Over the course of 10 hours, our testing lab in Birmingham, Alabama, evaluated 24 different ice cream scoops. To properly test the ice cream scoops, we first learned the proper technique for scooping ice cream to ensure we were using the scoops correctly. The head had a durable feel and created consistently smooth scoops of ice cream. Because of these factors, we gave this ice cream scoop a five-star rating in the design category. Ice cream scoops are made from different materials, but the most common materials are zinc, aluminum, and stainless steel. “All of them do the job similarly in terms of performance,” O’Hara says. “However, we do feel like the aluminum seems to have better durability and hold up well to repeated washing and heavy use.” The Zeroll 1020 Original has long been a favorite among those in the know because it contains a heat-conductive liquid inside the scoop that aids in cutting through your ice cream or sorbet. However, after testing it extensively, we also found that it is an excellent choice for lefties due to its symmetrical design. We tested this scoop with our left and right hands, and both produced the same type of scoop. We also liked that this ice cream scoop’s handle was substantially wide and offered a firm grip. Our tests showed that its design made it able to better accommodate a range of hand sizes, too. This article was written by Nor’adila Hepburn, a contributing writer for Real Simple. To find the best ice cream scoops, we tested 22 models in our Lab and evaluated them based on design, performance, and durability. For expert tips, we also spoke to Wes and Kristen Bechtel, co-owners of Boombalatti’s ice cream shop in Wilmington, North Carolina, who have bought over 100 scoops in the last decade and have a full collection of antique scoops; and Kelly Williamson, co-founder of True Scoops ice cream.

New Start Foodservice Stainless Steel Ice Cream Scoop: The New Star scoop is a copy of our winning Zeroll’s design, and its handle is also filled with a liquid that transfers heat from your hand to the scoop. (The manufacturer would not identify the liquid.) It ranked just behind the Zeroll in our tests, but we think our winner is a better scoop, though it costs a little more. Pretty much all modern ice cream scoops are made from either aluminum or stainless steel,” say Wes and Kristen Bechtel, co-owners of Boombalatti’s ice cream shop in Wilmington, North Carolina. This makes sense, considering all of the options on our list are made of aluminum, zinc, or stainless steel. While we didn’t notice a certain material performing better than others in our testing, it’s worth noting that aluminum ice cream scoops are hand-wash only, while the other materials are typically dishwasher safe. Part of what we like about Zeroll scoops or similar models is that they have a nice weight to them,” O’Hara says. “That helps provide leverage when scooping hard ice cream, and it also helps make them more durable.” The Zeroll 1020 Ice Cream Scoop weighs 4.16 ounces, which makes it one of the lightest weight ice cream scoops on our list. Additionally, we washed each ice cream scoop according to the care instructions provided. After washing the ice cream scoops, we noted whether or not there was any damage or discoloration. We then evaluated our results to determine the best ice cream scoops.

The Takeaway

Add a pop of color to your collection of kitchen tools with the Spring Chef Ice Cream Scoop. Available in 13 bright hues, it offers the most color selections out of all the ice cream scoops on our list. Midnight Scoop: The pricey Midnight Scoop looks like a piece of modern sculpture. To use it, you push with the palm of your hand, rather than pulling, like with a traditional scoop. There’s a bit of a learning curve to use it correctly; for us, it pushed the ice cream like a bulldozer, never really scooping it. This ergonomic model also needs a wide-open area to work in, so, if you buy ice cream in narrow pint or quart containers, this probably isn’t the right tool for you.

It works best to hand wash ice cream scoops, most are not dishwasher-safe,” O’Hara says. “We simply scrub them with dish soap, sanitize them, and allow them to air dry.” Our favorite part of this scoop is the head, which has a squared-off corner. This design allows users to effortlessly scoop ice cream in the bottom of containers or in corners. The squared-off corner also proved easy to begin scooping from a new container, since the edge could dig into the ice cream. We scooped three mounds of ice cream per ice cream scoop in the pint container, and five mounds of ice cream per ice cream scoop in the half-gallon container. Each ice cream scoop was also evaluated for its comfortability among both right- and left-handed users.

