4 Top-Rated Kitchen Scales for More Precise Cooking

Part of the fun of cooking is that you can experiment, adding a pinch of something here and a dash of something there. However, there are instances where following a recipe exactly is necessary—and that may call for a kitchen scale.

It's no secret that baking is a science where accuracy is the key to mouthwatering cookies, cakes, and breads, but any recipe where ratio makes a difference will benefit from the precision of using a kitchen scale. (And yes, these appliances are more accurate than measuring cups and spoons.) Take any easy cocktail, for instance—you can wing it and shake together eyeballed ingredients but any mixologist will tell you that bartending tools make all the difference. The same can be said for seemingly simple recipes for snack mix or granola, where the sum is most certainly greater than its parts: If you've ever grabbed a handful of snack mix, you know its perfect nuts-to-oats ratio is from equal measurements of both ingredients. Not to mention, Ree Drummond herself credits weighing her food as the habit that opened her eyes to portion control, an important factor behind her recent weight loss—and the very important ability to continue eating the things she loves, just in moderated increments.

If you're deciding between models, it's worth noting that digital scales have a leg up on their mechanical counterparts, namely because digital scales can be more precise when it comes to small amounts while mechanical scales include physical parts like springs and levers, which can affect readings when damaged or worn out over time. If you've been convinced of the benefits, check out our picks for the best kitchen scales on the market—cooking will never be the same!