Nothing about an ice cream scoop looks difficult until you press a bent spoon into a pint straight from the freezer. A good scoop has a sharp enough lip to cut in, a handle that doesn’t hurt and a head that lets the ice cream go. Those three things separate the scoops on this list from the one in the back of your drawer.
We looked at what published reviewers found, then at what each maker says, so you can pick by the way you actually serve ice cream. If you make your own, our guide to the best ice cream maker is the place to start, and this page covers what comes next.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications and verified buyer reports.
Quick verdict: which ice cream scoop to buy
Buy the Zeroll Original 1020. It is one piece of aluminum with a heat-conductive liquid in the handle, and it was the favorite in Sunset’s seven-scoop test. If you want to put your scoop in the dishwasher, buy the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Ice Cream Scoop, the top pick at Reviewed.
Five ice cream scoops by how you serve
| Scoop | Best for | Head material | Dishwasher safe | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Zeroll Original 1020 Ice Cream ScoopBest overall
|
Most homes, hand wash | Aluminum alloy | No | View on Amazon |
OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Ice Cream ScoopBest dishwasher-safe
|
Homes that want the dishwasher | Stainless steel | Yes | View on Amazon |
Spring Chef Heavy Duty Ice Cream ScoopBest for hard pints
|
Very hard pints | Metal, type not stated | Yes | View on Amazon |
Winco AICD-12 Self-Defrosting Ice Cream DipperBest for portions
|
Even portions for a crowd | Aluminum | No | View on Amazon |
Cuisipro Scoop and StackBest for presentation
|
Plated desserts and fun | Not stated | Not stated | View on Amazon |
Our picks for the best ice cream scoop
Specifications come from each maker’s Amazon listing; test findings come from Sunset and Reviewed, and we name which one each time. We have not used these scoops ourselves.
1. Zeroll Original 1020 Ice Cream Scoop – The Heat-Conductive Classic
Zeroll says its scoop has been in homes and ice cream parlors since 1935, and the design has hardly needed to change. It is one piece of aluminum alloy with no moving parts. Sealed in the handle is a heat-conductive liquid, which uses the warmth of your hand to help the head glide and let go.
Sunset made it the favorite of seven scoops in its test, praising how the scoops looked and how easily they released, while noting it takes some elbow grease to start. Reviewed named it the best upgrade and said it “cut through all pints like butter”, though it flagged that it isn’t dishwasher safe and that some users report discoloration. This is the 2-ounce size, which gives 40 scoops per gallon, according to Zeroll.
Why we like it
- Backed by both Sunset and Reviewed.
- One-piece body with no springs to replace.
- Works for right- or left-handed use.
Key specifications
| Model | 1020 |
|---|---|
| Material | Aluminum alloy |
| Release | No lever; heat-conductive handle |
| Capacity | 2 oz |
| Length | Not stated |
| Handle | One piece with heat-conductive liquid |
| Dishwasher safe | No, per Reviewed |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who wants a scoop to last and doesn’t mind washing it by hand. It is what we would buy for a household that eats ice cream often.
Skip it if everything in your kitchen has to go in the dishwasher, since the heat-conductive design isn’t made for it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Strong published reviews
- Simple design with nothing to break
- Round, attractive scoops, per Sunset
Cons
- Hand wash only
- Can take effort at first, per Sunset
- Reports of discoloration, per Reviewed
2. OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Ice Cream Scoop – Dishwasher Safe and Easy to Hold
OXO’s scoop is solid stainless steel with a curved head for hard ice cream and flat edges for scraping the sides of a carton clean. The listing says the steel won’t chip, pit or discolor, and the whole thing goes in the dishwasher. At about 10.45 inches long, it is on the bigger side.
Reviewed made this its best overall, saying it “excelled at virtually every test” and produced consistently round scoops. Sunset was a little cooler, calling it a worthy pick with a comfortable grip and neat scoops, but it found ice cream can stick as the bowl gets cold. Steel lacks the warming trick of the Zeroll, so a warm rinse and a quick dry between scoops can help.
