What type of measuring cups are best?

As mentioned, stainless steel measuring cups tend to be the most durable over time, but as long as you can use the tools comfortably, there’s no need to overthink this one.

Which ingredient is measured incorrectly most often?

Lisa Lotts of Garlic and Zest says that flour is the most commonly mis-measured ingredient. “It really depends on how you fill the measuring cup,” she says. “By dipping the measuring cup into a flour container, you’ll actually pack and compress the flour and can end up with 2-3 tablespoons more than what the cup specifies.” Lotts advises that the best way to measure flour is by weight rather than volume, but if you don’t have a scale, she has advice on how to do it as accurately as possible: “Aerate the flour with a spoon, then gently scoop heaping spoonfuls of flour into the measuring cup. Don’t shake or pat the cup — use the flat side of a knife to scrape off the excess by brushing it over the top of the measuring cup.”

Is there a difference between dry and wet measuring cups?

“Wet measuring cups are usually made of glass or plastic and have graduated measures along the side,” Lotts explains. “The idea is to measure the liquid in the container by looking at the contents from eye level. Looking at a glass measuring cup from above won’t give you an accurate measurement, and you’ll likely over-fill the liquid.” Lotts notes that surface tension is the reason why a dry measuring cup isn’t ideal for measuring liquids — the liquids can stretch beyond the confines of the cup and lead to inaccuracies.

Are measuring cups dishwasher safe?

While most measuring cups are dishwasher safe, check with the manufacturer to be sure.

How should you organize measuring cups and spoons?

“There is no rule for how to store measuring cups; it really comes down to space,” says Anthony Contrino, Emmy-awarded culinary producer, food stylist, and host of Saucy on NBCUniversal’s streaming platform Peacock. “Create a dedicated space for them so that you can easily keep track of them. Personally, I store them in my baking supplies drawer, nestled by size. Spoons can be stored in a drawer in a small drawer organizer. Alternatively, you can hang both the cups and spoons on hooks or a peg wall. If your measuring cups and spoons are metal, you can even hang them on a magnetic knife strip, so they’re always within arm’s reach! If your measuring cups or spoons come on a key ring, separate them, so they’re easier to use and clean.”

The 7 Best Measuring Cups and Spoons for 2023

7-best-measuring-cups-and-spoons-for-2022-tout — West Elm

For many of us, measuring cups and spoons are everyday items in the kitchen. Whether we’re dipping a cup into a bubbling pot to reserve valuable pasta water or adding a tablespoon of honey to a salad dressing, having a set of reliable, easy-to-use measuring cups and spoons on hand is key.

A digital kitchen scale is the best way to ensure pinpoint accuracy with your wet and dry ingredient measurements, but it’s tough to beat the grab-and-go convenience of measuring cups and spoons. So, we took a deep dive — and chatted with a cooking and baking expert — to find the best of these handy utensils. Our top picks offer value and functionality and are more than welcome in our kitchens.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

OXO Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons Set at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Value:

Laxinis World Stainless Steel Measuring Cups & Spoons 10-Piece Set at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Splurge:

All-Clad Measuring Cups and Spoons at Williams-Sonoma

Jump to Review

Best Nesting:

Cook with Color Measuring Cup and Spoon Set at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Modern:

Homestia Measuring Cups and Spoons at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Collapsible:

Leepiya Collapsible Measuring Cups and Spoons at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Bamboo:

Bamboozle Measuring Cups at West Elm

Jump to Review

oxo-good-grips-8-piece-stainless-steel-measuring-cups-and-spoons-set

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Belk.com

Pros: Magnetic handles make storage a snap.

Cons: The spoons don’t nest into the cups.

As a general rule, we love the OXO Good Grips product line for its quality, functionality, and value — and these measuring cups and spoons are no exception. This 8-piece set includes the most common measurements you’ll need, and the magnetic handles help keep everything together without scattering haphazardly throughout your kitchen drawers.

OXO’s stainless steel construction means this set of measuring cups and spoons will be durable and easy to clean — you can even toss them in the dishwasher. And there are no worries about the measurements wearing off with use and cleaning since OXO has etched them right into the steel. Factor in the non-slip handles for a secure hold (they don’t call ‘em Good Grips for nothing!), and there’s not much not to love about this set.

Price at time of publish: $33

Includes: ¼ tsp, ½ tsp, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, ¼ cup, ⅓ cup, ½ cup, 1 cup
Materials: Stainless steel
Dishwasher safe: Yes

laxinis-world-stainless-steel-10-piece-measuring-cups-and-spoons-set

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Sears.com

Pros: 10 pieces cover all the bases — and then some.

