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With the rise in popularity of cooking and baking at home, you might find yourself in need of a kitchen scale in order to provide accurate measures of ingredients. Some cooking and baking requires precise measurements, and a kitchen scale can prove crucial to any chef no matter their experience.
A good kitchen scale will provide accurate measurements with an easy-to-read display. The best kitchen scale should be able to hold the specific ingredients needed for measuring. When it comes to satisfying all the requirements, we think the Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale gets the job done because it has a simple understandable display, enough space to measure a variety of ingredients, and accurate digital measurements. Below you will find our other favorite products and a buying guide to aid in the decision-making process.
Jim Quast (JQ) is a lifelong professional restaurant and corporate R&D chef that loves everything food-related and the tools both big and small to make those great food memories. He's a super huge BBQ, grill, and kitchen gadget fanatic. JQ has spent the last 30+ years trying to figure out what works to make your kitchen life easier and fun. If you can use it to slice it, dice it, cook it, smoke it or store it, he's been there checking it out. Food = Life! https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-quast-59769011/
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Choosing the best kitchen scale depends on what you value. Are you happy keeping it simple, or do you prefer tools with extra features? Keep all of this in mind to help you pick the best scale for you!
Digital and analog scales both have their pros and cons, but digital scales may be best for most home cooks due to their improved accuracy.
Digital scales offer the most functionality. Most have a tare function, so if you put a bowl on your scale, you can zero out the weight with the push of a button. That way you’re just measuring the weight of your ingredients and not the container.
Plus, it’s easy to see the exact weight on the digital display, unlike analog models that require you to read a dial. Some models even let you switch between Imperial and metric measurements, too! If you ever use recipes that call for grams instead of ounces, this will save you from constantly having to Google conversion rates.
They do require batteries or an electrical outlet. You also have to be mindful of making sure the electrical components aren’t damaged by washing. If you're often weighing heavy amounts of ingredients, consider an analog model. The weight limits tend to be lower on digital scales.
Analog scales are a classic kitchen tool, but they may be cumbersome for some home cooks. You can’t tare the scale at the push of a button, which can lead to headaches if you have to weigh multiple or messy ingredients. Analog scales have a lever or adjustment of the dial to tare the scale, but it's not as quick as with a digital one.
Plus, analog scales have a physical dial that shows the weight with a hand on a numbered face. This means you're not getting the exact weight. If the hand lands between two whole numbers, you'll have to approximate the measurement.
However, analog models often have higher weight limits and are more physically durable than electric models. The dial faces are also usually marked in pounds and ounces, too. So if you aren't too worried about exact weights, an analog scale will do just fine!
Kitchen scales range in capacity from around one to fifteen pounds. Consider how much you tend to cook or bake to decide where in that range is best for you. Most home cooks will find that a lower or medium capacity is enough to meet their needs.
However, if you have a large family or often cook large quantities of food, you might need a high-capacity scale that can measure several pounds of ingredients. Some high-capacity scales can hold up to seventeen pounds of ingredients. Keep in mind your storage space as well. Higher capacities may be larger and more difficult to store!
You bought a kitchen scale to measure things, so it should do that job flawlessly, right? Product information should say how accurate the measurements are, whether it's down to one gram or one ounce. You can check the reviews of a scale to see if the accuracy given is true!
Smaller capacity and digital scales tend to be more accurate. Analog scales rely on physical mechanisms, like springs, to measure weight. Digital scales use sensors that typically hold up better to wear and tear.
Consider the weight display of the scale as well. Having a digital scale that includes one or two decimal points will give you the most accurate reading. This is vital if you do a lot of baking, which requires precise measurements.
In order to accurately measure a variety of ingredients, look for a kitchen scale that displays both grams and ounces. Most digital and analog kitchen scales offer measurements in grams and ounces; however, there are occasionally digital scales that offer the unique ability to interpret percentages should a recipe need adjustment.
If you're measuring liquids, look for scales with a specific fluid ounces mode. Most scales only measure weight, not volumes, but some scales use formulas that can give you fluid ounce measurements (some even specifically for high-density liquids like milk!).
Kitchen scales have similar designs, but small features can take a product from okay to great!
The design of a scale shouldn't just suit your aesthetic but should also meet your functional needs. For instance, do you like the shape of the measuring surface? Circular and rectangular surfaces both function the same, but some people prefer circular shapes if they often use bowls or measuring cups for weighing.
You should also be able to clearly see the display while you’re using it. If small numbers are difficult for you to read, try choosing a scale with a large backlit display. For kitchen scales with large measuring bowls, a pull-out display will help to keep the numbers legible.