Why we like it
- Top pick at Reviewed.
- Dishwasher safe, per the maker.
- Flat edges reach corners of a carton.
Key specifications
| Model | 11295000 |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Release | No lever; solid head |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Length | About 10.45 in |
| Handle | Non-slip grip |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits most households, especially ones that don’t want a hand-wash tool. The comfortable handle also helps people who find a metal handle hard on the hand.
Skip it if sticking bothers you more than hand washing does; the Zeroll or Norpro releases better.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Sturdy all-steel head
- Easy to clean
- Comfortable grip
Cons
- Ice cream can stick as the bowl chills, per Sunset
- A long tool for a small drawer
3. Spring Chef Heavy Duty Ice Cream Scoop – A Scoop Shaped Like a Spade
Spring Chef’s design sits somewhere between a scoop and a spade, with thin edges to dig ice cream out of hard-to-reach corners and no moving parts. It is a heavy tool with a soft grip handle, and it goes in the dishwasher. Spring Chef is a brand we know mainly through Amazon, but it did get an outside look.
Reviewed praised the heavy-duty build and the comfortable rubber handle. It also noted that scoops aren’t uniformly round and that the tool isn’t ideal for cookie dough. That is a fair trade if your main problem is a pint of ice cream that has frozen solid at the back of the freezer.
Why we like it
- Reviewed praised its build and handle.
- Thin edges reach into corners.
- No moving parts to fail.
Key specifications
| Model | Professional Grade |
|---|---|
| Material | Metal; type not stated |
| Release | No lever |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Length | Not stated |
| Handle | Soft grip |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who keeps a very cold freezer and values digging power over a perfect ball.
Skip it if presentation matters most, since Reviewed found the scoops aren’t uniformly round.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Sturdy feel
- Comfortable handle
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Less round scoops
- Not ideal for cookie dough, per Reviewed
4. Norpro Nonstick Anti-Freeze Ice Cream Scoop – The Easiest Release in One Test
Norpro seals defrosting fluid inside the handle of this heavy aluminum scoop and adds a nonstick surface on top. It is 7 inches long and works for either hand, and the listing says it is built for daily use in restaurants, schools and catering as well as at home.
Sunset gave it the best release of the seven it tried. It marked the scoop down for a slippery handle and oblong scoops, and it saw no reason to choose it over the Zeroll. We include it because release is the thing some people care about most, and it is a real alternative if that is you. The listing doesn’t state care, but a nonstick, fluid-filled tool is best washed by hand.
Why we like it
- Best release in Sunset’s test.
- Defrosting fluid in the handle.
- Works for right- and left-handed cooks.
Key specifications
| Model | 683 |
|---|---|
| Material | Heavy-grade aluminum, nonstick surface |
| Release | No lever; defrosting fluid handle |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Length | 7 in |
| Handle | One piece with fluid |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone whose main complaint is ice cream clinging to the scoop. The compact length also suits a small drawer.
Skip it if you care about a round ball or a grippy handle; Sunset found it weaker on both.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very easy release
- Compact
- Made for heavy use, per the maker
Cons
- Slippery handle, per Sunset
- Oblong scoops, per Sunset
- Care not stated
5. Winco AICD-12 Self-Defrosting Ice Cream Dipper – The Restaurant-Supply Option
Winco makes restaurant supplies, and this dipper is built for that kind of service. It holds 3 ounces, which is a generous scoop, and it is light aluminum with what Winco calls self-defrosting technology to prevent ice buildup. The maker pitches it for consistent portions, and for cookie dough as well.
It is hand wash only. Fixed-size dippers are a good match for an ice cream social or a birthday party, when everyone should get about the same amount. We found no published test of this model, so the details rest on Winco’s listing.
Why we like it
- Stated 3-ounce portion.
- Lightweight aluminum for lots of scoops.
- A foodservice maker.
