Find the best pooper scooper for your mucky pup

Let’s not beat around the bush: picking up poop is no - forgive the pun - walk in the park, but it is a necessary part of being a responsible pet parent (or pet sitter, for that matter). It’s true - while pets bring joy, happiness, and laughter into our lives, the life of a pet parent isn’t always a glamorous one! And although we’re big believers in ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’, the truth is that often, a grocery bag just won’t do! 

And so, to help you find the best dog poop scooper around (and to make ‘walkies’ just that little bit easier - and less messy), we’ve scoured the world wide web to bring you a list of the best pooper scoopers - as chosen by pet parents, like you. 

Buying a pooper scooper: what to consider

But first: what should you consider when buying your pooper scooper? Yep, believe it or not, there’s quite a lot to consider when it comes to buying a poop scoop: what style and mechanism to go for, the size of your pooch, and even the terrain on which they usually do their business. Don’t worry, though - we’ve summarized the main things to consider into four easy-peasy points - and here they are: 

• Style. And no, we’re not talking about the importance of picking out a poop scoop in your pup’s favorite color! Some dog poop scoops have a small, handheld design, while others are longer, larger, and can pick up poop at a distance. This is great for pet parents who (for whatever reason) may not be able to crouch down low (or for particularly squeamish pet parents…) 
• Portability. Of course, if your poop-scooping needs don't extend past your own backyard, portability isn't likely to be much of a consideration. But it makes sense that you wouldn't want to lug an XL-sized pooper scooper down to the local dog park, and so for daily walkies, consider a smaller or more portable design that is lightweight and easy to carry around. 
• Durability. Naturally, you want a pooper scooper that'll stand the test of time. While one-handed scoopers are arguably the easiest to use, rake- and claw-style scoopers have less moving parts and bits that could potentially break. Rakes are also sturdier and typically have 'teeth' that can easily pick up poop from tricky terrains, like grass and gravel. 
• Ease of cleaning. Ok, something designed to pick up doggy doo-doo is going to get messy - fact. Some poop scoops are designed to be used with a bag, which seamlessly scoops up the poop without any mess at all. If that's not your (poop) bag, we suggest choosing a poop scoop that can easily be cleaned after each use - think no intricate ridges, 'teeth', or claws!

Now, without further ado, let’s dive right into our list of the best pooper scooper for dogs - for when nature inevitably calls. 

Best dog pooper scooper overall

Petmate Arm & Hammer swivel bin & rake pet pooper scooper

This option from Arm & Hammer ticks a lot of boxes. It features a classic rake-and-bin design and has a large capacity and rotating receptacle, which makes it ideal for larger doggos. Pet parents love that it's lightweight and so easy to use, and the open-and-close mechanism means it can be operated with only one hand.

The long handle extends to an impressive 32 inches (tall pet parents, rejoice!), and the wide 'teeth' work well at picking up your doggy's deposit on grass, gravel, and even concrete. Another cool feature of this particular poop scoop? It comes with two heavy-duty waste bags included, which are infused with a fresh scent and baking soda to help keep odors at bay (although you can always use a regular grocery bag, if you prefer). 

While it is lightweight, it's not the most portable of options, which (in our opinion) is its only con. But, for use in the backyard, we think it's ideal.

Best poop scooper runner-up

DogBuddy portable pooper scooper

While the Petmate Arm & Hammer scooper ticks a lot of boxes, it isn’t the most portable of designs. For something a little more practical, we love this option from DogBuddy. 

This lightweight pooper scooper effortlessly picks up poop when you're on the go, and the integrated waste bag compartment keeps your doggy's deposit under lock-and-key until you find a suitable waste bin - just pop on a doggy poop bag, scoop, and go! It even has a built-in bag dispenser (handy!), and a clip that can be popped onto your pooch's leash. It comes in two sizes - one for small and medium dogs (5.9 x 4.8 inches) and one for bigger pooches (7.1 x 5.9 inches).

