3 of the Best Dog Poop Scoopers for Hassle-Free Cleanup
One of the least glamorous but unavoidable parts of dog ownership is cleanup. For multi-dog households, kennels, or even dog sitters, that chore is made less of a hassle when you’re equipped with one of the best dog poop scoopers that’s designed for the ground you’ll use it on.
Rakes for all terrain, shovels for paving, and claw grabbers if you just want to take the bending out of the pickup duty.
Discover 3 of the Best Dog Poop Scoopers
| Product | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bin & Rake Metal Pooper Scooper | Garden use, multi-dog households, grassy areas | Durable stainless steel, long handles, rust-resistant | Rake prongs can bend in frosty weather, not portable |
| Long-Handled Dog Poop Scooper | Quick walks, single-handed pickup, people with back pain | No bending, includes bags, foldable, can hang on a hook | Plastic & springs may break in cold, harder to clean soft waste |
| Swivel Bin & Rake | Single-dog households, reducing single-use bags | Long reach, lid keeps rain out, efficient for bagged pickup | Bags may slip without knotting, rake only (not good for runny messes) |
Discover 3 of the Best Dog Poop Scoopers
I’ve tried each type and the #1 pick is the setup I’ve settled with and that’s for two Staffies that poop a lot.
1. Bin and Rake Metal Dog Pooper Scooper: Best for Large Lawns and Multi-dog Households
- Best For:
- Using on grassy areas, for bulk clear-ups (rather than daily), and for garden use only – not portable.
- Pros:
Long reach handle, sturdy stainless steel, and powder-coated to prevent rust. - Cons:
The metal rake may be too thin to handle frosty morning pickups.
This is my go-to. Far better than any of the claw dog poop scoops I’ve gone through. No teeth breaking, or springs rusting.
My Experience:
The first metal dog poop rake and shovel I bought, the prongs on the rake bent when I tried raking up on a cold morning when the solids were frozen. It was too fragile. This one is far sturdier. The thickness was evident to me as soon as I opened the package. It’s still going strong after two years of frequent use.
Check out the Fellie Metal Poop Scooper here
(and see other owners’ reviews too).
2. Long Handled Dog Poop Scooper: Best for Single Handed Pickup without Bending
- ✅ Long reach handle prevents bending
- ✅ Includes bags and dispenser
- ✅ Folds for compact storage
- ✅ Can be hung on a hook or fence
- Best for:
Short walks, quick pickups, people juggling picking up with one hand while holding the dog on the lead with the other. (Something I used to have a problem with until I bought a hands-free adjustable lead). - Pros:
Long reach handle prevents bending (ideal for those with back pain issues), includes bags, folds for easy storage, and can be hung (nail in a fence or shed). - Cons:
ABS Plastic and metal springs, neither, I find, hold up well outdoors over the winter.
My Experience:
Claw scoops are plastic, (some) have a teeth design, and springs, and aren’t easy to clean the runny stuff from. I don’t like them, but do understand that they can be a good option for some people. Especially those with a bad back who struggle to bend down to pick up dog poop.
This one is among the cheaper versions and doesn’t have the teeth design and that’s a good thing. When I used these in the winter, the plastic teeth were the first to break. Once one of those breaks off, it’s rendered next to useless because a gap is left so some mess falls through.
As this has the spring-action bucket design without the teeth, it’s perfect for placing a bag inside. On the other design, it’d more than likely tear dog poop bags.
Where these have their place is on quick strolls around the block when the sole purpose is to let the dog do its business. With this, it can be operated single-handedly.
Rather than fumble around in the rain, prep the claw/grabber with a poop scoop bag, head out, when it’s pick-up time, grab it and go, without having to let go of the lead. Hands-free pickup!
This one is available in 2 sizes. 45 cm and 60 cm, and it includes a bag dispenser and the bags to use with it.
See all the available options for this portable dog poop scooper here.
3. Swivel Bin and Rake Dog Poop Scooper: Best for Regular Use with Less Bags
- ✅ Long reach handle
- ✅ Lid closes to keep rainwater out
- ✅ Faster cleanup with less single-use bags
- Best for:
Single dog households for easy pickup, and less bag usage than single use bags. - Pros:
Long reach, lid closes (keeping rainwater out), faster cleanup and less single use bags being used. - Cons:
Plastic bin doesn’t have clips to hold the bag in place, and given there’s only a rake, it only works for picking up solids. If your dog gets the runs, you’ll struggle to clean up with this. A shovel is better for those.
