Measuring spoons are a must-have for adding a small amount of ingredients, and any baker will reach for them over and over again. To help you find the right measuring spoons for your needs, we tested them side-by-side and evaluated each on its design, performance, durability, ease of cleaning, and overall value. Both liquid and dry ingredients, like baking powder and vanilla extract, were measured to make sure these measuring spoons are truly the best.
Best Overall
U-Taste 18/8 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons
Wide range of measurements
Dishwasher safe
Measurements permanently stamped into handles
Can feel like carrying a heavy keychain
Not as comfortable to hold as others
The U-Taste 18/8 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons are equally great as a first set for new cooks or a complete set for cooks who often cut recipes in half. Accomplished cooks will love the precision of the smaller measures that aren't usually included in basic sets, like the 1/2 tablespoon. In all, it includes nine spoons that measure 1/16 teaspoon, 1/8 teaspoon, 1/4 teaspoon, 1/3 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 3/4 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, 1/2 tablespoon, and 1 tablespoon. While the collection is quite extensive, it doesn't take up much space in a drawer since the full set nests inside one another and is held together by a detachable ring, which also allows hanging storage.
We discovered the spoons had a nice weight to them and felt quite durable. The bowl of each spoon is deep, so liquids are easily contained, and the edge is straight and thin, which makes leveling dry ingredients simple. We find the measurement markings a little tough to read, though. They're etched into the handles, but they're not as crisp as they could be, and some are darker and stand out more than others. Since these spoons are round, the larger measurements don't fit into standard spice jars. However, each spoon is made from sturdy stainless steel with a brushed finish and is dishwasher safe.
Material: Stainless steel | Number of Spoons: 9 | Additional Features: Detachable ring
Best Budget
Farberware Color Measuring Spoons
Fun pop of color
Easy to detach connector ring
Lightweight
May break prematurely with excessive use
Fun colors and easy-to-read markings make this budget set a pleasure to use in the kitchen. The colors are great for when young kids help in the kitchen since you can tell them to use the blue spoon or the red one instead of measurements. They're also durable for being made of plastic and extra lightweight, which our tester appreciated when letting her toddler help prep a loaf of banana bread.
The dishwasher-safe set is very affordable, so you can pick up two if your little kitchen helper wants their own. The set includes a 1/4 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, 1/2 tablespoon, and 1 tablespoon, and it comes on a detachable ring to keep the spoons neatly together.
We measured salt, sugar, and cooking oil with this set. The underside of the handles is slightly contoured and comfortable to grip, but this may not be the case with larger hands. The spoons are wide and shallow, which is sufficient for dry ingredients, but liquids easily sloshed over the sides when we weren't careful. Also, the rim on each spoon made it tougher to accurately level dry ingredients compared to other sets.
The biggest concern we have with this measuring spoon set is the plastic it is made out of. It doesn't feel like it will last a lifetime, but for the price it is worth it.
Material: Plastic | Number of Spoons: 5 | Additional Features: Detachable ring
Best Magnetic
OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons
Stores neatly
Nonslip handle grip
Dishwasher safe
Only includes four basic measurements
Magnets keep these four spoons together, so you'll always be able to find the one you need in your drawer. You can also separate them and hang them on your refrigerator where they'll always be handy. It includes the sizes you'll use most often, so it's a great starter set for new chefs making simple and easy recipes.
The stainless steel build feels very sturdy and durable, with no give or bending when pressure was applied to the handles. They have a nice weight to them, as well. When measuring baking powder and vanilla extract, the spoons feel very comfortable in hand—the handle is neither too long nor too short and the nonslip grip makes carrying the spoons to a mixing bowl or pot feel extra secure and sturdy. The bowl of each spoon has a nice depth and width to it, so no ingredients, including liquids, were spilled during transport. The edge of the spoon is straight, which made it easy to level dry ingredients with a knife, finger, or the built-in leveling edge on a can of baking powder. The spoons are a tad too large to fit inside most spice jars, but the magnetic feature more than makes up for this minor inconvenience.
Material: Stainless steel | Number of Spoons: 4 | Additional Features: Magnetized
Best for Spices
Spring Chef Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Metal Measuring Spoons
Durable stainless steel
Six measurements, plus a leveler
Dishwasher safe
Can feel like carrying a heavy keychain
Measuring spices requires the same precision as measuring sugar or salt, but since spice bottles tend to be narrow, measuring spoons often don't fit inside. These spoons are designed to fit into spice jars, creating less of a mess, though you can use them for all your other measuring needs, too!
