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The 5 Best Cat Litter Scoops: Purchased and Tested

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Mallory Crusta / Cats.com

The best litter scoop is essential if you own any kind of litter box. It’s durable and helps you get the undesirable part of owning a cat done quickly and efficiently.

No cat owner wants to be trying to scoop waste from the box with a flimsy, malfunctioning litter scoop that does not do the job the first time around.  So, if you are in the market for the best cat litter scoop that will hold up, we did the work for you.

At A Glance: Best Best Cat Litter Scoops To Buy

Clock
40
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Eye
18
brands
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5
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reviewed
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We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.

Overall Best
10.0
Picked by 31 people today!

The Litter Lifter

  • Very durable
  • Biggest bang for your buck
  • Large scoop area for quick clean up
Runner Up
9.8
Picked by 31 people today!

The Durascoop Jumbo Cat Litter Scooper

  • Picks up large amounts of litter
  • Easy to clean
  • Rubber handle grip
Budget Pick
9.5
Picked by 25 people today!

Van Ness Litter Scoop

  • Has its own storage caddy
  • Sturdy and inexpensive
  • Works best with large litter pieces
Best for Fine-Grained Litter
9.4
Picked by 21 people today!

Iprimio Cat Litter Scooper With Deep Shovel

  • Sharp edge for easy scooping
  • Large, deep scoop area
  • No stick coating
Best for Pellet Litter
9.3
Picked by 18 people today!

Petfusion Quickscoop Large Cat Litter Scoop

  • Picks up large amounts of litter
  • Made from strong ABS plastic
  • Ergonomic rubber handle grip

Top Picks Explained

Why Should You Trust Us

The amount of litter scoop reviews out there is overwhelming, but many of those reviews aren’t based on testing. Our litter scoop recommendations are based on a combination of testing and research.

trying cat litter scoops

Following hours of research, we independently purchased all of these scoops and subjected them to rigorous testing, taking notes on each one’s performance. Mallory Crusta / Cats.com

We have researched the types of litter scoops available, read hundreds of customer reviews, and performed real-world tests with dozens of litter scoops. We spent over 40 hours testing these litter scoops for sturdiness, performance in various types of litter, and how efficiently it separates litter.

Based on this research and hands-on testing, we’ve selected the following 5 litter scoops as the best you can buy.

The Best Cat Litter Scoops

#1 The Litter Lifter

This particular cat litter scoop stands out because of its no-sift peaked blades that can lift only waste from the litter box. This means clean litter stays in the litter box and prevents clean litter from getting wasted.

The strong, durable plastic construction helps with handling and the flat oversized design makes cleaning go fast and efficiently.

This cat litter scoop works well with all kinds of litter. However, the pellet-style litter was a little difficult to sift because the blades are close-set and didn’t allow for a lot of waste to get through.

Pros

  • Very durable
  • Biggest bang for your buck
  • Large scoop area for quick clean up

Cons

  • Larger litter pellets may not sift well
  • Difficult to clean

#2 The Durascoop Jumbo Cat Litter Scooper

This cat litter scooper is made from solid aluminum with a rubber-covered handle for a tight grip. It had a thin edge that will allow you to scrape the bottom of the litter box with ease.

It’s a durable litter scooper that allows you to get the job done quickly with its large size and good-sized grates.

This scooper works well with both clumping and non-clumping litters as well as crystal litter. Some pellet litters work well because of the spacing of the grates.

Pros

  • Picks up large amounts of litter
  • Easy to clean
  • Rubber handle grip
  • Works well with large litter pieces

Cons

  • Larger pieces may fall through
  • Waste sticks to metal

#3 Van Ness Litter Scoop

Van Ness Litter Scoop

Though predictably less sturdy than the previous pick, this plastic litter scoop hits the mark on budget-friendly pricing. Priced under $2, it’s still pretty strong.

With slots on the sides as well as the bottom, this litter scoop works well for most kinds of litter.

Customer reviews suggest the product is made from firm plastic and can last for several years with proper handling.

