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The Best Dog Pooper Scooper in 2020

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No one likes picking up after their dog does relieves themselves on a walk. It’s gross, feels weird, smells bad, and is unhygienic. No one enjoys doing it, but responsible pet owners always pick up after their dog.

pooper scooper for dogsFortunately, there is a device that solves that rather an unsanitary problem — the pooper scooper. However, picking out the right pooper scooper is a surprisingly difficult task. There are many different types and sizes. What works for one dog owner and dog might not work with another dog owner.

This article will cover the best pooper scoopers available on the market and provide all the information that you need to find a pooper scooper that works for you.

Why You Need a Pooper Scooper?

There are a few different reasons that you need a pooper scooper. The most obvious reason is that picking up after your dog is just not sanitary.

You must use a bag and put your hand, and face, close to your dog’s poo. This can expose you to harmful diseases such as E. coli, a variety of parasites, and some worms.

It’s just not something that you should do. It also smells bad and feels strange. Plus, the bag you wrap around your hand could break and expose your skin to the poop.

Comparison Table

Features:
Product Information
Our Rating:
Buy from:
GoGo Stik Pooper Scooper by Pooch Approved Products
GoGo Stik Pooper Scooper by Pooch Approved Products
  • Save Your Back
  • Scoop Till Bag Fills
  • No Touching Stink
  • Brand Name - GoGo Stik
  • Price - $$
  • Material - Plastic, Metal
  • Weight - 1.8 Pounds
  • Size - 6 x 4.5 x 36 Inches
5
Swivel Bin & Rake Pooper Scooper by Petmate
Swivel Bin & Rake Pooper Scooper by Petmate
  • Sturdy Design
  • Multi Surface
  • Compact Storage
  • Brand Name - Petmate
  • Price - $
  • Material - Plastic
  • Weight - 1.5 Pounds
  • Size - 9 x 7 x 32 Inches
4.7
Nature’s Miracle Non-Stick Advanced Jaw Scoop
Nature’s Miracle Non-Stick Advanced Jaw Scoop
  • Lughtweight
  • Antimicrobial Product Protection
  • Packagining May Vary
  • Brand Name - Nature's Miracle
  • Price - $$
  • Material - Plastic
  • Weight - 1.3 Pounds
  • Size - 5.5 x 5.8 x 27.5 Inches
4.6
Metal Tray with Rake by Spotty
Metal Tray with Rake by Spotty
  • Durable
  • Tray And Rake Snap Together For Storage
  • Easy To Use
  • Brand Name - Spotty
  • Price - $$
  • Material - Metal, Wood, Plastic
  • Weight - 1.47 Pounds
  • Size - 36.8 x 8 x 6.5 Inches
4.8
The Best Ever Dog Poop Scooper by Activedogs
The Best Ever Dog Poop Scooper by Activedogs
  • All Aluminium Design
  • Flat Style Scooper
  • Made In The USA
  • Brand Name - Activedogs
  • Price - $$$
  • Material - Metal
  • Weight - 3 Pounds
  • Size - 38 x 8 x 8 Inches
4.9
Doody Digger Pooper Scooper
Doody Digger Pooper Scooper
  • Durable Design
  • No Contact With The Waste
  • Comes With 5 Bags
  • Brand Name - Doody Digger
  • Price - $$
  • Material - Plastic
  • Weight - 1.5 Pounds
  • Size - 45 x 4 x 5 Inches
4.7
Mr. Peanut's 28
Mr. Peanut's 28" Pooper Scooper Pack
  • Easy Assembly
  • Made From ABS Plastic
  • Includes 12 Packs Of Bags
  • Brand Name - Mr. Peanut's
  • Price - $
  • Material - Plastic, Metal
  • Weight - 14.2 Ounces
  • Size - 28 x 5.5 x 5 Inches
4.7
DogBuddy New Pooper Scooper
DogBuddy New Pooper Scooper
  • Portable
  • Integrated Waste Bag
  • Two Available Sizes
  • Brand Name - DogBuddy
  • Price - $$
  • Material - Plastic
  • Weight - 11.7 Ounces
  • Size - 5.3 x 3.6 x 4.1 Inches
4.6
Just Run Biodegradable Dog Poop Bags
Just Run Biodegradable Dog Poop Bags
  • Eco Friendly
  • Strong And Durable Bags
  • Need DIY Assemble
  • Brand Name - Just Run
  • Price - $$
  • Material - Wood, Paper
  • Weight - 8.2 pounds(Weight Of 140 Sets)
  • Size - No Information
4