Cons: No special features like comfort grips or color coding to write home about.

While a good set of measuring cups and spoons can last indefinitely, it’s understandable if you’d rather allocate your kitchen tools budget toward other, more exciting gear. This 10-piece set from Laxinis World will easily do the trick, including the uncommon ½-tablespoon and ⅛-cup measurements.

This is a no-frills set, so you won’t find extras like comfort grips, color coding, or magnets, but each piece nests together for convenient storage. These stainless steel measuring spoons and cups are also dishwasher safe, making them a great value-conscious buy.

Price at time of publish: $18

Includes: ¼ tsp, ½ tsp, 1 tsp, ½ tbsp, 1 tbsp, ⅛ cup, ¼ cup, ⅓ cup, ½ cup, 1 cup
Materials: Stainless steel
Dishwasher safe: Yes

all-clad-stainless-steel-measuring-cups-and-spoons

Williams Sonoma

View On Williams-Sonoma

Pros: Great-looking, timeless design from a trusted brand name.

Cons: Pricey for measuring cups and spoons.

With 18/10 stainless steel construction and extra-long handles for easy reaching into jars, All-Clad’s measuring cups and spoons set offers functionality with a classic design that’s built to last. The polished stainless steel is resilient, and the entire set is dishwasher-safe.

All-Clad is a reputable, long-trusted brand, so you can be sure these measuring devices are accurate and will last for years to come. (And if you just want the measuring cups, you can find them here and save a few dollars.)

Price at time of publish: $60

Includes: ¼ tsp, ½ tsp, 1 tsp, ½ tbsp, 1 tbsp, ⅛ cup, ¼ cup, ⅓ cup, ½ cup, 1 cup
Materials: Stainless steel
Dishwasher safe: Yes

cook-with-color-12-piece-nested-measuring-cup-and-spoon-set

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart

Pros: Lots of color choices and convenient storage.

Cons: Washing by hand is recommended.

Measuring cups and spoons that will nest into one another as a complete set — rather than two separate entities — create an ideal storage solution. This comprehensive set by Cook with Color includes 12 pieces that are each designed with the same shape, so they all fit snugly together and offer a cohesive look.

You can also choose from 15 different color combinations to suit your design preferences and match your kitchen. They’re also a great value at less than $20 — especially considering the set includes two very uncommon sizes: 2 tablespoons and ¾ cup. The only arguable downside to these measuring cups is that washing by hand is recommended to preserve the finish of the handles.

Price at time of publish: $24

Includes: ¼ tsp, ½ tsp, 1 tsp, ½ tbsp, 1 tbsp, 2 tbsp, ¼ cup, ⅓ cup, ½ cup, ¾ cup, 1 cup
Materials: Plastic and stainless steel
Dishwasher safe: Handwashing recommended

homestia-stainless-steel-measuring-cups-and-spoons

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart

Pros: Sleek good looks without sacrificing practicality.

Cons: Not dishwasher safe.

Considering the reasonable price, this is an especially great-looking set of measuring cups and spoons. The sleek lines and open handles will fit well with any kitchen decor, and the attractive gold or black finishes will look great next to any mixing bowl — there’s no need to stick with boring silver.

Unfortunately, these cups and spoons aren’t dishwasher safe — you’ve got to preserve that swanky finish, after all — but a quick rinse in the sink should be simple enough.

Price at time of publish: $21

Includes: ¼ tsp, ½ tsp, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, ¼ cup, ⅓ cup, ½ cup, 1 cup
Materials: Stainless steel
Dishwasher safe: No

collapsible-measuring-cups-and-spoons-8-piece-set

Amazon

View On Amazon

Pros: Great for storage and extremely durable.

Cons: Colorful design won’t appeal to everyone.

It’s hard to beat collapsible cups for storage purposes, which makes this inexpensive set a convenient option for anyone working in a small space. Though the colorful, plastic-and-silicone design certainly won’t be to everyone’s taste, there’s no doubt these are easy to use, clean, and store.

Measure out what you need, then toss these cups and spoons in the dishwasher alongside your spatulas and get on with your day.

Price at time of publish: $10

Includes: ¼ tsp, ½ tsp, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, ¼ cup, ⅓ cup, ½ cup, 1 cup
Materials: Plastic and silicone
Dishwasher safe: Yes

West Elm

View On West Elm

Pros: Fully biodegradable and available in three color schemes.

