3 Best Measuring Spoon Sets of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Get just the right amount of baking soda, salt or spices every single time.
Our Top Measuring Spoon Set Picks
- Best Overall: Food Network Measuring Spoon Set
- Runner-Up: OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons
- Best Budget: KitchenAid Measuring Spoons
Tested by Beth Lipton for Food Network Kitchen
Measuring spoons are one of our desert-island kitchen tools. And if you love to bake, or you’re not a pinch-of-this or smidge-of-that kind of cook, then you understand why. But measuring spoon sets can be quite different from each other.
Beth Lipton
Things to Consider Before Buying Measuring Spoons
Before you ask, while the Food Network-branded measuring spoon set is our favorite, we did some serious testing to decide that.
- Material: We tried out 10 measuring spoon sets — 7 stainless steel and 3 plastic.
- Price: The measuring spoon sets ranged in price from $5 to $25. Our favorites skew on the more affordable side.
- Measurements: We looked for sets with a variety of measurements, but not impractical sizes. One set came with a 1/3 tsp size; we can’t recall the last time we saw a recipe that called for 1/3 tsp, can you?
- Accuracy: Accuracy proved harder to test. We wanted to weigh the amounts in each size, but kitchen scales typically don’t offer measurements in amounts less than 1 gram, so we abandoned that idea. Instead, we checked to see if two 1/8 tsp fit into the 1/4 tsp, two 1/4 tsp fit into the 1/2 tsp, and so on. Though not as precise as we'd originally wanted, it was useful, as a few didn’t work as well as we expected.
Our favorite measuring spoon sets feature smart design, make measuring accurately simple, hold together well (while also coming apart easily), and are generally so efficient that they’ll soon become something you don’t think about because they just work.
Beth Lipton
How We Tested
We tried out 10 measuring spoon sets — 7 stainless steel and 3 plastic. We evaluated their size, shape and weight (we liked the idea of the oval- and rectangular-shaped spoons; it just happened that, aside from OXO, those sets had other issues). We also considered how many came in the measuring spoon set and what the sizes were (as we mentioned above, 1/3 tsp seemed completely useless; we also prefer 1/2 tbsp to 3/4 tsp, based on frequency of use). It isn’t always easy to tell a 1/4 tsp from 1/2 tsp when you’re in the zone in the kitchen, so we took note of how the measurements appeared on the measuring spoons — and also whether the writing was raised or not, since printed measurements can rub off over time.
For accuracy, we poured two 1/8 tsp into the 1/4 tsp, two 1/4 tsp into the 1/2 tsp, etc. — and we were surprised that some were pretty off. We want measuring spoons that hold together as a set and come apart easily, so we tested the rings and other mechanisms for that. Since home cooks often dip measuring spoons into spice jars, we tested both a narrow-necked jar (Simply Organic) and a wider one (365 brand) to see how many of the spoons from each set would fit. Finally, we considered whether the spoons are dishwasher safe; we ran them all through the dishwasher and hand-washed them as well.
Before you raise an eyebrow, rest assured that we were most critical of these, understanding how it could look to pick our own brand. But honestly, this stainless steel set was the best all-around option we tested. With six sizes (1/8, 1/4, 1/2 and 1 tsp, plus 1/2 and 1 tbsp), your measuring needs are covered. The sturdy (but not too heavy) spoons are round, with relatively narrow, deep cups. That makes it easy to fit them into spice jars; in a narrow jar, the 1 tsp size fit (if a little snugly), and in a wider one, even the 1/2 tbsp size fit. The measurement for each is stamped on the handles, in a large, easy-to-read font, and the handles are nice and wide, so they are comfortable to grip and allow the spoons to sit upright on their own (a different set claimed to do this but that didn't bear out in testing). The cups have almost no lip, so nothing can collect there, and there’s a slight curve where the handle meets the cup to keep that area free of excess, too. A ring holds them together firmly but opens without fuss if you want just one, and the set is both dishwasher safe and easy to hand wash.
This set was edged out by Food Network’s because it has four pieces (1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp and 1 tbsp) to Food Network's six, but it’s very well designed and has some fun features any cook will appreciate. The oval shape means all of the spoons except the 1 tbsp size fit in both narrow and wide spice jars. The spoons have OXO's signature comfortable handles, and the etched markings there are very easy to read. The spoons stack easily and a magnet holds them together instead of the ring other sets used (we tossed the stack in a drawer and knocked it around; it held together most of the time). There’s a slight groove at the base of the spoon to keep anything from collecting there, and there’s almost no lip, so accurate measuring and leveling are fuss-free. When you’re done, toss them in the dishwasher (hand-washing is also easy).
If you prefer lighter plastic spoons, this is the set for you. Along with offering a pretty Tiffany-blue shade, they have comfortable silicone handles, and the measurements are raised and etched in a large size (though we wish they weren’t the same color as the handles). The five-piece set includes 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1/2 tbsp. and 1 tbsp sizes, plus a ring to hold them together that’s also simple to release if you want to grab just one. We like that they’re BPA-free and dishwasher-safe. Now for the downsides: They’re wide and round, and the plastic is thick, so fitting these spoons into spice jars isn’t as easy as we would like (1/2 tsp fit in a narrow jar and 1 tsp in a wider one, but both were quite snug and challenging to level). That thick plastic also creates a bit of a lip around the cups and at the base, so you have to make sure to clear it away for accurate measuring. Overall a good set and nice value for the price.
