You may not give much thought to your 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 you and your cat happier and healthier.

It may seem simple, but several cat litter scoops on the market don’t do the job well, leaving dirty litter pieces in the box or on your floor. In this article, we have reviews of the best cat litter scoops and a handy buyer’s guide to help you select the ideal scoop.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2026

	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 Deluxe Cat Litter Scoop	Affordable Multiple colors Large bucket design	CHECK PRICE

The 10 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.

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 an affordable scoop, the Van Ness Litter Scoop is the best cat litter scoop for the money. It’s 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.

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. Some reviewers said the scoop is flimsy and bends easily, and it’s not good at scooping litter 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 that 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.

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. It can be used with covered or open litter boxes and includes a plastic hanger to keep it on the wall or the side of the litter box.

However, several reviewers had issues with the litter sticking and said the hanger adhesive doesn’t stick to the wall.

4. Frisco Plastic Litter Scooper with Caddy

Frisco Plastic Litter Scooper with Caddy 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 caddy, though it doesn’t work with low-profile litter boxes. Some reviewers had issues with the scoop snapping, however. Depending on the size of the litter, it can get stuck in the slots.

5. Fresh Kitty Deluxe Cat Litter Scoop

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 the used litter. It’s affordable without compromising its size and durability for regular cleaning. It may be too big if you only have a small litter box or one cat.

It comes in various colors and sizes with cute paw print cutouts, but some reviewers said they’re not functional. You can’t select the color, either, as they ship randomly. The design holds the litter but 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 in 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 the 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 sturdy cast aluminum scoop has a hand-polished metal design that can sift and dig without bending, breaking, or rusting. The ergonomic grip fits easily in your hand, and the scoop does not bend when scooping litter. It’s ideal 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 too large, and the small pieces fall through. Some reviewers said that they prefer their plastic scoop to this metal one.

8. Booda Scoop’n Hide Cat Litter Scoop

One of the biggest drawbacks of litter scoops is that you don’t really have a good place to put one. With the Booda Scoop’n Hide Cat Litter Scoop, however, you get a hinged stand so that you don’t have to worry about what surface you’re going to dirty when you set the scoop down, thus keeping it hidden and out of sight. 

This scoop is made of durable plastic and is capable of scooping all kinds of cat litter. However, there have been reports of the scoop breaking, and since it’s not sold separately, you’d have to buy a whole new set to replace it. Still, it is relatively affordable and comes in two sleek colors: pearl and brushed nickel.

9. Petmate Litter Scoop with Antimicrobial Protection

The Petmate Litter Scoop with Antimicrobial Protections is exactly what you’d expect of the typical litter scoop, although this one comes with a Microban technology that is antimicrobial to protect against bacteria, mold, mildew, and stains. Better yet, the handle is designed to be user-friendly. 

With that said, reviews state that the scoop is rather small despite looking large in pictures, although there are three sizes. On top of that, despite claiming to be durable plastic, there are a few reports of the handle breaking since the smaller size can’t withstand the weight of some of the heftier wastes our cats leave us. 

10. Van Ness Stainless Steel Cat Litter Scoop

The design of the Van Ness Stainless Steel Cat Litter Scoop might look basic, but it’s actually designed to help eliminate dust while scooping. It is created from durable stainless steel and metal, so you can ensure it is fairly durable while also being easy to clean. 

However, the handle definitely isn’t the most comfortable. Also, because the spacing between the metal is pretty far apart, smaller pieces of dirty litter easily fall through. On top of that, it is fairly large, which is good for some but not ideal for others.

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

Cat litter scoops are often an afterthought, but getting the wrong one can 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. Plastic is cheaper, but it doesn’t last as long as aluminum or other metals. Plastic scoops can also be flimsy, leading them to break or bend. The litter can also stick to some plastic scoops.

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. Most metal scoops are also non-stick. If you choose a metal scoop, look for designs with a single piece of metal for the scoop and handle. Otherwise, repeated stress can cause the two to separate at the handle.

Shovel Width

The width of the shovel is important. With a Smaller scoop, you’ll spend more time scooping and sifting than 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 throw away a lot of clean litter while cleaning. Check the manufacturer’s directions to determine if the scoop is designed for crystal litter, pellet litter, or clay clumping litter.

How We Selected Our List of Cat Litter Scoops

Catster has an experienced, expert team of writers, editors, and veterinarians who carefully consider a wide range of parameters when choosing the cat litter scoops. This includes but is not limited to customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary experience, hands-on testing, and of course, our cats have a say in the process too! We aim to select and review only the best products available, to help you make the best possible choice and most informed decision for your and your cat’s needs.

Why Trust Catster?

A trusted online brand since 2001, Catster has a lot of experience with cat litter scoops. Our team of cat-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians is dedicated to helping you make the best decision for your precious cats. Our aim is to provide the best information available for cat owners to help cats live their best life possible. To do this, we scour reviews from the most trusted sources available and this, combined with our veterinary team’s experience and expertise, helps us gather the best options available to readers. Our team is deeply invested in the health and welfare of cats the world over, and believes that expert knowledge and veterinary guidance will help you make the right choices—for you and your cats!

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 a more affordable scoop, the Van Ness Litter Scoop is a low-priced option that’s still durable and comfortable. Our premium pick is the iPrimio Sifter with Non-Stick Litter Scooper, which 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