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The 5 best kitchen scales, according to chefs
Take your cooking and baking to the next level with an easy-to-use digital kitchen scale.
When it comes to cooking and baking, a little improvisation is welcome every now and then. But most of the time having the correct amount of each of your ingredients will make or break a dish. And while measuring cups and spoons are handy tools, sometimes you need something more precise — and that's where a kitchen scale comes in.
Keep scrolling to shop the five scales that professional chefs and bakers recommended.
Best kitchen scales, according to chefs
This OXO model was an easy favorite of several experts we spoke to.
Chef George Guzman of Carta Wine Bar explained, "I use my kitchen scale all the time because weighing ingredients is so much more accurate than measuring with cups. My favorite is the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Food Scale — it’s reliable and easy to use."
Yahoo's very own former professional baker Britt Ross shared: "When I baked for a living, there wasn't a measuring cup to be found in the kitchen. That's because we weighed just about everything for the most consistent results. Scooping something like flour into a cup is often inaccurate because it depends on how tightly or loosely it's packed in; weighing ensures precision every time! My kitchen scale of choice is actually the one Ina Garten herself uses — the Oxo Good Grips Food Scale. What I love about this one is that it's compact enough to fit in a drawer when not in use, but can weigh up to 11 pounds of ingredients. Plus, the pull-out display is genius; I no longer have to worry about a large mixing bowl covering up the reading.
Chef and culinary consultant Adriana Urbina also listed it as a favorite of hers since it's "known for its pull-out display, making it easy to read even with large bowls on it. It’s durable, precise, and user-friendly."
Jon Kung, author of the bestselling cookbook Kung Food and content creator, said of the Enifingy: "The most convenient scale is the one you always have on your countertop. When you’re not using it as a scale you can use it as a wireless charger for your phone. This multi-functionality gives me a reason to always have it out on my countertop."
Jenner Tomaska, co-owner and executive chef of Esmé (Chicago, IL) and Byrdie’s (Louisville, KY) said, “I would recommend The Ozeri Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale. This is what we have at work and home; it is cost-effective, easy to use and store.”
Retailing for $15, this is a great option for beginners who want to start using a scale but aren't ready to invest too much.
If you'd like to up your cookie, cake, pie muffin and brownie game, you've found your new best friend.
Adriana Urbina says it's "a favorite for professional kitchens; this scale offers high capacity (up to 17 lbs) and features like baker’s percentage, which is invaluable for bread making."
Chef Zac Young, Food Network personality and Sprinkle Master at PieCaken Bakeshop and Sprinkletown Donuts & Ice Cream, raved, "The Escali Primo has been my go-to since I was in culinary school. It's super affordable, reliable and comes in a delicious assortment of colors. I also keep a pocket gram scale for precision in measuring ingredients like baking powder, yeast & spices hand for sensitive ingredients — such as the American Weight Scales AC100g Digital."
Young wasn't kidding about the colors — this scale comes in more than 10 hues.
Urbina is also a fan of this "budget-friendly, reliable option with straightforward functionality and quick response time."
What is a kitchen scale?
A kitchen scale is exactly what it sounds like — it's a countertop weighing machine that can precisely measure your ingredients so you get the exact proportions needed. These pint-sized models are ideal for those looking to make their kitchen creations more accurate and consistent. An added benefit? A scale can make clean-up easier since you can measure each ingredient on it instead of having to dirty multiple measuring cups.
What to look for in a kitchen scale
When searching for the right scale for you, Adriana Urbina suggests using the following points as your guide.
Precision: Look for scales that measure in small increments (e.g., 0.1 grams) for maximum accuracy.
Durability: A stainless steel or high-quality plastic build ensures longevity.
Ease of Cleaning: Smooth surfaces and minimal grooves prevent food from getting trapped.
Tare Function: Essential for resetting the scale to zero when adding multiple ingredients.
Portability: Compact models are ideal for smaller kitchens.
