface, perfect to all types of reptiles. It is absorbent and suitable for covering loose substrates, especially to baby bearded dragons or juveniles.
11. Zoo Med ReptiFresh Odor Eliminating Substrate
If you have trouble managing odor in your bearded dragon’s tank, consider buying this natural mineral substrate as it will absorb odor while encouraging burrowing and digging behaviors. You can also mix it with your Excavator clay, ReptiSand, or Vita-Sand to help control odor.
Its value for money, long-lasting (can last up to a year without replacement), and easy to use and maintain are some of the attributes that most users will mention if asked why they chose it.
Conclusion
If you have hatchlings or baby bearded dragons, go for a solid type of substrate such as reptile carpet, newspapers, and so on until they are at least 6 inches long. Otherwise, they will be sinking into the loose substrate, making it hard for them to move or hut as usual.