Best Measuring Cups
A measuring cup is one of most basic pieces of equipment in a cook’s toolbox. In fact, you would be hard-pressed to find a busy kitchen without one. This essential item is used to accurately add the right amount of liquid or dry ingredients to a recipe.
Most kitchens have at least one measuring cup for liquids and perhaps a set of scoop-style measuring cups for dry ingredients. Why the two styles? Because one is designed to measure thinks like flour, nuts and berries, while liquid measuring cups are used to measure water, cooking oil and yogurt.
Measuring cups have scale markings either in imperial or metric or both at different heights for liquid measures and in separate cup denominations in the scoop style for dry ingredients. Measuring cups can be made from plastic, glass or stainless steel.
Below you will find a list of different kinds of measuring cups you can buy online. Scroll down to find the one that best suits your cooking style.
1. Editor’s Choice: Pyrex Glass Measuring Cup Set
In the old days – okay, we mean sometime in the middle of the last century – there was only one type of measuring cup in most home kitchens, and it was made of glass from a company named Pyrex. This was because this brand was known for producing superior quality glassware that could stand up to hot and cold.
Fast forward to today and glass is still a popular option and Pyrex is still producing quality measuring cups, including this set that has three different sizes – one cup, two cup and four cup versions. And, as always, the tempered glass is safe for the dishwasher, freezer, microwave and a pre-heated oven. So, you can measure liquids, or butter or chocolate and heat or melt them directly in the microwave or oven.
The cups feature a curved spout for precise pouring, easy-grip handles and clear, easy-to-read measurements in red in cups, ounces and milliliters. The non-porous glass won’t absorb odors, flavors or stains and with three convenient sizes, you’re prepared for all of your baking and cooking projects.
Pros:
- Three different sizes, 1 cup, 2 cup and 4 cups
- Clear measurement markings
- Tempered glass is microwave, freezer and oven safe
- Dishwasher safe
Cons:
- Not safe on the stovetop
- Red markings can wear off
- Not stackable
2. Runner Up: Drizom Measuring Cups Set
While glass is an obvious choice for some people, plastic measuring cups is a preferred option for many home cooks who are concerned with the possibility of a cup dropping on a hard kitchen floor and shattering. As well, for anyone with issues with grip or strength, or for children learning to cook, plastic measuring cups are more lightweight and easier to handle, especially a larger size filled with liquid.
This measuring cup set includes three sizes: one cup, two cups and four cups. All of the cups are made of food-grade ABS plastic that is BPA-free and suitable for hot and cold food, liquids, powder, flour, sugar and other dry food. Measurements, clearly marked in both U.S. and metric, are in a bright red. The measuring cups also have easy-to-grip handles that are specially designed to enable the cups to nest inside each other so they can be easily stacked for convenient, space-saving storage.
Other features include oval spouts for accurate pouring and when all the cooking is done, the cups can be safely cleaned in the top rack of the dishwasher.
Pros:
- Nesting design for space saving storage
- 1 cup, 2 cup and 4-cup versions
- Made with lightweight ABS, BPA-free plastic
- Top rack dishwasher safe
Cons:
- Thin plastic
- Not oven safe
3. Best Budget Buy: Farberware Professional Plastic Measuring Cups
If you’re just starting out, it can get expensive to properly equip your new kitchen, but that doesn’t mean you have to go without the basics, including a good set of measuring cups.
We love this cute set of five colorful measuring cups that also included a coffee scoop, all for an affordable price that will give you a sizable amount of change back from a ten dollar bill. The plastic cups have bold, easy-to-read measurements, with each of the cups holding a fraction of a cup. For example, the blue is one cup, orange is a ½ cup, purple is 1/3 of a cup, green is a ¼ cup and the red one is exactly two tablespoons, just what you need to measure out your coffee.
