Are you looking for an easy and reliable way to measure ingredients when you bake? Whether it's dry or wet ingredients, a set of measuring cups can make precisely preparing your ingredients a breeze. Measuring cups come in a variety of materials and sizes so we've done the research to find the best measuring cups for every circumstance.
We chose the Good Grips Stainless Steel Measuring Cups by OXO as our favorites. They're dishwasher-safe, accurate, and snap together to save some space. We've also picked our 10 best measuring cups and put together a buying guide reviewed by a professional chef to help you make your choice.
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.
If you love to bake, measuring cups are definitely must-have items in your kitchen. They'll help you measure the amount of common baking ingredients like flour or milk. However, not all types of measuring cups work for all ingredients.
Factors such as the material, capacity, and the number of different sizes matter a lot when it comes to choosing the correct measuring cups for your kitchen. Consider those features in order to choose the right product for you!
Measuring cups can be divided into dry and liquid measuring cups. As their names imply, dry and liquid cups are used to measure the quantity of dry or wet ingredients. Although you may be able to use the same measuring cup for both, they're generally treated separately because of their different properties.
Dry measuring cups are designed to be filled up to the brim, which helps you sweep off the excess to make sure you have exactly the right amount of your ingredients. They are perfect to measure dry ingredients such as flour, beans, and sugar.
Liquid measuring cups usually have a spout to make it convenient to pour the liquid and aren't designed to be filled to the brim. They will have additional space above the highest measuring unit. That allows you to hold up the cup and eye the amount to the line without worrying about liquid spilling over the sides.
The material of your measuring cups is also important. Some materials are better suited to wet ingredients and others are best suited to dry ones, so keep this in mind when you make your choice.
Stainless steel measuring cups are sturdy, as well as stain- and dent-free, so they will last for a long time. The material is easy to clean and typically dishwasher-safe, but it's always best to check this before you wash them. Be especially careful with plated stainless steel cups.
As stainless steel is opaque and can rust if not cared for correctly, measuring cups made from this material are generally used for dry ingredients only. Stainless steel cups can have handles so you can easily scoop ingredients and hold them firmly, but this isn't always the case. The measurements are usually engraved on the outside, but some may have them inside.
Glass cups are largely reserved for measuring liquids. The transparent material makes them ideal for seeing exactly how much liquid is inside. As glass doesn't rust or stain easily, it's a great material for holding liquid. Most glass cups can also handle high temperatures, so if you need to heat your liquid, they should be able to cope.
If cared for correctly, a glass measuring cup will last a long time. They are prone to breaking if dropped, so make sure any glass cup you purchase has a handle that is easy to grip. The measurements are usually printed on the outside of the measuring cup and these can become scratched or worn over time, so be careful not to rub at the print. They're usually dishwasher-safe and can be easily cleaned with soap and water.
Plastic measuring cups are also very common and are very accessible for the novice baker. The material is easy to clean and can usually be put in the dishwasher. However, plastic can pick up odors and stains, and as it's a lightweight material, a slight push can knock them over and spill all of your ingredients. Plastic can also crack over time, making them a poor choice for heavy use.
Ceramic measuring cups can be used for dry ingredients. These are heavier than other materials but are easy to clean and won't pick up odors. Ceramic is typically heat-resistant and can be used in the oven. It's also a very durable material and won't crack with time (but it may break or chip if you drop it).
Copper measuring cups are less common but can be a stylish addition to your kitchen. They share several qualities with stainless steel as many are just copper-plated stainless steel. They can be dishwasher-safe, and many copper cups have handles made from different materials such as silicone or wood to make them easier to grip.
Silicone measuring cups are generally used for dry ingredients. They're typically collapsible, so they can be easily stored in even the smallest kitchen. Silicone can absorb odors, although it is dishwasher-safe.
The main benefit of silicone measuring cups is that their collapsibility makes it easier to remove sticky ingredients. By pressing on the base and pushing it up, you can more easily scrape out ingredients such as butter compared to cups made from glass or stainless steel. However, be careful with dry ingredients such as flour as pressing the base in can make these ingredients spill.
Usually, dry measuring cups come in sets of four to six cups. Typical sizes include one-quarter, one-third, one-half, and one cup. A larger set might also include two-thirds and three-quarter cups. If you frequently bake or cook, you should choose a set with more cups to help you measure more things at a time without cleaning them between uses. If you don't bake or cook that much, a smaller set should be enough for your needs.
When it comes to liquid measuring cups, you should check their capacity. The most common sizes are two to four cups, but there are some with a volume of over eight cups. Think about the amount of liquid you usually need to measure and choose accordingly. The larger cups will also allow you to measure smaller amounts, so if you only want to buy one liquid cup, you can opt for a larger one. They can also double as mixing bowls!
Some measuring cups also come with metric measurements. If you regularly use recipes that call for metric measurements instead of Imperial measurements, then look for cups that have both. Liquid can also be measured in both fluid ounces and liters, and dry ingredients are commonly listed in milliliters.
The measurement labels on measuring cups can either be stamped on or enameled. Stamped measurements can come off from washing over time, but enameled ones will last much longer. That's why you should consider how much you will use your measuring cups over time.
Some manufacturers also include a snap ring to hold the cups together, which can be great to have if you want to keep your cups organized. If the set does have a ring or other feature, such as magnets, to keep the cups together, make sure they're easy to separate, too. It can be easier to work with measuring cups if they're separate.
For some recipes, you may need to melt ingredients such as butter or keep them cool before use. To save on washing up, you can look for measuring cups that are oven-, microwave-, or freezer-safe so your ingredients can be prepared in the cups themselves.
