While their name might give the impression that these devices are a bit pigeonholed, the litter picker, reacher grabber, grab-stick or whatever else you want to call them are an incredibly handy tool to have. Not only will they speed up collecting rubbish, but they can be supremely useful inside the home for those hard-to-reach spots, such as high cabinets or the top of bookshelves.
Many folks consider this simple piece of litter picking equipment a relatively straightforward purchase, but when given a little consideration, you'll be able to find one that is supremely functional, easy to store and perfectly suited to your needs. To help you find the perfect picker, we’ve put together this buying guide and compiled a list of the best litter pickers in the UK, all of which are available from established sites such as Amazon, eBay and Argos.
Quick List - Top Litter Pickers
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Table of Contents
So, without further ado, let’s jump into the nitty-gritty. We’ll be looking at everything to do with the device, from the size and weight to how the claw performs and any additional features you should be looking out for.
First and foremost, it’s always best to consider the size and weight. The size will determine your reach, and the greater the reach, the less bending or stretching is required. Most pickers measure somewhere between 70 – 85 cm, which means there’ll still be a bit of bending for most people. That said, there are options as long as 95 cm if you don't want to do any bending whatsoever.
However, it’s worth thinking about how to store these tools when not in use. After all, the bigger they are, the more room they’re going to need. Luckily, some of them will be foldable (more on that later), which will save you approximately half the length.
It’s also worth considering their weight. This will largely be due to the materials, which, thankfully, tends to be some lightweight aluminium or something similar. Generally speaking, most pickers weigh between 200 – 300 g, so it shouldn’t be too strenuous for most people. Although it’s worth remembering, the heavier the item, the quicker one’s arms will become fatigued.
Next up, we'll look at the feature that is undoubtedly the star of the show – the claw. If you’ve ever used a picker before, you’ll know that a rubbish claw can make you wish you’d stuck to using your hands, but a good one will speed up the work tenfold. So, for that reason, here are three features to consider when looking at the claws of litter pickers.
One of the most popular features is a 360-degree swivel head. These are usually accessed by someone popping a switch then manually turning it to find the position they want. From there, you click it back in place and return the tool to the area you couldn’t reach before. They’re handy and allow people to pick up debris they would have struggled to grasp before.
While 360-degree is the ultimate option, some devices offer either 180 or 90-degree swivel heads, which is a decent compromise if you like a particular model. The only downside is that having more clicks and buttons does mean that there are more parts of the device that can potentially break. But, for us, that is 100% worth the risk.
You’ll also want to consider magnetic claws. These are super handy when picking up small items, such as bolts and screws. You’ll find when devices have this feature, it’s usually only on one side of the claw, but all you’ll have to do is hold that over the metallic item and watch it attach itself straight away.
Furthermore, these can also be handy for disabled people in the home as they’re perfect for reaching items such as keys on a hook or batteries that have been tucked away in a high cupboard. Not everyone will need this, though. For example, if you’re purchasing a picker for its primary job – litter – then it won’t be much help.
Now and then, you’ll find litter pickers that come with suction cup tips. These make it easier to grip all objects but in particular smaller or slippery ones. These cups tend to be made from rubber, so grip via the material.
This feature is also great because it’s easy to wipe clean, which can be handy if you pick up something slimy! That said, it’s worth noting that you’ll never find a picker that has both suction cup tips and a magnetic claw, so you’ll have to figure out which of these features is best suited to your needs.
Finally, when it comes to the claw, you’ll want to know the width of the opening. This will determine the size of the objects that you can pick up, regardless of what they may be. This measurement varies wildly, ranging from 5 to over 10 cm, so you’ll need to think about the things and debris you plan on tackling with your picker.
Those with a narrower opening will require less force on the trigger handle, but there is a payoff as it reduces the number of items you can pick up. On the other hand, the larger the gap, the more force is required, but you'll have a greater number of objects within your grasp.
Have you thought about what you’re going to do with your litter picker when you’re not using it? Well, the truth is, having one that is smaller and therefore easier to store away will surely be preferable regardless of the amount of space you have. We mean, these are devices that encourage tidiness, so you’re not telling us you’re happy to sling it in the garage, are you?
Gratefully, many companies produce devices that fold, which generally cut their length in half. Some models, however, prefer to use a retracting method where the tool slips back into itself. Either way, both options will reduce the amount of space they take up when not being used, which is always helpful.
The last part of the tool to consider is the handle because the truth is - this is where you’re going to be spending most of your time. While it’s difficult to quantify what a good handle is, there is a keyword that you can look for to ensure that the company has at least given it some thought – ergonomic.
These handles will generally be slightly bigger, making gripping them much easier. Not only that, but they should have softer springs that are super important if you’re prone to suffering from wrist problems or arthritis. Unfortunately, companies don’t always state exactly what is ergonomic about their handle, but as we said, if they mention it, it at least means they’ve thought about it.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ZJH Foldable Claw Grabber | ![]() | Probably the Most Elite Litter Picker Available | |
2 | MyCreator Foldable Picker Upper | ![]() | The Picker With a Completely Rotating, Wide Claw | |
3 | Kinear Foldable Pick Up Long Arm Reacher | ![]() | Multipurpose Usage and a 1 KG Load Capacity | |
4 | KY-Tech Litter Picker | ![]() | An Ergonomic Option That Will Pick-up Almost Anything | |
5 | ZYBUX Litter Pickers|Pack of 4 | ![]() | Excellent Value With Four Pickers for the Price of One | |
6 | Prettyui Handy Reacher Grabber | ![]() | A Lightweight Picker With Excellent Suction Cups | |
7 | Konky Reacher Grabber Tool | ![]() | A Meter Long Grabber for the Tall Folks | |
8 | Jellas Reacher Grabber Tool | ![]() | The Archetypal Litter Picker With a Comfortable Handle | |
9 | Argos Home Handy Reacher Grab Stick | ![]() | Rated 4.5 Out of 5 by 91% Of Customers | |
10 | The Helping Hand Company The Litter Picker Pro | ![]() | A Great Option if You Like to Buy British |
This litter picker from ZJH has practically everything you could ever want. It offers a regular length and weight, so you won't be left short of reach without being overly heavy. There's also a swivelling 360-degree head, as well as a magnet claw for capturing small, metallic items.
