The best measuring spoons are accurate, easy to use, and durable. Our longtime winner, the Cuisipro Stainless Steel 5-Piece Measuring Spoons, has a redesigned attachment mechanism and performs as well as ever. The updated ring connector was easy to open and close, so we could remove a spoon when in use and put the rest back together easily. Each measuring spoon is accurate and pleasant to use.
We stock approximately 200 measuring spoons in the test kitchen, as our cooks use them daily to measure everything from baking soda to olive oil. While these tiny tools appear to be straightforward, a seemingly innocuous detail—numbers that are printed on the handle that fade over time or a connector ring that requires too much effort to pry open—can make some sets a pain to use. A good set must have a useful assortment of sizes that nest together for compact storage. We think 1 tablespoon, 1 teaspoon, ½ teaspoon, ¼ teaspoon, and ⅛ teaspoon are the most essential measures.
We tested a variety of designs. Some were traditional, with a round bowl connected to a handle, and some were double-sided spoons that resembled barbells—a straight handle with a bowl on each end. We also evaluated adjustable spoons. One set had bowls with sliders, which allowed us to adjust the measurement sizes by moving the slider. One set featured an origami-like design, with embedded magnets that allowed it to fold together to form scoops of various sizes.
For most everyday meals, a good set of measuring spoons offers more than enough accuracy. However, if you’re baking and using small amounts of dry ingredients that can make or break a recipe (e.g. yeast or xanthan gum), we recommend a precision scale.
What to Look for
- Accurate Measurements: We assessed accuracy by filling the spoons with water and weighing them on a precision scale to the hundredth of a gram, repeating each test five times to get an average. Most were within an acceptable range, and any inaccuracies in the smaller spoons—the ½-, ¼-, and ⅛-teaspoon measures—were mere fractions of a gram. Some 1-tablespoon and 1-teaspoon measures were off by 30 percent or more, translating to 2 to 3 grams of excess or missing ingredients. We downgraded measuring spoons that were off by 10 percent or more.
- Metal Construction: When measuring dry ingredients, it can be irksome if a light dusting of flour or spices clings to the interior of the spoons after you tip out the contents into a bowl or skillet. Our senior science research editor Paul Adams explained that the difference came down to how different materials conduct static electricity. Plastic and silicone spoons are nonconductive and hold static electricity—which attracts powdery particles—whereas metal spoons allow the charge to flow, so ingredients don’t cling.
We disliked plastic spoons because they hold static electricity and retain powdery residue. Metal spoons measure more accurately and cleanly.
- Narrow Bowls: We often dip measuring spoons directly into small spice jars, which typically have just a 1.5-inch opening. Spoons with narrower bowls, either oval or rectangular in shape, were easier to fit into those small jars than those with rounded or other shapes.
- A Connector Ring: Measuring spoons can easily go astray in kitchen drawers, so most manufacturers provide some means of keeping them together. Though it’s often quicker to use a spoon without removing it from the set, it can be easier to use the spoons individually. We wanted a set that was easy to separate and not too cumbersome to use with all the spoons attached. Our favorite sets were held together with a hinged connector ring.
- Sturdy Construction: We sometimes use measuring spoons to measure brown sugar and other ingredients that need to be packed into the spoons or that offer some resistance when we scoop them. Due to poor design and construction, some spoons bent as we scooped brown sugar. We liked those that were sturdy enough for the task.
What to Avoid
- Inaccurate Measurements: Some measuring spoons were way off; one tablespoon held about 30 percent more than it should have. When measuring salt, for example, this would result in an overly salty dish.
- Plastic and Silicone: Both plastic and silicone are nonconductive, so the static electricity they hold attracts powdery particles. When using spoons made from these materials, a dusting of ground spices or flour clung stubbornly, inevitably leaving a trail of powder on the countertop.
- Lack of Key Measurements: Two sets lacked the ⅛-teaspoon measure, which we find essential.
- Uneven or Ridged Handles: When using measuring spoons, we generally dip them directly into the container of spices or salt and then level off the excess with a knife. We struggled to get a clean, mess-free “dip-and-sweep” with some sets. One had ridged handles into which ingredients settled, so we had to run a knife down each individual ridge to remove the excess. One set had a small step between the handle and bowl rather than sat flush, so we had to stop midway to reposition our knife before continuing. Another set had a small, curved ramp between the spoon handle and bowl, which became an ingredient hideaway because the knife was never flush with that part of the spoon.
- Cumbersome Attachment Mechanisms: Our lineup included a wide variety of connecting mechanisms, and the issues were plentiful. A snap-together set required significant force to press the spoons back together, enough that it sometimes hurt our hands. Some hinged closures were more difficult to open than others. A magnetic set also scored poorly because the magnets weren’t strong, so the spoons separated easily. One of the sets was connected by an open ring, and the gap on the ring made it easy for spoons to slide off and get separated from the others.
Some measuring spoons snapped together, but the bond was too fragile to keep every spoon together. Another set was held together by an open ring; annoyingly, it was large enough for spoons to escape through the gap.
The Tests
- Assess accuracy at every increment using water weighed in grams
- Measure table salt, dried basil, ground turmeric, red pepper flakes, peanut butter, and brown sugar
- Repeatedly remove each spoon from the set and reattach it
- Wash 20 times, using dishwasher if dishwasher-safe
- Recruit additional people to test each set
How We Rated
- Performance: We assessed the accuracy of the sets at each measure.
- Ease of Use: We evaluated how easy it was to use the spoons to measure dry and wet ingredients.
- Durability: We took into account how sturdy the spoons were and noted whether the set remained in good condition after testing.
