A coffee scoop only has one job, which is to give you the same amount of coffee each morning. The trouble is that scoops are not all the same size. Many hold 2 tablespoons, but some hold 1, and if you swap one for the other without knowing it, your coffee will change.
So we made the measure the first thing to check. Every scoop on this page states what it holds, and this guide says who each one suits. We have not used these ourselves, so we go by the makers’ listings and published brewing guidance.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a working kitchen looks for in a tool, the makers’ own specifications and published guidance, which we name.
Quick verdict: which coffee scoop to buy
For most kitchens, buy the Planetary Design 2 Tbsp Scoop: it is stainless steel, it has a thumb grip, and at 4.4 inches long it fits inside a canister. If you keep coffee in OXO POP containers, get the OXO POP Coffee Scoop, which snaps under the lid. If you prefer to measure by the single tablespoon, choose the Fino Coffee Measure.
If you already own a scale, you may not need a scoop at all. For everyone else, a scoop you use the same way each day is simple and good enough.
Five coffee scoops at a glance
Five standouts, one for each kind of coffee drinker, with measures from each listing. All seven scoops are reviewed in full below.
| Scoop | Best for | Measure and material | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most kitchens and canisters | 2 Tbsp; stainless steel | View on Amazon | |
OXO Good Grips POP Coffee Scoop, 2 TbspBest for OXO POP
|
Coffee in OXO POP containers | 2 Tbsp; BPA-free | View on Amazon |
Fino Coffee Measure, 1 Tbsp, 18/8 StainlessBest 1 tablespoon
|
Single-cup brewers | 1 Tbsp, rounded; 18/8 stainless | View on Amazon |
GoodCook Coffee Scoops With Bag Clip, 1/8 Cup, 2 PackBest for coffee bags
|
Coffee kept in the bag | 1/8 cup (2 Tbsp); BPA-free plastic | View on Amazon |
Orblue Coffee Scoop Set, 1 Tbsp and 2 TbspBest for deep containers
|
Tall jars and flexible brewing | 1 Tbsp and 2 Tbsp; stainless steel | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Measures and materials are as stated on each listing.
Our picks for the best coffee scoop
They are listed in the order we would consider them. Five are 2-tablespoon scoops, one is 1 tablespoon, and one set gives you both.
1. Planetary Design Coffee Scoop, 2 Tbsp, Brushed Steel – Fits Inside the Canister
Planetary Design makes the Airscape coffee canister, and it makes this scoop to go with it. The measure is clearly stated as 2 tablespoons, 30 ml or 1/8 cup, and the dimensions are given too, at 4.4 by 2 by 1 inches. That short length is the reason it fits inside the canister rather than living in a drawer.
It is restaurant-grade stainless steel with a thumb grip, and it is dishwasher safe. Planetary Design also suggests using it for tea, sugar, flour, spices, cocoa and protein powders, which is fair, since it is simply an accurate small measure.
It comes from a coffee storage company and not a generic kitchen brand, but you do not need the Airscape to use it. Our coffee canister guide covers the storage side if you are shopping for both.
Why we like it
- 2 Tbsp, 30 ml and 1/8 cup all stated
- Full dimensions given
- Thumb grip
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | YS04 |
|---|---|
| Measure | 2 Tbsp (30 ml) |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Size | 4.4 x 2 x 1 in |
| Handle | Short, with thumb grip |
| Extras | Fits inside Airscape canisters |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits nearly anyone who keeps coffee in a canister and wants a durable scoop that does not need replacing.
Skip it if your coffee sits in a deep jar. A short handle will not reach the bottom easily, and the Orblue set is longer.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clear measure
- Solid steel
- Stores inside a canister
Cons
- Short for deep containers
- Holds only one measure
- Made-in country not stated
2. OXO Good Grips POP Coffee Scoop, 2 Tbsp – Snaps Under a POP Lid
If your coffee already lives in an OXO POP container, this is the obvious choice. The scoop attaches to the underside of the lid, so it stays with the coffee and out of your way. It holds 2 tablespoons or 30 ml.
