The litter picker – there are so many ways that this handy little tool can help you in your garden! They don’t JUST have to be used for picking up litter (although admittedly they are very adept at doing this), but they can also be used for picking up any kind of garden debris or waste when you are gardening. Not only that, but many can pick up bolts and screws, pieces of woodwork and we even found some models that you could use to change lightbulbs!
If you just generally want to make your life easier, both inside and outside your home, or maybe you are hoping to do some litter picking in your local area, then there will be a litter picker suited to you that will help you to get the job done. We also love how much litter pickers can help anyone with a sore back, hips or just general joint pain, who doesn’t want to be bending over constantly. The repetitive motion of bending to the floor and standing up again can cause lower back pain for even the fittest of people, so why put your body through that when you could just purchase one of the best litter pickers instead?
There are many different litter pickers out there so trying to choose the right one can be more challenging than you would think. For example, if you like the idea of being able to use your litter picker to change light bulbs then you aren’t going to want a magnetic claw, but if your litter picker is going to be used in your workshop then this might be one of the most time saving features! Keep reading for all that you need to know before purchasing the best litter picker for you!
Best Litter Picker – Vive Multipurpose Folding Reacher Grabber
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Essential Litter Picker Features
There are so many features that will make it easier to choose between different litter pickers, but first you need to think about the essential features that you need to consider before you buy! You want a litter picker that is going to be the right size, weight and function for you…so keep reading to find out how to find it.
Dimensions
The idea of your litter picker is that you are going to be able to collect all the litter, garden debris (or anything else for that matter!), without having to bend over. Therefore you need a litter picker that is going to be the right height for you. In our opinion, the longer the litter picker the better, as this will save you from having to move around the area as you will have a much longer reach. Some of the longest models that we found were up to 90cm in length, which (including the length of your arm) is going to give you over a metre coverage of the ground around you! This, compared to some of the smaller models that are only 60cm in length are going to be much more compact and easier to move around with, but most people are still going to have to do some bending to pick things up from the floor. What we do like about shorter litter pickers is that they are arguably easier to use due to you not having to work with quite so much length!
The weight of your litter picker won’t just be determined by the size but also by the materials that are used to make it! Plastic models are going to be much cheaper (although not as durable), whereas metal litter pickers (usually made from aluminium) are going to be much more long lasting! Plastic litter pickers start at as little as 250g, which will allow you to work all day without feeling much fatigue. Most other models are going to be between around 500g and 1kg, so still relatively light, however possibly more difficult to use for longer periods of time if you have arthritis or joint pains!
Handle
The handle of your litter picker is the part that you are going to have the most contact with so it is important that it is going to be right for you. The first thing to consider is whether you are wanting an open or a closed handle. This really comes down to personal preference, we quite like open handles as they are easier to use from different angles, but closed handles will offer more stability when you are working! Make sure to see whether your handle comes with a comfort grip made from rubber, foam or silicone. These are going to massively reduce fatigue and calluses if working for longer periods of time and will improve grip.
Also check the design of the trigger and whether this is connected to the handle or separate. Look out for triggers that are made from durable materials such as aluminium or really heavy-duty plastic. You also want to check how easy the trigger is going to be to use and whether the mechanism involves strong but moveable springs. Without this, you will find yourself becoming fatigued much faster when you are working!
Jaw and Claw
Different manufacturers name the “base” of the litter picker different things! Some call it the jaw and others call it the claw, so you just need to be mindful of this when you are buying! This is arguably one of the most important parts of the tool as without this you aren’t picking up any litter! The main thing that you need to consider is the size of the jaw opening – a larger opening is going to make it possible for you to collect larger pieces of rubbish, but this does often mean that you have to exert more pressure to get the jaw to close too!
Different litter picker jaws will come with different features to help them to stand out from the rest, your job is to find which features are most important for you!
- Magnetic jaw – By far one of our favourite features is models that come with a magnetic outer (or inner) jaw. These will allow you to simply touch against metal objects such as cans, screws and bolts and they will stick to your litter picker for long enough for you to collect and store them away! This is perfect for any smaller metal objects that you are trying to collect.
- Suction cup tips – This is a rarer feature to find but some litter pickers have suction cups on the end of each of the jaw parts, these allow you to pick up particularly small objects with relative ease.
- Degree functionality – Different litter pickers will be able to offer you different amounts of functionality that they will be able to work at. Some will only be able to work at a degree of 90 degrees or less, whereas others will offer 360 degrees, meaning that you will be able to collect rubbish no matter what angle you are working at!
- Grip – The grip that comes with your litter picker is going to have a massive impact on how easy it is for you to pick up different things from the floor! Look out for rubber or silicone grips as these will be durable but also flexible enough to get a hold of a variety of smaller objects!
Best Budget – Prettyui Handy Reacher Grabber
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Additional Litter Picker Features…
Here are some of the additional features that we would definitely recommend looking out for if you are wanting to purchase the best litter picker!
- Fold away models – You also want to think about how easy it is going to be to actually store and move your litter picker when you aren’t using it. There are various different ways in which manufacturers have made this easier. From fold-away models that will literally fold in half down to around 40cm, and models that are extendable, so will come with telescopic handles so that you can secure them at the perfect length for you and then shrink them down when you are done!
- Left-handed and right-handed – Some litter pickers are only going to be suitable for people that are right handed. If you are left handed then make sure to check if the model is going to be compatible with both your left hand AND your right.
- Locking jaw – Some litter pickers can actually almost offer you too much movement if they have 360 degree functions. We like models that are going to give you the option of locking the jaw into place so that it is just at the angle that you are looking for!
- Multi-packs – Many litter pickers actually come as part of multi-packs. We love this idea as it will leave you able to use one for rubbish and debris and the other for jobs around the house!
Best of the Rest
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get a warranty with a litter picker?
Yes! You will actually find that the best litter pickers actually come with at least a 12 month warranty. Some manufacturers actually offer a lifetime guarantee if they are particularly certain that their tool is made to last!
Can litter pickers be used by children?
Yes! There is no reason that your litter picker cannot be used by children – and what a fantastic way to get them interested in helping the environment. The only problem is that longer litter pickers may be a little heavy and cumbersome for younger children to use, but there are child-sized litter pickers that can be purchased just for them!
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