Best pooper scooper for large dogs 

TNELTUEB extra large dog pooper scooper set

Naturally, big dogs need bigger pooper scoopers. This XL-pooper scooper comes with a sturdy 9.3 x 9.8-inch tray and a hardy 11-'toothed' rake - meaning (hopefully) no mess left behind. It’s ideal for bigger breeds and receives tons of 5* reviews from parents of large pooches on account of its durability and generous size.

The rake is made from sturdy stainless steel and has an adjustable 3-section handle that can reach up to 38 inches. It’s welded for extra strength and durability, yet lightweight and easy to use. The claw-style rake means it probably isn't one of the best pooper scooper for soft poop, but so long as your pooch is a solid-consistency pooper, it should do the trick!

Best pooper scooper with bag attached 

GoGo Stik ST Catch-N-Go pooper scooper with bags

This hands-free stick truly paves the way for easy-peasy poop scooping  - simply wrap a bag around the device for fast and mess-free clean-ups. If you want to take it one step further, we hear that some pet parents have opted to use this scooper at the source - yes, you can place this pooper scooper directly underneath your pooch's derriere to catch the poop even before it hits the ground. 

It comes with a 5-year warranty and includes 10 ‘Dootie’ dog poop bags to get you started (but you can always use a regular grocery bag after if you'd prefer), and the adjustable telescopic aluminum handle can extend between 25 - 36 inches.

Best pooper scooper for grass 

Dogit Jawz dog waste scooper 

Really, the DogIt Jawz pooper scooper is a pretty good all-rounder, but it’s also a pretty strong contender for the ‘best dog poop scooper for grass’ title. While the bulkier design means it's best suited to yard use only, the spring-loaded claw works brilliantly on turf and grass (as well as gravel).

The smooth plastic makes it easy to clean, and the sturdy 'jaws' keep your doggy's doo-doo safe and sound until you're free to deposit it in a waste bin. With an easy-to-use, open-and-close mechanism, it can be operated one-handedly and the rubber-coated handle provides extra comfort.

Best rake pooper scooper

Pawler dog pooper scooper set with rake and tray

This heavy-duty pooper scooper comes with a sturdy rake and a large capacity tray, making doo-doo picking a doddle. It’s suitable for both large dogs and small dogs, and has a 36-inch rake that allows pet parents to scoop without crouching down or bending over into uncomfortable (and possibly smelly) positions.

It's easy to clean, rust-proof and durable, and the rake design means it can effortlessly pick up poop from grass, dirt, sand, gravel, weeds and debris, making it a pretty strong contender when it comes to finding the best pooper scooper for rocks and other tricky terrains. Is there nothing this dog pooper scooper set can't do? 

Actually, yes - unlike many of our other picks, it doesn't feature a one-hand design. But if that's no bother to you, we think this would make an excellent addition to your doggy-doo-doo toolkit.

Best claw pooper scooper

Nature's Miracle non-stick jaw scoop for pet waste pick up

This heavy-duty pooper scooper from Nature's Miracle is lightweight and easy to carry, yet super hardy and durable. The spring-loaded jaws scoop up your pup's deposit quickly, seamlessly and (most importantly), in one go. While the claw does come with anti-microbial protection, there is no additional attachment for a bag, so cleaning after each use is a must. It gets consistently 5* reviews from pet parents, and in our opinion, definitely does the job!

Best poop scoop on a budget

SUNLAX medium pooper scooper and tray

Who says picking up poop should break the bank? Not us - and not the folks at SUNLAX, either! At just $19.99 (at the time of publishing), we think this pooper scooper is a great budget-friendly option. Rest assured while it has a rather humble price tag, it certainly isn’t lacking in features: take the premium, water-proof stainless tube, for example, that's 30% thicker than other pooper scoopers ensuring maximum durability and longevity. 

The detachable design makes it easy to store when not in use, and the height-adjustable rake can reach up to 36.5 inches. Not too shabby at all - especially for under $20!

Pet parents, there are plenty of things to consider when planning a walk - a trusty dog poop scoop is just one of them. So, what else do you need to consider when venturing out into the great outdoors with your four-pawed pal? Find out here.