Best Kitchen Scales (2026)

A quality kitchen scale transforms your cooking and baking precision. Measuring ingredients by weight eliminates the inconsistency of volume measurements and ensures recipes turn out perfectly every time. These are the best digital kitchen scales for every budget and cooking style.

In a hurry? The OXO Good Grips 11-lb Scale is the best kitchen scale for most people. Need something cheaper? Go with the Amazon Basics Digital Scale. Want maximum capacity? The Nicewell 22-lb Scale handles large batches.

Product	Best For	Key Feature
OXO Good Grips 11-lb	Best Overall	Pull-out display
Amazon Basics Digital	Best Budget	Under $10
Nicewell 22-lb	Best High Capacity	22-lb maximum weight
Escali Primo	Best Classic Design	Simple, reliable operation
Greater Goods 22-lb	Best for Bulk Cooking	Large platform
Ozeri Pronto	Best Compact	Ultra-slim design
My Weigh KD-8000	Best for Bakers	Baker’s percentage mode
Etekcity Food Scale	Best Seller	304 stainless steel

What to Look For

• Accuracy — Look for scales accurate to 1 gram or 0.05 ounces for precise measurements
• Capacity — Most home cooking needs 11 lbs; bread bakers and bulk cookers benefit from 22-lb capacity
• Display visibility — Pull-out displays prevent large bowls from blocking the readout
• Platform size — Larger platforms accommodate bigger bowls and irregular items
• Unit options — Multiple measurement units (grams, ounces, pounds, milliliters) add versatility
• Tare function — Essential for weighing multiple ingredients in the same container

Best Kitchen Scales

OXO Good Grips 11-lb Scale — Best Overall

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The OXO Good Grips Scale features a pull-out display that solves the biggest problem with kitchen scales—blocked readouts under large bowls.

This stainless steel scale extends its display nearly 4 inches from the base, ensuring visibility regardless of bowl size. The 11-lb capacity handles most home cooking tasks, and the 1-gram precision provides accuracy for baking. The removable platform simplifies cleaning, and responsive physical buttons offer better feedback than touch controls.

Pros:

• Pull-out display always visible
• Removable stainless steel platform
• Backlit display for easy reading
• Physical buttons respond reliably

Cons:

• Higher price than basic scales
• Display area collects flour and crumbs

Best for: Serious home cooks and bakers who use large mixing bowls regularly.

Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scale — Best Budget

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The Amazon Basics Scale delivers accurate measurements at the lowest price point in our roundup.

This low-profile scale weighs up to 11 pounds with 1-gram precision—matching more expensive competitors in accuracy. The stainless steel platform resists fingerprints and cleans easily. Multiple unit conversions and a tare function cover most kitchen needs. Batteries are included, and the compact design stores in any drawer.

Pros:

• Extremely affordable
• Accurate to 1 gram
• Compact, low-profile design
• Batteries included

Cons:

• Display can be blocked by large bowls
• No backlight

Best for: Budget-conscious buyers who need reliable basic functionality.

Nicewell 22-lb Digital Scale — Best High Capacity

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The Nicewell Scale doubles the capacity of standard models while maintaining precision and adding a sleek design.

This scale weighs up to 22 pounds (10 kg) with 1-gram accuracy, making it ideal for bread baking, bulk cooking, and large batch meal prep. The 9×6.3-inch platform accommodates oversized bowls, and the tempered glass surface combines durability with easy cleaning. Four high-precision sensors ensure consistent accuracy across the weighing range.

Pros:

• 22-lb maximum capacity
• Large platform surface
• Tempered glass is durable and easy to clean
• Storage hook included

Cons:

• Glass shows fingerprints
• No liquids allowed near controls

Best for: Bread bakers, bulk cookers, and those who work with large quantities.

Escali Primo Digital Scale — Best Classic Design

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The Escali Primo offers straightforward reliability in a classic design that has remained popular for over a decade.

This scale looks exactly like what you picture when someone says “kitchen scale.” The simple two-button interface (power and tare) eliminates complexity, while the 11-lb capacity and 1-gram precision handle standard cooking needs. The display stays on indefinitely rather than timing out, preventing frustration during long recipe prep.

Pros:

• Simple, intuitive operation
• Display stays on until manually turned off
• Proven long-term reliability
• Multiple colors available

Cons:

• No backlight
• Platform could be larger

Best for: Those who want simple, reliable operation without extra features.

Greater Goods 22-lb Scale — Best for Bulk Cooking

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The Greater Goods Scale combines high capacity with a company commitment to responsible manufacturing and charitable giving.

This 22-lb capacity scale features a large stainless steel platform and HD LCD display. Touch controls respond quickly, and the slim profile stores easily when not in use. Greater Goods donates a portion of profits to charitable causes and emphasizes sustainable manufacturing practices.

Pros:

• 22-lb capacity for large batches
• Large, easy-to-read display
• Company supports charitable causes
• Slim storage profile

Cons:

• Touch controls less precise than buttons
• Higher price than basic high-capacity options

Best for: Bulk cookers who value socially responsible companies.

