Since we tested (updated October 2026)
We filmed our test in 2022 (the video went up in November 2022). We haven’t re-tested our picks since, but we re-checked all three on October 9, 2026:
- All three are still sold. None has been discontinued.
- Pawler: $24.99 on Pawler’s site, the same price as before.
- Nature’s Miracle: no longer has a buy button here, because it’s only sold through stores and big online retailers.
- DogBuddy: now listed in Medium and Large; the Large is $16.99.
Other options worth knowing about (NOT tested by us): we haven’t tested these, so they’re not in our rankings.
Owner feedback
We searched Reddit for owners talking about these scoopers and the same types. We didn’t find owner posts about the Pawler or the Nature’s Miracle jaw scoop by name, so most of this is about the type of scooper. We left out posts that read like ads.
Rake and tray (like our Pawler pick)
- One owner prefers the rake-and-dustpan style because it picks up the whole pile more reliably, and a store-brand set has been working fine for years (r/BuyItForLife, Dec 2025).
- An owner with a bad back uses long-handled metal scoopers (a wire basket and a rake/shovel set) that have lasted several years (r/dogs, Dec 2025).
- Not everyone has luck with rakes: one owner who tried about three scoopers said a rake-style one was the worst for smearing the poop. They wondered if the rake being plastic was the problem (r/dogs, Aug 2025).
Jaw and claw scoops (like our Nature’s Miracle pick)
- A fan of the one-handed clamshell style has used it happily for years, but said most come with cheap springs, so they fitted heavier-duty springs (r/dogs, Dec 2025). That matches the weak springs we noted.
- Durability is the big complaint. One owner’s plastic jaw scooper snapped at the hinge after two years, and others in the thread said theirs broke after about 18 months or went through three in a year and a half (r/BuyItForLife, May 2026).
- In cold weather, another owner had the handle break off a clamshell scooper at 25°F, after about three months; it was the second one, from a different brand, to break the same way (r/BuyItForLife, Dec 2025).
- On bark and gravel, a claw scooper picks up more bark than poop, one owner said, and others agreed claw scoopers are close to useless on that surface (r/dogs, Sept 2026). Another owner said a spring claw scooper missed the poop half the time and tore up the grass (r/dogs, Aug 2025).
DogBuddy
- One owner really likes the DogBuddy after trying rakes and other scoops, which they found got gross. They use large bags that fit over the scoop (r/dogs, Sept 2026). That’s a better experience than we had.
Shovels
- Someone who picks up dog poop for a living said they use a small shovel because every other pooper scooper they used broke (r/BuyItForLife, May 2026). That’s our favorite method too (see below).
Posts checked October 9, 2026. Paraphrased; usernames left out.
Which pooper scooper for grass, gravel, big dogs or walks?
- Grass: a rake-and-tray set like the Pawler. You control how much you scoop, so you take less grass with it. Jaw scoops can struggle in taller grass.
- Gravel and rocks: also a rake and tray (Pawler says its set works on gravel and dirt). Jaw scoops may not close well on rocks.
- Large dogs or several dogs: the Pawler’s big 9.5″ x 9″ tray holds several piles, so you make fewer trips to the trash.
- Small dogs: a smaller tool is easier to handle. Pawler sells a small-dog set and Nature’s Miracle sells a Medium jaw scoop (we tested neither size specifically).
- On walks: you need something you can carry. The DogBuddy clips to a leash, but it didn’t work well for us; most owners are better off with plain poop bags and a good poop bag holder.
- With a bag attached: the DogBuddy is the only bag-based scooper among our picks. Bag-based scoopers need a new bag for every pile, so they don’t cut down on plastic.
How to Choose a Pooper Scooper
Dog waste can carry diseases and is one of the main sources of contamination for natural water sources such as lakes and streams. If your dog has free run of your property or yard then you know it can be a lot of work to pick up all the land mines before the lawnmower or your shoe does. Luckily, there are many options out there for just about every scenario.
Consider where and how often you will be using this tool. Do you need something compact you can take on a walk or to the dog park or is this a tool you’ll primarily be using on your own property, where portability is not a concern? Do you need a scooper that will make it easy to clean up waste without bending down or would one of the models without a long handle work for you? Some dog owners are unable to reach the ground easily due to injury or other conditions and therefore a longer handle will make it easier to scoop. Some of the jaw-style scoopers require gripping a handle or trigger to open and close the scooper and this may prove difficult for those with a limited range of motion or strength in their hands.
The cost and environmental impact of your clean-up method and materials are also considerations when choosing a good scooper. Many of the models on the market rely on the use of plastic bags to avoid contact with dog waste. Unfortunately, many of these will necessitate a bag for each pile of waste being scooped. The best scoopers that rely on bags for waste collection will allow multiple uses.
There are three main types of pooper scoopers:
| Type |
How it works |
Best for |
Watch out for |
| Rake and tray |
Rake the pile onto a long-handled tray |
Yards, several piles |
Two hands; not portable |
| Jaw style |
Squeeze the handle to grab the pile |
One pile, one hand |
Springs, tall grass, rocks |
| Shovel |
Scoop it up like garden work |
Home yards |
Harder if bending is tough |
While a pooper scooper can eliminate the need to use a bag to pick up poop with your hand, it’s important to remember that most scoopers will still need to be cleaned particularly if they malfunction or jam. The appeal for many of using pooper scoopers is that you will not use as many plastic bags, which are not always an environmentally friendly choice. However, for occasions where you would use a single bag anyway on walks or at the dog park, a scooper that relies on the use of bags merely makes it possible for you to scoop dog waste without using your hand but will not cut down on the use of bags. A rake-and-bin style scooper can be used to clean up multiple messes with one bag or without one altogether.
Rake-and-bin style scoopers may not be as portable or lightweight as the jaw-style scoopers but they are often more durable, often made with steel and wood handles, resembling garden tools. These also tend to be easier on your landscape as you have more control over how much turf or grass is being scooped up along with the dog waste.
Our favorite solution for dog poop continues to be (and has been for over a decade) the classic garden shovel. We find the trench style or a transfer style to be the best type, as these usually have a ridge or hollow area that will keep your dog’s droppings from rolling off the shovel. Cleaning up your property? Here’s how we do it: Get an outside trash bin, a contractor grade trash bag to line it with, and take it around your yard with you so it’s handy and all you have to do is shovel it right in.
Pooper scooper FAQ
What is the best pooper scooper?
In our testing, the Pawler Dog Pooper Scooper. Its rake and big tray let you pick up several piles standing up, and it’s rust-proof metal and aluminum.
What’s the best pooper scooper for grass?
A rake-and-tray set like the Pawler. You control how much you rake onto the tray, so you pull up less grass, and jaw scoops can struggle in taller grass.
What’s the best pooper scooper for large dogs?
The Pawler. Its 9.5″ x 9″ tray holds bigger and more piles than a jaw scoop, so you make fewer trips to the trash.
Is a rake or a jaw scooper better?
A rake and tray is better for cleaning a whole yard. A jaw scoop is handier for one pile at a time and works with one hand, but it can struggle on rocks and in tall grass.
Is there a good pooper scooper with a bag attached?
The DogBuddy holds a roll of bags and clips to a leash, but its bag compartment kept popping open in our test and it needs a bag for every pickup. We’d rather use a plain bag and a bag holder on walks.
What do you do with the poop after scooping?
We line an outdoor trash bin with a contractor-grade bag, take it around the yard with us, and empty the scooper or shovel right into it.