Made from high-quality stainless steel, the material feels thick and sturdy and doesn't give or bend when pressure is applied to the handle. The edges are smooth, too, unlike some stainless steel sets that feel rougher. The tapered, extra-long handles are comfortable to grip and offer plenty of space to keep your fingers out of whatever you're dipping the spoons into. The spoons are deep enough to measure liquids without fear of spilling, and you can even lay them flat on your workspace.
Hang them on a hook using their ring, or tuck them into the spice drawer, so they're always at hand when you need them. This set measures 1/8 teaspoon, 1/4 teaspoon, 3/4 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, and 1 tablespoon, with a leveler included for accurate measuring. The leveler doubles as a 2-inch measuring tool, which we find useful for checking the size of rolled cookies and energy bites. Since they're made from high-quality stainless steel, these are dishwasher safe.
Material: Stainless steel | Number of Spoons: 6 | Additional Features: Leveler
Best for One-Handed Measuring
Dreamfarm Levoons Self-Leveling Measuring Spoons
Innovative measuring and leveling in one
Great color options
Easy to connect and store
Only includes four basic measurements
Measurements may be hard to read
Precise measuring requires one hand to hold the spoon and a second hand to level the ingredients, but these spoons make it a one-handed affair. Each one has an integrated leveler that sweeps across to remove excess ingredients. Just dip the spoon into the container and squeeze to swipe the level across the top.
The leveling feature is nice and does a really great job, but be aware the excess ingredient will fall onto your counter or into your mixing bowl if you're not prepared to catch it with a clean bowl or the ingredient's container. We thought the level might interfere with measuring liquids, but it didn't. Additionally, sticky and semi-solid ingredients, like natural peanut butter or honey, are tough to measure with these spoons. It can be done, but the level is tough to clean by hand. Luckily, the set is dishwasher safe, so it's easy to give them a thorough cleaning.
There's not much of a handle to these spoons because of the squeezable self-leveling design, which makes them a little uncomfortable to hold. Yet, the spoons snap together for neat storage, so you'll always be able to find them in your kitchen drawer.
Material: Stainless steel and polypropylene | Number of Spoons: 4 | Additional Features: Leveling arm
Best for Liquid Measuring
Oxo Good Grips Mini Measuring Beaker Set
Wide range of precise measurements
Nest for easy storage
Non-slip bases
Can't be used for dry ingredients
Markings may wear off with use
Traditional measuring spoons are the perfect way to measure dry ingredients, but if you've ever spilled vanilla extract into your mixing bowl while measuring it in a spoon, you'll understand the need for these tiny beakers in spoon-measuring sizes. Each beaker has measurements on the side, so they can be used for multiple measures with a maximum of 1 teaspoon, 1 tablespoon, 1 ounce, and 2 ounces. Plus, you'll feel like you're back in science class!
The pouring spout makes it easy to add liquid ingredients to your bowl without making a mess and can even help you pour any over-measured vanilla back into the bottle. We love that the measurements don't go to the top of the beakers, preventing messes. We did accidentally overpour cooking oil while testing, but there was enough space in the beaker that it didn't overfill and spill.
The smaller beakers are a little hard to clean since they're so narrow and a standard dish sponge or brush won't fit inside. They are top-rack dishwasher safe, but we would hesitate to put them in the dishwasher for fear the measurements may fade. As for storage, these can be nested vertically.
Material: BPA-free plastic | Number of Spoons: 4 or 7 pieces | Additional Features: Nesting cups
Final Verdict
For the widest range of measuring and ease of cleaning, the U-Taste 18/8 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons are going to serve you well through countless recipes. For a good budget set, the Farberware Color Measuring Spoons passed our tests with, dare we say, flying colors.
How We Tested
We sent measuring spoons to our experienced home chef and product tester, who tried each out with various wet and dry ingredients, such as salt, sugar, vanilla extract, and cooking oil, to determine which measuring spoons are truly the best. Each measuring spoon set was rated on design, performance, durability, ease of cleaning, and overall value. Our tester then offered additional insights on each measuring spoon set's strengths and weaknesses.
Other Options We Tested
- KitchenArt Pro Adjust-A-Tablespoon: Designed for cooks who don't have a lot of storage space for gadgets, this measuring spoon ranges from 1/2 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon, with stops along the way. It can be used with both dry and wet ingredients. We found it feels cheap and took a considerable amount of effort to move, and while it snaps on and off for easy cleaning, it could potentially break with heavy use. It was also very uncomfortable to use—the handle feels rough and unsteady in the hand. It's also nearly impossible to level off dry ingredients, as the adjuster blocks one side of the spoon completely.
