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We at Bon Appétit have put a lot of thought into what makes a set of measuring cups the best measuring cups. Like, an embarrassing amount. Here's why: It is surprisingly, maddeningly challenging to find a good set that is long-lasting, easy to use and store, and provides accurate measurements. And while we swear up and down and from here to eternity that you should be using a scale when baking, we keep measuring cups in our arsenal too. We reach for them often when cooking, like when a recipe calls for a cup of jasmine rice or chicken stock. For precise measurements, pull out the kitchen scale; but for everything else, these measuring cups will serve you well.
The Best Liquid Measuring Cup
Let’s get this out of the way first—you do need separate cups for wet and dry ingredients. Wet measuring cups have extra space above the measurement line, making it easier to measure accurately and pour without spilling. Packing dry ingredients into a wet measuring cup means you’re likely measuring too much, and measuring wet ingredients into a dry cup means you’re about to end up with buttermilk all over the floor.
“For wet ingredients, is there anything but Oxo Good Grips?,” says Joe Sevier, cooking and SEO editor. “It’s still the best I’ve used.” Its angled surface means you don’t need to hover at counter-level to check for the meniscus of your liquid ingredients. Instead, you can read the measurement markings from above, no crouching required. Made of BPA-free plastic, it is dishwasher-safe, has a generous pour spout and nonslip handle with a velvety feel, and displays measurements in cups, ounces, and metric measurements.
The Best Dry Measuring Cups
When it comes to measuring cups for dry ingredients like rice and lentils we’re advocates for high-quality metal sets over plastic cups.
Food editor Shilpa Uskokovic praises this Le Creuset set of stainless-steel measuring cups for its heavy-duty sturdiness. “Each cup is one piece, so the handle won’t break off, and has gently sloping sides, so it’s easier to scrape with a silicone spatula.” Durable and dishwasher-safe, this four-piece measuring cup set features engraved numbers so you don’t need to worry about them fading and peeling after just a few uses.
The Least Likely to Jam Up Your Drawer
If you already have too many loose utensils rattling around your kitchen tool drawer, you know what a pain a bulky set of measuring cups can be—especially one that comes with six cups. This nesting stainless-steel Bellemain set is our top pick for easy storage.
“I love the short handles and how neatly they stack,” says Kendra Vaculin, associate food editor. “They barely take up any room in a drawer.” They’re dishwasher-safe and, like the Le Creuset set, are made from one solid piece of metal.
“If it’s got a rivet, you must pivot,” says Sevier. “Any dry cups that have a separate handle have to go.” One-piece metal cups are much more durable and are easier to clean—no crevices that may harbor mold or food remnants.
The Set That Will Save You Time
If you’ve ever had to halve a recipe, or dealt with wonky measurements in any way, you know how practical an odd-size measuring cup set can be.
“It comes in handy all the time,” says Emma Laperruque, senior cooking editor, of this three-piece set from All-Clad. In ⅔-, ¾- and 1½-cup sizes, they eliminate the need for mental math or the cursed moment you lose count as you’re scooping out brown sugar by the ½-cup. They also save time; fill one cup instead of two. This metal set would make a great gift for that avid home cook who already has a trusty standard set of standard measuring cups.
The Upgrade That’s Worth It
At $92 for the complete set of 14 measuring spoons and cups, this option from Williams-Sonoma is definitely a splurge—but worth it if you’re stocking a new kitchen for the first time or want to upgrade your worn-out set. They boast everything we love about a quality measuring cup set: They’re neatly stackable, dishwasher-safe, sturdy, and durable. This is the kind of set you buy once and don’t need to worry about replacing.