The Best Measuring Spoons

Sarah Zorn is a recipe tester for cookbooks, and she also reviews kitchen products for Food Network and USA Today. Wirecutter’s kitchen senior editor Marguerite Preston is a former professional baker who has seen her fair share of good and bad measuring spoons, and knows where they most often go wrong. We also turned to two seasoned kitchen experts for advice on this guide: Tish Boyle, managing editor of Pastry Arts magazine and author of numerous baking books, including The Cake Book and Flavorful: 150 Irresistible Desserts in All-Time Favorite Flavors; and Lynn Blanchard, the test kitchen director at Better Homes & Gardens.

Measuring spoons are such an essential kitchen tool that, if you cook at all, chances are good you already have a set. But there are many reasons why you may be due for an upgrade. Maybe your spoons are too wide to fit into every spice jar or too shallow to hold anything without spilling. Maybe one or two spoons have gotten separated from the pack and disappeared into the depths of a drawer. Just the annoyance of cooking with poorly designed spoons should be enough to warrant getting a new set, given that most cost well below $20. And a good set of accurate spoons is an even more crucial investment for anyone who bakes at home.

Baking requires more accuracy than other kinds of cooking. If one ingredient is just a little bit off, you can end up with dry cookies or a sunken cake. That’s usually a good reason to measure with a kitchen scale. But the average kitchen scale isn’t sensitive enough to weigh fractions of a gram or to accurately register weights of just a few grams, as Serious Eats has demonstrated. This means a scale can be wildly inaccurate when it’s asked to measure just a few grams (or less) of something. Even a scale-loving baker needs a good, accurate set of measuring spoons.

Although accuracy is the most important aspect of a spoon, there are a number of other features we looked for when deciding which sets to test.

Includes four main spoon sizes: We considered only those sets that included at least a tablespoon, a teaspoon, a ½ teaspoon, and a ¼ teaspoon. We considered any additional spoons a bonus: A ⅛ teaspoon can offer extra accuracy, but for amounts that small, it usually won’t hurt to just eyeball half of the ¼ teaspoon. Other sizes, like a ½ tablespoon or a ¾ teaspoon, let you measure more efficiently but aren’t strictly necessary, since you can make those measurements with other spoons (a tablespoon equals three teaspoons, so ½ tablespoon is the same as 1½ teaspoons).

Easy to scoop with: We preferred spoons with oval or rectangular bowls, which are easier to fit into the narrow mouth of a spice jar. It’s much easier and more efficient to scoop spices from a jar than to try to pour them out onto the tiny surface area of a teaspoon. That said, we did include a few sets of particularly well-rated round spoons in our tests. We ruled out any of those cute novelty spoons shaped like hearts or Mason jars, which in our experience tend to favor design over accuracy. Gimmicky adjustable spoons were also out, since they tend to leak liquids and have to be cleaned between every measurement.

Made of sturdy stainless steel: After testing one set of plastic measuring spoons in our first round of testing, we decided to test only those made primarily from stainless steel. As Lynn Blanchard of Better Homes & Gardens told us, “Plastic spoons are bulkier, and they don’t store as well.” They’re bulkier because they have to be: If a plastic spoon were as thin as most metal ones, it would be liable to snap. Cookbook author Trish Boyle also points out that at least one of her sets of plastic spoons seems to have warped in the dishwasher. Plus, plastic spoons usually have painted-on measurement markings that can wear off over time, whereas most metal spoons have stamped or etched measurements. Anything ceramic was also out of the question, since that’s breakable. You should be able to toss your spoons into the sink without a second thought.

Easy to keep together: We looked for sets that came with a ring, magnets, or another mechanism to hold the spoons together. Otherwise, it’s only a matter of time before one spoon disappears. On the best sets, the mechanism made it easy to quickly separate or reattach the spoons. Although it’s always possible to use spoons still attached to a ring, it can be irritating to have the entire set dangling in your way as you cook.

Accuracy is important, especially for the baker, and not all measuring spoons are equally accurate, even within a single set. So we tested the accuracy of every spoon in each set by using each one to measure out water onto the American Weigh SC-2KG digital pocket scale, which is sensitive to differences of 0.1 gram. We used water because its density is consistent (at least in the conditions of our testing), and the conversion from milliliters to grams is easy (1 mL = 1 gram). We filled the spoons as precisely as possible, repeated the measurement 10 times for each spoon, and calculated the average in order to account for inevitable human variability. We then compared that average to the standard weight (in milliliters), defined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, of each spoonful of water.

Then we used each spoon to measure a variety of ingredients: baking powder, caraway seeds, clumpy curry powder, slippery dried oregano, staticky dry yeast, and thick, sticky corn syrup. We looked at how easy it was to scoop and level each ingredient, and to scrape all the corn syrup from the spoon.

We also tried reaching each spoon into the bottoms of two different-size spice jars, one with a narrow mouth, one with a wider mouth, noting which spoons (if any) were too big to fit. And for sets that came with a ring, we tried using each set with the spoons still attached to test how easy or awkward they felt to use that way. To test durability, we tried bending each spoon, and finally gave them all a wash and let them sit damp in a sealed bag overnight to check for signs of rust.