Choosing the Right Pooper Scooper

There are a surprising amount of pooper scoopers available on the market. They all do the same job, but they each have their own strengths and weaknesses. Here are some different things to look for in your next pooper scooper.

  • Grass or Concrete Use
    You have to think about where you use the scooper. If you usually scoop from grass, then you will want a scooper that uses a rake or teeth. This is because the rake will comb through the grass and grab all the droppings that get stuck in the grass.
    However, if you frequently scoop from the concrete, then a flat scooper is ideal. This is because you can get under the poo and scrape it off the concrete. A rake or teeth really does not work that well.
  • Plastic or No Plastic
    The next consideration is whether you want to have a plastic bag to collect the poo. We recommend the plastic bag because it makes things so much cleaner. However, you will have to either purchase plastic bags or recycle grocery bags.
    Make sure you take that into consideration before purchasing a scooper.
  • Telescoping Pole
    Finally, you should consider the length of the pole before purchasing the scooper. A telescoping pole is nice if you have any issues bending down. If you don’t have any issue bending, then you don’t really need to purchase a scooper with a telescoping pole.

A Lifehack:
MerriView Hill PoopChute Dog Waste Bag DispenserLeaving dog poop bags at home time and time again?
The PoopChute Dog Waste Bag Dispenser keeps them ready anytime you take your pooch for a walk. Attach it to the wall beside your door and never forget a bag again.

Our Top Picks’ Reviews

Here are individual reviews of our top pooper scooper picks. We have a wide selection of choices that take into account your budget and the size of your dog.

Our Favorite

GoGo Stik Pooper Scooper by Pooch Approved Products
– Pooper Scooper with Bag Attachment –

GoGo Stik Pooper ScooperProduct Information

  • Brand Name – GoGo Stik
  • Price – $$
  • Material – Plastic, Metal
  • Weight – 1.8 Pounds
  • Size – 6 x 4.5 x 36 Inches

First on our list is the GoGo Stik pooper scooper by Pooch Approved Products. We really like this scooper for a few different reasons.

Our favorite part about this scooper is the telescoping pole. You can easily adjust this from 25? to 36?, which means you don’t have to get anywhere near your dog’s droppings. No smell and little chance of you breathing in the smelly particles either. Really though, the best part about the telescoping pole is that it’s comfortable for dog owners of all heights.

Pooch Approved Products GoGo Stik Pooper Scooper and Wedge Scoop SetNext, we like that this scooper comes with 10 free bags. You don’t have to worry about buying bags when you first purchase this. Even after using the bags you still don’t have to worry about purchasing bags. You can use plastic grocery bags with this scooper. The use of bags for the pooper scooper means that the scooper itself never gets dirty. You don’t have to clean the scooper after you use it. Simply replace the bag.

Now, using plastic grocery bags works just fine. However, the custom bags available were designed for a perfect fit with the scooper. The decision on which bag to use is really up to you and how good of a fit you want.

Finally, we love the low price and warranty that Pooch Approved provides. They give you a three-year warranty that covers manufacturer defects that cause the scooper to break.

Overall, we really like this scooper. It does everything that you need a scooper to do at a great price. You can’t go wrong with this scooper.

Pros

  • Save your back
  • Scoop till bag fills
  • No touching stink

Cons

  • Not completely filled bag can stink


Buy on Amazon

gogo flashlightsWe recommend the GoGo Stik Fido Rechargeable LED Flashlights and Mounting Clip as a useful nighttime attachment.

