Last Updated on December 26, 2025 by Susanna Zuyeva
Our Top Picks
After weeks of testing in my kitchen, here are my top choices:
Best Overall: Hudson Essentials 6-Piece Set – Perfect for serious bakers who need every size View Price on Amazon
Best Premium: OXO Good Grips 4-Piece Set – Magnetic handles make storage a breeze View Price on Amazon
Best Budget: TILUCK 10-Piece Set – Amazing value with cups and spoons included View Price on Amazon
Our Expertise
I’ve been baking for over 8 years now. My kitchen has seen hundreds of cakes, cookies, and bread loaves. I know that good tools make all the difference.
I tested these measuring cups for 4 weeks straight. I used them every single day. I measured flour, sugar, liquids, and oils. I washed them by hand and in the dishwasher. I dropped them on my tile floor (by accident, but it was a good test).
I’m not paid to recommend any brand. I bought these sets with my own money. My goal is simple: help you find the best measuring cups for your needs.
Why You Need Good Measuring Cups
Let me tell you something. Bad measuring cups ruin recipes.
I learned this the hard way. My first cake was a disaster. It came out flat and dense. The problem? My old plastic cups were warped. The measurements were all wrong.
Good measuring cups give you:
- Accurate measurements every time
- Better baking results
- Cups that last for years
- Easy cleaning after use
- Comfortable handles that don’t slip
When I switched to quality cups, my baking improved overnight. My cookies came out perfect. My cakes rose beautifully. The difference was amazing.
What I Looked For While Testing
I didn’t just use these cups a few times. I put them through real kitchen tests.
Here’s what I checked:
Accuracy: I compared each cup to my kitchen scale. Did 1 cup of water really weigh 8 ounces?
Durability: I dropped them. I banged them around. Would they bend or break?
Ease of Use: Could I scoop flour easily? Did liquids pour without spilling?
Cleaning: How hard was it to get sticky honey out? Did they stain?
Storage: Could I fit them in my small kitchen drawer?
Handle Comfort: Did my hand hurt after measuring 5 cups of flour?
I kept notes every day. I took photos. I measured the same ingredients over and over. This guide shows you everything I learned.
1. Hudson Essentials Stainless Steel Measuring Cups (6-Piece Set)
This set became my daily driver. I reach for it every morning when I make pancakes.
Product Features
The Hudson Essentials set comes with 6 cups:
- 1/4 cup
- 1/3 cup
- 1/2 cup
- 2/3 cup
- 3/4 cup
- 1 cup
Each cup is made from thick stainless steel. The metal feels solid in your hand. Not flimsy at all.
The cups nest inside each other. This is perfect for my small kitchen. They take up less space than a coffee mug.
Every cup has a small spout. This helps when you need to pour. The handle is welded on, not glued or riveted.
The steel is food-grade quality. It won’t rust even after hundreds of washes.
What I Like
The 2/3 cup size is a game changer. Most sets skip this size. But so many recipes call for 2/3 cup. Usually, I had to measure 1/3 cup twice. Now I just grab the 2/3 cup and I’m done.
These cups are heavy in a good way. They don’t tip over when I’m scooping flour from a big bag. Light cups always fall into the bag. Not these.
The spout actually works. I poured olive oil and it didn’t dribble down the side. The oil went exactly where I wanted it.
They nest perfectly. I can pull out just the cup I need. The rest stay together.
Why It’s Better
I compared this set to my old plastic cups. The difference was shocking.
My plastic cups had faded measurement marks. I had to squint to read them. The Hudson cups have deep etched marks. I can read them from across the kitchen.
The plastic cups absorbed smells. My sugar tasted like garlic once. Gross. The stainless steel doesn’t hold any odors.
When I measured flour, the plastic cups would bend a little. This changed the measurement. The steel cups stay perfectly rigid.
How It Performed
I used these cups for everything. Flour, sugar, water, milk, oil, honey, peanut butter, you name it.
Dry ingredients: Perfect. The rim is smooth so I could level off flour with a knife. The cup held its shape while I scooped.
Liquids: Great for oils and milk. I used the spout to pour without mess. For water, I just used a regular measuring cup with a handle (these work better for big amounts of liquid).
Sticky stuff: Honey and peanut butter slid right out. The smooth steel doesn’t let anything stick.
Accuracy test: I measured 1 cup of water and weighed it. It was exactly 8 ounces. I tested all six cups. Every single one was accurate.
How I Clean It
These cups are so easy to clean. I usually just toss them in the dishwasher. They come out shiny every time.