Ozeri Pronto Multifunction Scale — Best Compact

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The Ozeri Pronto packs accurate weighing into the most compact design in our roundup.

Measuring just 3/8-inch thick and under 6 inches in diameter, this scale fits in the smallest kitchens and drawers. Despite its size, it weighs up to 11.24 pounds with 0.05-ounce precision. The slightly raised lip around the platform keeps round items from rolling off. Available in multiple colors to match your kitchen.

Pros:

• Ultra-slim, compact design
• High accuracy for its size
• Lip prevents rolling
• Very affordable

Cons:

• Small platform limits bowl size
• Round shape can be awkward

Best for: Small kitchens and those who need easy storage.

My Weigh KD-8000 — Best for Bakers

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The My Weigh KD-8000 includes baker’s percentage mode and extended auto-off timing specifically for serious baking.

This larger scale features a unique two-tiered auto-off system: the display dims after 5 minutes but retains the measurement for 15 minutes total—preventing the frustrating loss of readings during complex recipes. Baker’s percentage mode calculates ingredient ratios automatically. The pull-out display ensures visibility with large mixing bowls.

Pros:

• Baker’s percentage mode
• Extended 15-minute auto-off
• Pull-out display
• 17.6-lb capacity

Cons:

• Larger footprint than standard scales
• Higher price point

Best for: Serious bakers and recipe developers.

Etekcity Food Scale — Best Seller

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The Etekcity Food Scale has earned best-seller status through reliable performance and an attractive stainless steel design.

This 304 stainless steel scale weighs up to 11 pounds with 1-gram precision. The smooth surface resists fingerprints and cleans easily with a damp cloth. Five unit conversions cover all common measurements, and the large LCD display provides clear readouts. Batteries included.

Pros:

• Premium 304 stainless steel
• Fingerprint-resistant surface
• Large, clear display
• Excellent value

Cons:

• No backlight
• Display can be blocked by large bowls

Best for: Those who want proven reliability at a moderate price.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best kitchen scale for most people?

The OXO Good Grips 11-lb Scale offers the best combination of features for most home cooks. Its pull-out display solves the visibility problem that plagues other scales, and the removable stainless steel platform makes cleaning simple.

How much should I spend on a kitchen scale?

Budget scales like the Amazon Basics work well for around $10. Mid-range options with more features cost $20-35. Premium scales with pull-out displays and specialized features run $40-70. For most home cooking, a $15-25 scale provides excellent value.

Why should I weigh ingredients instead of using measuring cups?

Volume measurements vary significantly based on how ingredients are packed, sifted, or scooped. A cup of flour can vary by 20% depending on technique. Weight measurements eliminate this variability, ensuring consistent results every time you follow a recipe.

What capacity do I need in a kitchen scale?

Most home cooking works fine with 11-lb (5 kg) capacity scales. Bread bakers, bulk cookers, and meal preppers benefit from 22-lb (10 kg) capacity. Choose higher capacity if you regularly work with large batches or heavy items like whole chickens.

How accurate should a kitchen scale be?

For most cooking and baking, 1-gram (0.05-ounce) accuracy works well. Precision bakers measuring small amounts of yeast or leavening may prefer 0.1-gram accuracy. Standard grocery-quality cooking rarely requires more precision than 1 gram.

Should I get a scale with a pull-out display?

Pull-out displays add convenience when using large bowls that would otherwise block the readout. If you primarily use smaller containers or mixing directly on the scale, a fixed display works fine. For regular baking with mixing bowls, pull-out displays are worth the extra cost.

How do I clean a kitchen scale?

Wipe stainless steel platforms with a damp cloth; avoid submerging electronic components. Removable platforms can be washed separately. Never use abrasive cleaners. Some scales have sealed surfaces for liquid resistance—check manufacturer guidelines.

How long do kitchen scales last?

Quality kitchen scales typically last 5-10 years with normal use. Battery life varies by model—some last months, others years. Accuracy can drift over time; calibrate occasionally using known weights like nickels (5 grams each) to verify performance.

What is the tare function and why does it matter?

Tare (or zero) resets the scale to zero with a container on it, allowing you to measure only the contents. This lets you weigh multiple ingredients sequentially in the same bowl without math. It’s essential for efficient recipe prep.

Are expensive kitchen scales worth it?

Premium scales offer better build quality, additional features like pull-out displays, and longer warranties. For daily cooking or serious baking, a $30-50 scale provides meaningful improvements over budget options. For occasional use, a $10-15 scale works adequately.

Related Guides

• Best Measuring Cups & Spoons
• Best Mixing Bowls
• Best Meat Thermometers

Verdict

The OXO Good Grips 11-lb Scale is the best kitchen scale for most people because its pull-out display solves the biggest frustration with standard scales—blocked readouts. The removable stainless steel platform, backlit display, and responsive buttons make daily use simple and enjoyable.

For budget buyers, the Amazon Basics Digital Scale delivers surprising accuracy at under $10—you won’t find better performance at this price point. And for bread bakers and bulk cookers, the Nicewell 22-lb Scale doubles the capacity of standard models while maintaining precision and adding a sleek tempered glass design.