The Sur La Table Spice Measuring Spoons were the most accurate we found, regularly hitting the exact measurements in our tests. The rectangular ends fit easily into narrow jars, and the spoons felt substantial and were sturdy enough to resist bending. Despite their heft, these spoons were still balanced and comfortable to maneuver, even when attached to the ring. And the set comes with both ⅛ and ¾ teaspoons, which you won’t find in every set.

In our accuracy tests, Sur La Table’s spoons were either dead-on or mere milligrams off the mark. This is as close to perfect as we found with any set we tried, and it’s precise enough for anything you’d want to measure. By comparison, the tablespoons in a couple of other sets we tested were off by as much as 5 grams—the equivalent of a teaspoon (or a third of a tablespoon!).

In our tests, the slim, rectangular Sur La Table spoons fit easily through the mouths of even the smallest spice jars, something that round measuring spoons, and even some oval-shaped tablespoons, couldn’t do. The Sur La Table spoons’ handles are also long enough to clear the length of a jar. Not so with the stumpy grips on some other spoons, which left our knuckles dusted with curry powder.

A frequent issue with rectangular spoons is that ingredients can get trapped in the corners, something we encountered with both the Bed Bath & Beyond and the RSVP measuring spoons we tested. Sur La Table’s spoons, however, released cleanly each time, even when we were working with sticky corn syrup. We also like that the bowls aligned with the handles perfectly (it’s all one piece of metal), so we could easily sweep a knife across to level ingredients. Spoons that dipped down where the handle met the spoon made leveling slightly more difficult.

The Sur La Table set is made from heavy-gauge stainless steel, which didn’t rust or bend under pressure in our tests. These spoons will easily survive many trips through the dishwasher, and they will allow you to confidently scoop stiffer ingredients like packed brown sugar or cookie dough. By comparison, a surprising number of other sets we tested folded under just a little pressure. Only two other sets we tested in 2019 (from RSVP and Bed Bath & Beyond) had a comparable heft and strength.

Like all of the other purely stainless steel spoons we tested, the Sur La Table spoons have measurements stamped into them, so there’s no risk of measurements fading or disappearing. We also like that the measurements are labeled in milliliters as well as in teaspoons and tablespoons—it’s not a crucial feature, but it doesn’t hurt.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Although we appreciate that the stamped measurements on the Sur La Table spoons won’t wear off, the writing is tiny and without contrast, and therefore it’s difficult to read. If you have vision issues, you may prefer our other pick, the Prepworks by Progressive Magnetic Measuring Spoons, since the measurements are printed in large white characters on a black background.

We’re uncertain of how long the ring holding the Sur La Table spoons together will last, since it uses a tiny hinge to open and close. But it feels more durable than the tiny beaded chains that connect some sets, and you could easily replace the Sur La Table set’s ring with a standard binder ring (which you can find at an office supply store).

If you like to separate your spoons every time you use them, you may prefer the Prepworks by Progressive Magnetic Measuring Spoons. Even though it’s easy enough to open the ring on the Sur La Table set, it’s still a pain to detach and reattach the spoons every time.

If you prefer a set of spoons that you can take apart easily, we like the Prepworks by Progressive Magnetic Measuring Spoons. Magnets at the center of each spoon hold them together, so they can be stored reliably but are still easy to separate. The spoons are also double-ended, so you can measure both dry and wet ingredients at once. They level cleanly, and maneuver in and out of most spice jars with ease. Although these spoons bend more easily than the Sur La Table spoons, and the oval ends aren’t as accurate (the round ends are), they’ll still work fine for most tasks.

Magnetic fasteners are a much more convenient way than a ring to keep spoons together, since magnetic fasteners don’t force you to choose between fumbling with a small clasp or using the spoons while they’re all still attached. And we think the magnets on the Prepworks spoons do the job particularly well: They’re strong enough to keep the spoons together in a crowded drawer and to allow you to stick individual spoons to your fridge or oven (this wasn’t the case for all the magnetic spoons we tested).

Another big advantage of the Prepworks spoons over more-traditional sets is that you’re getting two sets of spoons for the price of one. One end of each spoon is round (technically for liquids), and the other end is oval (technically for dry ingredients) and better able to fit into spice jars. But honestly, you can use either end for wet or dry ingredients. That means you can measure different ingredients without having to stop and clean off a spoon in between. Also, because they have two ends, these spoons are a good length for reaching deep into jars.

The edges of the Prepworks spoons are flat and flush with the handles, so it’s easy to sweep them level. And the narrow, oval-shaped spoon ends fit easily into even our smallest jars. (Most of the round spoons fit, too, except for the tablespoon and the ½ tablespoon.) The Prepworks spoons’ bowls are also nice and deep, which means it’s a little bit harder for ingredients (especially liquids) to slosh out on the way to the bowl.

The five-piece Prepworks set includes a ½ tablespoon, which isn’t essential (it’s the same thing as 1½ teaspoons), but it can make measuring a little more efficient. The measurements are marked in milliliters as well as in tablespoons and teaspoons, which is nice if you ever need to measure with the metric system.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

You’ll sacrifice a little accuracy for the convenience of the Prepworks set. Although this set’s round ends were about as accurate as the Sur La Table spoons in our tests, either hitting the mark or averaging just milligrams off, the oval ends were less impressive. Some of the oval spoons measured multiple grams off the mark, with the tablespoon falling short by about a quarter teaspoon. For measuring some things, like spices, this variation won’t matter, which is why we don’t think the discrepancy is a dealbreaker. But if you really need a measurement to be precise, use the round ends.

The Prepworks spoons are a lot thinner than the Sur La Table measuring spoons. Though the Prepworks spoons weren’t as flimsy as some others we tried, we were able to bend them. For many measuring tasks, this won’t be a problem, but you may want to opt for the Sur La Table spoons if you’re looking for something more heavy-duty for, say, scooping dense cookie dough.

Another durability issue with the Prepworks spoons is that measurements are printed on the plastic button at the center of each spoon, so they may wear off over time. But the painted area is slightly recessed, so it’s a little harder to scratch accidentally. We’ve been using these spoons in our test kitchen since 2016, and the measurement markings are still fully legible.

Some Amazon reviewers complain that the magnets have fallen out of some of their spoons. One Wirecutter staffer told us he had the same problem with one of the spoons in his set. But people who run into this issue seem to be in the minority among reviewers, and the set we have in our test kitchen has survived many runs through the dishwasher with its magnets still in place. If a magnet does fall out of your set, it’s also easy enough to superglue it back in place (though only if it hasn’t gotten lost in a drawer).

A small flaw with the double-ended design: If you use one end to measure something like honey, it’s tricky to keep that honey off your hands when you need to flip the spoon around to use the other end. We think the convenience of having double-ended spoons outweighs that, but it’s something to consider if messiness annoys you.

One thing we’ve noticed with regular use of this set is that it can be a little annoying to have to put all the spoons back in the right order. They fit together only when they’re nested from largest to smallest, and you have to pay attention to make sure that all the round ends are on the same side. But dealing with that minor hassle is a fine trade-off for not having to wash the whole set every time. Ultimately, it’s a matter of preference: Are you more irritated by dangling spoons or by having to fit them together in order?

We used to recommend the Cuisipro Stainless Steel Measuring Spoon Set, but unfortunately the design has changed since we first tested this set. Although the original set we tested was sturdy and unbendable, several newer sets we’ve tried have bent easily with very little pressure. The spoons also now come fitted with an overly large and clumsy ring that’s hard to remove, whereas they used to be attached by a handy silicone band. We reached out to the company for comment but never heard back.

The OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons with Magnetic Snaps were the most consistently accurate of any spoons we tested, and they’re conveniently held together by magnets. But they were also the shortest of any spoons we tested, making it difficult to reach into deeper containers. And because the handle wasn’t perfectly flat where it met the spoon, it was a little trickier to sweep a knife across the top.

The RSVP International Endurance Spice Spoon Set is strong and surprisingly light, making the spoons comfortable to use on their ring. However, they were incredibly difficult to disconnect from that ring, and they didn’t provide especially impressive results when it came to accuracy.

We appreciated the easy-to-read measurements on the Spring Chef Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons, but bulbous handles made them clumsy to use on the ring, and it took almost no effort to bend them in two.

Neither the 1 tablespoon nor the ½ tablespoon from the 1EasyLife Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons set fit into the mouth of a small spice jar, and the short handles meant they barely reached the bottom of those jars.

Even though we love the cups, the measuring spoons in this KitchenMade set were some of the most inaccurate that we tested. They had difficult-to-read measurements and bent under very little pressure, and the tablespoon measure wouldn’t fit into a small jar.

The Advanced Performance Measuring Spoons are made of heavy-duty stainless steel, but they are very wide and shallow. This made them hard to fit into spice jars and hard to use without their contents spilling everywhere.

The Progressive Snap-Fit Measuring Spoons are very similar to the Prepworks spoons we recommend, except that these spoons are all plastic, and they snap together instead of holding together with magnets. Being plastic, they were thicker than their steel counterparts, and even the elongated ends of the spoons couldn’t fit as easily into a narrow jar. Some Amazon reviews suggest that the snaps may also wear out over time.

Amco’s Wet and Dry Measuring Spoons are a clumsier version of the Prepworks magnetic spoons. The shovel-shaped end meant for dry ingredients lets them slide right out, and the round end meant for wet ingredients was consistently much too big. This size issue seems to be thanks to a molded “fill line” below the lip of each spoon, which is hard to see and does nothing to actually keep the spoon from filling to the brim.

The Mrs. Anderson’s Baking Spice Measuring Spoons were sturdy and narrow enough to fit into most spice jars. But the handles were actually so long that the set was awkward to use with the spoons still on the ring; the spoons bumped and dragged on the counter. And it was hard to clear sticky ingredients from the corners of each spoon.