Many chefs and bakers argue that weight measurements are far superior to volume measurements when it comes to precision cooking and baking. And since weight measurements of food ingredients are more accurate than volume measurements, a kitchen scale is a must. After all, not all apples or potatoes are exactly the same size. The varying weight of food creates different nutritional profiles within the same food group. If you’re keeping track of your daily food intake, an accurate weight of each food item is needed for truer results.
We combed through dozens of kitchen scales online through Amazon to find you the best ones out there. We looked at a variety of models – from mini scales to large scales, from flat scales to bowl scales and everything in between. We noted how much weight the scale can hold, how large the platform is, and which units the scale measured in.
We chose the Etekcity Food Digital Kitchen Scale as the best kitchen scale overall because it offers a large platform to place your ingredients, which you can measure in five different units. With its modern, compact design, not only will it match your kitchen, but you may not even notice it on your counter.
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The 5 Top-Rated Kitchen Scales
| Editor’s Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Kitchen Scale Overall | Etekcity Food Digital Kitchen Scale | 4.4 |
| Best Portable Kitchen Scale | Joseph Joseph TriScale Compact Folding Digital Kitchen Food Scale | 4.4 |
| Best Budget Kitchen Scale | Ozeri Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale | 4.6 |
| Best Mechanical Kitchen Scale | Taylor Stainless Steel Analog Kitchen Scale | 4.7 |
| Best Large-Capacity Kitchen Scale | Kitchen Scale Homever Food Scale with Big Panel | 4.7 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Kitchen Scale Overall: Etekcity Food Digital Kitchen Scale
The Etekcity Food Digital Kitchen Scale holds ingredients weighing up to 11 pounds or 5 kilograms. So whether you’re weighing apples for your grandmother’s famous apple pie recipe or measuring a precise amount of flour, this kitchen scale has you covered. With units of measurement that include ounces, pounds, grams, fluid ounces, and milliliters, the scale offers an accuracy to .04 ounces or 1 gram. You can even distinguish between milk and water measurements. There’s a minimum weight of 3 to 5 grams required in order for the scale to register your ingredient.
The Etekcity kitchen scale features a stainless steel design, resulting in a sleek look that is simple to keep clean. It gives you about 7 inches by 6 inches of space to place your food or container. The large digital display shows the numbers in a bright white backlight, which is easy to read. Use the tare function to zero out your container in order to get an accurate weight measurement of your ingredients. This unit uses two AAA batteries, which are included, and alerts you when the battery life is low.
Etekcity Food Digital Kitchen Scale Key Features:
- Stainless steel platform
- Tare function with multiple units of measurement
- Includes batteries and low battery indicator
- Surface measures roughly 6 inches by 7 inches
- Digital display with backlight
Best Portable Kitchen Scale: Joseph Joseph TriScale Compact Folding Digital Kitchen Food Scale
For the times when you’re traveling, a portable kitchen scale gives you the opportunity to weigh your food, even if you’re in a hotel, at a friend’s house, or in a restaurant. But portable kitchen scales are also great when you lack counter or drawer space in your kitchen. Our favorite pick for a portable kitchen scale is the Joseph Joseph TriScale Compact Folding Digital Kitchen Food Scale. This scale folds in three to a compact size of just under 6 inches by 2 inches – convenient to tuck in the corner of a drawer or your bag.
The Joseph Joseph compact kitchen scale opens to roughly 9 inches by 8 inches and holds up to 11 pounds of food. Due to the nature of the scale’s portability, this scale requires a bowl or plate to place your ingredients in or on. But use the tare function to zero out your container to obtain an accurate measurement of your ingredients. Choose from ounces, pounds, fluid ounces, grams, or milliliters, and add multiple items with the add-and-weigh function.
Joseph Joseph TriScale Compact Folding Digital Kitchen Food Scale Key Features:
- Folds for compact storage
- Multiple units of measurement
- Tare function
- Add-and-weigh option
- Automatic power-off function
Best Budget Kitchen Scale: Ozeri Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale
If you’re wanting to save a few dollars, the best budget kitchen scale is the Ozeri Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale. It holds up to just over 11 pounds or 5,100 grams, with .05-ounce or 1-gram increments. Sure to match your kitchen décor, this model comes in an array of different colors. Featuring a chrome finish, the scale is round with a diameter that measures approximately 6 inches. It also features a large digital display so you can easily read the various units of measurement. Choose from pounds, ounces, grams, liquid ounces, and milliliters.
The Ozeri kitchen scale offers the tare function – zero out your container to get the true weight of your ingredients. Easily see the digital readout on the large display. This unit uses two AAA batteries, which are included, and also comes with a bonus set of batteries. The kitchen scale features an automatic shut-off function, should you get too busy cooking and forget to turn it off.
