One could argue that a measuring cup set is an essential tool in any kitchen. Sure, you can gauge the amounts by eye, but if you’re following a recipe, you need to get these things right! Whether you’re cooking a delicious soup or baking your favourite carrot cake, a set of measuring cups could be the difference between an amateur bake and a professional result.
There are many options, sizes, and types to choose from, from sturdy stainless steel to chic copper, affordable plastic to heat-proof glass for liquids. Many contain conversions for ml, grams and American cups, and others include a set of measuring spoons. In this guide, we’ll share our tips along with our favourite products from Amazon UK, eBay and Argos.
Quick List - Top Measuring Cups
OXO
Durable Stainless Steel Cups With Handy Magnetic Strips
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Table of Contents
This section will discuss the vital points you need to consider when shopping for measuring cups, including types, materials, sizes, and features. Let’s dive in!
There are two primary forms of measuring cups – one for mostly dry foods and one for wet. As these types of ingredients are often weighed using different volume measurements, the cups will be different. Although you can use dry cups for liquids, it's generally recommended to have both types.
Dry food cups will usually come in a set of 1 cup, ½ cup, ⅓ cup and ¼ cup. They typically measure all the way to the top so that you can easily skim off the excess with a knife to ensure an accurate measurement.
Liquid measuring cups, however, are generally sold as a single item in a pitcher-type design with a spout for easy pouring. These are usually made from glass or plastic so that you can clearly see the level of liquid in the jar. They often come in measurements of 1, 2 and 4 cups and include millilitres and fluid ounces.
Measuring cups can be found in a wide range of materials, such as stainless steel, plastic, glass, copper and ceramic, each of which offers their own unique benefits. Let’s take a look at each one.
Stainless steel cups are ideal for weighing dry and wet ingredients. They are sturdy and durable, particularly when it comes to scratches, so they'll withstand lots of use.
They also don’t absorb odours or colours, meaning they won't transfer flavours from one recipe to the next and will end up looking new for a long time to come. You shouldn’t wash these in the dishwasher, though, as it may weaken the material.
Glass measuring cups tend to come in jug form and are usually made for wet ingredients. Their glass construction means they are perfect for hot ingredients and popping in the microwave.
They too won’t absorb odours or stains, so they will stay looking sparkling new for a while, plus they can be used for all sorts of other kitchen tasks from scrambling eggs to serving gravy. They will be easy to clean and dishwasher safe, but also, of course, the most breakable option.
Plastic measuring cups can be used for both wet and dry ingredients. If it’s for wet use, though, you will need to pick a transparent jug.
Plastic is often the cheapest option, but it can absorb stains and odours, so it might not last that long. Most of the time, the plastics used in cooking equipment also aren't resistant to heat, so these cups can only be used for measuring out cold ingredients.
There are also ceramic, copper and silicone measuring cups, although these are much rarer to find. Silicone is usually more heat-resistant than other plastics but can be pretty bendy, which isn’t the best for heavy ingredients as it won’t feel very sturdy. It can also attract dust and dirt.
Copper and ceramic are very durable materials to consider too, plus they have the added bonus of looking pretty displayed on hooks and shelves.
If you source many of your recipes online from Pinterest or Instagram, there’s a good chance they’ll be in American volumes. In this case, you’ll need to make sure the set does measure in cups; these will usually contain ¼, ⅓, ½ and 1 cup varieties. For even more precision, you can also look for sets that include ⅛ and ⅔ measures.
Alternatively, if you have lots of cookbooks from different authors and use online recipes, look for multi-purpose sets that include both metric and cup measures to swap between as you need to.
The best sets also include measuring spoons which are great for portioning out smaller measures of spices and powders – useful for savoury cooking and essential for baking. These usually come in tablespoon, teaspoon, half teaspoon and quarter teaspoon measures.
Some recipes call for hot liquids, such as warm milk or melted butter. One of the quickest and easiest ways to achieve this is by popping your ingredient in a measuring jug and chucking it in the microwave for a few seconds.