If you frequently scoop dog droppings at night, then you need to purchase an attachable flashlight. The flashlight makes it easy for you to spot the poo, which makes it much less likely that you will accidentally step in it.

GoGo Stik Fido Rechargeable LED Flashlights and mounting ClipWe like this attachment in particular because you can easily attach it to your scooper. Don’t worry about using this if you don’t have a GoGo scooper. It is highly adjustable and will fit on most scoopers, which makes it super versatile and useful.

Overall, we like this attachment because of its low price and usefulness. You can use it with your scooper and it prevents you from stepping in poo. You really should buy this attachment if you do any scooping in the dark. 

Swivel Bin & Rake Pooper Scooper by Petmate
– Best Pooper Scooper for Grass –

Petmate 71034 Arm & Hammer Swivel Bin & Rake Pooper Scooper smallProduct Information

  • Brand Name – Petmate
  • Price – $
  • Material – Plastic
  • Weight – 1.5 Pounds
  • Size – 9 x 7 x 32 Inches

The Petmate 71034 is our runnerup. This is fairly basic and barebones pooper scooper, but it does everything you need a scooper to do.

Our favorite part about the Petmate is the low price. It is the lowest price scooper on the list. Now, being a budget option does mean it is missing a few options. Though it still works perfectly fine.

Petmate 71034 Arm & Hammer Swivel Bin & Rake Pooper ScooperFirst, it has a telescoping pole with a maximum extension of 32 inches, which is plenty of length. However, it is a plastic handle that isn’t as sturdy as a metal handle. Just be careful if you have a tendency to abuse your tools.

The other great thing about the Petmate is that comes with a small rake. You can use the rake to easily sweep the poo into the bag.

All in all, we like this scooper because of the budget price. If you want to spend the least amount of money on a pooper scooper, then this is the scooper for you.

Pros

  • Sturdy design
  • Multi surface
  • Compact storage

Cons

  • Made from plastic


Buy on Amazon

Nature’s Miracle Non-Stick Advanced Jaw Scoop
– Automatic Pooper Scooper –

Nature's Miracle Non-Stick Advanced Jaw Scoop For Pet Waste Pick UpProduct Information

  • Brand Name – Nature’s Miracle
  • Price – $$
  • Material – Plastic
  • Weight – 1.3 Pounds
  • Size – 5.5 x 5.8 x 27.5 Inches

Nature’s Miracle Non-Stick Jaw Scoop comes in third on our list. We like that this scooper has a jaw scoop.

The jaw clamps down on all the poo, which means there isn’t any scraping required. This is especially useful for picking up poo from the grass since you can’t usually scrape it off the grass.

Nature’s Miracle uses metal for most of the product. This really gives it a sturdy and durable feeling. It also makes the scooper last much longer. The only issue we have with this scooper is that it cannot be used with bags. This means you have to carry the droppings to the garbage can each time. The scooper can also get dirty rather quickly.

Nature's Miracle Non-Stick Advanced Jaw ScoopOne final issue that you will have at first is that all the droppings fall out every time you open the jaw. This isn’t too big of a deal since you can just pick them up again, but it is something to know.

We like this scooper for use on grass. It works well on concrete too, but it really excels on the grass. It’s a great price too.

Pros

  • Lughtweight
  • Antimicrobial product protection
  • Packagining may vary

Cons

  • Handle is not enough sturdy


Buy on Amazon

Metal Tray with Rake by Spotty
– Metal Pooper Scooper –

Spotty Metal Tray with RakeProduct Information

  • Brand Name – Spotty
  • Price – $$
  • Material – Metal, Wood, Plastic
  • Weight – 1.47 Pounds
  • Size – 36.8 x 8 x 6.5 Inches

Our next scooper isn’t exactly a scooper, but it still makes our list because of it’s great price and effectiveness. It is actually a metal tray with a rake.

However, the benefit of purchasing a dedicated tray is that you do not get your other tools dirty. You can also leave the tray outside so it does not make your shed or garage smell bad.