Other features like a non-slip bottom add functionality that many home cooks appreciate.
Make sure the design lends itself to easy cleaning. Whether it’s analog or electronic, you should be able to clean the measuring surface without damaging the weighing mechanisms. Some scales even have a removable surface for easy cleaning. For further ease of cleaning, you can look for scales with dishwasher-safe tops.
For electronic scales, look for a sealed display. This means the buttons and screen are under a layer of clear plastic or glass. This stops food crumbs and liquids from getting into places they shouldn't!
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This kitchen scale represents simplicity and accuracy. Reviewers note that the weighing tray is large enough for their needs, saying they can rely on this scale for everything from baking bread to making soap.
The two-minute auto-shutoff function was annoying for some reviewers, but many have had it for years and use it all the time. They like that it doesn't beep and say the big numbers are easy to read.
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This modern scale offers convenience and elegant design. The USB charger means you'll never be digging around for spare batteries, while the waterproof body means you'll never have to worry about damaging the internal electronics.
Some say that the battery life was not as good as they expected, but reviewers love that the thin, lightweight design makes this scale easy to store. Plus, they like that the display is much easier to read compared to other scales.
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This scale is designed to make weighing easy, especially for liquids! The water mode is for lighter densities, while the milk mode weighs denser liquids. The scale also features functions for easy unit conversions.
Reviewers recommend reading the instructions but say it's simple to use after that. They love that the bowl makes for easy measuring and storing. Many say that the scale is very reliable and holds up to continued use, too.
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This kitchen scale is perfect for those who have large measuring bowls or items. The scale features a pull-out display so that your view of the measurements will not be blocked by the bowl.
Some reviewers noted that the product goes through batteries quickly; they would prefer a rechargeable battery instead. However, many reviewers love the pull-out display and how they can see it even when measuring food on a large plate.
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This scale's 17-pound capacity and easy-to-read backlit display makes this a useful tool for people who often cook. It has the unique function to measure by percentage, which is really helpful for bakers who need to weigh ingredients in proportion to their flour. This electric scale also can be used with a power adapter to save you from continually buying batteries.
A few reviewers had issues with their scale breaking down after a few months, but most say it's lasted years with heavy use. They love that you can change the time-out duration or shut it off entirely.
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This scale has a high capacity of 22 pounds! It's a great choice for people who often cook large amounts of food or need a kitchen scale for crafting. This scale can handle unusually heavy items like wax or soap with no trouble.
Reviewers love that the scale is large enough to weigh big objects and has a clear display. The scale has a sleek design made of tempered glass and is easy to clean. And unlike other large models, it's not bulky or heavy! Plus, reviewers confirm that it has great accuracy for both light and heavy objects.
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This retro design is best for those interested in an analog scale. The stainless steel bowl can be removed and cleaned. The scale features a sturdy rubber base and is heavy, so it will stay put on any kitchen counter.
Reviewers love this scale most for the design and simplicity. Most users note that the scale not only measures the ingredients they want, but also fits the aesthetic of their kitchen. They find it accurate and like how quickly it registers weights.
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This digital scale is best for weighing ingredients for brewing coffee. It works perfectly for the pour-over method, in which you pour hot water over coffee grounds and through a filter. Of course, the scale not only functions for coffee, but also other ingredients. The silicone cover makes it great for liquid measurements in particular.
Some reviewers noted that the two-minute auto-shutoff feature could get frustrating. However, the scale will remain on if the timer function is being used. Others note that the controls and display are accessible. The reviews also highlight the accuracy of the scale.
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This little scale is the most precise on our list, giving you measurements down to the thousandth of an ounce! There's a unique mode that counts the amount of an item, which can be useful for cooking or crafting. The stainless steel platform makes for easy weighing and cleaning.
Some reviewers found it would give inconsistent measurements for lighter objects. Many more find this scale to be very accurate and reliable, though, so there may be user error involved. Reviewers love this for all sorts of small items like spices, seeds, grains, herbs, or even beads! Many find it easy to use and calibrate.
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This kitchen scale is small enough to take with you in a bag or suitcase and can be used anywhere! People who are interested in nutrition and portion control may find this tool really useful.
Reviewers don't recommend it for cooking or baking where precision is required, and some found the capacity to be too low to be useful. However, the included bowl makes it easy for reviewers to use it at work or while traveling to make sure their nutritional goals stay on track.
Take your home chef game up a notch by investing in great tools! Cure your cooking woes with kitchen tools that blend functionality and design.
If you're still uncertain which kitchen scale is best for you, or if you want to read reviewers' thoughts on a variety of scales, take a look at Amazon's Best Selling Digital Kitchen Scales page.
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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