We’re going to give it to you straight up — no sprinkles: when it comes to eating ice cream, the flavor is more important than the scooper. But, after awhile, a cheap ice cream scoop may end up hurting your wrists (and driving you crazy).
While I don’t whip up an ice cream sundae every night — though I’m a sucker for Baskin Robbins’ Jamoca Almond Fudge and any flavor of coffee-flavored ice cream imaginable — I understand the importance of using good tools. Trust me, you get what you pay for, and truthfully, I don’t want to detest the process of scooping partially frozen ice cream every time I want it.
That’s why I set forth on a mission to find the perfect tool to achieve the perfect ice cream scoop. It sounds bizarre, but there’s more to them than what meets the eye. (Related: Best ice cream makers).
Some are heavier, some double as cookie scoops (simply the best extra-credit point) and others are easier to clean. There aren’t hundreds on the market, but I got my hands on five top-rated options to compare, assess and review.
How we tested:
It sounds simple — just scoop! But, New York Post Shopping set out a particular testing methodology to ensure we were getting a full 360-degree report on one of most practical kitchen essentials that gives you a serotonin boost every time you look at it inside your drawer (because ice scream scoops = eating ice cream, which = happiness).
Below, take a look at the testing criteria and defining characteristics I looked for while testing ice cream scoops for at least a month. I jotted down my first impressions for each pick and then continued to use each scoop for a total of five times:
- Quality: From simply holding an ice cream scoop in my hand, I can feel if it’s well-made or carefully designed. I took materials and style into account, looking more closely for details that may enhance the ice cream-scooping experience (yes, there is such thing).
- Weight: While some people prefer a heavy duty ice cream scoop, some may not be equipped for those with arthritic hands or weaker grips. I made note of the weight of each scoop (ranking them as light, medium and heavy, depending on where each fell), along with how it felt while scooping my preferred dessert flavor.
- Dishwasher-Safe: Before putting anything into your dishwasher, it’s important to know if you can actually put something inside your appliance without ruining it (or the system at large). I made note of which ice cream scoops are dishwasher-safe for each product pick.
Candidly, when testing ice cream scoops, the biggest note is this: the best ice cream scoop for you is based on your preference. Ice cream scoops don’t come with a whole lot to quantitatively compare — so take each review with a grain of salt and choose the one that meets your budget and overall liking the best.
Best Ice Cream Scoops
1. Zeroll Ice Cream Scoop, $25
Best overall
- Weight Level: Medium
- Material: Corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy
- Dishwasher-Safe: No; hand-wash only
If I could award a trophy to any ice cream scoop, it would be the Zeroll Ice Cream Scoop — hands down. Not only is it backed by nearly 5,000 rave reviews on Amazon alone, but it’s the perfect mix of quality, ergonomic-handling and precise scooping.
Its traditional design is a nod toward American ice cream parlors in the 1930s, with its slightly curved bottom serving — pun totally intended — the perfect, round scoop. Because of its curved design, it picks up remaining bits of ice cream on its way up, as you scoop with the forward-facing part of the spoon first, then pick up the rest in its curved slot.
Even better, this ice cream scoop is said to accommodate both left- and right-handed users. Personally, I’m a right-y, but with the ease this scoop provides, I trust it’ll work well on left-handed ice-cream lovers, too.
Best versatile and handy ice cream scoop
- Weight Level: Light
- Material: Durable stainless steel
- Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
Best-selling at Williams Sonoma, the brand’s signature Ice Cream Scoop is less than $25 and one of the best to keep on hand in the kitchen. Why? Because it doubles as a cookie scoop, which means it can help you prepare practically anything else from the comfort of your countertop — even helping to form perfectly round meatballs.
By squeezing the bottom two parts inward — the ‘legs’ that resemble wishbones — this ice cream scoop is thoughtless and simple to use. If you’re hand-washing, you’ll have to scrub a bit more closely to get in between the scoop’s rotating part (the part that actually scoops) but luckily, it’s dishwasher-safe.
The only con to this ice cream scoop is that it may not be the best for those with arthritis or weaker hands, simply because there’s an extra step — the squeezing — that may cause hand fatigue. However, this model was easier to maneuver than the Piazza brand, though that one is excellent at precision.
Best oversized / for large scoops
- Weight Level: Heavy
- Material: Corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy with an anodized exterior
- Dishwasher-Safe: No; hand-wash only
The brand’s traditional ice cream scoop is rated as our best overall, but that doesn’t mean you should sleep on the Zerroll XL Ice Cream Scoop with a slightly larger design. If you love baking oversize chocolate chip cookies and jumbo-style appetizers that you’ll need to roll into balls, this is absolutely divine.
Specifically, it’s one of the most well-made ice cream scoops on this list, thanks to its anodized coating that takes it a step further. For reference, plenty of cookware sets are finished this way, allowing their shelf-life to extend longer.
It’s also said to accommodate both left- and right-handed users and is readily available to order online. If you want the Mama Ice Cream Scoop, this right here is worth every penny.
Best for precise scoops
- Weight Level: Light
- Material: Stainless steel
- Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
If you’re looking for an ice cream scoop that offers nothing but the most precise scoops, you’re in luck. That’s one of the first features I noticed when using the Piazza Ice Cream and Cookie Scoop, although that’s not to say the others on this list don’t get the job done.
It’s similar to the Open Kitchen by Williams Sonoma pick in that it’s nearly identical in design, though has firmer handling. It’s not as smooth to maneuver, so I wouldn’t recommend it for arthritic or weaker hands. After about 10 squeezes of the bottom levers, my hand began to hurt.
However, this is a great option for most people because you can select your preferred size, something that wasn’t offered among other ice cream scoops tested. Select from mini, medium and small on the website and voilà! Your next ice cream sesh awaits.
Best for arthritic or weak hands
- Weight Level: Heavy
- Material: Stainless steel spoon with smooth, brushed handle
- Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
Don’t let the “heavy” rating fool you. The Williams Sonoma Ice Cream Scoop has a rather heavy spoon but it has one of the best ergonomic grips I’ve tested. Because of this, the weight is distributed downward when scooping, alleviating your wrists of unnecessary weight when using an ice cream scoop.
This is one of the most secure-feeling ice cream scoops I’ve used, with its oval, bowl-style server allowing a good chunk of ice cream to leave the carton. Plus, it has an upturned tip that provides extra leverage. Overall, it’s a close contender to the Zeroll Ice Cream Scoop.
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