There isn’t one agreed-upon best ice cream scoop: Reviewed names the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Ice Cream Scoop its best overall, while Food Network Kitchen and Epicurious favor the Zeroll Original. For lever-release portioning, Epicurious prefers the OXO Good Grips Squeeze. The right choice depends on whether you prioritize hard-frozen scooping, rounded portions, easier release or simple cleanup.
How the leading picks differ
| Scoop | Best suited to | What the cited review found | Care and tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Ice Cream Scoop | A conventional rounded scoop, especially if you want a non-slip handle and dishwasher-safe cleanup. | Reviewed reports that it made rounded portions and required little effort on solid ice cream straight from the freezer. Reviewed reports a weight of 9.2 ounces; that figure is specific to its reported model and measurement. | Reviewed says its stainless steel scoop is dishwasher-safe. Its article states an update date of May 23, 2023, even though the search-result title calls the guide “The Best Ice Cream Scoops of 2026.” |
| Zeroll Original Ice Cream Scoop | A conventional scoop for readers who value rounded portions and performance on both hard and softer ice cream. | Food Network Kitchen says its Zeroll pick cut through hard and soft samples and produced rounded portions. Epicurious also named the Zeroll Original its overall winner in a review titled 2022. | Epicurious says the Zeroll is not dishwasher-safe; Reviewed likewise reports that the Zeroll 1020 is not dishwasher-safe. Verify care instructions for the exact model you buy. Reviewed reports its Zeroll 1020 weighs 4 ounces, which should not be treated as a direct comparison with another review’s model or measurement. |
| OXO Good Grips Squeeze Ice Cream Scoop | Portioning with a lever-release mechanism. | Epicurious preferred it among lever-style scoops for releasing portions. | Epicurious cautions that its moving parts may make it more prone to failure than a simpler scoop. Its dishwasher-care status is not stated in the cited findings. |
Which scoop is easiest on hard-frozen ice cream?
The reviews point to both the OXO stainless steel scoop and the Zeroll, but they do not establish a head-to-head winner. Reviewed reports that the OXO required little effort on ice cream straight from the freezer; Food Network Kitchen says the Zeroll cut through its hard samples. Because these are different publishers’ tests, use their findings as separate recommendations rather than a direct ranking.
Which one makes rounded portions?
Reviewed praises the OXO stainless steel scoop for rounded results, and Food Network Kitchen reports rounded portions from the Zeroll. If a traditional scoop shape matters most, either is supported by a publisher’s positive finding. For portions released by a lever, Epicurious’s pick is the OXO Good Grips Squeeze, but it has a more complex mechanism.
Is a lever-release scoop better?
A lever can help release a portion without scraping it out by hand, which is useful if you want repeatable portions or expect to serve many bowls. It also adds moving parts; Epicurious warns these may be more likely to break than a simpler scoop. Choose the OXO Squeeze if the release mechanism is worth that tradeoff to you. Choose a conventional scoop if you prefer a simpler design.
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#1 Best Overall
- Solid stainless steel won’t chip, pit or discolor
- Curved head design easily scoops hard ice cream
- Flat edges scrape sides of container clean
- Handle has a comfortable grip that won’t slip
Which ice cream scoops are dishwasher-safe?
- OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Ice Cream Scoop: Reviewed says it is dishwasher-safe.
- Zeroll: Epicurious says the Zeroll is not dishwasher-safe, and Reviewed says the Zeroll 1020 is not. Check the care instructions for the exact model.
- OXO Good Grips Squeeze: Dishwasher-care status is not stated in the cited findings; consult the current product instructions.
Do you need to let ice cream soften before scooping?
Not necessarily: Reviewed reports that its OXO stainless steel scoop handled solid ice cream straight from the freezer, and Food Network Kitchen says its Zeroll pick cut hard samples. If your ice cream is difficult to serve, letting it soften briefly may make portioning easier, but Food Network Kitchen’s test does not establish a universal softening time for every product or freezer. Its reviewers compared three kinds of ice cream at freezer temperature and after five minutes on the counter.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the reviews tested—and what their recommendations mean
Food Network Kitchen
Food Network Kitchen says it ordered popular and top-rated scoops in varying shapes and sizes, including trigger models. It assessed material, design, grip, weight, capacity and special features, then tested three kinds of ice cream at freezer temperature and after five minutes on the counter. It recorded glide, feel, rounded shape, release, evenness and cleanup, and marked models it found dishwasher-safe. Its Zeroll recommendation comes from that publisher’s testing; it is not a head-to-head comparison with Reviewed’s OXO result.
Rank #2
- Modern take on a classic design
- Durable stainless steel won’t chip, pit or rust
- Easy-to-use lever releases rounded scoops with a squeeze
- Soft, comfortable handle for a non-slip grip while scooping
- Polypropylene with stainless steel
Reviewed
Reviewed’s article names the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Ice Cream Scoop as best overall and discusses products including the Zeroll 1020. The page’s search-result title says 2026, but the article itself states it was updated May 23, 2023, so that title alone does not show that a new 2026 test took place.
Epicurious
Epicurious’s review is titled 2022. It calls the Zeroll Original its overall winner and the OXO Good Grips Squeeze its best lever-style scoop. These findings offer an additional, older recommendation, not confirmation that models, care instructions or availability have remained unchanged.
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Best Value
- THE LAST ICE CREAM SCOOP YOU'LL NEED - Genuine heavy duty tool that is strong and sturdy with no mechanical gimmicks or moving parts that can break. Plus it's Dishwasher Safe. Great for other creative kitchen uses as well including using it to scoop out seeds from melons or filling peppers with stuffing. Works amazingly well for gelato and custard too.
- CREATE PERFECT SPHERES OF ICE CREAM - cuts through smoothly and effortlessly so that ice cream curls onto itself, making beautiful and well-proportioned scoops for cones, brownies, sundaes, pies and more.
- INNOVATIVE DESIGN SAVES YOU TIME AND ENERGY - Unique shape that is the best combination of a scoop and spade to help you easily tackle rock hard frozen desserts. Curved area of scoop makes brilliant curls while the thin edges help dig out ice cream from the corners of the container so you can enjoy every last tasty bite. The handle even has a notch to lift container lids which will keep your hands happy.
- PLOWS THROUGH ICE CREAM LIKE IT'S BUTTER - Glides smoothly and easily through hard-packed frozen sweets. It will seem like ice cream flows right into the ice cream scoops and drops into your bowl or cone with little to no effort.
- LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO STRUGGLE WITH A BAD SCOOP - With its pleasant weight, ability to get into hard-to-reach parts of a carton and excellent handling of hard ice cream - this is the one for you. The handle is comfortable to hold, easy to grip and doesn't freeze your hand like scoops with a metal handle can. Simple yet ergonomic design that is easy to clean and will make you known for your perfect scooping abilities.
Rank #4
- Wide, stainless steel head scoops large servings of ice cream
- Durable construction designed for both hard and creamy ice cream
- Soft, comfortable, non-slip handle for a secure grip (that won’t get cold!)
- Perfect for packing pints of ice cream
- Dishwasher safe
Rank #3
- Pop-up lever releases ice cream with ease
- Sleek, brushed stainless steel handle with soft, comfortable, non-slip grips on sides
- Non-slip handle absorbs pressure for comfort
- Convenient hanging hole for storage
- Dishwasher Safe
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