- 180 Degrees Flower Pot Measuring Spoon Baking Set: This ceramic flower pot measuring spoon set is undoubtedly adorable, but may be too delicate for serious cooking. Unlike a good stainless steel set, this can't be dropped, tossed in the sink, or thrown in a drawer without worry. The wide, shallow design of the spoons made it tough to carry liquid ingredients without spilling. This could be a good option for anyone who prefers aesthetics over function.
What to Look for in Measuring Spoons
Design
Measuring spoons generally range in capacity from the smallest at 1/4 teaspoon to the largest at 1 tablespoon. You can also find additional measures from 1/8 teaspoon to 2 tablespoons. If you can determine which sizes you will use the most, that can help narrow down which set you should get.
There’s a wide range of materials in the measuring spoons on the market, from plastics to silicone to different metals and even ceramic. Each material has its pros and cons, but one of the most important criteria to answer in terms of material is whether something is dishwasher safe.
Another aspect of the design of measuring spoons is the shape. Both round measuring spoons and rectangular measuring spoons are easy to find. Though each shape can be used for liquid or dry ingredients, some cooks prefer the rectangular shape for scooping dry ingredients.
Length, Shape, and Material of Handle
This is a pretty important consideration because it can make all the difference in how comfortable you’ll be when using the spoon. It comes down to personal choice—some cooks prefer short handles they can grip between two fingers, others prefer a longer handle that extends toward the palm of the hand. Some spoons have rubberized grip pads on the handle. In terms of shape, look at whether the handle is thin, has sharp edges, is rounded, or is flat to determine which shape will feel better when using it.
Measurement Markings
Measurement markings can be etched into the spoon, stamped onto the spoon, or be part of the molding process and appear as extruded parts of the spoon or even painted or printed onto the spoon. Most often, you’ll find the measurement markings on the handle, but occasionally they might be on the bowl of the spoon itself. Since there’s so much variation, be sure to choose spoons with markings that are easy to read and long-lasting.
It’s surprising how varied a simple thing like a measuring spoon can be in terms of how it looks, but it’s not inconsequential. If you can find a measuring spoon you like the looks of, each time you use it will be enjoyable.
Additional Features
The most common additional feature is a connector ring that holds multi-spoon sets together. They keep all the spoons in one place, but cleaning can be more difficult and use of different spoons can sometimes become annoying while trying to separate the spoons. If you choose a set with a ring, check whether the ring is removable or not. Other additional features can include levelers that work with the spoons.
FAQs
What are measuring spoons used for?
Measuring spoons are used as a standard measurement for liquid or dry ingredients in cooking or baking. Most contemporary recipes published in books or online have printed measurements that can include the use of measuring spoons to assure that the recipe comes out the way it was planned. It’s particularly important in baking that measurements be specific—the entire success of the recipe may depend on it. In cooking, exact measurements may not be as vital as in baking, yet clearly the best results will be found when using measuring spoons where indicated, particularly if you’re measuring oil or spices.
What are the four standard measuring spoons?
The four standard measuring spoons are 1/4 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, and 1 tablespoon.
How do you keep measuring spoons together?
Measuring spoons are often sold as sets held together with a connector ring, which keeps them together for storage in a drawer or organizer within a drawer. Other methods include using a magnetic knife rack, wall hooks, or even standing upright in a container on the kitchen counter. Sets of magnetic measuring spoons that stay together stored away in a drawer are also available.
Is a regular spoon a tablespoon?
Definitely not, no matter how much we may wish it was. Spoons used for dining can be a variety of sizes, which makes it risky to use them as measuring spoons, particularly when baking.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Donna Currie is a freelance food writer, published cookbook author, and kitchen gadget connoisseur for The Spruce Eats. Since July 2016, Donna has tested hundreds of kitchen tools, so you know exactly what will work best in your own kitchen. Her cookbook, "Make Ahead Bread," would be a great place to start testing out your favorite measuring spoons.
Each set of measuring spoons in this roundup was tested by Sharon Lehman, a home cook and registered dietitian. Since testing, our top pick and the Oxo Good Grips Beaker Set earned permanent spots in her kitche. Sharon has been writing and testing products for The Spruce Eats since 2019.
This piece was updated by Jenny Kellerhals, a professional pastry chef and food writer based in New York City. Jenny knows the importance of reliable tools first-hand and has a wide range of experience with professional and home-grade cooking and baking equipment. With a typical tiny NYC kitchen, only the most useful tools make the cut at home.
Amanda McDonald is an editor at The Spruce Eats and has over seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing about all things food — from what new products are at the grocery store to chef-approved hacks that keep tricky leftovers fresh for days. She also updated this article to include the most up-to-date information.