Whether you have a new kitten or multiple cats, a cat litter scooper is one of the most essential items in your cleaning arsenal. If you’re the one who cleans the litter box in your home, then you know there is little worse than a malfunctioning or poorly made cat litter scooper to make the job you hate the most even worse than it already is.
It’s best to avoid the cheap cat litter scoops in favor of ones that are durable and made to last. So, how do you know the difference between a good and a bad litter scoop? Reading our reviews of these products is the best place to start.
So join us as we delve into our reviews and top picks for the best cat litter scoops. Hopefully, our top 10 will help you find the best pooper scooper for a dirty job.
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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2024
Image | Product | Details | ||
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Best Overall | DurAnimals DuraScoop |
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Best Value | Petmate Cat Litter Scoop |
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Premium Choice | Neater Pets Litter Scoop |
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Iprimio Sifter Litter Scoop |
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Sand Dipper Jr Cat Litter Scoop |
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The 10 Best Cat Litter Scoops
1. Duranimals DuraScoop Original Cat Litter Scoop – Best Overall
Material: | Aluminum |
Function: | Anti-sifting, Digging, Sifting |
Durability: | High |
Endurance: | Reusable |
Number one on our list for best overall cat litter scoops is the Duranimals DuraScoop Original Cat Litter Scoop. When you’re looking for the best overall cat litter scoops, you want one that is strong and will last you a good long time. This scoop delivers. Not only is the design made of metal and aluminum, but it’s also finished with a polished design that is nice to look at.
With a variety of color selections and a rubber grip that makes it easy to hold on to, it’ll quickly become your favorite cat litter scoop. The raised siding of the scoop prevents waste from slipping off as well.
However, since the grating on the scoop is wide, it’s easier for small chunks to slide off and end up back in the litter box. It’s also been reported that feces tend to stick to the exterior of the shovel, so you need to clean and sanitize your scoop between cleanings for the best results.
2. Petmate Litter Scoop – Best Value
Material: | Recycled Plastic |
Function: | Scooping, Fights Bacteria |
Durability: | High |
Endurance: | Reusable |
One of the best cat litter scoops for the money has to be the Petmate Litter Scoop. Not only does the scoop work well for scooping smaller litter boxes, but it’s also made from an anti-bacterial plastic that helps fight odors, bacteria, and germs that can come from cat feces and build up in your litter box.
Since this cat scoop is also made from recycled plastic, you’ll be doing your part to save the environment with your purchase.
However, this cat scoop is very small, meaning it might not work well if you have more than one cat, a larger litter box, or frequent big messes. Also, since the scoop is small, you’ll have to get quite up close to the litter box in order to clean it properly.
While this is a great cat litter scoop for the money, you can spend a little more and get something that’s a higher functioning scoop.
3. Neater Pets Cat Litter Scoop – Premium Choice
Material: | Plastic |
Function: | Scooping, Bagging |
Durability: | High |
Endurance: | Reusable |
For a less messy cat litter scoop, our premium choice goes to the Neater Pets Cat Litter Scoop. Since the waste bag is attached to the handle of this scoop, you just have to scoop up the waste, then deposit it into the trap door on the bin and forget about it.
The litter scoop comes with waste bags, so you don’t have to buy any right away, and the handle is a sturdy comfort grip for easy scooping. It is important to note that this litter scoop is a bit more expensive than any other scoop on our list, but if you’re looking for less mess and little fuss in your cleaning, then it’s worth the money. You do have to buy more waste bags once the others have run out, but in our opinion, it’s worth it for the convenience and the neatness.
4. Iprimio Sifter Litter Scooper
Material: | Cast Aluminum |
Function: | Digging, Hanging, Scooping, Sifting |
Durability: | High |
Endurance: | Reusable |
Coming in at number four on our list is the Iprimio Sifter Litter Scoop. Featuring a sharp tip, the scoop can easily cut through the mess and get to the hard-to-scoop clumps you often have to deal with. This is a deep shovel, so you should have no problem digging deep into the litter box to ensure it’s really clean.
This scooper even comes with a plastic hook, so once the scoop is cleaned, you can hang it up out of the way where it doesn’t have to be seen.
The only problem with this deep litter scooper is that the Teflon coating fails to hold up for the long haul. From the beginning, it’s been known to not prevent sticking, and the Teflon coating comes off after a bit of time.
5. Sand Dipper Jr Cat Litter Scoop
Material: | Stainless Steel |
Function: | Easy to Use, Long Reach |
Durability: | Medium |
Endurance: | Has a warranty, Reusable |
For more of us, bending over to clean out the litter box is aggravating and really bad on our backs. That’s why the Sand Dipper Jr. Cat Litter Scoop is number five on our list. Not only does it feature an extended handle that doesn’t buckle when you use it, but it also comes with a one-year warranty. Unfortunately, very few cat scoops feature any warranty at all.
The stainless-steel scoop allows for digging deep into the litter box to make sure all clumps are removed.
However, this scoop can be a little awkward to use in the beginning, as it’s long and hard to get used to. Also, the stainless-steel basket does have small holes, so it’s not the perfect scoop for larger granules or pellets. Other than that, with the one-year warranty and the long handle, this is a winner in the cat litter scooper department to us.
6. BasicForm Fast Sifting Cat Litter Scoop
Material: | Metal Wire |
Function: | Scooping, Sifting, Filtering |
Durability: | Medium |
Endurance: | Reusable |
Weighing in at number six on our list is the BasicForm Fast Siting Cat Litter Scoop. This scoop is made up of completely metal wiring, which makes it easy to clean and filter litter rapidly because of the wide spaces. Since the scoop has an epoxy resin coating, it doesn’t stain like many other scoops do, and it’s extremely durable as well.