For sticky messes, I hand wash them. Hot soapy water and a sponge. Takes 30 seconds. Nothing sticks to the smooth steel.
I’ve washed these cups at least 100 times now. They look brand new. No rust spots. No discoloration. No scratches that matter.
Testing Results
After 4 weeks of daily use, here’s what I found:
Durability: I dropped the 1-cup size on my tile floor. It made a loud clang but didn’t dent. Still works perfectly.
Long-term accuracy: I re-tested measurements after 4 weeks. Still accurate to the gram.
Wear and tear: A few small scratches on the inside. But they don’t affect use at all.
Rust test: I left one cup wet overnight (on purpose). No rust in the morning.
Who Should Buy This
Buy the Hudson Essentials set if:
- You bake or cook frequently
- You want cups that will last forever
- You need the 2/3 and 3/4 cup sizes
- You have limited storage space
- You want the best accuracy
Don’t buy if:
- You only measure liquids (get a glass measuring cup instead)
- You’re on a very tight budget
2. OXO Good Grips 4-Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Cups
These cups surprised me. The magnetic feature seemed gimmicky at first. Now I love it.
Product Features
The OXO set includes 4 cups:
- 1/4 cup
- 1/3 cup
- 1/2 cup
- 1 cup
The handles have built-in magnets. The cups stick together when you store them. But you can easily pull one cup off when you need it.
Each handle has a soft rubber grip. It’s comfortable to hold. The grip is permanently attached, not a sleeve that slides around.
The measurement marks are etched into the steel. They’ll never wear off.
The rims are flat and smooth. Perfect for leveling dry ingredients.
What I Like
The magnetic handles are brilliant. My old cups were on a ring. I had to take them all off to use one. Then I had to put them back. With these, I just grab the cup I need. The others stay together.
The soft grip makes a difference. When I’m measuring 3 or 4 cups of flour, my hand doesn’t hurt. The rubber cushions your grip.
They’re designed for leveling. The rim is perfectly flat. When I scrape a knife across the top, I get an exact measurement.
The size is just right. These cups fit in my flour container. My old cups were too wide.
Why It’s Better
I tested these against basic stainless steel cups without the soft grip.
The regular cups hurt my hand after measuring lots of ingredients. The metal handle dug into my palm. The OXO grip solved this completely.
The magnetic feature saves so much time. I don’t fumble with rings anymore. I don’t have to thread cups on and off.
For leveling, these beat every other cup I tried. The flat rim and smooth surface make it easy to get exact measurements.
How It Performed
I used the OXO cups side by side with the Hudson set. Here’s what I noticed:
Dry ingredients: Excellent. The flat rim is perfect for leveling. I got consistent measurements every time.
Liquids: Good for small amounts. The handle grip doesn’t absorb water. I used these for oil and milk with no issues.
Sticky substances: Honey and syrup came out clean. One quick spray of cooking spray and everything slides right out.
Accuracy test: I weighed water in each cup. All four were accurate. The 1 cup held exactly 8 ounces. The 1/2 cup held exactly 4 ounces.
How I Clean It
The OXO cups are dishwasher safe. I run them through my dishwasher at least twice a week.
The rubber grip cleans just as easily as the steel. No water gets trapped under it. No mold issues.
For hand washing, they’re simple. The smooth surfaces don’t trap food. The grip doesn’t stain, even when I measure turmeric.
The magnets stay strong after many washes. They don’t weaken or rust.
Testing Results
After 4 weeks of testing:
Magnet strength: I hung the whole set from my fridge by the magnet. They stayed put. The magnets are strong enough to hold all 4 cups.
Grip durability: No tears or peeling. The rubber looks brand new.
Accuracy over time: I re-tested all measurements. Still perfect.
Drop test: I dropped the 1/2 cup size. Small dent on the edge but it still works fine. The magnet still holds strong.
Who Should Buy This
Buy the OXO set if:
- You want easy storage with no rings
- You measure ingredients often and want comfort
- You care about leveling accuracy
- You like premium tools that work great
Don’t buy if:
- You need the 2/3 or 3/4 cup sizes
- You want the absolute lowest price
3. TILUCK Measuring Cups & Spoons Set (10-Piece)
This set offers amazing value. You get cups and spoons for less than most cup-only sets.
Product Features
The TILUCK set includes:
5 Measuring Cups:
- 1/8 cup
- 1/4 cup
- 1/3 cup
- 1/2 cup
- 1 cup
5 Measuring Spoons:
- 1/4 teaspoon
- 1/2 teaspoon
- 1 teaspoon
- 1/2 tablespoon
- 1 tablespoon
The cups are made from food-safe plastic. The handles are stainless steel. This combination keeps the price low while maintaining quality.
