Best Pooper-Scoopers of 2025

The Arm & Hammer Pooper Scooper has been my go-to for cleaning up after my two dogs for nearly five years. This scooper offers a practical and hygienic solution for waste removal, featuring a swivel bin that facilitates easy collection from various surfaces. It includes an adjustable rake and handle, allowing height customization to suit individual needs.

After beginning my dog fostering journey, I quickly realized the necessity of a more efficient waste management system. Previously, with only one dog, I used an old garden trowel and bucket to clean the backyard. While this method was effective for many years, the constant bending was terrible for my lower back. The Arm & Hammer Pooper Scooper came highly recommended.

Assembling the scooper requires connecting the swivel bin and rake handles, which come in three sections to adjust the height. The longest handle option, at 32 inches, perfectly accommodates my family, whose heights range from 5 feet 6 inches to 6 feet 2 inches. The scooper also includes two bags; refills must be purchased separately. Despite several attempts to secure the bags by adjusting the handle loops, they didn’t stay on reliably. For this test, I cut the handle loops and tied them to the bin. I don’t use the bags for my daily cleanup. Instead, I collect and compost the waste.

The bin is equipped with Arm & Hammer’s odor-control technology, which the company says helps to neutralize unpleasant smells. The odor control is supposed to keep the odors in the bin so there’s no smell while you work. However, I think this feature’s effectiveness is minimal. The bin is positioned far enough away, and I don’t have to bend over to scoop, which means I don’t really smell the odors anyway. Over the years, I’ve replaced the bin three times due to the handles on the rake breaking, probably because of how often the people in my household use the scooper. Overall, the Arm & Hammer Pooper Scooper is a lightweight choice made from easy-to-clean materials, ideal for households with multiple dogs that need a reliable tool to keep lawns poop-free.

The Pooch Approved Products GoGo Stik Catch-N-Go is designed to make waste cleanup easier and more efficient for pet owners. Its dual-use design allows you to either scoop or catch waste directly. This versatile pooper-scooper features an adjustable aluminum handle and an attachable bag dispenser. The overall quality seems robust, like it can handle repeated use and heavy loads.

The standout feature of this scooper is its adjustable handle, which ranges from 23 to 33 inches to accommodate most users. Loading the scoop with a bag is intuitive, and a silicone grip keeps the bag securely in place. Overall, this was the most ergonomically correct scooper I tested. The handle was just long enough to require little bending to scoop. The grooved, silicone handle provided a cushioned, nonslip grip, and the convenient wrist strap made it easy to carry around.

Regarding scooping efficiency, the GoGo Stik Catch-N-Go is effective, but a certain technique is definitely involved in using it. You have to scoop fluidly and lift immediately to make the waste slide into the bag. However, this scoop isn’t effective on all types of pet solid waste; it works best on firmer, dry droppings. Although it’s advertised as able to “catch” waste directly from a dog, I was never able to successfully accomplish this. But this could be due to my dogs, and I can’t say it won’t work for others.

Overall, the GoGo Stik is an excellent choice for effortless cleanups and is great for cleaning up messes on pavement and grass.

If you are not a fan of handling poop bags or don’t need a full-sized scooper, the DogBuddy Pooper Scooper may be the perfect compromise. This scooper is a compact, portable device designed for pet owners who need a convenient way to clean up after their dogs while on the go. It features a lightweight and foldable design, making it easy to carry in your bag or attach to your leash. The scooper also includes a built-in waste bag compartment, allowing you to scoop and seal waste in one swift motion, keeping your hands clean.

I’ll admit that when I first opened the package for this scooper, I thought that using it would be a hassle, but it was worth it. Loading it with a bag was simple, and the silicone grip held it in place securely. The handle is comfortable and the jaws open without a problem. The scooper holds the waste in the silicone jaws while you tie off the bag. Additionally, the scooper features a bag dispenser integrated into the scoop, and you can use any poop bag you prefer with this scooper. The manufacturer recommends loading the scooper with a bag before you head out. I can attest that it can be cumbersome to load in a hurry.

The only drawback I found is that it felt too bulky to carry on a leash. After a while, I found it bothersome because it kept hitting my hand or thigh as I walked. I think this scooper is perfect for quick cleanups for small areas on any surface.