The Best Ice Cream Scoops: Buying Guide and Top Picks
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The best ice cream scoops: Zeroll, Spring Chef and Midnight Scoop picks plus material, comfort and cleaning tips.
Few kitchen tools cause as much frustration as a bad ice cream scoop. Bent handles, sore wrists, scoops that stick and tiny chips of rock hard ice cream instead of round balls are all signs of the wrong tool. The right scoop glides through a frozen carton and releases a neat portion with little effort. Ice cream scoops now include classic heat conductive designs, heavy duty spade shapes, trigger release dishers and even rechargeable heated scoops. This guide to the best ice cream scoops explains what to look for and shares three picks for different kitchens.
We start with our top picks, then cover a full buying guide, the main types of scoops, setup and care tips and common questions. Every scoop in the table above is sold new on Amazon US.
Our Top 3 Picks at a Glance
Our picks are the Zeroll Original Ice Cream Scoop for most homes, the Spring Chef Heavy Duty Ice Cream Scoop for value and the Midnight Scoop as an upgrade pick for people who want a dishwasher safe stainless steel scoop built to last.
We compared material, design, portion size, ease of release, cleaning, comfort and price, along with the overall pattern in owner feedback. We did not scoop with these tools ourselves; the notes reflect maker specifications.
Best Overall: Zeroll Original Ice Cream Scoop (Size 20)
The Zeroll Original suits anyone who wants the classic ice cream parlor scoop, at around $24. Zeroll says it has made ice cream scoops for homes and parlors since 1935, and its handle contains a heat conductive liquid that uses the warmth of your hand to glide through ice cream and release it easily.
Two strengths stand out: a one piece aluminum design with no springs to break that works for right or left hands, and a size 20 bowl that portions 2 ounces, or about 40 scoops per gallon. Zeroll says its design avoids compressing ice cream, giving about 20 percent more volume per scoop. The limitation is that aluminum Zeroll scoops should be hand washed, since dishwashers dull the finish and damage the heat transfer. Skip it if you need a dishwasher safe tool.
Zeroll also makes size 10 for 4 ounce scoops, about 20 per gallon, which suits sundaes, banana splits and milkshakes. Many ice cream fans keep one of each size, using the smaller scoop for kids and toppings and the larger for desserts.
Best Value: Spring Chef Heavy Duty Ice Cream Scoop
The Spring Chef scoop is for budget buyers who want a sturdy, dishwasher safe tool, at around $10. Spring Chef describes a heavy duty metal scoop with a soft grip handle and a shape that combines a scoop and a spade, so thin edges cut through hard ice cream while the curved bowl rolls it into a ball.
Its strengths are price, dishwasher safe cleaning and no moving parts to break. The spade like edge also reaches into carton corners. The trade off is that it lacks a heat conductive handle, so very hard ice cream takes more effort than with a Zeroll. Skip it if you want precise portion sizes.
Spring Chef notes the scoop works for other kitchen tasks too, like portioning cookie dough, mashed potatoes and melon balls, which makes it a versatile drawer tool.
Best Upgrade Pick: Midnight Scoop Stainless Steel Ice Cream Scoop
The Midnight Scoop suits people who want a premium, dishwasher safe scoop that lasts for years, at around $48. It is a heavy duty stainless steel scoop with an ergonomic handcrafted design, marketed as professional grade and dishwasher safe.
The appeal is durability and easy care: stainless steel will not pit or dull in the dishwasher, and an ergonomic shape reduces wrist strain. The limitation is price compared with excellent budget scoops. Skip it if you only make sundaes a few times a year.
It also makes a thoughtful gift for ice cream lovers, home bakers and anyone who has bent a cheap scoop on a carton of frozen dessert.
How to Choose the Best Ice Cream Scoops: Buying Guide
The best ice cream scoops cut through hard ice cream easily, release cleanly, feel comfortable and clean up without fuss. Here is what to compare.
Material and Food Safety
Aluminum scoops, like Zeroll, transfer heat well for smooth scooping but need hand washing. Stainless steel scoops, like the Midnight Scoop and 18/8 stainless dishers from Saebye and LLESCA, resist rust and go in the dishwasher. Coated metal scoops, like Spring Chef and Tovolo, combine strength with comfortable handles.
Choose food grade materials from established brands, and avoid scoops with flaking coatings.
Stainless steel is also the best choice for scooping other foods like cookie dough, mashed potatoes and rice, since it will not react with acidic ingredients and handles the dishwasher daily.
Comfort and Ergonomics
A thick, contoured handle spreads pressure across your palm, reducing wrist strain when ice cream is hard. Soft grip handles, like Spring Chef's, add comfort. Tovolo's tilt up design keeps the scoop head off the counter. People with arthritis may prefer heated scoops or trigger dishers that need less force.
Left handed users should choose symmetrical designs, like Zeroll's one piece scoop, which works equally well in either hand. Some trigger dishers are easier for right handed users.
Ease of Cleaning (Dishwasher Safe?)
Spring Chef, Tovolo, Midnight Scoop and stainless trigger dishers are dishwasher safe. Zeroll scoops should be hand washed in warm soapy water to preserve their finish and heat conductive fluid. Rinse scoops promptly after use so sugar does not dry on.
Trigger dishers trap food around the spring and sweeper, so rinse them right after use or run them through the dishwasher with the mechanism open.