If you think you’ll be doing a fair bit of cooking or baking with hot liquids, make sure your measuring set is microwaveable or at least heat-safe.
Some measuring cups are designed to be space-saving by being stackable. If your kitchen is already crowded, buy a stackable option, as this will make them easy to slide into a draw or arrange on an accessible shelf.
You can also find collapsable measuring cups, which save even more space if your place is extra cosy. Of course, collapsable cups will mean that your choice of material will be minimised.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | U-Taste Set of 15 Measuring Cups and Spoons | ![]() | A Comprehensive Steel Set With Handy Extras | |
2 | OXO Stainless Steel Good Grips Measuring Cups | ![]() | Durable Stainless Steel Cups With Handy Magnetic Strips | |
3 | Tescoma 1-Litre Glass Measuring Vessel | ![]() | Laboratory-Grade Glass for Heat-Proof Measuring | |
4 | Maidodo Measuring Cup and Spoon Set | ![]() | Fashionable Copper Cups With Wooden Handles | |
5 | Ipow Stainless Steel Measuring Cup Set | ![]() | Colourful Handles to Brighten Up Your Kitchen | |
6 | Pyrex 3-Piece Glass Measuring Cup Set | ![]() | Stackable Glass Cups for Hot and Cold Ingredients | |
7 | Joseph Joseph Nest Measuring Cup Set | ![]() | The Russian Dolls of Measuring Cups and Spoons | |
8 | KitchenAid Gourmet Measuring Cups and Spoons Set | ![]() | Dishwasher-Safe Plastic Measuring Cups Complete With Spoons | |
9 | OXO Good Grips Angled Measuring Jug | ![]() | The Accessible Jug Making Measuring Easy | |
10 | Hinmay Silicone Collapsible Measuring Cup and Spoon Set | ![]() | Collapsable Cups for Saving Space |
After a set that covers any and all recipe requirements? These steel cups by U-Taste are as good as it gets! Each one is engraved with both millilitres and cup measures, and there's even a magnetic conversion chart included to pop on the fridge and refer to while you're cooking.
The set quantity itself is just as impressive – there are ⅛ and ⅔ cups included, as well as seven measuring spoons. The cups are made of single-moulded sturdy 18/8 steel with thick handles, so they'll withstand plenty of use. There's also the option to either stack these cups or show them off on a hanging display.
The OXO Stainless Steel Measuring Cups are an excellent choice for measuring out your dry ingredients. The stainless steel brings durability, and the rubber handles allow for ease of use, providing a gripping surface for you to hold.
The pack of four cups stack together neatly in the cupboard or drawer thanks to the magnets installed, and the measures are incredibly accurate due to the edge of the cups allowing for even levelling. The units are also etched into the steel, so there’s no worry about them rubbing off. All in all, this quality set should last you a very long time.
This single glass measuring cup from Tescoma is one of the highest rated on Amazon. Made of borosilicate glass (the stuff used for lab equipment), you can be sure that it will last even under immense stress. It even comes with a three-year warranty!
The jug is entirely heat resistant, so it can be used on gas and electric stoves and in microwaves for warming up liquids for hot drinks or baking. If you’re looking for a high-quality, robust liquid measuring jug, this one ought to do it! It’s also dishwasher safe.
Copper measuring cups can be hard to come by, but we’ve found this beautiful set from Maidodo for a really reasonable price. Coming in a pack of 8, including cups, teaspoons and tablespoon measurements, this pack should have you set for all your cooking and baking needs.
These are a perfect choice if you like your equipment to look beautiful and chic, placed on display on your open kitchen shelves. The black walnut handle adds an element of class and the shiny copper casing on the stainless steel ensures the product is both durable and pretty.
As well as the standard four measurements, the Ipow Stainless Steel Cups include an additional ⅛ cup, which can be really handy. They have a nice thick handle making them feel sturdy and strong whilst also increasing their durability.
