We Asked an Award-Winning Pastry Chef to Help Us Find the Best Measuring Cups (2024)

Our Top Picks

Norpro’s 5-piece measuring cup set is straightforward and functional. Made from stainless steel, they’re lightweight and nest together for easy storage.The set includes 1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, and 1/8-cup measures, and the elongated scoops are designed to fit easily inside narrow containers. Norpro’s cup measures also include spouts for easy pouring if you do decide to use them for liquids.

The brand recommends hand washing to avoid damage, which may be a drawback for some home cooks. Overall, this cup measure set is super functional and durable, without any decorative touches or bells and whistles. We like these for home cooks who want an affordable option that will last.

• Number of Cups Included: 5
• Material: Stainless steel and plastic
• Ingredient Type: Dry

KitchenAid’s classic measuring cup set costs less than $10, ideal for the budget-conscious cook. This 4-piece set is made of super lightweight plastic and comes in a variety of colors.We love this set for families with young children who are interested in the kitchen, since these measuring cups are light enough for small hands and won’t damage floors or countertops when dropped or thrown. They’re conveniently dishwasher-safe and nest together for easy storage.

For a more advanced home cook, Cogswell prefers something heatproof if accidentally left on a hot stovetop range, but for beginners or those more concerned about price, KitchenAid’s set is a great option.

• Number of Cups Included: 4
• Material: Plastic
• Ingredient Type: Dry

We love All-Clad tools for all kinds of use in the kitchen, and these measuring cups are just as well-constructed. They’re made from heavy-duty stainless steel with the same riveted handles the brand uses for their top-rated cookware sets. Size markings are etched into the metal, which means they won’t wear over time or become difficult to read. We also like that the one-cup measure includes internal markings for 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 measurements, and the 1/4 cup includes 1/8-cup internal measurements.

Designed to function as mini versions of their pots and pans, these cup measures are heatproof and can be set directly on your stovetop to melt butter or chocolate. If you’re looking for the last measuring cups you’ll ever buy, these are your best bet.

• Number of Cups Included: 5
• Material: Stainless steel
• Ingredient Type: Dry

Functionality is important, but sometimes you have to balance that with the need for an object that you enjoy looking at. Crate & Barrel’s dipped ceramic measuring cups are the perfect balance of form and function for kitchens with open floating shelving or bakers who want a pop of color in their toolkits. They’d also match perfectly with your favorite stoneware dinnerware set.

Made from dishwasher-safe stoneware, these color-blocked measuring cups offer accurate measurements in an adorable package. The set includes four measuring cups, each dipped in a different bold color. These are heat-proof and durable, but they should be handled with care to avoid dropping.

• Number of Cups Included: 4
• Material: Ceramic stoneware
• Ingredient Type: Dry

OXO adds subtle touches to its kitchen products to increase functionality and solve user’s problems. These measuring cups are a perfect example: instead of tethering the set together with a ring that makes the whole set hard to use and difficult to clean, OXO’s set stacks and is held together with small magnets. This keeps them together in your drawers but allows you to easily pull them apart when you just need one.

We like their durable stainless steel construction, which also means they can be easily thrown in the dishwasher. This set includes four cup sizes: 1 cup, 1/2, cup 1/3 cup, and 1/4 cup. Bakers who want more detailed measurements might want more sizes, but we find that these work for most.

• Number of Cups Included: 4
• Material: Stainless steel and plastic
• Ingredient Type: Dry

We love a colorful measuring cup set for children or parents who want to add a bit of joy to their collection of cookie sheets, rolling pins, and other baking tools. This 5-piece set from Farberware is durable and lightweight, with the option to connect the set to a ring or separate while in use. We like that this set includes a 2-tablespoon scoop for coffee, which doubles as a 1/8-cup measure for smaller recipes or quantities.

In general, we recommend plastic only for kitchens where metal isn’t an option. Plastic is a safe option when kids are involved and might damage countertops or cabinets when playing with metal, or when metal is too heavy for small hands. If plastic works best for you, we love this set’s colorful look and durable construction.

• Number of Cups Included: 5
• Material: Plastic
• Ingredient Type: Dry

These gorgeous melamine measuring cups are great for the aesthete in your life, especially if weight and color are concerns. Melamine is a super light reusable plastic with a durable matte finish. This set includes 4 cups: 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, and 1 cup. They easily nest together for storage. One important note: Melamine is not heatproof and should not be filled with hot liquid or placed in the dishwasher or microwave. That said, if you prefer a muted color palette and a lightweight measuring cup, this set is a great option.

• Number of Cups Included: 4
• Material: Melamine
• Ingredient Type: Dry

For a metal measuring cup option that is still beautiful to look at, this copper set from Crate & Barrel is a great option. A stainless steel core with a copper coating means these cups are durable and heatproof, and their removable ring keeps them all together in your drawer while nested.

Copper is reactive, which means it can change colors over time, especially when used with acidic products like vinegar or lemon juice. Crate & Barrel recommends against letting acid touch this set. They’re also not dishwasher safe, which might be limiting to some bakers. We love how these measuring cups look when displayed on open shelving, especially if you happen to have copper kitchen cabinet hardware.

• Number of Cups Included: 4
• Material: Copper-coated stainless steel
• Ingredient Type: Dry

When you want something that looks and feels extra elevated, we recommend the Farmhouse Pottery measuring cups from West Elm. Designed in Woodstock, Vermont, these cups have a warm gold hue to them and feel luxuriously heavy in your hand. The four-piece set is bound together on a removable metal loop. The brushed gold finish is long-lasting and casts a warm light. We think they’d look dreamy nestled in your kitchen drawer next to your gold flatware.

Unlike some of our other more aesthetically pleasing picks, these measuring cups are both heatproof and dishwasher safe, making them perfect for all kinds of bakers, from newbies to professionals.

• Number of Cups Included: 4
• Material: Stainless steel
• Ingredient Type: Dry

This OXO set includes everything you need for dry ingredient measuring in a single set, both cups and tablespoon measurements. According to Cogswell, a good measuring spoon set is essential and she says she uses hers more often than any dry measuring cups.

This set is heatproof and dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. The spoons and cups nest for convenient storage, and they’re magnetized to keep them together in your drawers. If you’re starting over in a kitchen or know someone who is, this set makes a great gift to kickstart your baking.

• Number of Cups Included: 8
• Material: Stainless steel and plastic
• Ingredient Type: Dry

If you want the lightweight durability of plastic but are looking for a more eco-friendly alternative, this bamboo measuring cup and spoon set is a great option. The cup set has clean lines and no handles, which some people prefer, and the spoon set is double-ended, which makes them super space-efficient.

The set is colorful and great for kids, and we like that the bamboo material is top-rack dishwasher safe, though it shouldn’t be put in the microwave or on hot surfaces.

• Number of Cups Included: 6
• Material: Bamboo
• Ingredient Type: Dry

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are liquid and dry ingredients measured differently?

  Although liquid and dry ingredients are both measured in volume, the design of the cups makes a difference, says Cogswell. Liquid ingredients should be measured to the bottom of their meniscus, which can be difficult to measure and pour from a cup designed for dry ingredients. Likewise, it is difficult to correctly fill a measuring cup designed for liquids with something like flour or sugar. Using the appropriate type of measuring cup will allow more accurate and easier readings.

• When should I use my kitchen scale instead of measuring cups?

  As a professional baker, Cogswell says she almost always uses a kitchen scale instead of measuring cups, choosing to weigh her ingredients for better accuracy and ease of use. As you become a more confident baker, you might prefer the control you get from weighing your ingredients.