Each piece has the measurement engraved on the handle. The plastic won’t fade like printed markings.
The cups and spoons nest together. They come on two separate rings.
What I Like
You get everything in one set. I don’t need to buy spoons separately. This saves money and drawer space.
The 1/8 cup is super useful. It equals 2 tablespoons. Many recipes call for this amount. Having a dedicated cup is faster than using a tablespoon twice.
The colors are nice. I got the black set. It looks modern in my kitchen. They also make blue, gray, green, red, and white.
They’re lightweight. Easy to handle. Great if you have arthritis or weak grip strength.
Why It’s Better
I compared these to all-plastic measuring cups from the dollar store.
The dollar store cups warped in hot water. The TILUCK cups stayed perfectly round. The steel handles prevent warping.
The cheap cups had printed measurements. They rubbed off after a few months. The engraved marks on the TILUCK set will last forever.
For the price, you can’t beat this set. It costs less than some single measuring cup sets.
How It Performed
I was skeptical about plastic cups. But these worked better than I expected.
Dry ingredients: Very good. The plastic doesn’t conduct cold, so flour doesn’t stick as much as it does to cold metal cups.
Liquids: Perfect for small amounts. I used these for oil, vanilla extract, and milk. The smooth plastic makes pouring easy.
Sticky stuff: Good but not great. Honey sticks a tiny bit more to plastic than to steel. A quick spray of oil fixes this.
Accuracy test: I checked all the cups and spoons. Every measurement was accurate. The 1-cup size held exactly 8 ounces of water.
How I Clean It
These cups are dishwasher safe. I’ve run them through at least 30 times. They still look new.
The plastic doesn’t stain. I measured curry powder and turmeric. A quick wash and they were clean again.
The steel handles don’t rust. I’ve left them wet overnight with no problems.
Hand washing is easy too. Nothing sticks to the smooth plastic.
Testing Results
After 4 weeks of testing:
Durability: I dropped the 1-cup size twice. No cracks. No chips. Still works perfectly.
Heat resistance: I measured hot butter (about 200°F). The plastic didn’t warp or melt.
Staining: No stains even after measuring strong spices.
Accuracy: Re-tested after 4 weeks. All measurements still accurate.
Who Should Buy This
Buy the TILUCK set if:
- You’re on a budget
- You need both cups and spoons
- You want lightweight tools
- You’re new to cooking or baking
- You like colorful kitchen tools
Don’t buy if:
- You only want stainless steel
- You measure very hot ingredients often
How to Choose the Right Measuring Cups
Let me help you pick the best set for your needs.
Material Matters
Stainless steel is my top choice. It lasts forever. It doesn’t stain or smell. It’s accurate. It’s worth the extra cost.
Plastic works great if you’re on a budget. Modern food-safe plastic is durable. Just make sure it’s BPA-free.
Glass is good for liquids but bad for dry ingredients. Glass measuring cups are different from measuring cup sets.
Think About Sizes
4-piece sets include the basics: 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, and 1 cup. This works for most recipes.
5-piece sets add 1/8 cup or 2/3 cup. Great if you bake often.
6-piece sets include both. Perfect for serious bakers.
I recommend getting at least a 5-piece set. The extra sizes save time.
Storage Space
Small kitchen? Get cups that nest together. All three sets I tested nest nicely.
The magnetic OXO cups are easiest to grab. No rings to deal with.
Ring storage works fine. Just make sure the ring is sturdy metal, not plastic.
Handle Design
Long handles give you better control. Short handles fit better in containers.
Soft grips are nice if you measure often. But they’re not necessary.
Make sure the handle is attached securely. Cheap cups have handles that pop off.
Your Budget
Good measuring cups range from $10 to $30.
Under $15: The TILUCK set is your best bet. Great value with cups and spoons.
$15-$25: The Hudson Essentials set gives you 6 sizes and lifetime durability.
$25+: The OXO set offers premium features like magnetic handles.
All three sets I tested are worth their price. Pick based on your needs and budget.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I made these mistakes. Learn from me so you don’t have to.
Mistake 1: Packing Flour
I used to pack flour into cups. My cakes came out dry and dense.
The right way: Spoon flour into the cup. Level it off with a knife. Don’t shake or tap the cup.
This gives you the correct amount. Packed flour weighs 30% more than spooned flour.
Mistake 2: Measuring Liquids in Dry Cups
Dry measuring cups and liquid measuring cups are different tools.
Dry cups should be filled to the rim. You level them off.