The handles are also presented in a range of bright colours, which makes them easy to identify and is much more interesting to look at than the standard grey steel! Measurements are shown in cups and millilitres, so you can easily use these for both UK and US recipes. Store by looping the ring through a hook to keep them nicely packed together.
Another excellent choice for measuring out your liquids, this set of three glass measuring cups from Pyrex will cover everything you need. Measuring in 1-4 cups, fl. oz and ml, they’ve got all bases covered. The trio are designed to fit inside one another, so they don’t even take up much space either!
With the non-porous glass, you can be sure your soups and juices won’t stain or leave behind any odours, and they can even be used safely in the oven, freezer, dishwasher or microwave. They are pricey, but the Pyrex quality means these will last forever.
If you’re looking for an affordable option for all of your measuring needs, then you can’t get much better than Joesph Joseph's Nest set. This eight-piece set includes everything from 1 tsp to 1 cup. However, these are Australian measures, not American, so you will need to improvise a little (1 cup = 240 ml AUS or 250 ml US).
This cheerful set is perfect for students, those who share a kitchen, or anyone looking to save a little space, as they nest snugly together, taking up hardly any room. The plastic they are made from is dishwasher-safe but cannot be placed in the microwave, so you may need to purchase a jug too.
This popular set from KitchenAid is well-priced, easy to use and plentiful. Not only do you get the standard four measuring cups, but you also receive an additional five measuring spoons for portioning out smaller amounts. Although these are made of plastic, they use high-quality BPA-free plastic that is dishwasher safe.
The measurements are again printed onto the handles, so they could quite easily rub off after a while. They stack inside one another but unfortunately tend to tip over in the cupboard, so they are not the tidiest solution.
This choice may not be a set of measuring cups, but it is perfect for measuring liquid volumes as one unit. Many jugs in this style only allow you to check the levels by bending down and peering at the side of the pitcher, but this one enables you to check them from above. Trust us, it makes a huge difference!
However, the measurements are only in millilitres and fluid ounces, so you’ll have to work out the conversion if you predominantly work in cups. The handle has a good grip, so there’s no chance of spillages, and it is dishwasher safe – just don’t pop it in the microwave!
The Collapsible Measuring Cups from Hinmay are perfect for campers, students and anyone looking to save a bit of space in their kitchen. Made out of super colourful BPA-free plastic silicone, the cups store flat but easily pop out to full size.
Each handle is engraved with measurements, so they’ll last as long as the cups themselves. A bonus is that they also include metric measurements as well as cups. Whilst the silicone plastic does look lovely, it can attract dust and dirt, so you’ll need to wipe them clean before use.
Yes, if you’ve got a strong intuition, a keen eye and some sensitive tastebuds, you can cook with guesswork. But if you’re not a top chef and want to guarantee your meal will resemble the recipe down to a tee, then measuring cups are an essential bit of kit.
Depending on what you’re cooking, you can sometimes get away with a little splash of this, a dollop of that, but for other dishes, you need to be more precise – especially when it comes to baking, and especially if you're using recipes from cookbooks that aren't in grams, pounds and litres.
Cooking may be an art, but baking is most definitely a science. Get the wrong balance of ingredients, and your cake won’t rise, your puff pastry will burn and your puddings will sink like a deflated balloon. Avoid this kitchen chaos by getting yourself a set of measuring cups, which, as a bonus, are also much quicker and easier to use than a bowl and scales.
Feeling inspired to get in the kitchen and bake up a storm? Before you do, it might be worth considering if there's anything else you might need to ensure everything comes out just the way you want it to. Get the right rolling pin for your pastry, the right size tin and a baking mat that doesn't stick below!
No. 1: U-Taste|Set of 15 Measuring Cups and Spoons
No. 2: OXO|Stainless Steel Good Grips Measuring Cups
No. 3: Tescoma|1-Litre Glass Measuring Vessel
No. 4: Maidodo|Measuring Cup and Spoon Set
No. 5: Ipow|Stainless Steel Measuring Cup Set
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