10 best pooper scoopers for 2023

Picking up poop isn’t the best part of being a pet owner but it needs to be done! Pooper scoopers can make the process easier, more convenient, and less icky. But with so many products on the market, how do you choose? To help you out, our team of experts has reviewed a range of pooper scoopers to determine their ease of use, design, durability, and how simple they are to clean.

Why we recommend the Heeyoo Dog Poop Tray and Rake Set

We love this pooper scooper because of its large wide tray and 37-inch rake and spade tools that can effortlessly clean up poop from any surface. The forked rake is ideal for cleaning up waste on grass, sand, or dirt. Plus, the spade can be used on harder surfaces such as concrete.

When you are done with this pooper scooper, simply hose it down with water and store it away. Both tools have detachable 3-section handles that can be folded down for easy storage.

Why we recommend the DogBuddy Portable Dog Poop Scooper

Looking for a small, convenient pooper scooper to take with you on dog walks? This could be the product for you. The DogBuddy pooper scooper easily clips onto any lead so you don’t have to carry it. The innovative design also scoops the poop directly into a bag so your hands remain completely clean.

This pooper scooper comes with an integrated bag dispenser and the back of the product can expand to hold even more waste when needed.

Why we recommend the Activedogs Best Ever Dog Poop Scooper

This pooper scooper could be the only device you’ll ever need, because it’s made of durable 1/8 inch heavy-duty aluminum. Made in the USA, this pooper scooper has a spring-loaded hinged scoop for convenience and rubber handles for easy grip.

You can open the head as wide as needed while it remains hinged in the middle. So, it’s a great choice for owners with larger dogs.

Why we recommend the Pawler Dog Pooper Scooper

Tired of running back and forth to the trash can after your dogs have played in the yard? The Pawler Dog Pooper Scooper has one of the largest trays on the market. So, it’s a great choice for multi-dog households. The solid aluminum design is easy to clean and rust-proof. It can also be used on a variety of surfaces including concrete, grass, dirt, and gravel.

Why we recommend the Petmate Arm & Hammer Swivel Bin & Rake Pooper Scooper

The affordable Petmate Arm and Hammer Pooper Scooper is a great all-rounder for budget-conscious pet owners. This lightweight pooper scooper is suitable for concrete, gravel, dirt, and grass. The rake and large capacity swivel bucket also snap together for easy storage.

This pooper scooper uses heavy-duty waste bags that are twice as strong as standard grocery bags. They are also infused with activated baking soda to eliminate any nasty odors

Why we recommend the PPOGOO Non-Breakable Pet Pooper Scooper

If you are looking for a heavy-duty, long-handled pooper scooper that you can carry and store easily, the PPOGOO  is the product for you. The innovative design folds completely in half with a simple sliding locking mechanism.

When fully extended, the handle measures 24.3 inches with a convenient one-handed operation. The teeth-style scoop works well on a range of surfaces from gravel to grass. Simply place a waste bag over the scoop and pull the handle to pick up waste.

Why we recommend the Nature’s Miracle Jaw Scoop

This pooper scooper is made in the USA and folds down for easy storage. The jaw scoop comes in two sizes; medium and jumbo, so it’s suitable for most dogs. The easy one-handle design makes this pooper scooper both convenient and easy to use. Whereas the unique anti-microbial coating makes it a hygienic and easy-to-clean choice.

Why we recommend the Four Paws Wire Rake Scooper for Grass

The simple rake design of this pooper scooper is specifically designed to pick up waste without damaging your grass. With its 29-inch handle and large, curved scoop, you can clean up your dog’s mess with minimal effort. The metal material is also rust-resistant and easy to clean, simply spray it with water when you are done.

Why we recommend the Doody Digger Pooper Scooper

Looking for a simple, convenient pooper scooper that can be used with any waste bag you have lying around? The Doody Digger does just that. Simply attach any bag to the end using the strap provided. You can change the bag after every use or wait until it’s full.

The unique funnel design allows you to scoop up dog waste and then simply tip it back into the bag by raising the device vertically. It’s also incredibly lightweight, weighing just 1.5 pounds, so it’s completely strain-free.

Why we recommend the GoGo Stik Totally Clean Pooper Scooper

This versatile pooper scooper has a patented dual-blade system, with a rounded blade for soft, uneven surfaces and a square blade for hard surfaces. The handle has a soft cushion grip for comfort and can extend to 36 inches. This pooper scooper can be used with any waste bag. It can even be used with resealable sandwich bags for when you need to collect a sample for the vet.

For years, dog owners carried plastic bags in their pockets to clean up after their canine companions. While this works well for some, it can be a difficult task for people with health issues and joint problems. If you can’t bend down without feeling pain, a long-handled pooper scooper can be a lifesaver.

If you live in an urban area, a bag is not the most convenient way to peel poop from a gravel path or sidewalk because you might end up smearing it. Pooper scoopers come in a wide range of designs and sizes to effectively pick up poop from even the most unforgiving surfaces.

