What to Buy Bakeware The 11 Best Measuring Cups, According to a Pastry Chef Our list includes giftable ceramic sets, nesting measuring cups, and more. By Maddy Sweitzer-Lammé Maddy Sweitzer-Lammé Maddy Sweitzer-Lammé is a passionate and voraciously hungry home cook and eater. She's been writing about food in all its forms since 2014 and is a big believer that anyone can and should love to cook. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Published on October 13, 2023 In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Factors to Consider FAQ Our Expertise We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Food and Wine / Williams Sonoma Accuracy is essential when James Beard Award-winning pastry chef — and a Food & Wine Best New Chef in 2020 — Camille Cogswell is measuring dry ingredients. In professional baking settings, where consistency is everything, being off by just a few grams can make or break any of the chef's savory or sweet recipes. Because of that, a good set of measuring cups is an important element of any baker’s toolkit. Though she mostly uses weight-based measurements and kitchen scales in professional settings, Cogswell recommends home bakers choose measuring cups made from a durable, heatproof material. They should be easy to clean and resistant to breaking, melting, or warping if accidentally left on a hot surface. For liquids, a liquid measuring cup is easier and more precise than trying not to spill a full cup of cream or milk once measured. With Cogswell’s expert advice in mind, we put together this list of the best measuring cups, plus a few great cookie recipes to get you started. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Norpro Stainless Steel Measuring Cups at Amazon Jump to Review Best Value: KitchenAid Measuring Cups, Set of 4 at Amazon Jump to Review Best Splurge: All-Clad Measuring Cups and Spoons at Amazon Jump to Review Best Ceramic: Crate & Barrel Ceramic Measuring Cups at Crate & Barrel Jump to Review Best Magnetic: OXO Good Grips Measuring Cup Set at Amazon Jump to Review Best Colorful: Farberware Measuring Cups with Coffee Spoon at Amazon Jump to Review Best Melamine: West Elm Kaloh Measuring Cups at West Elm Jump to Review Best Copper: Crate & Barrel Copper Measuring Cups at Crate & Barrel Jump to Review Best Gold: West Elm Farmhouse Pottery Measuring Cups at West Elm Jump to Review Best Measuring Cups with Spoons Set: OXO Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons Set at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Norpro Stainless Steel Measuring Cups (Set of 5) Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros Norpro’s measuring cup set is made out of durable stainless steel in an easy-to-use scoop shape. Cons Busy home cooks may not want to hand wash these measuring cups as recommended. 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. Price at time of publish: $31 Number of Cups Included: 5Material: Stainless steel and plasticIngredient Type: Dry Best Value KitchenAid Measuring Cups, Set of 4 Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Kohls.com Pros These plastic measuring cups are super lightweight and affordable. Cons These measuring cups are not heatproof. 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. Price at time of publish: $9 Number of Cups Included: 4Material: PlasticIngredient Type: Dry Best Splurge All-Clad Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons Williams Sonoma View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma Pros These stainless steel measuring cups are incredibly durable. Cons All-Clad’s high-quality promise comes with a comparatively high price. 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. Price at time of publish: $50 Number of Cups Included: 5Material: Stainless steelIngredient Type: Dry Best Ceramic Crate & Barrel Maeve Dipped Ceramic Measuring Cups Crate & Barrel View On Crate & Barrel Pros These multi-colored ceramic measuring cups look beautiful on open shelving or your counter. Cons These stoneware cups might be too delicate for avid bakers or families with children. 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. Price at time of publish: $17 Number of Cups Included: 4Material: Ceramic stonewareIngredient Type: Dry Best Magnetic OXO Good Grips Measuring Cup Set, Stainless steel, 4 pieces OXO Good Grips View On Amazon View On Ace Hardware View On Beallsflorida.com Pros Magnets keep these measuring cups in one place in your drawers. Cons This set only includes four cups, which may not be enough for bakers who want more options. 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. Price at time of publish: $34 Number of Cups Included: 4Material: Stainless steel and plasticIngredient Type: Dry Best Colorful Farberware Professional Plastic Measuring Cups with Coffee Spoon Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros This colorful, lightweight, plastic measuring cup set also includes a 2-tablespoon scoop for coffee. Cons Though this set is dishwasher safe, it’s not heatproof if accidentally placed on a hot stovetop or other hot surface. 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. Price at time of publish: $4 Number of Cups Included: 5Material: PlasticIngredient Type: Dry Best Melamine West Elm Kaloh Measuring Cups West Elm View On West Elm Pros The muted color palette of this set looks great on your countertops. Cons Melamine is lightweight and durable, but not heatproof. 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. Price at time of publish: $28 Number of Cups Included: 4Material: MelamineIngredient Type: Dry Best Copper Crate & Barrel Copper Measuring Cups Crate & Barrel View On Crate & Barrel Pros These copper measuring cups have a warm hue worthy of displaying on open shelves or your counter. Cons These measuring cups are not dishwasher safe. 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. Price at time of publish: $25 Number of Cups Included: 4Material: Copper-coated stainless steelIngredient Type: Dry Best Gold West Elm Farmhouse Pottery Measuring Cups West Elm View On West Elm Pros These gold-plated stainless steel measuring cups have a luxurious weight to them. Cons Our most expensive option, these measuring cups are a bit of a splurge. 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. Price at time of publish: $68 Number of Cups Included: 4Material: Stainless steelIngredient Type: Dry Best Measuring Cups with Spoons Set OXO Good Grips 8 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons Set Amazon View On Amazon View On Belk.com View On Kohls.com Pros This set includes both measuring cups and smaller spoons. Cons Over time, the magnets that hold this set together sometimes fall out. 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. Price at time of publish: $39 Number of Cups Included: 8Material: Stainless steel and plasticIngredient Type: Dry Best Bamboo Set Ekobo Recycled Bamboo Measuring Cup and Spoon Set Food52 View On Food52 Pros Bamboo is an eco-friendly alternative to plastic. Cons Like plastic, bamboo is not heatproof. 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. Price at time of publish: $32 Number of Cups Included: 6Material: BambooIngredient Type: Dry Factors to Consider Material Cogswell prefers metal for its durability when it comes to measuring cups, but you should consider your specific needs. Consider whether you’ll be using the measuring cups with children, who might throw or drop them more often. If that’s the case, plastic or bamboo might be better since these materials are lighter and less likely to damage floors and countertops. Keep in mind whether you plan to use a dishwasher as well, as some measuring cups are not dishwasher safe. Dry vs Liquid Ingredients Dry ingredients are measured in cups that can be leveled off using a knife or bench scraper. Liquid ingredient measuring cups are generally glass or clear plastic for easier viewing and are difficult to level off correctly when filled with dry ingredients. Using the correct type of measuring cup will result in increased accuracy. Number of Cups Included Your set of measuring cups should include these four essential cups: 1 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/3 cup, and 1/4 cup. Some sets also include a 1/8-sized cup, which is also 2 tablespoons, or a 3/4-sized cup, which some bakers prefer to count as three individual 1/4 cups. 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. Our Expertise Maddy Sweitzer-Lammé is an experienced professional home cook. She has worked in restaurant kitchens, professional test kitchens, and also on farms and at farmer's markets. She's an expert at translating techniques, recipes, equipment, and ingredient information for all skill levels. She's dedicated to making the home cooking experience more enjoyable and is always on the lookout for the next great tip or trick to pass along to readers. For this piece, Maddy interviewed Camille Cogswell, a James Beard Award-winning pastry chef and a Food & Wine Best New Chef in 2020, known for her work in Philadelphia. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit