You may not give much thought to your cat litter scoop but having the right one is just as important as having the right litter and litter box. An effective, ergonomically designed, and convenient scoop ensures you clean the litter box properly, keeping both you and your cat happier and healthier.

It may seem simple, but plenty of cat litter scoops on the market don’t do the job well, leaving dirty litter pieces in the box or on your floor. Here are our picks for the best cat litter scoops based on reviews from other cat owners.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023

	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		SunGrow Cat Litter Scooper	Lightweight Sturdy design Corrosion-resistant and stain-resistant steel design	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Van Ness Litter Scoop	Inexpensive High-impact plastic Odor- and stain-resistant	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		iPrimio Sifter with Litter Scooper	Ergonomic design Perfectly spaced slots Non-stick metal surface	CHECK PRICE
		Frisco Litter Scooper with Caddy	Included caddy Well-spaced slots Works with any size litter box	CHECK PRICE
		Fresh Kitty	Affordable Multiple colors Large bucket design	CHECK PRICE

The 7 Best Cat Litter Scoops

1. SunGrow Non-Stick Metal Cat Litter Scooper – Best Overall

The SunGrow Non-Stick Metal Scoop Kitty Box Cat Litter Scooper is the best overall cat litter scoop because of its corrosion-resistant and stain-resistant steel design that prevents sticking and rust from acidic urine. It’s lightweight with a wide mouth and deep scoop to dig out clumped litter and scrape the edges and bottom of the pan easily. The slots are narrow and work well for clay-based litter and other types of litter.

For you, the durable litter scoop has an ergonomic design that minimizes hand fatigue. Several reviewers experienced issues with the design, however, such as a poor balance and unfinished edges that can injure your hand. Others said the litter stuck to the scoop and was difficult to remove.

2. Van Ness Litter Scoop – Best Value

If you want a value, the Van Ness Litter Scoop is the best cat litter scoop for the money. This scoop is designed for cat litter pans of all sizes and features a high-impact plastic for extra durability. The high-polish finish is odor and stain resistant to keep it clean with regular use.

The handle of the litter scoop is ergonomically designed to allow you to scoop in a single motion. The slots are narrow to allow litter to fall through while the messes stay inside. It’s available in blue. Some reviewers said the scoop is flimsy and bends easily, so it’s not good at scooping litter that’s stuck to the pan.

3. iPrimio Sifter Non-Stick Litter Scooper – Premium Choice

The iPrimio Sifter with Non-Stick Litter Scooper is the premium choice for cat litter scoops. Designed by cat owners, this scoop is made of sturdy cast aluminum with a non-stick coating, so the litter won’t build up with repeated use. The deep shovel design has well-spaced sifting slots that capture soiled litter while letting the clean litter fall through, reducing your litter waste and messes.

One of the unique features of this scoop is that the handle has a solid core that makes it easier and more comfortable to hold. The reinforced front edge reduces bending and can get under difficult clumps on the bottom of the box. This scoop can be used with covered or open litter pans and includes a plastic hanger to keep it on the wall or the side of the litter box. Several reviewers did have issues with the litter sticking, however, and said that the hanger adhesive wouldn’t stick to the wall.

4. Frisco Plastic Litter Scooper with Caddy

Frisco Plastic Litter Scooper with Caddy is a great choice. It works with any size litter box or multi-cat boxes and features ideally spaced slots to catch small clumps and messes without wasting clean litter. It also comes with a caddy that you can attach to the litter box to keep the scoop handy.

This scoop works with clay, sand, newspaper, or other types of litter. Reviewers were happy with the included caddy, though it doesn’t work with low-profile litter boxes. Some reviewers had issues with the scoop snapping, however. Depending on the side of the litter, some can get stuck in the slots.

5. Fresh Kitty

The Fresh Kitty Deluxe Cat Litter Scoop makes cleaning the litter box quick and easy with a large bucket design and narrow slots that capture mess and litter. It’s affordable without compromising its size and durability for regular cleaning. If you only have a small litter box or one cat, it may be too big.

It comes in various colors and sizes with paw print cutouts that are cute, but some reviewers said they’re not functional. You can’t select the color, either, as they ship randomly. The design helps to hold the litter, but that may require tipping it up to sift. Reviewers with multiple cats said that the scoop broke quickly after using it.

6. Petmate Metal Litter Scoop

The Petmate Metal Litter Scoop is the ideal combination of strong metal and ergonomic thermoplastic rubber. The scooper is made of durable die-cast aluminum with a comfortable handle that allows you to scoop heavy waste and scrape up messes on your litter box with ease. There’s a hole on the handle to hang the scoop and keep your cat area tidy.

The slots on this scoop are narrow and allow clean litter to fall through while catching clumps and messes. It’s designed to work with all types of litter. The metal scoop with a plastic handle works well, but reviewers noted that it loosened with just a few months of regular use.

7. DurAnimals DuraScoop Original Cat Litter Scoop

DurAnimals DuraScoop Original Cat Litter Scoop is another great choice for several reasons. This scoop is made of sturdy cast aluminum with a hand-polished metal design that can sift and dig without bending, breaking, or rusting. The ergonomic grip helps it fit easily in your hand without spilling or bending and flicking waste into the air. This is a great option for multi-cat homes with a lot of litter box cleaning.

Despite being well made, reviewers said the scoop is heavy, difficult to use, and hard on the hands and wrists. The openings are a bit large, so small pieces fall through. Some reviewers said that they prefer their plastic scoop to this metal one.

Buyer’s Guide: What to Look for in Cat Litter Scoops

Cat litter scoops are often an afterthought but getting the wrong one could leave you dreading this daily chore and making a lot of messes. Here’s what you should look for in your cat litter scoop:

Materials

Cat litter scoops are usually plastic or metal—each with their pros and cons. Plastic is often cheaper, but it doesn’t last as long as aluminum or other metals. Plastic scoops can be flimsy as well, leading them to break or bend. If that happens while you’re scraping a mess off your litter box bottom, you could end up with particles flicking into the air (or your face!). Litter may stick to plastic scoops more as well.

Metal scoops are more expensive, but they can be worth the investment. They aren’t as likely to bend or break as a plastic handle, but they may be more cumbersome to use. Most metal scoops are non-stick as well. If you choose a metal scoop, look for options that have a single piece of metal for the scoop and handle. Otherwise, the repeated stress can lead the two to separate at the handle.

Shovel Width

The width of the shovel is important. Smaller scoops mean you have to spend more time scooping and sifting than you would with a large shovel, but they’re less maneuverable. If you have multiple cats and clean the litter box often, bigger may be better for you.

The slot size is also important, based on the litter type you use. If they’re too big, dirty particles will fall through. If they’re too small, you’ll end up throwing away a lot of clean litter while cleaning. Check the manufacturer’s notes to determine if the scoop is designed for crystal litter, pellet litter, or clay clumping litter.

Conclusion

The SunGrow Non-Stick Metal Scoop Kitty Box Cat Litter Scooper is the best overall cat litter scoop for its sturdy steel design that resists sticking, corrosion, and stains. If you want value, the Van Ness Litter Scoop is an affordable option that’s still durable and comfortable. The premium option is the iPrimio Sifter with Non-Stick Litter Scooper is designed by cat owners to provide the ideal balance of comfort and functionality.

• See Also: Pine Cat Litter: Pros, Cons and Things To Know

Featured Image Credit: Pam Walker, Shutterstock