That's not all either, because the claws have a respectable 10 cm width, ensuring that you can capture most objects. Add that to the foldability for storage and the ergonomic handle, and this might just be the most elite litter picker available. So, for that reason, this baby takes the number one spot.
The MyCreator Foldable Picker Upper is not only an excellent tool but, in our humble opinion, it also has the best name of any of the choices in our ranking! Aside from that, the feature list is pretty good, too, and it's been built with a respectable weight and length.
Added to the decent dimensions and uber-cool name are a few of the first-class mechanisms that we love to look out for. It features a completely rotating claw, an ergonomic handle, and a wide distance between the claws - a real winner if you ask us!
This offering from Kinear is an easy grabber! The design features a 360-degree rotating claw, anti-slip silicone on the inside of the jaw, a magnetic tip and a high 1 kg load capacity. Not only that, but the claws have been designed so that they can also be used as a shoehorn!
Sure, there are a few things to be desired, like a slightly larger distance between the claws, but this is still one hell of a litter picker. It's a little more expensive than many other options, but you definitely get a feature set that represents the money.
The KY-Tech Litter Picker has a standout USP that often gets overlooked - the width between the claws. This distance is 13 cm, which is, frankly, massive. So, unless you're planning on moving extremely big items, then this picker will have you covered.
Moreover, the design folds almost in half, taking the measurements down from 81 cm to 42, making it much easier to store away when not in use. It also comes with a 360-degree swivelling head and an ergonomic handle.
What's better than one litter picker? Four, of course! Granted, you won't be able to use all of these at once, but if you're buying for a workplace or the community, then something that offers a little value for money surely won't go a miss. If not, then you could always have one in each hand!
These are a little smaller in length than the other options, and unfortunately, they don't come with many bells or whistles. That said, they are around the same price for four as many other brands price for one, so you're effectively getting them for 25% of the price. Bargain!
The Handy Reacher Grabber from Prettyui is a unique specimen in that it has a few features that many of the others in our ranking don't. For example, it's the most lightweight of all the options on here, but it's the company's use of suction cup tips that are the true star of the show, assuring a more secure grip.
Not only that, but this device is slightly cheaper than many of the others, meaning it's ideal if you're working on a tight budget or are planning on buying a few of them for the workplace. It might not be loaded with specs, but we think this picker is excellent value for what you spend.
If you're looking for a picker that can help you reach those particularly high or far away places, or you're just very tall and don't want to strain your back, then you'll love this one from Konky. The grabber is a metre long and therefore has a reach like no other in our ranking.
Of course, this size does have its drawbacks - it's not ideal for shorter people! Other than that, the company have tended to scrap most of the other features. That said, they did incorporate an ergonomic handle, so it does get a few comfort points.
This offering from Jellas is pretty much the archetypal litter picker. It has an average length of 82 cm, a comfortable ergonomic handle and weighs 260 g. Add to that the magnetic claws and retractability for storage, and you've got a pretty nifty picker on your hands.
However, there are some drawbacks too. For instance, the width between the claws is a little on the smaller side, which limits the debris you can collect. Plus, the head only swivels at a 90-degree angle, but that's better than nothing!
This option from Argos Home will make lighter work of getting to objects in hard to reach places. While there isn't too much information, it does have a favourable amount of reviews from consumers, being rated at least 4.5 stars by 91% of customers.
It's a little on the shorter side, which means the scope is more limited. Also, this means that users might be required to bend over more when operating it, which might not be the best for those who are buying this because of bad backs.
The first litter picker we have for you is from a British company, The Helping Hand Company. These devices are made with the primary focus in mind - picking litter. They're built to be a little longer than average, but other than that, are rather basic.
Therefore, you shouldn't expect any fancy magnetic claws, suction cup tips or swivelling heads. Surprisingly, even though these are one of the most simple designs, they're also one of the more expensive options in our ranking.
If you're out picking litter, chances are, you're doing a great job looking after our planet. Why not continue the good work by bringing the eco-friendly lifestyle indoors and making a few simple swaps that are better for our environment. Check out a few more articles below for some eco-friendly choices for the home.
That's it, folks! We hope you enjoyed our article on the best litter pickers around, and you now know exactly how to choose one that best suits your needs. Here's to no more bad backs, a cleaner planet and a shiny new, nifty little gadget!
Author: Lewis Clark
No. 1: ZJH|Foldable Claw Grabber
No. 2: MyCreator|Foldable Picker Upper
No. 3: Kinear| Foldable Pick Up Long Arm Reacher
No. 4: KY-Tech|Litter Picker
No. 5: ZYBUX|Litter Pickers|Pack of 4
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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