Key specifications
| Model | AICD-12 |
|---|---|
| Material | Aluminum |
| Release | No lever; self-defrosting |
| Capacity | 3 oz |
| Length | Not stated |
| Handle | Aluminum |
| Dishwasher safe | No, hand wash only |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a home that hosts often, or anyone serving ice cream to a crowd. A known portion also helps when you plan how many tubs to buy.
Skip it if you want small scoops; 3 ounces is a big serving, and the Zeroll’s 2 ounces may suit you better.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Consistent portions
- Light to use
- Also handles cookie dough, per the listing
Cons
- Hand wash only
- No published test found
6. Cuisipro Scoop and Stack – Cylinders in Place of Balls
This one breaks the rules on purpose. Cuisipro’s tool cuts a cylinder of ice cream with a twist-and-lift motion, then a push button lets it out. The slices stack on a cone or sit neatly on a plate, which makes it fun for a plated dessert and for kids.
The listing makes a bold claim that it cuts through the hardest ice cream and you won’t have to wait for it to soften. We found no published test of this, so treat it as the maker’s word. It has more parts than a one-piece scoop, which means more to clean. The listing’s warranty field reads 25 years, which is a good sign, but confirm it with the seller.
Why we like it
- Unusual shape for plated desserts.
- Twist-and-lift action.
- Listed with a 25-year warranty.
Key specifications
| Model | 74710902 |
|---|---|
| Material | Not stated |
| Release | Push button |
| Capacity | Medium; volume not stated |
| Length | Not stated |
| Handle | Ergonomic |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated |
| Warranty | 25 years, per listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who likes a neat presentation, or who wants a fun extra for kids and parties.
Skip it if this will be your only scoop; a classic round scoop is the more useful everyday tool.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Distinctive results
- Stacks neatly on a cone
- Long stated warranty
Cons
- More parts than a one-piece scoop
- Claims come from the maker alone
7. OXO Good Grips Classic Swipe Ice Cream Scoop – A Lever for Clean Release
This is the old diner style updated by OXO, with a lever that sweeps a blade through the bowl to push the ice cream out in a neat, rounded shape. The body is stainless steel with a soft handle, it measures 10.5 inches long, and it can go in the dishwasher.
Levers are the trade-off here. Sunset’s advice is to avoid spring or release levers because they can pop apart, and this scoop has more moving parts than the OXO above. We include it because many people like the feel of a lever and it does release cleanly by design. If that is you, it comes from a maker that lists clear materials and care.
Why we like it
- Lever pushes the scoop out by design.
- Dishwasher safe, per the maker.
- Stainless steel won’t chip, pit or rust, per the listing.
Key specifications
| Model | 11295100 |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel, polypropylene |
| Release | Lever |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Length | 10.5 in |
| Handle | Soft, non-slip |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who grew up with lever scoops, and anyone who struggles to shake ice cream loose from a plain scoop.
Skip it if you want the simplest and longest-lasting design; Sunset warns against levers for this reason.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clean release by design
- Easy to clean
- Comfortable grip
Cons
- Moving parts, which Sunset warns against
- A long tool for a small drawer
8. Tovolo Elements Heat-Conductive Ice Cream Scoop – A Compact Dishwasher-Safe Scoop
Tovolo’s Elements scoop has a chrome-plated zinc alloy head and a comfortable handle, and at about 7.5 inches long it fits neatly in a utensil drawer. Tovolo says the head warms slightly as you grip it, and that the chrome surface stops ice cream clinging. Unusually for a heat-conductive design, the listing title calls it dishwasher safe.
We chose this model over Tovolo’s better-known Tilt Up because Sunset rated the Tilt Up poorly, calling it top-heavy and clunky, with feet that let ice cream drip. We found no published test of the Elements, so its details rest on Tovolo’s listing. This color is mint; check the listing if you want a different one.
Why we like it
- Compact 7.5-inch length.
- Chrome-plated head is designed to release.