OXO recommends it for the 1.7-quart POP container, which it says is sized for a pound of coffee, and says it also fits lid types A, B, C and D. It is BPA free and dishwasher safe. The listing does not otherwise state the material, so we will not guess at it, though the photos show a clear scoop.
Outside of a POP container, the benefit disappears. It is still a perfectly good scoop, but then the steel picks are likely to last longer in a drawer.
Why we like it
- Snaps under POP lids
- 2 Tbsp, 30 ml stated
- BPA free, per OXO
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | 11235500 |
|---|---|
| Measure | 2 Tbsp (30 ml) |
| Material | BPA free; material not stated |
| Size | Not stated |
| Handle | Short |
| Extras | Stores under POP lid types A, B, C, D |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone with OXO POP containers who wants the scoop kept with the coffee.
Skip it if you do not use POP containers. Its main feature would go to waste.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Always with the coffee
- Clear measure
- From a widely sold brand
Cons
- Only useful with POP lids
- Material not stated
- Dimensions not stated
3. Fino Coffee Measure, 1 Tbsp, 18/8 Stainless – A Precise Tablespoon, Made in Japan
Fino’s measure is the odd one out, and that is why it is here. It is a 1-tablespoon scoop in 18/8 stainless steel, made in Japan, measuring 6 by 1.625 by 1 inches. Fino says it works for automatic coffee makers, French presses and pour-over.
The listing has an important detail: each rounded scoop measures a standard tablespoon of ground coffee. So you need a slightly heaped scoop to match the stated amount, and you should do it the same way each time.
The longer 6-inch handle helps with deep bags and tall tins. If you follow a recipe written in ‘scoops’, though, this one holds about half of what most scoops hold, so double up. It is dishwasher safe.
Why we like it
- 1 Tbsp stated, with how to fill it
- 18/8 stainless steel
- Made in Japan
- 6-inch length reaches into bags
Key specifications
| Model | 726S |
|---|---|
| Measure | 1 Tbsp, rounded |
| Material | 18/8 stainless steel |
| Size | 6 x 1.625 x 1 in |
| Handle | Long |
| Extras | None |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Made in | Japan |
Why we recommend it
It suits people who brew one or two cups and like to count tablespoons, and anyone who adjusts strength a little at a time.
Skip it if you brew a full pot. You would be counting a lot of tablespoons, and a 2-tablespoon scoop halves the work.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Good country-of-origin detail
- Fine control over strength
- Long reach
Cons
- Half of the usual scoop size
- Must be filled rounded
- Single measure only
4. GoodCook Coffee Scoops With Bag Clip, 1/8 Cup, 2 Pack – A Clip and a Sliding Handle
If your coffee stays in its bag, this scoop does two jobs. It has a clip to close the bag and a retractable, expandable handle, so it can be short for storage and longer for reaching into the bag. It holds 1/8 cup, which equals 2 tablespoons.
It is BPA-free plastic and top-rack dishwasher safe, and this listing gives you two scoops, handy for keeping a second one on a bag of decaf. GoodCook has made kitchen tools for over 30 years, by its own account.
Plastic can pick up coffee smell over time, and a sliding handle has more that can wear out than a solid scoop. The offer comes from a third-party seller, not GoodCook directly, so check the listing when you order. The size field on the listing is not filled in properly, so go by the 1/8 cup in the title.
Why we like it
- Bag clip built in
- Extending handle
- 1/8 cup stated
- Two scoops per pack
Key specifications
| Model | 12475 |
|---|---|
| Measure | 1/8 cup (2 Tbsp) |
| Material | BPA-free plastic |
| Size | Not stated |
| Handle | Retractable |
| Extras | Bag clip |
| Dishwasher | Top rack |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits people who buy ground coffee in a bag and want one tool to measure and close it.
Skip it if you use a canister. The clip and sliding handle would add nothing, and steel lasts better.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Reseals the bag
- Two in the pack
- Handle adjusts
Cons
- Plastic rather than steel
- Moving parts
- Third-party seller
5. Orblue Coffee Scoop Set, 1 Tbsp and 2 Tbsp – Two Measures With Long Handles
Orblue gives you two long-handled stainless steel scoops: 1 tablespoon (15 ml) and 2 tablespoons (30 ml). The listing’s size field reads 6 and 7 inches, so the set can reach the last of the coffee in a tall jar, something the short scoops on this page cannot do.
Having both sizes is useful if you switch between a single cup and a full pot. Each has a hanging hole and is dishwasher safe, and Orblue also suggests using them for tea, sugar, flour, spices and liquid condiments.
Orblue is an Amazon-first brand and the only one on this page, and the listing does not state the steel grade or where it is made. Long handles also take up more room, and these will not sit inside most canisters with the lid shut.
Why we like it
- Both 1 and 2 Tbsp stated
- Long handles for deep jars
- Hanging holes
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | SYNCHKG108261 |
|---|---|
| Measure | 1 Tbsp and 2 Tbsp |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Size | 6 and 7 in long |
| Handle | Long |
| Extras | Hanging hole; set of 2 |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits people with tall storage jars and households where different brewers need different measures.
Skip it if you want the scoop stored inside the canister. These are too long for that in most cases.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Two sizes in one purchase
- Long reach
- Easy to hang
Cons
- Amazon-first brand
- Steel grade not stated
- Too long for most canisters
6. Chef Craft Select Coffee Measure, 2 Tbsp – A Plain Steel Scoop
Chef Craft’s scoop does not try to be clever. It is a 4-inch stainless steel scoop holding 2 tablespoons, with a short handle that fits into a bag or bin of coffee. Chef Craft’s own advice is one scoop per cup of water, adjusted to taste.
It is dishwasher safe, and it can also be used for sugar, spices, tea and pet food. If your old plastic scoop has cracked and you want a replacement that will last, this is a sensible one to buy.
What the listing does not offer is any more detail: no steel grade, no country of origin, and no thumb grip like the Planetary Design. Those are small things for a scoop, but they are the reason this one ranks lower.
Why we like it
- 2 Tbsp stated
- Stainless steel
- Short handle fits a bag or bin
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | 21043 |
|---|---|
| Measure | 2 Tbsp |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Size | 4 in long |
| Handle | Short |
| Extras | None |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who wants a basic, durable 2-tablespoon scoop with no extras.
Skip it if you keep coffee in a tall jar. The short handle will not reach far down.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Simple and durable
- Short and easy to store
- Clear measure
Cons
- Steel grade not stated
- No thumb grip
- Short reach
7. Fox Run Coffee Measure Scoop, 2 Tbsp – Small Enough to Stay in the Can
Fox Run’s scoop is the smallest here. At 3.75 inches long, 1.75 wide and 1 inch deep, it is meant to stay right in your can or jar of ground coffee. It holds 2 tablespoons, or 1/8 cup.
It is stainless steel and dishwasher safe, and Fox Run says it is also good for scooping tea leaves. There is nothing more to it than that, and for many kitchens that is plenty.
With so short a handle, your fingers may get closer to the coffee, and the scoop can sink out of sight in a full container. If you have large hands, you may prefer the Planetary Design with its thumb grip.
Why we like it
- 2 Tbsp, 1/8 cup stated
- Full dimensions given
- Stainless steel
- Stays in the can or jar
Key specifications
| Model | 5140 |
|---|---|
| Measure | 2 Tbsp (1/8 cup) |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Size | 3.75 x 1.75 x 1 in |
| Handle | Very short |
| Extras | None |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a small canister or a can of ground coffee, where a longer scoop would keep the lid from closing.
Skip it if you want a comfortable handle or need to reach deep into a bag.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very compact
- Clear measure
- Simple to clean
Cons
- Handle is very short
- Can sink into coffee
- Few details on the steel
How to choose a measuring coffee spoon
Check what it actually holds
Brew Coffee Home says most scoops hold 2 tablespoons, or 30 ml, but the word ‘scoop’ is not a standard, and one on this page holds half that. Look for the measure on the listing, and be wary of any that give only a weight in grams, because weight depends on the coffee.
Remember that a scoop measures volume
The same scoop of coffee can weigh different amounts. Brew Coffee Home found one level scoop of medium roast grounds weighs between 8 and 14 grams, depending on the coffee and grind, and that whole beans differ from grounds. So use it the same way each time. Level scoops are the easiest to repeat, though the Fino says to round its scoop.
Choose steel or plastic
Stainless steel holds up well and goes in the dishwasher, and all but two of our picks use it. Plastic is light and can come with extras like a bag clip, as on the GoodCook. Either one measures just as well if you fill it the same way.
Match the handle to the container
Short handles stay in a canister with the lid closed. Long handles reach the bottom of a tall jar or a deep bag. Think about where your coffee lives and pick the handle that suits it, because that is the thing you will notice every morning.
Know how much to use
The National Coffee Association gives a range of 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for every 6 ounces of water. Start in the middle if you are not sure, and go up or down from there. A 2-tablespoon scoop per 6 ounces is the strong end of that range, and an 8-cup pot may be more water than you think, so check how your maker defines a cup.
Consider a scale
A scale removes the guesswork. Brew Coffee Home recommends one because volume measures vary, and it says pour-over ideally calls for one. See our guide to the best coffee scale if you are heading that way. Keep the scoop for mornings when you are in a hurry.
How we picked these seven scoops
We did not use these scoops. We read the National Coffee Association’s drip coffee page for the ratio, and the Brew Coffee Home article on measuring coffee for scoop sizes and weights. We did not find a reliable independent comparison of the scoops themselves in the search we ran, so the picks rest on each listing and maker’s details.
Each pick had to be plainly in stock with a new offer and state its measure on the listing. That ruled out the Moccamaster spoon and the Cuisinart replacement scoop, whose listings do not give a capacity, along with Hario and some Norpro and RSVP scoops that showed low stock or none when we checked. Many other listings came from little-known brands, so we kept Amazon-first brands to one. None of these are products from our coffee canister guide.
Coffee scoop questions, answered
How many tablespoons are in a coffee scoop?
Most hold 2 tablespoons, according to Brew Coffee Home, but not all. The Fino on this page holds 1. Check the listing, or fill your scoop with water and pour it into a measuring spoon to find out.
How many scoops of coffee per cup?
The National Coffee Association suggests 1 to 2 tablespoons per 6 ounces of water. With a 2-tablespoon scoop, that means half a scoop to one full scoop per 6 ounces. Adjust to taste.
Is a coffee scoop the same as a measuring spoon?
Often it holds a standard amount, but its shape is made for reaching into coffee. A 2-tablespoon scoop is the same volume as 2 level tablespoons from a measuring set. Our guide to the best measuring spoons covers full sets.
Should I use a scoop or a scale?
A scale is more consistent, since a scoop measures volume and coffee varies in weight. A scoop is quicker and is good enough if you use it the same way each time.
Can I measure whole beans with a coffee scoop?
Yes, and the OXO listing says it is good for beans too, but the weight will differ from ground coffee. Brew Coffee Home says a level tablespoon of whole beans weighs around 4 to 7 grams, so find the amount that suits you, then stick with it.
What can I do with a scoop besides measure coffee?
Several makers suggest tea, sugar, spices and cocoa. If you use one for spices, wash it before going back to coffee, because the smell can carry over.
Our everyday choice
The Planetary Design scoop is the one we would suggest to most people, because it states its measure, is solid steel and stores where you need it. Choose the OXO for POP containers and the Fino if you count by the single tablespoon. Grinding your own beans? Our coffee grinder guide is a good next stop.