My Experience:
At first, I didn’t realise the bags were supposed to go into the bin…. I figured it was to be used like the rake and shovel. Just a higher capacity before it needed emptying.
Seeing that it’s designed as a bin, using it like that makes it impossible to clean. That’s why bags are supposed to be used.
For a single dog household needing a poop scoop for the garden, and without using larger bins to empty less frequently, this could be the one for you.
While there have been issues with the bags staying in place, there is a workaround. Once the bag’s in, tie a small knot and that’ll give you a more secure fit.
Check out Banones swivel bin and rake here
(and save on carrier bags because regular vest carrier bags fit this).
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Dog Poop Scooper
Choosing the best pooper scooper for dogs comes down to two things: the size of your dog’s waste and where you’ll be using it. Some dog waste scoopers are designed for year-round garden use, others are for practicality on dog walks.
Material:
Metal is better for all-weather so they can be left in the garden year-round. Plastic grabbers with springs can rust or break, particularly on ice cold mornings dealing with frozen ground.
Size of dog(s):
The bigger your dog, or if you have more than one, choose something bigger. Claw grabbers are suitable for picking up one at a time. A shovel can handle more, letting you get full gardens cleaned faster.
Where you’ll use it:
For easy dog waste cleanup tools to take with you on a dog walk, choose a lightweight plastic claw dog pooper scooper. Grabbers with teeth can be used without poop bags, whereas smooth bucket designs are suitable to be used with bags. If you need to bag poop on walks, you’ll need a grabber suited for bagged pickup. Not picking up only.
Ease of cleaning:
Some designs trap waste, others rinse cleanly. I find the rake and shovel easier to clean because they can be hosed off. Buckets are trickier to get all the mess off.
Ergonomics:
Long handles for less bending, single-hand designs for convenience.
Storage:
If you’re leaving it outdoors in the garden, metal is best. Plastic doesn’t do as well with freezing temperatures, particularly those with springs that freeze up. (and rust). Some can be hung, like in garden sheds, or on wooden fence posts, others can be folded for storage in more compact spaces.
Bottom Line
The best pooper scoopers are the ones that make your life easier. If what you need is portability, to save you bending to pick up dog poop on your walks, a claw grabber is the way to go. For bulk cleanups in the garden, a combo of rake and shovel are much more efficient. And if you want a setup that uses less bags too, grab a rake and bin combo.
My Garden Setup For a Pair of Staffies
What I’ve settled with is a larger bin (lidded) with no-leak strong bin bags, and the rake and shovel dog pooper scooper.
- The Fellie metal dog poop scooper with the rake.
- This 50L lidded bin
- And the extraordinarily strong Beast bin bags!
FAQs
Can I use regular bin bags instead of special poop scoop bags?
Yes. I use the Beast brand as they’re leak proof and have double tie lines for easier secure fastening before putting in the wheelie bin. For long-handled buckets, check the size. Some bags may be too small. Vest shaped bin bags, (like the carrier bags from stores) often fit. If they’re thin though, double them up.
Pro Tip: Throw some salt in each time you add to it to prevent maggots. Salt dehydrates insects.
Can dog poop go in the household bin?
Yes. Even if you use biodegradable poop bags, or compostable poop bags, in the UK, there are no industrial composting facilities that accept animal waste. Compostable poop bags are only for “home” composting. If you don’t compost at home, put the bags in your regular household waste bin.
Are claw scoopers good for large dogs?
Yes, provided the bucket is large enough. Claw scoopers/grabbers come in different sizes. For large dogs, look for XL sizes.
What’s the best option for multiple dogs?
A rake or shovel and a bucket or bin.
How often should dog poop be removed from the garden?
As soon as possible. The longer it sits, the more pests it attracts. Flies are attracted to it almost instantly, laying eggs in it. Eggs can hatch in less than 24 hours. That’s when maggots appear. They’ll continue to feed on the decaying waste until they become adult flies. Left long enough, you’ll have a housefly and bluebottle problem, and likely issues with your neighbours too.