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This set of stainless steel cups has magnetic handles. This means that the cups can be attached together for compact storage or separated easily. The measurements are etched onto the cups so they won't wear away, and the design makes it easy to level dry ingredients.
There are a few reports from reviewers of rust forming on these cups because of the magnetic handles. Overall though, most reviewers praised the cups for being easy to use and accurate. They liked that the cups snap together magnetically and that the measurements are stamped on the handles.
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Made from durable tempered glass, these measuring cups are sturdy and can be used in the microwave, dishwasher, oven, and freezer. The cups won't absorb food odors and are also stain-free, so you won't have any problem with cleaning. Plus, the measurements are painted in red and easy to read.
Some people thought the pour spouts were not really well-designed and might result in spillage. Still, many more commented that the cups were sturdy and reliable. Some said the cups were also large enough to be used as mixing bowls, and many found the handles comfortable and easy to hold on to.
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If you're an occasional baker that is only looking for a small and simple set of measuring cups, this set from KitchenAid might fit the bill. The four cups cover the most common measurements and their design ensures they nestle together to take up minimal space. They're made from BPA-free material and are backed by a manufacturer's guarantee.
A few reviewers pointed out that the base of the cups isn't flat, so these cups can't be placed down when they're full of ingredients as they will spill. However, reviewers were very pleased with the quality and durability of these cups, and they expect them to last for a long time. Several reviewers used them to measure and scoop pet food and said the rounded base made them ideal.
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Made from stoneware, this set of measuring cups is best used for liquid ingredients but can also be used with dry. Each cup is a different color and they all nestle together to reduce the amount of storage needed. The largest is one and a half cups and has a handle, however, the three smaller ones don't.
Some reviewers found that the lack of handles on the smaller cups and the shape of the spout made it tricky to neatly pour liquid ingredients. Reviewers loved the look of these measuring cups and many used them as display pieces as well as for measuring ingredients. They said they are sturdy and durable and don't chip easily.
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Made from BPA-free plastic, this product is dishwasher-safe and easy to clean. Furthermore, the patented angled surface allows you to read measurements from above. You can read the measurements in ounces and cups from above and also milliliters on the side, which makes baking really convenient. Additionally, the handle is comfortable and made with non-slip materials.
Some people complained that the painted measurements came off over time. Nonetheless, various users loved the solid construction of the cups. Many also said the measurements were easy to read, and the handle was soft and felt comfortable in the hand.
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These heavy-gauge stainless steel measuring cups and spoons are engineered for precision to help ensure consistency in your food preparation. Furthermore, each measurement is engraved on the handle of each cup and spoon, so it won't disappear with time.
A few reviewers reported that the handles separated from the cups after a few uses as they weren't soldered firmly. However, most reviewers complimented the set for not rusting after multiple washes. People also thought the products were easy to clean and use.
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This stylish and premium-styled set of measuring spoons is made from stainless steel and plated with copper. It has a corrosion-resistant finish to prevent the cups from rusting, ensuring they will be a fixture in your kitchen for many years.
Due to the plating, the cups are not dishwasher-safe and do need to be washed and dried by hand. However, each cup has a riveted handle to make them easy to hold. This set of four includes the most common sizes of measuring cups that you will need.
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This set of 19 measuring cups and spoons is the perfect set that will satisfy all your kitchen needs. Made from BPA-free plastic, these cups are also dishwasher-safe and easy to use. The metric and standard measurements are printed on each handle and won't fade away over time. The product also comes with three storage rings to keep the pieces together.
Some reviewers found the rings a bit disappointing as they could be pulled apart easily. However, reviewers loved the bright colors and thought the printed measurements were really easy to read. People also said the pieces were easy to clean and well-made and they loved the wide variety of measurements in the set.
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This is a set of four cups and four spoons that range from one a quarter milliliters (a quarter of a tablespoon) to 250 milliliters (one cup.) The four cups are color-coded and have their measurements engraved in big and easy-to-read and feel text. The cups are collapsible so you can easily remove ingredients, and they nest together to save storage space.
A couple of reviewers found removing ingredients from the spoons to be tricky as these do not collapse and there are also a handful of reports of them falling apart after a couple of uses. However, the vast majority of reviewers were very pleased with their purchase and found these easy to use. They loved how compact the cups are, and several reviewers used them when traveling.
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If you struggle to read small lettering on measuring cups and spoons, then this set is a good option to choose. The center of each cup has the measurement labeled in high-contrast colors and there are several color options so you can choose the best for you. The cups are lightweight and dishwasher-safe and are attached together on a ring.
According to some reviewers, the size labels can wear off after a few washes, so although these are dishwasher-safe it may be best to wash them by hand. Many reviewers that have poor eyesight praised these cups for being easy to read and use and they loved the color options.
Along with our buying guide, we've also answered a frequently asked question about measuring cups.
You can, but your measurements may not be as accurate. When measuring dry ingredients with a liquid cup, you would have to press the ingredients down to obtain your desired amount.
For big, chunky ingredients like beans, this is not a big problem, but for fine-grained ingredients like flour, you might risk compacting them, leading to inaccurate measurements!
Similarly, using a dry cup for liquid ingredients is no less challenging. It's likely that the liquid would overfill the cup, giving you not only a false measurement but also a mess to clean up.
If you love baking, we have some more great recommendations for tools to have in your kitchen!
If you're still looking for the perfect measuring cups for you, then why not check out the best-selling cups on Amazon?
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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