Liquid cups have space above the measurement line. This prevents spills.
Use dry cups for flour and sugar. Use liquid cups for water and milk.
Mistake 3: Using the Wrong Size
Don’t measure 1 cup by using the 1/4 cup four times.
Each time you scoop, you might pack the ingredient slightly different. By the fourth scoop, your measurement could be way off.
Always use the exact size the recipe calls for.
Mistake 4: Not Leveling
This was my biggest mistake. I’d scoop flour and leave it heaped in the cup.
A heaped 1 cup can actually be 1.5 cups or more.
Always level dry ingredients. Use the back of a knife or a straight edge.
Mistake 5: Washing in Harsh Detergent
Strong detergents can damage measuring cups over time.
Use regular dish soap. Avoid heavy-duty degreasers unless needed.
This keeps your cups looking new for years.
How to Measure Ingredients Correctly
Let me share the techniques I learned.
For Flour
- Fluff the flour in the bag with a spoon
- Spoon flour into the measuring cup
- Don’t shake or tap the cup
- Level off with a straight edge
- Empty into your bowl
Never scoop directly from the bag. This packs the flour.
For Sugar
Granulated sugar: Scoop and level. It’s okay to scoop directly.
Brown sugar: Pack it firmly. The recipe will say “packed” if needed.
Powdered sugar: Spoon it in, then level. It clumps easily.
For Liquids
Use these dry cups for small amounts (1/4 cup or less).
For bigger amounts, use a liquid measuring cup with a spout.
Fill to the line. Check at eye level for accuracy.
For Sticky Ingredients
Spray the cup with cooking spray first. Honey and peanut butter will slide right out.
Or coat the cup with a little oil.
This saves so much frustration.
For Butter
Most butter wrappers have measurements marked. Just cut at the line.
If you need to measure bulk butter, use the water displacement method. Or press it firmly into the cup and level off.
Care and Maintenance Tips
Take care of your cups and they’ll last for years.
Daily Care
Wash after each use. Even if you only measured flour.
Flour can go rancid. It attracts bugs. Don’t let it sit.
Dry completely before storing. Water spots don’t hurt, but they look bad.
Storage Tips
Nest cups together to save space.
Store in a drawer or hang on a hook.
Keep away from heat sources. Even stainless steel cups can discolor if stored near the stove.
Deep Cleaning
Once a month, soak cups in hot water with baking soda.
This removes any buildup or residue.
For stainless steel, you can use Bar Keeper’s Friend to restore shine.
What to Avoid
Don’t use steel wool on any measuring cups. It scratches.
Don’t put plastic cups in the heated dry cycle. Air dry is safer.
Don’t stack heavy pots on top of cups. They can dent or warp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put stainless steel measuring cups in the dishwasher?
Yes, all the stainless steel cups I tested are dishwasher safe. I’ve washed mine dozens of times with no rust or damage. Just place them on the top rack to avoid rattling.
Do I need both dry and liquid measuring cups?
Yes, for best results. Dry cups are for flour and sugar. Liquid cups are for water and milk. Using the wrong type can throw off your measurements by 10% or more.
How do I prevent flour from sticking to measuring cups?
Don’t pack the flour in. Use the spoon-and-level method instead. Spoon flour into the cup and level with a knife. The flour won’t compact and stick.
What’s better: metal or plastic measuring cups?
Metal lasts longer and stays accurate forever. Plastic works well and costs less but may warp over time. For serious baking, I recommend metal.
How often should I replace measuring cups?
Stainless steel cups last a lifetime. Replace plastic cups if they crack, warp, or the markings fade. Check accuracy yearly by weighing water.
Can measuring cups go in the oven?
No, don’t put any measuring cups in the oven. They’re not designed for high heat. Use oven-safe measuring tools for hot ingredients.
Why do some recipes fail even with correct measurements?
Oven temperature matters more than most people think. Get an oven thermometer. Also, ingredients should be room temperature unless the recipe says otherwise. Altitude affects baking too.
Final Thoughts
After testing all three sets, I can honestly recommend any of them.
My personal favorite is the Hudson Essentials 6-piece set. The extra sizes make my life easier. The quality is outstanding. These cups will outlast my kitchen.
If you want premium features, get the OXO set. The magnetic handles are so convenient. The soft grips make measuring comfortable.
On a budget? The TILUCK set is unbeatable. You get cups and spoons for less than $10. Perfect for beginners or backup sets.
Good measuring cups change your cooking. They make recipes turn out right. They save you time and frustration.
Pick the set that fits your needs. You won’t regret investing in quality tools.
Happy cooking!