Ozeri Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale Key Features:
- Multiple units of measurement available
- Batteries included
- Chrome-finished platform
- Tare function
- Digital display
Best Mechanical Kitchen Scale: Taylor Stainless Steel Analog Kitchen Scale
For a non-digital, analog, or old-fashioned kitchen scale, we chose the Taylor Stainless Steel Analog Kitchen Scale as the best mechanical kitchen scale. This stainless steel scale does more than just look nice – it weighs food up to 11 pounds or 5 kilograms, and features increments of 1 ounce or 50 grams. Place it anywhere in your kitchen, and don’t worry about needing to replace batteries – this scale doesn’t run on any type of external power.
The Taylor kitchen scale features a 5-cup capacity stainless steel bowl that’s removable, so it’s easy to wash and store. The large, 5-inch face is easy to read with black and red markings to note the measurements, which include pounds, ounces, grams, and kilograms. The entire unit measures approximately 8 inches by 9 inches by 9 inches. The company offers a 1-year limited warranty.
Taylor Stainless Steel Analog Kitchen Scale Key Features:
- Stainless steel with 5-inch measurement display
- Multiple units of measurement
- Bowl is removable
- Knob on base for recalibration
- 1-year limited warranty
Best Large-Capacity Kitchen Scale: Kitchen Scale Homever Food Scale with Big Panel
The majority of kitchen scales only register up to 11 pounds. So for the times you need a scale to weigh multiple items or heavier ingredients, you’ll want a large-capacity kitchen scale. We chose the Kitchen Scale Homever Food Scale with Big Panel as our top choice for weighing heavy foods. This scale holds up to 33 pounds or 15 kilograms and features four sensors for better accuracy to 1 gram or .1 ounces. The minimum weight requirement for the digital display to give a proper readout is 2 grams. But you can get measurements in pounds, ounces, grams, kilograms, fluid ounces, and milliliters.
The Homever kitchen scale has three layers – ABS plastic, covered with tempered glass, and finished with a stainless steel surface panel. The platform area measures 9 inches by 6 inches, but because of the sensitive platform, the scale still accounts for the weight that reaches beyond the surface. So you can use plates or bowls with confidence, even if they overlap a bit. Use the tare function to zero out the weight of the container to get the exact weight of your ingredients. The large display has an indicator light to let you know when the batteries are low or you have overloaded the capacity of the scale.
Kitchen Scale Homever Food Scale with Big Panel Key Features:
- Four sensors for full-plate measuring
- Tare function with multiple units of measurement
- Surface area measures roughly 9 inches by 6 inches
- Low battery and overload indicator
- Three-layered frame
Who Should Buy a Kitchen Scale
You don’t have to be a chef or baker to use a kitchen scale. Kitchen scales are handy tools that serve a multitude of uses. Sure, they’re good for cooking and baking, but they can be used to track your daily nutrition as well. So whether you’re trying to master the art of making cupcakes or you’re on a strict diet that requires knowing every morsel that ends up in your mouth, a kitchen scale might be your new favorite kitchen gadget.
Kitchen scales offer a variety of measurements, from a fraction of an ounce to tens of pounds. They also offer a variety of measurement types so you can weigh both liquids and dry matter. Weigh smaller dry ingredients such as salt, spices, herbs, and baking powder, wet ingredients such as extract, water, or milk, and larger, heavier ingredients such as meat, eggs, flour, and fruit. But you can measure more than just food with a kitchen scale. Just stay within the weight requirements.
Important Features to Consider
A kitchen scale should have a few important features in order to accurately measure your ingredients and be useful to you in the kitchen. Here’s what to consider when selecting a kitchen scale:
- Weight capacity. You should have a general idea of how much weight you want your scale to hold. You don’t need an exact number – that’s what the scale is for – but consider whether you require a scale that holds small or large amounts of food or ingredients. A typical scale weighs food up to 11 pounds, enough for the average amount of ingredients used in a recipe. Some smaller scales measure up to 1 or 2 pounds, while larger scales can measure up to 35 pounds.
- Units of measurement. While you’re considering the size of the kitchen scale you need, think about which units you want to measure in. Many kitchen scales offer a variety of units to choose from, but if you’re looking for a specific unit of measurement, be sure the scale you select gives you that option. Along with the units of measurement, scales vary in increments. Smaller scales tend to be more sensitive and register at smaller increments than the larger scales. This is good for when you’re measuring tiny ingredients, such as salt, spices, baking soda, or berries.
- Flat or with a bowl. Kitchen scales come in a variety of styles. Choose from flat scales – square, rectangular, or round, or scales that come with a bowl. Flat scales allow you to place any type of container on top of the platform, or even put the food directly on the scale. Kitchen scales with bowls offer you the opportunity to place your items in a bowl to weigh them. The bowl is often detachable, so it’s easy to clean.
