The best kitchen scales
- The best kitchen scales feature easy-to-read displays, accurate measurements, readings in an array of units, and are easy to clean.
- The Etekcity Digital Kitchen Scale Multifunction Food Scale tops our list because it has all of the above features, along with a helpful measuring bowl, a timer, and user-friendly buttons.
A reliable scale is an indispensable kitchen tool. As recipes call for many different measurements, most kitchen scales are able to give readouts in ounces, grams, pounds, and kilograms. And, for those following certain diets, accurate kitchen scales are a must for portioning out meals.
Each of the scales that made our list has a track record for accuracy, reliability, and durability. But, whether a specific model is right for you will depend on how you plan to use it.
For instance, if you plan on measuring ingredients for baking, you will want a scale that gives you instant measurement readings. Otherwise, you will likely become exasperated as you pause for readings while pouring your ingredients onto the scale.
However, keep in mind that small weighing platforms are not ideal for large mixing bowls or other bigger items. Large items may make it hard to read the display, or the scale might return inaccurate weights due to awkward weight distributions.
We researched a wide range of kitchen scales looking at the experiences and ratings of hundreds of users and several experts. We decided on our top picks based on consistent, reliable performance, as well as accurate measurements and affordability.
Here are the best kitchen scales:- Best overall: Etekcity Digital Kitchen Scale Multifunction Food Scale
- Best for matching your decor: Ozeri Pronto Digital Kitchen Scale
- Best on a budget: AmazonBasics Digital Kitchen Scale
- Best for heavy things: OXO Good Grips Food Scale
Updated by Emily Hochberg on 6/2/2020. Updated prices, links, and formatting.
Read the original article on Business InsiderThe best overall
Weighing ingredients up to 11 pounds (5 kilograms) within a tenth of an ounce (or one gram), the Etekcity Digital Kitchen Scale also earns the "multifunction" part of its title from its alarm timer and temperature sensor.
One of the best features of this scale is the 2.1-liter dishwasher-safe bowl. It's detachable so you can choose to use the Etekcity as a traditional flat scale, too. To store the scale, just flip over the bowl and place it on top of the base.
The scale uses two AAA batteries, which come with the unit. The Etekcity scale is backed by a one-year warranty as well as lifetime support from the manufacturer. Another great feature with this scale is that it has actual buttons, as opposed to the flat "membrane" buttons commonly found on other models.
Another bonus: When you're baking, you can add ingredients to the bowl, zero-out the weight, and add more ingredients. It's a lot faster than measuring each item individually. We did come across a few customer reviews complaining that the on-off button is a bit sensitive, though.
Pros: Stainless steel, dishwasher-safe bowl, built-in timer, surrounding temperature sensor
Cons: Sensitive buttons, loud beeping
The best for matching your decor
The Ozeri Pronto scale measures up to 11.24 pounds (5.1 kilograms) within .05 ounces (or 1 gram) of accuracy. It runs on two AAA batteries that come with the unit, and the scale saves on battery life by shutting down after two minutes of inactivity.
None of the scale's elements are dishwasher safe, but the chrome finish for the weight platform is easy to wipe down. The scale only weighs twelve ounces and is relatively small at 8.2 by 1.8 by 6 inches.
Of all the scales on our list, the Ozeri Pronto comes in the most colors, including black, blue, silver, red, and lime green.
Like our top pick, you can put bowls or small plates on the scale and zero out the weight before you measure out portions.
Pros: Accurate, small, consistent, comes in seven colors
Cons: Slow measurement, fast auto-off, and not dishwasher safe
The best on a budget
The AmazonBasics Stainless Steel Digital Kitchen Scale has a 7-inch diameter weighing platform that can measure items up to 11 pounds (5 kilograms) in weight.
Like the other units on this list, this scale measures ounces, pounds, grams, and kilograms. However, it also can measure liquid volume. The device runs on two AAA batteries, which are included.
The main benefits of the AmazonBasics kitchen scale are that it seamlessly switches between units of measurement, has a large weighing platform, and features a wide LCD screen.
Pros: Large weighing platform, wide screen, fast display, can also measure liquid
Cons: Inaccurate at extremely low weights, fast auto shut-off
The best for heavy things
The standard OXO Good Grips scale has the usual 11 pounds (5 kilograms) capacity, which it measures with precision to the nearest gram or 1/8 of an ounce.
However, you may consider spending the extra $8 or so for the 22-pound capacity version if you do a lot of heavier measuring. This model is also ideal for bigger tasks because of the pull-out display.
Another benefit of the OXO scale is the large removable stainless steel platform that you can wash by hand. The Good Grips scale does require four AAA batteries, which is twice what all of the other models on this list need.
The scale may have trouble registering small loads. Also, since there is a bit of a delay in getting the reading, this scale is not the best for pouring ingredients until you get to the weight you want.
Pros: One of a kind pull-out display, large sturdy design
Cons: Delayed measurement readings, weights are presented as fractions
The best for bakers
If you like to bake bread at home, you can't do better than the MyWeigh KD8000 Bakers Math Kitchen Scale. It has a high weighing capacity of 17 pounds and 6 ounces, a big easy-to-read screen, and the ability to work with baker's percentages when you need to adjust your recipe. You can also make measurements in grams, which is what many recipes call for.
The scale is sturdy and versatile enough to handle all the ingredients you need for large batches of dough. You can disable the automatic-off setting for the scale too, so you may always see the measurement without worrying that it's going to flick off too fast.
The large, backlit screen is easy to read, and the controls are simple. You can also turn off the backlight if it is too bright for you.
The scale runs on three AA batteries, but you can also get an AC adapter to plug it into the wall. It's very easy to clean this scale, and there's a removable plastic cover that protects the screen from dripping ingredients or globs of dough. The scale comes with a 30-year warranty, so if something goes wrong, you will be able to receive a replacement.
Insider Reviews deputy editor Malarie Gokey has had this scale for more than a year and can confirm that it's an excellent scale for baking. Once you've graduated to grams and percentages in bread recipes, this is the scale you need.
Pros: Great for bakers, easy to clean, baker's percentages, readable display, long warranty
Cons: Larger and pricier than others
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