Pros

  • Affordably priced under $2
  • Fairly sturdy
  • Works for most types of litter

Cons

  • May not work for pine litter
  • Handle is fairly short

#4 Iprimio Cat Litter Scooper With Deep Shovel

This cat litter scoop is well designed and easy to clean. It has a large size scoop area meaning you can sift quickly and in large amounts.

It is completely durable with no flimsy feel when scooping. It has a no-stick coating material making it easy to clean and keep litter from sticking.

It does well with all types of litter but does better with finer grain clumping types litter.

Pros

  • Sharp edge for easy scooping
  • Large, deep scoop area
  • No stick coating

Cons

  • Large litter may not pass through

#5 Petfusion Quickscoop Large Cat Litter Scoop

This cat litter scooper is recommended if you use pellet-type litter in your cat’s litter box. The spacing of the grates on this scoop tends to be wider allowing pellets to pass through while holding onto waste.

This scoop is made of durable ABS plastic, which means it’s stronger than standard polypropylene cat litter scoops. It has a rubber grip handle making it easier to hold onto.

This scoop can be used with all litter types but may allow smaller clumps to pass through. It does have a no-stick material which helps with scooping.

Pros

  • Picks up large amounts of litter
  • Made from strong ABS plastic
  • Ergonomic rubber handle grip
  • Antimicrobial and non-stick coating

Cons

  • Not a large size scoop
  • Waste sticks to plastic

Final Thoughts

Having a good cat litter, litter box, and the right cat litter scooper can make the dreaded task of cleaning the litter box easier. Depending on the type of litter, how often you clean it and how many cats may influence the choice you make when picking the right cat litter scoop.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do I need to scoop my cat’s litter?

This really depends on a few things. The amount of waste your cat generates or the size may affect the frequency of scooping out his litter box. Also, your cat may be picky about the tidiness of his box and refuse to use it if it is not to his liking.

It is recommended that if you use a clumping litter, it is ideal to scoop the litter out daily and change it out once a month.

However, if you use a non-clumping cat litter it is best to change it twice a week.

If you have more than one cat in your home, you may have to increase the cleanings or offer more than one litter box.

Can you scoop cat litter when pregnant?

Pregnant women can change their cat's litter box safely while pregnant, but it's better to have someone else do it if possible. If you are pregnant and must clean the litter box then you should wear gloves and a mask, and thoroughly wash your hands when done.

The reason for the concern is toxoplasmosis, which is a parasitic infection that can be transmitted through your cat's poop.

Can you scoop cat litter into the toilet?

Flushing your cat's litter or feces down the toilet is a very bad idea. It can cause problems with your plumbing, clog pipes, as well as damage your septic system.

Clay or silica-based cat litters are designed to absorb liquids and expand, which is how a backed-up system happens quickly.

How do you clean a cat litter scoop?

There are many ways of cleaning the cat litter scoop. One of the easiest and most popular ways is by using a Lysol wipe immediately after use.

Depending on what type of material your scoop is made from you can try using hot water in the sink but be sure all litter has been scraped off the scoop to avoid going down the drain.

How do you scoop non-clumping cat litter?

Some cat owners argue that non-clumping litter can not be scooped and claim it is nearly impossible once it is soaked with urine. It is recommended that rather than scooping,  you should just replace the litter.

You can remove the cat poop by scooping but urine will tend to pool at the bottom of the box if left to sit too long.

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About Amy Brown-Towry

Amy Brown-Towry is a Certified NAVC Pet Nutritionist and animal lover. She is the proud owner of two cats and a dog and her love for animals has led her to a successful career as a freelance writer specializing in pet care, nutrition, and product reviews.

2 thoughts on “The 5 Best Cat Litter Scoops: Purchased and Tested”

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  1. Daniel Richard

    Fantastic post! Your insights into the often overlooked cat litter scoop are spot-on. It’s great to see appreciation for this unsung hero in cat care. Kudos for highlighting the importance of eco-friendly options and innovative designs. Cheers to the cat litter scoop, a small tool making a big difference! 🐾✨

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  2. Dan A Hammack

    Should have tried the Litter Lifter Pellet scoop since you liked the regular Litter Lifter so much. Hands down the best pellet scoop. Most of the pellets will fall immediately thru the scoop, a shake or two and the rest will fall thru.

    Reply