Suitable for wet and dry ingredients, the measuring cups nest into each other for compact storage in a drawer and are held together with a ring so they won’t get lost. The ring also detaches so you use the size you need and wash it without disturbing or dirtying the others. The set is also dishwasher safe.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Colorful
- Cups nest into each other for compact storage
- Detachable ring holds them together
- Comes with a tablespoon size coffee scoop
Cons:
- No metric measurements
- No pour spout, need a steady hand if pouring liquids
4. Best for Sticky Food: OXO Good Grips 2 Cup Adjustable Measuring Cup
Many recipes call for sticky ingredients like butter, peanut butter, honey and maple syrup. Using a traditional measuring cup often means scraping the sides to get all the sticky stuff out, and sometimes, it’s difficult to get it all. This ingenious adjustable measuring cup from Oxo is a great solution for not only measuring sticky or solid stuff, but for oil, flour and sugar, too.
This two-cup capacity measuring cup is a tall cylinder with an internal plunger and clearly marked measurements on the side. Simply bring the plunger down to the desired measurement and fill the space with the ingredient of your choice. For sticky stuff, you turn the knob and the rotating action pushes the food out as a silicone disk scrapes the sides to get every drop. For other liquid or dry ingredients, you use the cup as any other; measure and pour.
Super convenient, this measuring cup does it all, so you don’t need to use an arsenal of cups while you are cooking or baking. It’s also made from BPA-free plastic and is top-rack dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
Pros:
- Ideal for sticky foods like honey and peanut butter
- Clearly marked measurements
- Suitable for wet and dry ingredients
Cons:
- No handle
- No pour spout
5. Best for a Bar: OULOVECO Mini Glass Measuring Cup with handle 2 oz
Baking or cooking in the kitchen is not the only place you’ll find a measuring cup; bartenders and baristas know the importance of accuracy in measuring liquid ingredients in a right-sized container.
This cute little 2.3-ounce (70 ml) measuring cup is perfect for accurately assessing the amount of liquid needed in any beverage for a cocktail or a deep, dark espresso. Compact and lightweight, the sturdy cup has 6mm-thick walls, making it durable and stronger than regular glassware.
It is made from lead-free and BPA-free borosilicate glass and can be used in a number of ways. With a maximum heat tolerance range of up to 356 degrees Fahrenheit, you can put it in the oven and also directly on a fire up to 302 degrees Fahrenheit, and it can withstand cold temperatures to -4 Fahrenheit without cracking.
Equipped with a handle and two spouts, pouring is clean, with you directing the direction and speed of the flow. Suitable for also measuring dry ingredients, this multi-purpose mini-measuring cup is easy to use, has clear scale markings on the side and is microwave, oven and dishwasher safe.
Pros:
- Made from borosilicate glass
- Clear measurement markings
- Two pour spouts
Cons:
- Small size not suitable for some uses
6. Best Stainless Steel Set: Laxinis World 13-Piece Measuring Cups and Measuring Spoons Set
Plastic and glass measuring cups are popular with chefs for various reasons, since each material has its advantages and disadvantages. Many people are trying to reduce the amount of plastic they use while other people don’t like the fragility of some glass products and the possibility of it shattering or cracking. That’s where stainless steel comes in as a great alternative to plastic or glass.
This 13-piece, stainless steel set includes enough measuring utensils to get you through any cooking project. Made from high quality 18/8 stainless steel with a polished, shiny finish, you get seven flat-bottom cups with the measurements (U.S. and metric) engraved into the stainless steel – no more worries about markings washing off or fading. You get a one-cup size, ¾ cup, 2/3 cup, ½ cup, 1/3 cup, ¼ cup and an 1/8 of a cup; absolutely no guessing at all for accurate measurements. You also get six measuring spoons that are held together by a detachable ring.
These measuring cups have easy-to-hold handles, will not rust, break or bend with normal use, can be safely washed in the dishwasher and are stackable for easy storage.
Pros:
- Made from 18/8 stainless steel
- Measurement markings engraved into cups
- Comes with measuring spoons
- Stackable
Cons:
- Sharp edges
7. Best Starter Set: EWAGOA Nesting Measure Cups with Stainless Steel Handle
If you know someone who is just starting out and want to gift them with an indispensable kitchen essential that will make them smile with joy, then consider this super affordable set of nesting measuring cups and spoons.
