The best kitchen scales you can buy
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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.
For bakers and dieters, a reliable scale is an indispensable part of the kitchen. Since recipes call for many different measurements, a kitchen scale should be able to give readouts in ounces, grams, pounds, and kilograms. And, for dieters, accurate scales are a must since inaccurate readings can lead to a rude awakening on the bathroom scale.
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 get exasperated as you pause for readings while pouring your ingredients onto the scale.
Also, 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, accurate measurements, and affordability.
Although the Etekcity Digital Kitchen Scale Multifunction Food Scale is at the top of our list of best kitchen scales, you may also like the Ozeri Pronto Digital Kitchen Scale, the Epica Accupro Digital Kitchen Scale, the AmazonBasics Digital Kitchen Scale, the OXO Good Grips Food Scale, and the MyWeigh KD8000 Kitchen Scale.
The best kitchen scale overall
Why you'll love it: The Etekcity Digital Kitchen Scale combines reliability and precision with a neat design and an easy-to-clean bowl.
Aside from weighing ingredients up to 11 pounds (5 kilograms) within a tenth of an ounce (or one gram), the Etekcity Digital Kitchen Scale gets 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, you 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 thing about the scale is that it has actual buttons, as opposed to the flat “membrane” buttons commonly found on other models.
Several expert review sites included the Etekcity Digital Kitchen Scale in their lists of the top kitchen scales. BuyTheBest10 likes the scale because of its sleek, sturdy construction that doesn’t require an inordinate amount of counter space. Heavy rated the scale highly because it has a built-in timer and includes a surrounding temperature sensor. However, the writer didn’t like that the reset beep is so loud. TBPR Reviews found that this scale provided both precise and reliable measurements. The reviewer thought the vivid blue backlit display was easy to read.
Around 84% of the ratings of the Etekcity Digital Kitchen Scale on Amazon are five stars. The bowl appears to be the most popular feature. It fits snugly on the unit, is simple to remove for dumping the ingredients elsewhere, and it’s dishwasher safe. Buyers liked that when you are 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. The main complaint was that the on-off-tare button is a bit sensitive.
Pros: Stainless steel, dishwasher-safe bowl, built-in timer, surrounding temperature sensor
Cons: Sensitive buttons, loud beeping
Buy the Etekcity Digital Kitchen Scale Multifunction Food Scale on Amazon for $15.98 (originally $39.99)
The best kitchen scale for matching your decor
Why you'll love it: The Ozeri Pronto Digital Kitchen Scale comes in a variety of colors and provides a great balance of accurate measurement and a sleek design.
The Ozeri Pronto scale measures loads 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, Silver, Red, and Lime Green.
The Sweethome named the Ozeri Pronto scale as the top budget kitchen scale because of its consistent measurements, lightweight design, and low price. The scale lost points because it automatically turns off after two minutes (a relatively short time), and it’s slow to display weights. Consumer Search awarded the Ozeri Pronto the “best cheap kitchen scale” award, adding that it is accurate and can weigh in ounces, pounds, and grams. Lastly, BuyTheBest10 has this Ozeri scale as its top pick because of the accuracy, large measuring platform, and durable design.
The Ozeri Pronto has more than 9,400 five-star reviews on Amazon. The positive comments run the gamut from how simple and intuitive it is to how effortless it is to clean and how little space it takes up in the kitchen. Buyers also liked that you can put bowls or small plates on the scale and zero out the weight before you measure out portions. One buyer took a number of precise weights and put them on the scale to test it out, and they found that the Pronto reads accurately to within +/- 0.1%.
Pros: Accurate, small, consistent, comes in seven colors
Cons: Slow measurement, fast auto-off
Buy the Ozeri Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale on Amazon for $12.95 and up (originally $18.66)
The best kitchen scale for small spaces
Why you'll love it: If you have a kitchen where space is at a premium, consider the compact Epica Accupro Digital Kitchen Scale for accurate portion control.
Much like the models above, the Epica Accupro scale has a capacity of 11 pounds/5 kilograms and is accurate down to 1/20 of an ounce or 1 gram. This model comes with the two AA batteries it requires to function, and the battery life is extended thanks to an automatic shut off at three minutes.
The Accupro is the smallest scale on our list at just under five ounces and with dimensions of 5 by 3.5 by 2-inches. With this unit, Epica offers a lifetime 100% money back guarantee. We were unable to find any comments from users who had taken advantage of this policy.
Heavy included the Epica TM Accupro scale among its top 20 kitchen scales because of the oversized platform, display options, and large LCD screen. However, it didn’t top the list because the site felt the plastic construction was somewhat flimsy. Better Priced Online also mentioned that the unit appeared to be cheaply made, but the site still rated it highly because of the screen and useful tare button. Best Reviews Guide gave the Epica scale a 9.7 out of 10 and the top ranking on its best kitchen scale list.
On Amazon, 94% of the reviewers gave the Epica TM Accupro a rating of at least four stars. Buyers like that the scale easily converts weights from ounces to grams to pounds to kilograms without the user having to remove the items from the scale. One verified purchaser tested out the accuracy of the scale using a lab-quality balance and found it was spot on. Another noted that they’d only had to replace the batteries once in the scale’s 16 months of daily use. We were unable to find any consistent complaints from multiple commenters.
Pros: Accurate, long-lasting battery
Cons: Made of plastic, platform is potentially too small
Buy the Epica TM Accupro Digital Kitchen Scale on Amazon for $10 or $12 (originally $24.95)
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