Heat Transfer and Hard Ice Cream
Hard ice cream straight from a deep freezer is the biggest challenge. Heat conductive handles, like Zeroll's, help by warming the scoop with your hand. Rechargeable heated scoops, like TechRise's, heat up to 158°F with a 5,000mAh battery, and other electric scoops offer three heat levels from 120 to 160°F with IP67 water resistance.
Letting the carton sit on the counter for 5 to 10 minutes also makes scooping much easier.
Size, Capacity, and Portion Control
Scoop sizes are numbered by how many scoops fill a quart. Zeroll's size 20 portions 2 ounces, while its size 10 portions 4 ounces, or 20 scoops per gallon. Trigger dishers like Saebye's #8 scoop hold 4 ounces, or half a cup. Smaller scoops suit kids' portions and toppings; larger scoops suit sundaes and milkshakes.
Consistent portions also help with nutrition tracking, since a level scoop of a known size makes it easier to estimate servings than an uneven freehand scoop.
Mechanism: Solid vs Trigger Release
Solid scoops have no moving parts and last longest. Trigger release dishers use a spring and sweeper to pop out a neat, round portion, which is handy for cookie dough, muffin batter and meatballs too. Springs can wear out over time, so choose 18/8 stainless dishers with sturdy mechanisms.
Saebye says its #8 disher uses a cog and ratchet release system in 18/8 stainless steel, and LLESCA describes a stronger spring trigger with a thick rubber grip. Both are dishwasher safe, according to their makers.
Value per Piece and Sets
Single scoops cost around $10 to $48. Sets, like the LLESCA 3 piece disher set with #60, #40 and #20 sizes at around $18 or the JUNADAEL set with 1.2, 2 and 4 ounce scoops, cover baking and serving. Sets offer good value if you bake often.
Types of Ice Cream Scoops
Ice cream scoops fall into four types. Here is who each suits.
Classic Heat Conductive Scoops
Classic heat conductive scoops, like Zeroll's Original in sizes 10 and 20, use warm fluid in the handle to glide through ice cream. They suit ice cream lovers who want round, generous scoops.
Their one piece design has nothing to break, which is why many ice cream shops use them for years.
Heavy Duty Spade Scoops
Spade shaped scoops, like Spring Chef and Tovolo, use thin edges to cut through hard ice cream and curl it into balls. They suit families who want an affordable, dishwasher safe tool.
Tovolo's tilt up design keeps the scoop head off the counter between scoops, which keeps counters cleaner when serving several bowls in a row.
Trigger Release Dishers
Trigger dishers, like Saebye's #8 and LLESCA's 3 piece set, release neat portions with a squeeze. They suit portion control, baking and soft serve style desserts.
Disher numbers indicate how many level scoops fill a quart, so a #8 holds about half a cup and a #60 about one tablespoon, which makes them handy for consistent cookie and muffin sizes too.
Heated Electric Scoops
Heated scoops, like TechRise and other rechargeable models, warm the scoop head to slice through very hard ice cream. They suit people with weak grip and households with deep freezers.
Heated scoops need charging and care around water beyond their rating, but they remove nearly all effort from scooping. TechRise lists a 5,000mAh battery and LED display, and markets its scoop for seniors and kids.
Setup and Care Tips
Dip your scoop in warm water before each scoop for easier release, but dry it slightly so water does not freeze on the ice cream. Scoop in a curved S motion across the surface rather than digging straight down.
Hand wash aluminum scoops and dry them right away. Store scoops in a drawer where they will not bend. Charge heated scoops fully before use and keep the electronics dry beyond their water rating.
For parties, scoop ice cream into balls ahead of time, set them on a parchment lined tray and refreeze. Guests can grab ready scoops, and you avoid struggling with hard cartons while hosting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are ice cream scoops dishwasher safe?
Many are, including Spring Chef, Tovolo, Midnight Scoop and stainless trigger dishers. Aluminum heat conductive scoops like Zeroll should be hand washed, since dishwasher detergents discolor aluminum and can damage the heat transfer fluid.
Is a full set better than buying pieces?
A set of trigger dishers in several sizes is better if you bake cookies, muffins and meatballs as well as serve ice cream. For ice cream alone, one good scoop is usually enough.
What material is safest for food?
Food grade 18/8 stainless steel is one of the safest and most durable materials for scoops. Quality aluminum and coated metal scoops are also safe when used and cleaned as the maker directs.
How long do ice cream scoops last?
Solid one piece scoops like Zeroll and Spring Chef can last decades with proper care. Trigger dishers may need replacement when springs weaken, and heated scoops depend on battery life.
Why does my scoop bend?
Thin, cheap scoops bend under the force needed for hard ice cream. Choose a one piece or heavy duty scoop and let ice cream soften briefly before scooping.
What size ice cream scoop should I buy?
A 2 ounce scoop, like Zeroll's size 20, suits single servings and cones, while a 4 ounce scoop, like Zeroll's size 10 or Saebye's #8 disher, suits sundaes and generous bowls. Choose smaller scoops for kids and toppings.
Our Verdict
The best ice cream scoops glide through hard ice cream, feel comfortable and clean easily. The Zeroll Original is our best overall pick for classic parlor style scoops, the Spring Chef Heavy Duty scoop is a dishwasher safe value and the Midnight Scoop is a premium stainless steel upgrade. Choose trigger dishers for portion control and heated scoops for very hard ice cream.
For more kitchen guides, see the best home ice cream makers, the best blenders for ice cream, the best ice cream freezers and the best ice cream tubs. Then compare current prices in the product table above.