This cute set of scoop-style measuring cups are finished in a frosted, Nordic blue and are made from BPA-free PP plastic. Food-grade stainless steel handles offer an attractive contrast for a minimalist look that will add a pop of color to any décor. The plastic cups will not rust, and they are safe to use for wet and dry ingredients. Clearly marked measurements in cups and ml cover all the sizes you need: one cup, 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, and a 1/2 cup.
The set also comes with four measuring spoons – ½ tsp., 1 tsp., ½ tbsp. 1 tbsp. – that are held together by a detachable thin metal ring. As a bonus, there is also a matching silicone funnel that is heat resistant up to 446 degrees Fahrenheit and cold temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit.
You’ll find no sharp edges on any of the pieces in this set, which makes it safe for kids who like to help out in the kitchen.
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Made with BPA-free plastic and stainless steel
- Safe for wet and dry ingredients
- Includes measuring spoons and a silicone funnel
Cons:
- Markings can be difficult to read
- Stainless steel is thin
8. Also Consider: Control Kitchen Measuring Cups and Spoons Set
Sometimes you need a measuring cup with a spout and handle that pours the ingredients into a bowl and sometimes you need scoop cups to measure chocolate chips, packed brown sugar or beans. Why compromise when you can get everything you need in this 11-piece set that includes it all.
There is a lightweight plastic measuring cup with a 2 1/2-cup/20-ounce capacity with clear, easy-to-read red markings in U.S and metric measurements, a solid handle and spout for accurate and drip-free pouring. This is great for wet and dry ingredients. But that is not all that you get in this set. There are also five 18/8 stainless steel, scoop-style measuring cups and five 18/8 stainless steel measuring spoons, all with cute, color-coded silicone inserts on the handles.
The measurement markings on the scoop cups and spoons are engraved into the stainless steel, so there is no worry about them fading or washing off. These are dishwasher safe, but hand washing is recommended for the plastic measuring cup.
Pros:
- Comes with measuring cup and scoop cups
- Stainless steel
- Spoons come with detachable ring
Cons:
- May include more pieces than some people require
What to look for when choosing measuring cups:
A measuring cup is one of the most basic tools you will need in your kitchen, especially if you like to bake and cook. This is because for most recipes to be successful – especially certain baked goods like bread and pastries – accurate and exact measurements are essential. Many a novice baker has experienced the hard results of using too much flour when making bread, or the cloying sweetness of too much sugar. So, even if you just had one, one-cup measuring cup in your kitchen cupboard with accurate measurement markings, it would be enough to get you through most recipes.
The thing is, variety is the spice of life not just in the variety of foods and flavorings we use in our meal prep and baking, but it’s also helpful in the utensils we use. When it comes to measuring cups, not only can you find them in 2.3 ounces, one-cup, two-cup, four-cup and larger versions, but there are models with a handle and without, with one spout, two spouts or no spout at all. Measurement markings can be in bright red, hard-to-see grey or white, or etched into the surface. Finally, they can be made from plastic or glass and suitable for wet and dry food, only wet food or only dry food,
But it doesn’t end there. There are also scoop-style measuring cups (as opposed to the pour-style described above) that conveniently nest into each other, with each having a capacity that equals a full cup or a fraction of a cup. These usually have a handle but no spout and while they can hold liquids, they can be a bit shaky to use since you must fill the liquid to the top of the scoop, whereas with the pour-style, there is usually extra space between the fill-line and the top. That being said, they are great for dry food and powder, like flour, sugar, beans and even honey. They are available in plastic, stainless steel and a combination of both, but you won’t find them made of glass.
Advantages and disadvantages:
Many chefs like the glass measuring cups that have a handle and spout. These are sturdy, and if made from borosilicate glass, can withstand oven temperatures. Glass also does not stain or retain odors, is BPA-free and recyclable. On the downside, glass can be heavy and may break if dropped.
Plastic is more lightweight but not a first choice for many people who are trying to reduce the amount of plastic they use. Still, good quality plastic is BPA-free and often stackable for convenient storage.
Stainless steel is a cool alternative, although you will only find measuring scoops in stainless steel and not the models with a spout and handle.
Whichever style you choose, make sure it matches your cooking style and needs, with clear markings that are accurate and easy to read.
Photo credit: Food photos/Shutterstock