You probably don’t get excited when it comes time to replace your litter scoop. It’s an essential, but dull item tasked with a job the imagination would prefer not to contemplate. However, there is lots of merit to getting a good one. Well made products simplify a nasty job and stand up well to the test of time.
Poorly made products, on the other hand, are going to make your least favorite chore even harder. But how can you know the difference between the good and the bad? Our reviews are a good place to start. We’ve scoured the litter scoop market, including only the best of the best on our list. Read on for our best cat litter scoop reviews!
The DuraScoop is a durable aluminum scoop with a comfortable, molded rubber grip. The ergonomic center of gravity works to take the pressure off your wrists, giving you a much more sustainable experience, over time.
The material used here is invulnerable to rust, while the mirror coating will not rub off, even after years of use. Finally, the siding of the scoop is also slightly raised to guarantee that waste will not slip off.
You should, however, note that the grating of the scoop is slightly wider than some might prefer. This means it will be great for bigger chunks, but not so good at working with crumbs.
To conclude, we think this is the overall best cat litter scoop of the year.
The Petmate is our best litter scoop for the money. The unit is made with an anti-bacterial plastic that comes from previously recycled materials. Consequently, the anti-bacterial coating also resists stains, and the accumulation of odor.
It also benefits from raised sides that ensure waste will not slip out from the sides of the scooper. Unfortunately, though, it is quite small, which is problematic for two reasons. For one thing, it makes it very hard to handle larger messes.
The small size also means that you have to get up close and personal to the waste. Ultimately, the scooper is still very useable, but if you’re willing to spend a few more dollars you can get something with enhanced utility.
All in all, for the money, we think this is the best litter scoop.
Pros
Extremely affordable
Anti-bacterial coating
Recycled plastic
Raised edges
Cons
Not good for bigger messes
Requires that you get closer to waste
3. Neater Pet Brands Neater Scooper – Premium Choice
The Neater Pet Brands Scooper benefits from an innovative design that makes your job significantly easier. Waste baggies are built into the handle. Simply scoop up the waste, activate the “trap door” and say goodbye to the mess!
When you’ve finished cleaning the litter box, the waste disposal bag can be detached for easy, sanitary disposal. The package comes with 60 bags, after which point you will need to buy your own refills.
Unique design concept aside, it also succeeds in all the ways standard to litter scoops. The grip is comfortable, while the sides are raised for efficiency.
Buyers should note that this is more expensive than most of the other units on our list today. It also features an additional cost of replacement bags, so factor that into future expense as well.
The IPRIMIO is a moderately priced aluminum scoop. The sifter has been plated with a non-stick material that is stain resistant and keeps the scoop from acquiring an ammonia scent. Thanks to an ergonomic grip, you should be comfortable when using this product.
The scoop itself is also well designed. It’s made to be deep for handling large quantities of waste, while the sides are raised to avoid spillage.
Unfortunately, the Teflon coating isn’t well suited to go the distance. From the get-go, it doesn’t prevent sticking, and over time it may even start to peel off.
The Booda is an all-plastic unit that comes with a plastic base for safe, and sanitary storage. It features a broad, deep shovel that makes it easy to scoop up large quantities of waste without spillage, and it’s also extremely affordable, making it a great pick for the buyer on a budget.
Unfortunately, there are some build integrity concerns. The plastic is fairly flimsy, which means it may bend under the weight of large quantities of waste. This can lead to spilling and general ineffectiveness. Waste and litter also tends to stick to the material, leading to an eventual unpleasant cleanup.
The Vivaglory is an aluminum cat scoop that features a rubberized grip for comfortable use. It’s lightweight at just 9 ounces and is large enough to collect larger quantities of waste. Finally, the materials are designed to be easy to clean, requiring just a little bit of hot water and soap to be properly sanitized.
We have noticed a design peculiarity that you will want to be aware of. The aluminum that accounts for the shovel extends only halfway through the handle. The other half is floppy rubber, making it difficult to grip, and frustrating to use.
The BasicForm is made entirely of metal wire. The unit is designed to rapidly filter out litter, making it fast and easy to extract clumps. It features an “epoxy coating resin” that is optimized for preventing stains and making the scoop very easy to clean.
We have observed that the wire handle can be very difficult to hold. It’s also difficult to maneuver with. The shape of the handle doesn’t allow you to scrape the sides of the box, and corners are essentially inaccessible.
The Litter Lifter is a simple but affordable scoop that will be good for buyers on a budget. The scoop is made of durable plastic and, at only 4 ounces, it’s also very lightweight.
This said, we did note some performance issues. For one thing, the edges of the scoop are flat, which means that waste tends to spill out. The slots are also poorly spaced out, which means smaller crumbs will slip through.
Litter also tends to get stuck to the plastic, which can make the scooper difficult to clean. This product will get the job done, though you may opt for something with fewer frustrations.
Pros
Affordable
Durable
Lightweight
Cons
Difficult to clean
Waste spills out
Slots are poorly spaced
Waste gets stuck to plastic
Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Cat Litter Scoops
And now, let’s take a look at some buying considerations that will make your decision easier.
Material
There are two main types of materials that we encountered on this list: plastic, or aluminum. Plastic benefits from being affordable, while aluminum tends to be extremely durable.
If you want a product that you will essentially never need to replace, you’ll probably gravitate towards an aluminum scoop. However, either option will get the job done in a pinch.
Anti-Bacterial
No matter what, litter scoops are going to encounter a significant amount of germs. However, the extent to which this is the case can vary somewhat. By investing in something with an antibacterial coating, you can mitigate the number of germs that will build up on the surface.
Anti-bacterial coatings can also eliminate the accumulation of odor, preventing the unfortunate smell often associated with litter scoops.
Scooper Caddy
Storing your scooper can be a safety hazard. No matter how well you clean it, some germs will dwell on the surface, and you can’t place a tool meant to handle waste just anywhere. Consequently, it can be nice to invest in a scooper that comes with its own caddy.
The caddy provides you with a safe, sanitary spot to store your scoop so that it doesn’t have to mingle with other, sanitary items in your home.
Raised Edges
Raised edges are a simple, but highly useful feature that ensures waste won’t spill out from the sides of the scoop. Fortunately, almost all of the scoops on our list came with this feature, but you should still double-check before making your purchase if this is important to you.
Length of the Grip
Most of us prefer to keep our distance from pet waste. An extendable grip makes this easier. We featured one unit with a handle that can extend 12 inches outward. Though not necessary, this can make your life easier, and the task significantly less gross!
Price
Fortunately, litter scoops tend to be very affordable. On the low end, you can find options that cost less than a dollar. If you want to pull out all of the stops though, you can get a durable, aluminum unit that will last forever at under $20. No matter your budget, you’re sure to find something suitable!
Conclusion
Now that the cat litter scoop reviews are over, it is time to select a product. Perhaps you were attracted to the high quality of our top choice, the DuraScoop 910200 Cat Litter Scoop. It’s a great option for buyers that want something durable and effective.
However, if you’re more interested in getting something affordable, you’ll find much to like in our runner up choice, the Petmate 29111 Litter Scoop!
Don’t stress over the decision too much, though. All of the products on our list perform well, so there is no going wrong!
Christian is the Editor-in-Chief of Excited Cats and one of its original and primary contributors. A lifelong cat lover, now based in South East Asia, Christian and his wife are the proud parents of an 11-year-old son and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
