I have tried all of the above suggestions and (for me) they all have their advantages and disadvantages.

I think the number one problem I've found with any of the substrates I've used is finding that "happy medium" between humidity, cost, ease of use and how well my snakes seem to like it.

In the end my personal favorite is fir bark. I spend a little more to buy the branded stuff at the pet store because the particles are not too large and there are no rocks or other "undesirables" in the bags. As far as humidity control goes I have no complaints. It is not able to hold as much water as some other substrates but seems to release it at a rate that prevents my tubs from fogging up.

Aspen has that gerbil cage smell to it I really don't care for. Plus it seems to get too humid and damp for me.

I've used a product that is very similar to Cell Sorb and it works great as far as spot cleaning goes. However, it is very heavy and seems to pull the water out of everything. I ditched the brand I was using as soon as I had a couple snakes go through poor sheds. I don't know how well Cell Sorb would work by comparison to the brand I purchased.

Newspaper, Craft paper, shipping paper and cage liners are all nice for the time and money they can save. You may have to watch your humidity a little closer than usual since these will not "hold and release" the humidity as well as the other substrates.

Having said all of that, I've noticed that each of my snakes seems to have a preference as to which substrate is in their tub (noted due to changes in feeding or behavior after a change in type of substrate occurred). So, I have some on shredded aspen, some on craft paper, and some on fir bark.

The room you keep your snakes in will have a big impact on the humidity in their tubs or tanks. That is one reason you see so many different preferences here. Someone in Arizona may not have like newsprint because their snakes are too dry on it, whereas someone in Florida may find that the ambient humidity provides perfect conditions for the use of newsprint (and like wise for the rest of the substrates discussed).

You will no doubt have to experiment a little before you find the one you prefer.

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