However, the grip on the handle is uncomfortable to hold, making it hard to handle the scoop when trying to clean the litter box. In addition, the shape of the handle keeps you from being able to scrape the inside of your litter box properly.
7. Arm & Hammer Deluxe Litter Scoop
Material: | Plastic |
Function: | Scooping, Digging |
Durability: | High |
Endurance: | Reusable |
The Arm & Hammer Deluxe Litter Scoop is an affordable option as it comes with 15 waste bags. The scoop is a 2-in-1 deluxe model and is lightweight, durable, and doesn’t rust. In addition, the waste bags hold the scent of lavender, so you can have a pleasant scent wafting out of your litter box after cleaning.
The bags are also infused with baking soda to minimize scents and spread freshness throughout the room.
This scoop isn’t the best for small litter boxes, however, as it’s quite large. You’ll also have to buy more bags when the bags that come with the cat litter scoop are gone.
8. Co-Z Cat Litter Scoop
Material: | Solid Aluminum Alloy |
Function: | Digging, Sifting, Scooping, Anti-Flicking |
Durability: | High |
Endurance: | Reusable |
At number eight on the list is the Co-Z Aluminum Alloy Cat Litter Scoop. The solid aluminum alloy scoop is durable yet lightweight. It’s also anti-corrosive, so you don’t have to worry about rust. In addition, it features a longer handle for easier cleaning and works for all litter types, not just a few of them.
Perfect for digging, scooping, sifting, and anti-flicking, this is a must-have for any pet lover who hates cleaning the litter box.
The only drawback to this scoop is that it might be too large to be used in some litter boxes.
9. Vivaglory Cat Litter Scoop
Material: | Metal |
Function: | Sifting, Scooping, Digging |
Durability: | High |
Endurance: | Reusable |
The perfect size to pick up large quantities of waste at once, the Vivaglory Cat Litter Scoop comes in at number nine on our list of ten. Weighing in at just nine ounces, it’s perfect for someone who doesn’t want to deal with a heavy scooper.
The aluminum material it’s made of makes it easy to clean with just a little hot water and some soap. However, while the scoop itself is durable, it’s only there for half of the shovel. After the aluminum ends, the scoop is made of a floppy rubber that bends when you use it, possibly spilling the waste back into the litter box or all over the floor. This flaw makes the scoop hard to use and is very frustrating to most pet owners.
10. Litter Lifter Cat Litter Scoop
Material: | Plastic |
Function: | Scooping |
Durability: | High |
Endurance: | Reusable |
At number 10 on the list is the Litter Lifter Cat Litter Scoop. While this is the perfect scoop for someone on a budget, we noticed quite a few drawbacks. While it’s made of a durable material and is lightweight, the scoop is hard to clean.
In our opinion, the slots are spaced too far apart, which allows smaller particles to slip through and back into the litter box. In addition, waste sticks to the plastic, which makes it difficult to clean. However, it’s a good cat litter scooper for the price you’ll pay and is quite durable.
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Cat Litter Scoop
If you’ve made it to this point in our review guide, then you’re probably wondering how to choose the best cat litter scoop for your needs.
We’ve walked you through the reviews of what we considered the best cat litter scoops, so in our next section, we’ll help you determine how to know the best scoop when you see it.
Materials
There are two main materials cat litter scoops are made up of, plastic or aluminum. Plastic is great if you’re looking for something affordable yet still durable. Aluminum is highly durable, however, and will last you longer than a plastic scooper will.
While either option will work, if you’re looking for a scoop that will last you for many years to come, aluminum is your best choice.
Choose Anti-Bacterial
No matter what type of scoop you choose, germs will be transferred from the litter box to the scoop and vice-a-versa. Choosing a scoop that has an anti-bacterial coating will eliminate some of those bacteria and germs.
Price
Lucky, no matter which scoop you choose, they are usually pretty inexpensive. On our list, we have some that cost very little on the low end. Even the high end of the scale is not overly pricey, and that’s a cat litter scoop with waste bags and all the bells and whistles.
No matter what your budget is, consider how long you want the scoop to last before you make a decision, and you’re sure to find something you can afford.
Opt for Raised Edges
While most cat litter scoops come with raised edges, there are a few that don’t. Raised edges help with waste spillage quite a bit, so make sure the scoop you choose has them for less mess and the best results.
Purchase a Scoop Caddy
You probably already know that no matter how well you clean your cat litter scooper, it’s still a health and safety hazard. So while some of the scoops on our list have hangers, it’s best to purchase a scooper caddy instead.
As you’ve seen by our list, there are also scoopers that come with their own caddies, so the choice is yours.
Grip Length
Since most cat owners prefer to be as far away from the cat litter as possible when cleaning the litter box, the grip length is extremely important. Though a long handle can undoubtedly make your life easier, the choice once again is yours.
Even if you keep a clean and tidy litterbox, you probably still find yourself with cat odors and stains around the house – but with the Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray & Litter Deodorizer, you can combat even the very worst pet stains and litter box smells!
Combating Odor
Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray
Hepper Advanced Bio-enzyme Deodorizer & Litter Additive
Eliminates smells
Removes stains
Powdered/dry form
Liquid/wet form
Works on a variety of surfaces
Works inside your cat's litter
At Pet Keen, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding products of this cool cat company!
Final Thoughts
Now that we’ve come to the end of our reviews on the top 10 best cat litter scoops on the market today, in our opinion, you’re probably ready to choose the best one for you. If you’re searching for the best quality, then the Duraanimal Durascoop Cat Litter Scoop could be the best choice for you.
If you’re looking for something that’s a little more affordable and gives you a bang for your buck, then go with the PetMate Litter Scoop for its affordability. However, for a less messy experience, the Neater Pet Cat Litter Scoop can’t be beaten.
Featured Image Credit: triGri, Shutterstock