Pooper scoopers are also great tools for pet parents who get a little squeamish about getting too close to their dog’s poop!

👉Most states have dog poop laws that come with hefty fines. Dog poop is bad for the environment and our health, so always pick up after your pup. 

All pooper scoopers have their own unique designs and mechanisms. So, there is bound to be one that suits your needs. Here are some of the factors you need to consider when picking out the best dog pooper scooper:

Handle length: This is especially important if you are tall. The longer the handle, the less you will need to bend over to pick up your dog’s waste. Don’t forget that many pooper scoopers also have extendable handles. So, always look at the extended length of the product.

Storage: Some pooper scoopers fold down so they can be easily stored in your shed. Others have convenient hooks so they can be hung on the wall or fence until you need them.

Material: Pooper scoopers generally come in plastic and metal varieties. Metal is more durable and hard-wearing. So, these pooper scoopers are more likely to last longer. However, they can be prone to rusting, especially if left outside. Plastic pooper scoopers are more lightweight so they are much easier to carry around.

Portability: If you are looking to purchase a pooper scooper that you can take with you on doggie walks, you’re going to want to look for something lightweight and small. Some pooper scoopers also come with built-in bag dispensers or poop bag disposal compartments which can come in handy when out and about.

Scoop shape: The shape and design of the scoop will determine how well the product works on different surfaces. For soft surfaces such as grass and sand, a rake-style scoop is best because this will cause the least damage to grass and scoop up less substrate. For hard surfaces like concrete, teeth-style claws or smooth spade scoops work best.

Affordability: We are not just talking about the price of the product itself here, but also the waste bags. Some pooper scoopers require specific heavy-duty bags that can become pricey in the long run. Others allow you to use any carrier bag you have in your cupboard. Metal pooper scoopers tend to be more expensive than plastic ones. However, they are much better for larger dogs and multi-dog households. Cheaper plastic pooper scoopers are more suitable for smaller dog breeds and cats.

Ease of cleaning: Some pooper scoopers have anti-microbial and non-stick coatings that prevent odor and waste from sticking to the product. These can make them much easier to keep clean in the long run.

This may sound a little gross, but visually checking your dog’s poop can tell you a lot about their overall health. As you are scooping up their mess, look for signs that may indicate a health issue. Factors include:

Shape: Normal dog poop should be soft and sausage-shaped. Small, hard pebble-shaped pellets can indicate dehydration or joint issues. Similarly, hard lumps in the poop could indicate mild constipation. Liquid or soup-like poop is a sign of diarrhea.

Size: The size of the poop will obviously depend on the size of your dog. However, it should remain fairly consistent and correlate to the amount of food they have eaten. Check out how much food to feed your dog if you’re unsure. Significantly smaller poops may suggest a loss of appetite which can be caused by an illness of blockage. Larger than normal poops could indicate a digestive issue. However, remember that a high intake of fiber will also  increase the size of your dog’s poop.

Color: A normal, healthy dog poop will be a milky brown color. However, it can range from light to dark brown. Other colors may indicate a health problem. For example, white specks in your dog’s poop could be a sign of an intestinal parasite which requires treatment. Orange or yellow poop could indicate an issue with the liver, whereas black or tarry poop could be a sign of internal bleeding which is a medical emergency. Green poop can indicate a problem with the gall bladder but it can also be the result of your dog eating grass.

Frequency: Dogs should be fairly regular with their bowel movements. If you suddenly notice you are scooping up more or a lot less often, you may want to get your dog to the vet for a check-up.

Remember, if you have just changed your dog’s diet, this can cause a change in bowel movements until they get used to the new food. Always make sure you introduce any new food gradually over the course of a few weeks to limit the risk of digestive upset.

The betterpet lab developed a set of criteria then put them to the test in real-world situations. Those factors included:

• Features. We look at the features of the pooper scoopers, like if it’s easy to clean, or works well on multiple surfaces. Our testers evaluate how well the pooper scoopers performed with those features in mind.
• Durability. For pooper scoopers, we also pay attention to how durable it is. After all, you don’t purchase a pooper scooper with the expectation that you’ll have to replace it quickly! We want to be able to tell you how durable a pooper scooper is so that you can make an informed decision when buying the best pooper scooper.
• Maintenance. Our testers also considered how easy it was to clean the pooper scooper. Is it a simple matter of emptying it and wiping it down, or will cleaning the pooper scooper mean that you’ll have to take it apart completely?
• Comfort. Our testers also looked at how comfortable the pooper scooper was for dog owners to use. We considered the design of the pooper scooper as well as other factors, like the handle and ease of use. Pet parents deserve the best pooper scooper, after all, and we want to help you give that to them.

The writers, editors, and staff of betterpet are pet parents, and we know the value of accurate, trustworthy information. Because of this, the content we create is reviewed and approved by our vets.