The 10 Best Sand Scoops

You might expect strength from a scoop named the Dune Kraken (appx. $80), and you won't be disappointed with this choice. Weighing in at just over two pounds, it features an 11-inch bucket with hexagonal holes that let the sand sift through quickly, and each unit is handmade.

The Garrett Lightweight (appx. $85) is durably constructed of 16-gauge stainless steel, so it won't rust over time. It is designed for use in dry or wet sand, and even performs well underwater, not bending or giving when you are pushing and prying in all kinds of sediment.

As long as you stay in dry sand, the RTG Adjustable (about $68) might be exactly what you need. It can go from about 26 inches out to 32, so you can find the right length for the amount of bending you're willing to do. It weighs only 1.25 pounds, making it easy to carry.

Sometimes you need a long handle for hunting underwater and sometimes you don't mind bending down to find your target. That's why you reach for the adaptable Coob Krepish (about $59), which you can use with a long or short handle. Plus, it's lighter than other models.

If you don't mind bending down for your target, then the no-nonsense Garrett Metal (about $34) might be a good choice. It features a padded handle and a heavy-duty construction that uses rivets instead of welds, and it weighs less than two pounds, so you can use it all day long.

The wide-open leading edge of the bucket on the Coob Pelican (around $75) makes it easy to scoop up a lot of dry or wet sand in one go. Made entirely of stainless steel, it won't corrode with exposure to salt water, and its solid construction means it will stand up to regular use.

If you don't hunt at the beach very often, then a simple, inexpensive model, like the SE GP3-SS20 (appx. $9), will get the job done well enough. It's easy to carry and weighs just under four ounces, and the plastic won't rust with exposure to saltwater.

When you add a handle, which you supply, the Quest Scoopal (about $108) is everything you might want in a beach treasure hunting accessory. It is made of durable stainless steel with hexagonal holes, and the sharp leading edge of the bucket makes it easy to use in dry or wet sand.

You can use the versatile Garrett Beach Scoop (appx. $64) with or without a long handle, and it's tough enough to stand up to heavy use on rocky shores or river beds as well as surf lines with lots of clay silt and shell. And it's surprisingly light, at just under 2 pounds.

If you hunt in water or you'd rather not bend down over and over, then you'll want a long-handled unit like this RTG Pro (around $117). It is 47 inches in length and is built so that you can use your foot to push the nine-inch long bucket into wet or dry sand.