As for effectiveness, there is no problem. Once again, a tray plus rake combo works best on grass. You can still get some off of concrete though.

The one thing we don’t like about this is that you can’t attach a plastic bag to it. This means you either have to clean it after each use or deal with the smell. You could wrap a plastic bag around the tray, but you may as well buy a better scooper in that case.

Anyway, we recommend this scooper for those of you that want a very budget friendly scooper that you will use on grass.

Pros

  • Durable
  • Tray and rake snap together for storage
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Heavier than plastic options


Buy on Amazon

The Best Ever Dog Poop Scooper by Activedogs
– Heavy Duty Pooper Scooper –

Activedogs Dog Poop Scooper All Aluminum Heavy Duty & LightweightProduct Information

  • Brand Name – Activedogs
  • Price – $$$
  • Material – Metal
  • Weight – 3 Pounds
  • Size – 38 x 8 x 8 Inches

Activedogs is a pet company that produces the aptly named Best Ever Dog Poop Scooper. This scooper really does live up to its name too.

The first thing you will notice about this scooper is that it’s made from aluminum. Not just part aluminum or cheap aluminum either.

The entire scooper is a durable aluminum. It is also welded together, which always indicates a quality product. You won’t have any issues with this scooper breaking.

Activedogs The Best Ever Dog Poop Scooper FlatThe next thing you notice is the odd design. This scooper is basically has a rake that will push the poo into the tray. However, you don’t have to worry about losing the rake because it is permanently attached to the tray handle.

The flat style also makes it great for concrete and other hard surfaces. Though it does have teeth on one side for easier use on grass.

We really like this pooper scooper a lot. Our only complaint is that it does not have a plastic bag, which means that you will have to clean it or store it outside. We also don’t like the price, but the high quality makes up for the price.

Pros

  • All aluminium design
  • Flat style scooper
  • Made in the USA

Cons

  • Expensive


Buy on Amazon

Doody Digger Pooper Scooper
– Large Pooper Scooper –

Doody Digger Pooper ScooperProduct Information

  • Brand Name – Doody Digger
  • Price – $$
  • Material – Plastic
  • Weight – 1.5 Pounds
  • Size – 45 x 4 x 5 Inches

The next scooper on our list is another simple and effective design. The Doody Digger scooper is simply a scooper that you use to pick up the poo. You then drop it into a bag.

It’s a simple design. Though we like how effective and easy to use it is. You don’t have to do any touching either. The best part is that you can use any bag with this scooper since you do not need a custom fit. This makes the lifetime operating cost of this scooper very inexpensive.

The only real downside with this scooper is that you have to bend down to scoop the poo. This isn’t too big of a problem for younger people, but bending can be annoying for the elderly or those with back problems.

Other than that one downside, we don’t have any problem with this scooper. It even comes in at a great price.

Pros

  • Durable design
  • No contact with the waste
  • Comes with 5 bags

Cons

  • Not filled up bag can be a bit stinky


Buy on Amazon

Mr. Peanut’s 28″ Pooper Scooper Pack

– Pooper Scooper with Bags –

Mr. Peanut's 28" Pooper Scooper PackProduct Information

  • Brand Name – Mr. Peanut’s
  • Price – $
  • Material – Plastic, Metal
  • Weight – 14.2 Ounces
  • Size – 28 x 5.5 x 5 Inches

Mr. Peanut’s makes a pooper scooper that uses the jaw design to grab loads from outside. This scooper also comes at an excellent price.

First, we like that this scooper has jaw design. This makes it particularly effective for use on grass. Now, most scoopers that use the jaw design do not utilize a plastic bag, which makes the cleanup difficult. That is not the case with the Mr. Peanut’s scooper.

You can use a bag with this scooper. This makes it one of the few bag pooper scoopers that use the jaw design.

In addition to the jaw design, this scooper also has a two-foot handle. This means less bending, but you will still probably have to bend a little bit. The amount just depends on your height.