- Style and other features. Kitchen scales come in multiple colors and finishes. They’re either made from plastic or stainless steel and feature a digital or analog measurement display. Aside from choosing from multiple units, some scales also have a tare or zero function, which allows you to zero out the container in order to accurately weigh your ingredients. Other functions featured on a kitchen scale include automatic shut-off, a low battery indicator, and an overload warning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a kitchen scale and how does it work?
A kitchen scale is a device that measures food and ingredients or other small items. It gives weight measurements rather than volume measurements for more accurate cooking. With the variety of units a kitchen scale measures in, you can weigh liquids, dry ingredients, or whole foods. Getting an exact measurement also allows you to achieve a more accurate nutritional profile on that food or ingredient.
Kitchen scales vary slightly in how they work, but essentially there are sensors under the platform that register the weight placed on the platform. Many scales offer the tare function, which allows you to zero out your container and then measure just the items you place in the container. And depending on the kitchen scale you choose, units are measured in ounces, fluid ounces, pounds, grams, kilograms, and milliliters.
What can you measure with a kitchen scale?
It depends on the weight your kitchen scale can hold. Some scales are small, making them conveniently portable, and can measure items such as spices, powders, extracts, oils, and nuts. But kitchen scales can also weigh other items such as jewelry or coins. Larger kitchen scales can measure heavier items such as meat, liquids, fruit, and veggies.
How do you read a digital kitchen scale?
Check with the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use a specific kitchen scale. Not all digital displays have the same buttons. However, typically there is a ‘unit’ button that will switch between different measurements, giving you a readout for ounces, pounds, grams, or kilograms.
Can I use a kitchen scale to weigh packages?
Technically, you can weigh anything on a kitchen scale, so long
as the weight is within the acceptable range that the scale can measure. So if you have a kitchen scale that only holds up to 11 pounds, but your package is heavier than that, it won’t work. Likewise, if your package is too light for the scale, it may not register a weight at all.
Other Kitchen Scales We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other kitchen scales. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best kitchen scales list, they’re the best of the rest, and are still great options for your kitchen. The information you need to compare each one is included with the listing.
- Kitchen Scales with Bowls
- Mini Portable Kitchen Scales
- Large-Capacity Kitchen Scales
- Budget 11-Pound Kitchen Scales
- Other 11-Pound Kitchen Scales
Kitchen Scales with Bowls
American Weigh Scales LB Series Digital Kitchen Food Weight Scale
This kitchen scale measures multiple units and features a removable bowl. The scale has a digital display with a backlight to read the measurements easier.
Key Features:
- Hard protective cover flips open and shut
- 10-year limited warranty
- Includes AC adapter and batteries
Cost: $34
Etekcity Digital Kitchen Food Scale Bowl with Timer
This kitchen scale with bowl weighs foods up to 11 pounds using unit measurements of grams, kilograms, pounds, and ounces. The scale features the tare function, and measures with accuracy to .1 ounce or 1 gram.
Key Features:
- Low battery and overload indicator
- Stainless steel, detachable 2-liter bowl
- Includes temperature sensor and timer alarm
Cost: $20
Etekcity Food Scale Digital Kitchen
Weigh food up to 11 pounds with an accuracy of .04 ounces or 1 gram. Measure in units of ounces, pounds, liquid ounces, grams, and milliliters with a stainless steel surface.
Key Features:
- Tare function
- Batteries included
- Removable bowl
Cost: $18
Weighmax Electronic Kitchen Scale
Use the bowl for up to 5 pounds of food, and get measurements in increments of 1 gram or .1 ounces. Units measured include pounds, grams, and ounces. The scale also features the tare function.
Key Features:
- Removable bowl
- Digital display with backlight
- Batteries included
Mini Portable Kitchen Scales
AccuWeight Mini Digital Weight Scale Food Kitchen Scale
When you need ultimate precision in cooking, this mini kitchen scale offers accuracy to .01 grams up to 300 grams. The company offers a 1-year warranty, with an extended warranty available.
Key Features:
- Tare function
- Digital display with backlight
- Batteries included
Cost: $12
AMIR Upgraded Digital Kitchen Scale
This mini kitchen scale holds up to 1 pound and comes with two different trays. It offers precision weighing to .001 ounces or .01 grams, with a surface area of 4 inches by 4 inches.
Key Features:
- Stainless steel platform with ABS plastic frame
- Low battery and overload indicator
- Tare function
Cost: $16
GDEALER DS1 Digital Pocket Kitchen Multifunction Food Scale
Pinpoint the weight of your ingredients with accuracy to .001 ounces and .01 grams up to 500 grams. The surface area measures about 4 inches by 4 inches and features a digital display with backlight.