Cons: Susceptible to warping if used in the microwave.

For the eco-conscious, these bamboo measuring cups and spoons are an excellent alternative to plastic. The 8-piece set is available in different colors, and they nest together for easy storage. Each cup — and even the spoons — have a pouring spout for easy, mess-free transference of ingredients.

Though bamboo isn’t quite as foolproof as stainless steel — you probably shouldn’t use these cups in the microwave. That said, bamboo fiber is a hardy material, and this set should last a long time to come.

Price at time of publish: $28

Includes: ¼ tsp, ½ tsp, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, ¼ cup, ⅓ cup, ½ cup, 1 cup
Materials: Bamboo fiber
Dishwasher safe: Yes

Our Favorite

The OXO Good Grips set tops our list for its value, functionality, and classic good looks. If you’re not feeling stainless steel but don’t want to go with plastic measuring cups and spoons, the Bamboozle set is a great choice.

Factors to Consider

Material

Since measuring cups and spoons can last indefinitely, the material choice really comes down to personal preference. Overall, dishwasher-safe stainless steel will be the most durable and resistant to stains and odor absorption.

Storage

Nearly all measuring cups will nest together for purposes of storage and access, but the measuring spoons won’t always fit within the cups. If this is important to you, be sure to look for a set that fully nests. Otherwise, the magnetic handles featured on the OXO cups and spoons will be useful for keeping everything together.

Weight

You want measuring tools that are heavy-duty enough to go the distance, but not so heavy that they are unwieldy to use. Be sure metal handles aren’t so flimsy that they can bend when scooping dense ingredients like brown sugar.

Measurement Markings

Markings for measurements should be clear and easy to read, especially for measuring spoons where the difference between a half teaspoon and half tablespoon is significant. It is preferable for these markings to be impressed or imprinted on the cups and spoons instead of painted on since painted markings can wear off in time with regular use and multiple cleanings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of measuring cups are best?

As mentioned, stainless steel measuring cups tend to be the most durable over time, but as long as you can use the tools comfortably, there’s no need to overthink this one.
Which ingredient is measured incorrectly most often?

Lisa Lotts of Garlic and Zest says that flour is the most commonly mis-measured ingredient.

“It really depends on how you fill the measuring cup,” she says. “By dipping the measuring cup into a flour container, you’ll actually pack and compress the flour and can end up with 2-3 tablespoons more than what the cup specifies.”
Lotts advises that the best way to measure flour is by weight rather than volume, but if you don’t have a scale, she has advice on how to do it as accurately as possible:

“Aerate the flour with a spoon, then gently scoop heaping spoonfuls of flour into the measuring cup. Don’t shake or pat the cup — use the flat side of a knife to scrape off the excess by brushing it over the top of the measuring cup.”
Is there a difference between dry and wet measuring cups?

“Wet measuring cups are usually made of glass or plastic and have graduated measures along the side,” Lotts explains. “The idea is to measure the liquid in the container by looking at the contents from eye level. Looking at a glass measuring cup from above won’t give you an accurate measurement, and you’ll likely over-fill the liquid.”

Lotts notes that surface tension is the reason why a dry measuring cup isn’t ideal for measuring liquids — the liquids can stretch beyond the confines of the cup and lead to inaccuracies.
Are measuring cups dishwasher safe?

While most measuring cups are dishwasher safe, check with the manufacturer to be sure.
How should you organize measuring cups and spoons?

“There is no rule for how to store measuring cups; it really comes down to space,” says Anthony Contrino, Emmy-awarded culinary producer, food stylist, and host of Saucy on NBCUniversal’s streaming platform Peacock. “Create a dedicated space for them so that you can easily keep track of them. Personally, I store them in my baking supplies drawer, nestled by size. Spoons can be stored in a drawer in a small drawer organizer. Alternatively, you can hang both the cups and spoons on hooks or a peg wall. If your measuring cups and spoons are metal, you can even hang them on a magnetic knife strip, so they’re always within arm’s reach! If your measuring cups or spoons come on a key ring, separate them, so they’re easier to use and clean.”

Our Expertise

This article was written by Summer Rylander, a food and travel journalist who has written about food, beverage, and cooking products for Food & Wine, Allrecipes, Serious Eats, and The Kitchn. She made her selections based on in-depth research, hands-on testing, and conversation with experts. Stacey Ballis, a freelance writer, recipe developer, and product reviewer, also contributed to this piece.