As for the downsides, there really aren’t any downsides. One potential downside is that you have to purchase bags since a grocery bag probably will not work. The scooper does come with 180 bags though.

Overall, we like this scooper because of its low, low price. Purchasing bags can add some costs, but you can still use this scooper without a bag. You just have to dump the load into a garbage can after each use.

Pros

  • Easy assembly
  • Made from ABS plastic
  • Includes 12 packs of bags

Cons

  • You must purchase bags to use it


Buy on Amazon

DogBuddy New Pooper Scooper
– Portable Pooper Scooper with Waste Bag Dispenser –

DogBuddy New Pooper ScooperProduct Information

  • Brand Name – DogBuddy
  • Price – $$
  • Material – Plastic
  • Weight – 11.7 Ounces
  • Size – 5.3 x 3.6 x 4.1 Inches

This is the only portable pooper scooper on our list. Don’t let the small size fool you though. These scoopers are super effective and extremely convenient.

First, this scooper comes in a few different sizes. All the sizes are still extremely portable and easy to carry.

Next, this is a portable scooper. This means you can be a responsible pet owner and pick up after your dog while on a walk. You don’t need to lug around a huge scooper nor do you need to wrap a plastic bag around your hand.

Finally, this scooper has a clip that allows you to attach it to the leash. This means you don’t have to fumble around with it awkwardly on your belt loop or stuff it in your pocket.

We like this scooper as a good portable option. It’s especially useful for those of you that frequently walk your dog and hate the feeling of picking up after your dog. Plus, it’s just more sanitary.

Pros

  • Portable
  • Integrated waste bag
  • Two available sizes

Cons

  • You must lean to scoop your poop


Buy on Amazon

Earth-Friendly Dog Pooper Scooper

Just Run Biodegradable Dog Poop Bags
– Amazon Pooper Scooper with Bag Attached –

Just Run Biodegradable Dog Poop BagsProduct Information

  • Brand Name – Just Run
  • Price – $$
  • Material – Wood, Paper
  • Weight – 8.2 pounds(Weight Of 140 Sets)
  • Size – No Information

We like the idea of using the eco-friendly compostable dog waste bags instead of plastic ones. These sets are made of recycled paper and bamboo, so they are completely biodegradable. Yet the material is strong enough to be leak-proof and handle even big dog waste (like Labrador’s).

Besides, these poop bags by Just Run are not simply paper poop bags, but rather single-use sets operating like the pooper scoopers listed above. You don’t need to pick up the poo with your hand wrapped in this bag, just assemble a bamboo frame with a paper bag attached to it and use the tough paper scoop to sweep the waste inside. You’re done! Now throw the whole thing to the trashcan and walk free or use it for composting.

Just Run Biodegradable Dog Poop Bags, Compostable, Eco-Friendly, Waterproof 140 SetsWhat’s great about these dog waste bags is that they’re environment-friendly and portable, and you still don’t have to touch the poo. The downsides are similar to the other dog poop bags; the main is you will bend to pick up the waste. Plus, in our opinion, picking up litter after a really large dog using the Dog Poop Set by Just Run would be trouble.

Each package contains 140 two-piece sets.

Pros

  • Eco friendly
  • Strong and durable bags
  • Need DIY assemble

Cons

  • Not practical


Buy on Amazon

Conclusion

All in all, a pooper scooper is a nice tool for any dog owner to have. They are especially useful if you allow your dog to relieve themselves in your backyard. You can make your backyard safe again.

Plus, you never have to worry about the gross feeling of picking up your dog’s droppings with your hands. That is just gross and not something that many people enjoy doing.

PIN FOR LATER!

Images credits: Amazon.com

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Author

Max Gordon

Dr. Gordon has been a contributor to a range of pet media since his study at Drexel University in Philadelphia. He does not miss a chance to do in-depth research backed by his own examinations. Along with writing his own pieces, Dr. Gordon does fact-checking of the articles.

View all posts by Max Gordon | DogsRecommend.com