The Best Measuring Cups and Spoons

Buying Guide for Measuring Cups and Spoons

Why buy measuring cups and spoons?

Having the right tools can make a huge difference in your cooking. If you don’t measure properly, you’re probably not getting the best results from your recipes. Lower-quality measuring cups and spoons may not always be accurate. They might be fine to measure ingredients for a quick batch of cookies or muffins, but if you want your baking to be chef approved and more precise, it may be time to upgrade. Fortunately, there are plenty of options for better measuring. And if it seems like it would be expensive to buy new sets of measuring cups and spoons, it’s not; you can get high-quality products at very reasonable prices.

What should you look for in measuring cups and spoons?

• Sturdy Handles: The handles on your measuring cup should be sturdy so they don’t break or wear down through all the use you’ll put them through. They should be made of solid materials that are BPA and chemical-free.
• Measurements: The more measurements, the better. Knowing cups, ounces, and other equivalents will save you time. It’s also helpful to have a set that has both US and metric measurements so you can make your favorite recipes with ease.
• Material: You want to choose a measuring cup and spoon set that is both durable and easy to use. Glass is great, but it may break if dropped, and plastic is not the best for hot liquids. Silicone and stainless steel are popular choices because they last a long time and can be washed in hot water again and again.

What extra features can you find in measuring cups and spoons?

While all measuring cups and spoons are intended to measure ingredients properly, some styles offer extra functionality. These may include ergonomic handles, collapsibility, and easy-to-read markings. Some measuring cups and spoons are magnetic, allowing them to nest together compactly and magnetize to the edge of stainless steel bowls for your convenience.

Our Picks for the Best Measuring Cups and Spoons

Pros: This set includes all the standard measuring sizes plus more! It has 1/8 tsp, 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1/2 Tbsp, 1 Tbsp, 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup. Each is made of durable BPA-free plastic and double molded for increased durability and function. This set is lightweight and easy to read, with large printed measurements that won’t wear off.

Cons: The handles on the measuring cups are not the sturdiest. They may bend somewhat when scooping out dry ingredients, such as flour.

Bottom Line: This set of measuring cups and spoons might be a good choice if you tire of straining your eyes to see the measurements on traditional utensils. The set is a great value and comes in three other colors in addition to the featured black and blue.

 

Pros: Complete with everything you need, this set of 14  stainless steel includes measuring cups in measurements of 1/8 cup, 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, 2/3 cup, 3/4 cup, 1 cup, and 2 cups with measuring spoons in 1/8 tsp, 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 3/4 tsp, 1 tsp, and 1 Tbsp. These measuring tools are made from stainless steel and are built to last a lifetime. They are rustproof, corrosion-proof, and chemical-resistant. They’re easy to wash in the dishwasher over and over without worry. And the stamped measurements on each handle are easy to spot and won’t fade away. Plus, the design is stackable, with each cup and spoon nesting in the next size up for easy storage.

Cons: The handles on the measuring cups are shorter than others and may be difficult for some people to grip. Also, the leveler is too short to use on the 2-cup measuring cup.

Bottom Line: Overall, these stainless steel measuring tools are a fantastic set. For one thing, they are made from high-quality stainless steel that will last a lifetime. For another, they include the 2-cup measurement that most sets don’t have.

 

Pros: If you’ve ever had a recipe that required less-conventional measurements like 1/16 of a teaspoon, you might have had to do a bit of estimating. After all, many people don’t have measuring spoons that go down so small. But if you want to end the guesswork, the Ultimate Measuring Set from Progressive International may be for you. This comprehensive set offers easy-to-read measurements from 1/32 tsp to 2 cups, perfect for wet or dry ingredients. The handles provide a secure grip, while the three storage rings keep the pieces together. This plastic measuring set is BPA-free and dishwasher safe.

Cons: This is another measuring set you may want to handle with care. There shouldn’t be any problems with the spoons, but the handles on the cups can break if you apply too much pressure when scooping dry ingredients.

Bottom Line: With these measuring cups and spoons, you can have the convenience of getting a 2-cup measurement of your ingredient in one step. The cups and spoons also come in a trio of colors to differentiate the many sizes for grab-and-go ease.

 

Pros: Made of premium-quality food-grade silicone, these colorful measuring cups will never rust, melt, bend, warp, or break, even in a hot dishwasher. On each cup and spoon are easy-to-read engraved markings in both US and metric measurements. These cups and spoons come with a removable silicone ring hook that helps keep the cups together but can be removed for individual use (and for those who hate using cups and spoons on loops). The cups are fully collapsible and stackable for easy storage. Or you can even hang them up to save space in your drawers.

Cons: Because the spoons are rectangular instead of round, they’re more difficult to clean.

Bottom Line: This set comes in cute colors and shapes, and it takes up less space than most. Because these are lightweight, collapsible, and hangable, they are great for camping or travel. And because they’re silicone, they can last a lifetime with proper care.

 

Pros: These magnetic measuring cups and spoons from U-Taste can make your time in the kitchen a little easier. The strong magnets embedded on each handle make the utensils easy to stick together in your kitchen drawer or on your refrigerator for easy access. The measurements are engraved so that they won’t rub off. These cups and spoons are made with 18/8 stainless steel that’s rust-resistant and safe for both dishwasher and hand washing. With this set, you’ll get 13 measuring utensils from 1/4 tsp to 1 cup.

Cons: While serious cooks may appreciate the convenient features of this set, it is a bit more expensive than what many people have in their budget for measuring cups and spoons.

Bottom Line: Some cooks never return to conventional measuring cups and spoons once they try magnetic ones. This may be a great option if you’d like to upgrade your arsenal of measuring utensils. In addition to this 13-piece set, sets of 5, 7, and 15 are also available.

Final Thoughts

We know that having quality measuring cups and spoons can make all the difference in the kitchen, so we’ve provided suggestions for some of the best available. Whether you prefer stainless steel or plastic, magnetic or collapsible, a basic set, or something more extensive, one of our picks will suit your culinary needs.