- Dishwasher safe, per the listing title.
Key specifications
| Model | 61-33634 |
|---|---|
| Material | Chrome-plated zinc alloy |
| Release | No lever; heat-conductive |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Length | About 7.5 in |
| Handle | Comfort grip |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes, per the listing title |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a small kitchen that needs a compact scoop with a dishwasher option and some of the warmth of a heat-conductive design.
Skip it if you want a tool proven in published tests; the Zeroll and OXO have that backing.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Short and easy to store
- Dishwasher safe, per listing
- Round portions, per the listing
Cons
- No published test found
- Plated head may wear over time
How to choose an ice cream scoop
Handle or head that warms, or solid steel. Heat-conductive scoops, like the Zeroll and the Norpro, let go of the ice cream more easily. Solid steel scoops are generally easier to clean but can stick as they get cold. Sunset notes that heat-conducting handles generally aren’t dishwasher safe, so this choice is really about how you wash up.
One piece or lever. Sunset recommends a one-piece design and warns that springs and levers can pop apart. Lever scoops still have fans, and they release well when they are working. If you want the least to go wrong, choose one piece.
A sharp enough lip. The edge has to cut into hard ice cream. Sunset marked down blunt heads, which also struggled in the corners of a container.
Size. Sunset suggests 2 to 3 ounces. The Zeroll here is 2 ounces, and the Winco is 3. If you serve big scoops or fill a sundae dish, go with the larger size.
Comfort. A balanced grip counts for more than extra weight, according to Sunset. If your hands get tired or sore, look for a soft, non-slip handle like OXO’s.
Technique helps any scoop. Sunset advises scooping with a dry, room-temperature tool. A warm rinse works too, but dry it off so water doesn’t freeze on the ice cream.
How we picked these eight ice cream scoops
We checked what was in stock on Amazon from makers we could identify, then compared that with published tests from Sunset and Reviewed. Both ran their own tests; we didn’t. Where neither of them covered a scoop, we say the details rest on the listing, as with the Winco, the Cuisipro and the Tovolo Elements. We left out the KitchenAid Classic because Sunset called it poor, and the Tovolo Tilt Up for the same reason. No pick repeats our cookie scoop guide, whose squeeze-release scoops are sized for dough, not for hard ice cream.
Ice cream scoop questions, answered
Is a heated ice cream scooper worth buying?
We didn’t include one. The rechargeable heated scoops we found came from brands we could not identify as established makers, and the ones we checked stated no US safety certification for the battery and heating parts. A heat-conductive handle such as the Zeroll’s uses your hand’s warmth and has no battery at all.
What is the liquid in an ice cream scoop handle?
It’s a heat-conductive fluid sealed inside the handle. It moves the warmth of your hand to the head of the scoop, which helps it release. Zeroll and Norpro both use the idea. Because the fluid is sealed in, these scoops are usually hand wash only.
Why does ice cream stick to my scoop?
A cold, wet head tends to grip ice cream. Sunset found that all-steel heads stick as they chill. Scoop dry and at room temperature, and clean the scoop between servings if it builds up.
How can I scoop rock-hard ice cream?
Let the tub sit out for a few minutes first, then drag a scoop with a sharp edge across the surface so the ice cream curls up. A very cold freezer makes this harder for any scoop. Spade-shaped heads, like the Spring Chef, are made for this.
Can I use an ice cream scoop for cookie dough?
Some of them work. The Winco’s listing mentions it, and Reviewed says the Spring Chef isn’t ideal for it. For real portioning, a trigger scoop made for cookies is more useful.
Our final pick for hard pints
Related guide: Ice cream scoop alternative.
The Zeroll is the one to buy if you are happy to wash it by hand, and the OXO is the one to buy if you are not. Making your own at home? Our guides to the best large ice cream maker and the best ice cream maker with no pre-freezing can take you from there. And if you’d rather pair your dessert with dinner from a real kitchen, call Julia’s at (346) 546-8283 and call to order.