In our testing, we found that the Sumo Ice Cream Scoop can give you a scoop of ice cream that looks like it came straight from your favorite ice cream shop. This scoop made it to the top of our list because of its durable stainless steel construction and grippy handle, which felt more comfortable in our hands than many of the other scoops on our list. Additionally, because the weight is distributed evenly throughout the handle length, you can scoop practically effortlessly without straining your hand. Plus, we felt that its pointed edge made it easy to dig the ice cream out. Joseph Joseph Dimple Non-Drip Ice Cream Scoop: The dimples on the bowl of the Joseph Joseph help release the ice cream easily, but the white collar, which is designed to catch runny drips as the scoop sits up on end, makes it harder to pull the tool tight against the side of the container and form a ball.

This ice cream scoop received a five-star rating for its performance—when we used this for pints and quarts, it created perfectly rounded scoops. We tested the scoop in both creamy and chunky varieties of ice cream, and it glided smoothly despite the texture. The ergonomic handle was lightweight and fit well in our hands, which made scooping ice cream a breeze. The handle was also an appropriate length, so we were able to scoop the ice cream without getting our hands messy. We appreciated that this ice cream scoop is dishwasher safe, and after washing it, there was no damage or discoloration present.Unlike several other ice cream scoops on our list, this one is available in several bright colors, including aqua and purple. It is one of the heaviest ice cream scoops on our list, but because of its square head and comfortable grip, it’s the best large ice cream scoop. Whether you're making your ice cream at home or enjoying your favorite store-bought pint, a reliable ice cream scoop is a tool you'll reach for more often than you think. With a few years of ice cream scoop testing under our belts, we approach this topic with fervor (and delight in sharing some sweet treats in the process). Right on the heels of our ice cream makers tests, we've done a deep dive into how to get the best ice cream results at home in every season. Nearly a century later, we’re still reaching for the Zeroll because of that well-designed scoop. It’s the perfect shape to make round balls of ice cream that slide easily out of the scoop, and a sharp (but not dangerously sharp) edge that cuts into even the hardest frozen ice cream.

Scoops fall into two general categories: light and heavy. Some were in the 4- to 4.5-ounce range, and others were in the 8- to 8.5-ounce range, but we find that design matters more than weight. We had favorites in both groups — a well-designed heavy scoop can give leverage cutting through hard ice cream. A well-designed light scoop can feel more comfortable and nimble. The handle is hollow and filled with antifreeze, which makes cutting through hard ice cream a breeze. (Though this also means you shouldn’t put it in the dishwasher.) In terms of performance, we hardly found any negatives except that it’s impossible to shape your ice cream scoops into balls due to the nature of spades. But if you don’t care about perfectly round scoops, this was one of the best-performing ice cream scoops we tested. We like the aluminum ice cream scoops that have a heat-conductive fluid inside,” says Kelly Williamson, co-founder of True Scoops ice cream. “The heat of your hand warms the fluid, causing the ball of ice cream to neatly release from the scoop. It makes the hardest of ice cream that much easier to scoop.” In addition to the innovative design, this scoop was also easy to grip and felt sturdy and durable. The length of the handle felt comfortable, and the head produced smooth, rounded scoops of ice cream. Because it has a symmetrical design, it can be used by either right-handed or left-handed users.

Zeroll Ice Cream Scoop Size 24 Silver Cap Aluminium

The typical ice cream scoop is designed to hold about 4 ounces of ice cream, which is about half a cup. However, the Bechtels point out that not all ice creams are created equally, which can affect how much a scoop of ice cream weighs. To be labeled as ice cream in the United States, a gallon of ice cream must weigh at least 4.5 pounds and contain a minimum of 10 percent milk fat,” they say. “Milk fat is both delicious and expensive, so budget-brand frozen dairy desserts will often replace a good deal of the milk fat with whipped air in an attempt to mimic the creaminess of ice cream (while also decreasing the calories). This means a scoop of super premium ice cream will weigh significantly more than an equal-sized scoop of a frozen dairy dessert.” Why are some ice cream scoops hollow? Sherman Kelley passes away, and his son Ralph takes over. Ralph moves the company to Maumee, Ohio and changed its name to Roll Dippers, Inc. This was a slow period for the company!