Key Features:
- Stainless steel platform with ABS plastic frame
- Tare function
- 1-year warranty
Large-Capacity Kitchen Scales
EatSmart ESKS-10 Precision Elite Scale
For foods up to 15 pounds, this kitchen scale weighs in increments of .05 ounces or 1 gram.
Key Features:
- Stainless steel platform
- Tare function
- Batteries included
Cost: $54
Kitchen Scale – Bakers Math Kitchen Scale by My Weight
Weigh ingredients with an accuracy of .05 ounces or 1 gram, with a large capacity for holding up to 17.5 pounds. Measure units in pounds, ounces, grams, and kilograms on a surface area that’s roughly 10 inches by 8 inches.
Key Features:
- Batteries included
- Stainless steel platform is removable
- Digital display with backlight
Cost: $60
Nicewell Food Scale 22lb Digital Kitchen Scale
Weigh ingredients up to 22 pounds with precision measuring in .1-ounce and 1-gram increments. Made with tempered glass and a stainless steel surface, this scale gives a digital readout in grams, kilograms, pounds, ounces, fluid ounces, and milliliters.
Key Features:
- Four load sensors, with tare function
- Platform is roughly 9 inches by 6 inches
- Low battery and overload alarm
Budget 11-Pound Kitchen Scales $15
1byone Digital Kitchen Scale Precise Cooking Scale
For weighing ingredients up to 11 pounds and within an accuracy of .04 ounces or 1 gram. Units are measured in pounds, ounces, grams, and milliliters.
Key Features:
- Tare function
- Batteries included
- Chrome-plated platform
Cost: $15
Digital Kitchen Scale by ZERLA
This kitchen scale holds up to 11 pounds of ingredients and offers accuracy to .1 grams or .004 ounces.
Key Features:
- Digital display with backlight
- Low battery and overload indicator
- Tare function
Cost: $14
Digital Kitchen Scale with Dough Scraper
A kitchen scale that measures ingredients up to 11 pounds with accuracy to .1 ounces or 1 gram. Unit measurements include ounces, fluid ounces, pounds, grams, and milliliters. The scale has a stainless steel surface but is available in multiple colors.
Key Features:
- Low battery and overload indicator
- 1-year warranty
- Includes dough scraper
Cost: $14
GreaterGoods Digital Food Kitchen Scale
For weighing food up to 11 pounds, the GreaterGoods kitchen scale measures in pounds, ounces, grams, liquid ounces, and milliliters.
Key Features:
- Surface measures 6 inches by 6 inches
- Tare function
- Batteries included
Cost: $16
Pohl+Schmitt Digital Food Kitchen Scale
This kitchen scale weighs food up to 11 pounds within .1 ounce or 1 gram accuracy. Measure in units of pounds, ounces, fluid ounces, grams, and milliliters on a stainless steel surface.
Key Features:
- Tare function
- Batteries included
- 1-year warranty
Other 11-Pound Kitchen Scales
Accuweight Digital Kitchen Multifunction Food Scale
Weigh your food up to 11 pounds within .1-ounces or 1-gram accuracy on a tempered glass surface area approximately 6 inches by 7 inches. Four sensors measure units in ounces, pounds, grams, liquid ounces, and milliliters.
Key Features:
- 1-year warranty, with extended warranty available
- Tare function
- Low battery and overload indicator
Cost: $18
AZEUS Food Scale with USB Digital Kitchen Scale
Measure ingredients up to 11 pounds using units in ounces, grams, pounds, liquid ounces, and milliliters. The tempered glass surface area measures roughly 8 inches by 6 inches.
Key Features:
- Tare function
- USB charger
- Charge lasts up to two months
Cost: $26
EatSmart Precision Pro Digital Kitchen Scale
A kitchen scale that measures up to 11 pounds of food and in increments of .05 ounces or 1 gram. Units are measured in pounds, ounces, grams, and kilograms. The scale is sure to match your kitchen since it’s available in multiple colors.
Key Features:
- Tare function
- Includes free calorie guide
- 2-year warranty
Cost: $30
GreaterGoods Nourish Digital Kitchen Food Scale
Do more than weigh your ingredients – this kitchen scale also holds up to 2,000 different nutritional profiles of common foods so you can track your macronutrients. Four sensors create an accuracy to .1 ounces or 1 gram, up to 11 pounds.
Key Features:
- 2-year warranty
- Tempered glass platform
- Tare function
Cost: $40
KOIOS USB Rechargeable Food Scale
This kitchen scale can hold up to 11 pounds of food while being accurate to .04 ounces or 1 gram. Measure in units of pounds, ounces, grams, milliliters, and fluid ounces on a surface area that’s roughly 8 inches by 6 inches.
Key Features:
- Four sensors, with tempered glass panel
- Rechargeable USB
- One charge can last two or three months
Cost: $26
