The Best Measuring Cups for All of Your Baking Needs
Courtesy of Williams Sonoma
Whether you're a casual baker or a pastry chef in the making, dry and wet measuring cups are essential kitchen tools. But with so many different options out there—all varying in material, shape, price, and even the quantities they measure—it can be challenging to choose which are the best measuring cups to suit your needs. For Andrea Prunella, executive pastry chef at Chip City in New York City, stainless steel is the best material for measuring dry ingredients. "I prefer stainless steel measuring cups because they are the most sanitary and durable," she says. "They're also really easy to clean, which is very important."
When shopping for dry measuring cups, she recommends looking for something that's made with a durable material so that they don't contour or lose their shape over time. "This is important so all measuring can be accurate, which is very necessary when baking." Measuring cups with labels etched in—rather than printed on, as they are with plastic cups—are also something to look for, as printed labels can fade over time.
Best Measuring Cups to Buy Now
Best Glass Measuring Cup: Pyrex Glass Measuring Cups
Most Stylish Measuring Cup Set: Martha Stewart Collection Copper-Plated Measuring Cups
Best Splurge-Worthy Measuring Cup Set: All Clad Stainless Steel Measuring Cups & Spoons Ultimate Set
Best Best Nonstandard Measuring Cup Set: Crate & Barrel Stainless Steel Odd Size Measuring Cups
Best Measuring Cups for Kids: Welcome Industries Visual Measuring Cups
Related: How to Release a Stuck Cake from a Baking Pan
Best Glass: Pyrex Glass Measuring Cup
When you're working with buttermilk, oil, wine, water, or some other liquid, you need a glass measuring cup; this one from Pyrex is a classic, and its many features are why so many American households have one of these recognizable measuring cups in their cupboards. Available in one-cup, two-cup, and four-cup sizes, the cups have bright red marks indicating metric and U.S. measurements. Add in an ergonomic handle, mess-free pouring spout, and a durable glass material, and you have a perfect liquid measuring cup.
Shop Now: Pyrex Glass Measuring Cups, from $8, surlatable.com.
Most Stylish: Martha Stewart Collection Copper-Plated Measuring Cups
These copper-plated measuring cups designed by Martha are almost too pretty to be tucked away in a drawer. Made for and exclusively available at Macy's, this retro-inspired set includes the essential 1/4-cup, 1/3-cup, 1/2-cup, and 1-cup dry measuring cups, which need to be hand-washed. Measuring ingredients has never looked so glamorous.
Shop Now: Martha Stewart Collection Copper-Plated Measuring Cups, $33.14, macys.com.
Best Splurge: All-Clad Stainless Steel Measuring Cups & Spoons Ultimate Set
For the home baker who wants it all there's this 14-piece set of measuring cups and spoons. If you happen to own All-Clad cookware, you'll notice that each is a mini version of the brands saucepans; made with heavy-gauge 18/10 stainless steel and featuring their signature riveted handle. It's a set that's sure to last for years to come. We love that it includes dry measuring cups in the standard sizes (1/4-cup, 1/3-cup, 1/2-cup, and 1-cup) and odd sizes (2/3-cup, 3/4-cup, and 1 1/2-cup), as well as spoons in the usual 1/4 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, and 1 tablespoon sizes and odd-measuring spoons in 2 teaspoon, 1 1/2 tablespoon, and 2 tablespoon sizes.
Shop Now: All-Clad Stainless Steel Measuring Cups & Spoons Ultimate Set, $120, williams-sonoma.com.
Best for Kids: Welcome Industries Visual Measuring Cups
Measure out ingredients and teach kids about fractions with these BPA-free plastic measuring cups. Each one is shaped like the amount it holds; a whole circle for a cup, a half circle for a half cup, a quarter circle for a quarter of a cup, and so on. You'll know exactly which measuring cup you're holding without even looking at the label, and they can nest together for compact storage.
Shop Now: Welcome Industries Visual Measuring Cups, Set of 4, $28, amazon.com.
Best Magnetic: OXO Magnetic Measuring Cups
If you're someone who misplaces a measuring cup every now and then, you'll love that these magnetic ones stick together. They're made of stainless steel and come in the essential 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, and 1 cup sizes, plus they stack up neatly but are easy to separate when it's time to measure out ingredients. Quantities are etched into the handles, so they won't fade over time, and the cups are dishwasher-safe.
Shop Now: OXO Magnetic Measuring Cups, $20.99, oxo.com.
Best Whimsical Design: Dagny Measuring Cups
These charming stoneware measuring cups are adorned with hand-painted botanicals and labels. The set of four includes the usual 1/4-cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup. They are less durable than stainless cups, but they are dishwasher safe.
Shop Now: Dagny Measuring Cups, $32, anthropologie.com.
Best Plastic Liquid Cup: OXO 3-Piece Angled Measuring Cups
There are two ways to measure liquids in these plastic measuring cups; by looking down at the angled surface with measurement markers, or by viewing the cup from the side. Each measuring cup in this set of three ( 1 cup, 2 cup, and 4 cup) has soft, non-slip handles and measurements indicated in milliliters, ounces, and cups. They're also dishwasher safe and microwaveable.
Shop Now: OXO Angled Measuring Cups, $20.99, oxo.com.
Best Nonstandard Measurements: Crate & Barrel Stainless Steel Odd Size Measuring Cups
If you find yourself dealing with odd-size ingredient measurements often and want cups to reflect that, this set is for you. The stainless steel set has 2/3, 3/4, 1 1/2, and 2-cup measurements. Imagine not having to dip your 1/3-cup into an ingredient twice when you can just use the 2/3-cup or not having to dirty a 1/4-cup and 1/2-cup to measure 3/4-cup?
Shop Now: Crate & Barrel Stainless Steel Odd Size Measuring Cups, $29.95, crateandbarrel.com.
