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.
• Measurements: The more measurements, the better. Knowing cups, ounces, and other equivalents will save you time.
• 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.

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, where they will conveniently stay where you need them.

Our Picks for the Best Measuring Cups and Spoons

Pros: This set includes all the standard measuring sizes: 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: These measuring cups and spoons from Laxinis World are made of high-quality stainless steel for durability. They are easy to hand wash and are also dishwasher-safe. Each measuring cup and spoon has clearly engraved measurements written in metric and U.S. standard notation. The spoons feature long comfort-grip handles that easily fit in most container openings.

Cons: Although listed as rustproof, you may experience rusting with prolonged exposure to water. You would want to be sure to dry these thoroughly before you store them.

Bottom Line: Consider this 10-piece set if you are looking for a stainless-steel option with the bonus of including both metric and customary units of measurement. The cups and spoons come in frequently used measurements and are nestable for easy storage.

 

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, for example, 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: The collapsible design of this set makes it ideal for small kitchens. The BPA-free silicone cups and spoons are dishwasher-safe and durable. The handles are long for easy scooping, and the sizes are engraved for quick reference without searching. You get the 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup measurements with 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, and 1 Tbsp measurements.

Cons: Since the measuring spoons are rectangle-shaped, they may not fit easily into small jars, such as spice jars, for direct scooping.

Bottom Line: You may want to consider these space-saving measuring cups and spoons if you have a small space for kitchen storage, such as in an RV or studio apartment. Remember that you may need a rounded spoon to transfer ingredients from small jars to rectangular measuring spoons in this set.

 

Pros: These magnetic measuring cups and spoons from U-Taste may 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 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 five, seven, and 15 are also available.

Final Thoughts

We know that having quality measuring cups and spoons can make all the difference in the kitchen, and we are happy to have 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.