A Mexican kitchen measures a lot of liquid. Stock for caldo de res goes in by the quart, three milks go into a tres leches cake by the cup, and a pitcher of margaritas starts with lime juice measured in ounces. None of that works well in a set of nesting dry cups. Liquid wants a clear jug with a spout, room above the top line so it does not slop, and markings you can read without guessing.
This guide covers only that kind of cup: glass and plastic jugs, angled cups you read from above, a big restaurant-supply jug, a tiny one for lime juice and a steel one that will not break. If you want dry cups or a mixed set, our main measuring cups guide covers those.
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Quick verdict: the liquid measuring cup to buy first
For most kitchens, the best liquid measuring cup is the Pyrex 4-Cup Glass Measuring Cup: tempered glass with a curved spout and bold ounce and milliliter markings, and Pyrex rates it for the microwave, the dishwasher, the freezer and a preheated oven. If you hate crouching to read the line, add the OXO Good Grips 2-Cup Angled Measuring Cup, which you read from above. For big batches of stock or agua fresca, the Rubbermaid Commercial 8-Cup Bouncer is the break-resistant jug restaurants use.
Five liquid measuring cups at a glance
Our five standout picks side by side, one for each kind of job. All nine cups are reviewed in full below.
| Measuring cup | Best for | Material & size | Read from above | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pyrex 4-Cup Glass Measuring CupBest overall
|
Milk, stock, melting butter | Tempered glass, 4 cups | No, read at eye level | View on Amazon |
OXO Good Grips 2-Cup Angled Measuring CupBest read from above
|
Quick, accurate pours | BPA-free plastic, 2 cups | Yes, angled inner scale | View on Amazon |
Rubbermaid Commercial 8-Cup Bouncer Measuring CupBest for big batches
|
Caldo, agua fresca, brine | Polycarbonate, 2 quarts | No | View on Amazon |
OXO Good Grips Mini Angled Measuring Cup, 2 ozBest for small pours
|
Lime juice, vanilla, syrups | BPA-free plastic, 2 oz | Yes | View on Amazon |
KitchenAid Gourmet Measuring Jugs, Set of 3Best plastic set
|
Three sizes that nest | BPA-free plastic, 1, 2 and 4 cups | Not stated | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Heat and dishwasher ratings are as each maker or listing states them; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best measuring cups liquid ingredients need
These nine cups cover the liquid jobs a home cook actually has: a glass workhorse, cups you read from above, a big jug for stock, a small one for lime juice, a cup for honey and agave, and a steel jug that survives a drop. Our main guide already reviews the Pyrex 3-pack, the OXO angled 3-piece set and the Anchor Hocking 4-piece set, so here we pick single cups, a two-cup glass pair and different makers where we can.
1. Pyrex 4-Cup Glass Measuring Cup – One Jug for Milk, Stock and Butter
If you buy only one liquid cup, make it a big one. A 4-cup jug holds the full can-and-carton mix of milks for a tres leches soak, a quart of stock for a pot of caldo, or the water for a batch of rice, and it still measures half a cup accurately enough for a sauce.
Pyrex sells this cup on its own, which is useful if you already own smaller cups or broke the big one from a set. The listing describes tempered glass with bold ounce and milliliter markings, a curved spout and an easy-grip handle, and says the glass is nonporous, so it does not take on odors or stains. That matters when the same jug holds chile-red stock one day and milk the next.
Pyrex rates it for the dishwasher, freezer, microwave and a preheated oven. Its general use-and-care rules also apply: never on a stovetop, under a broiler or over a flame, no sudden temperature changes, no liquid added to hot glass, and no hot glass set down on a wet or cold counter. Melt butter in it, by all means, but let it cool before you rinse it.
America’s Test Kitchen’s current liquid measuring cup review picks the 1-cup Pyrex as its winner for accurate, bold, easy-to-read lines, and notes the one catch with any Pyrex: you crouch to read it at eye level.
Why we like it
- Four-cup capacity covers big liquid jobs in one pour.
- Bold markings in ounces and milliliters, per the listing.
- Pyrex rates it for the microwave, dishwasher, freezer and preheated oven.
- Nonporous glass resists stains and odors, per Pyrex.
Key specifications
| Model | 1149485 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 4 cups |
| Material | Tempered glass |
| Markings | Ounces and milliliters |
| Read from above | No |
| Microwave | Yes, per Pyrex |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Pieces | 1 |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who cooks soups, rice and cakes from scratch and wants one jug that measures, microwaves and mixes. Pair it with a smaller cup and you have most liquid jobs covered.
Skip it if you have trouble bending to read a line at eye level or lifting a full jug of glass; an angled plastic cup is easier.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large enough for stock and cake soaks
- Microwave and preheated-oven safe, per Pyrex
- Glass does not stain from chile or tomato
Cons
- Read at eye level only
- Heavy when full, and glass can break
- Pyrex rules out the stovetop and sudden temperature changes
2. OXO Good Grips 2-Cup Angled Measuring Cup – Read the Line from Above
OXO’s angled cup has a sloped ramp of markings inside the rim, so you look down into the cup while you pour and stop at the line. No filling, crouching, checking and topping up. For a cook juggling a pot on the stove, that saves real time.
Our main measuring cups guide reviews OXO’s 3-piece angled set. This page picks the single 2-cup size because it is the one most kitchens reach for: big enough for a cup and a half of milk for flan or the broth for a pot of rice, small enough to hold in one hand. The listing describes standard and metric markings, a soft non-slip handle, BPA-free plastic and dishwasher-safe construction.
America’s Test Kitchen names the 1-cup version of this cup its best plastic liquid measure, praising the second set of markings readable from above. It also notes the trade-off: the inner ramp is harder to scrape clean, and the cup stained slightly. ATK suggests hand-washing plastic cups and keeping them out of the microwave, and the OXO listing does not say the cup is microwave safe, so heat liquids in glass and pour them in.
Why we like it
- Angled inner scale you read from above, per OXO.
- ATK’s best plastic pick is the 1-cup version of this design.
- Standard and metric markings, per the listing.
- Light, with a soft non-slip handle.
Key specifications
| Model | 70981 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 2 cups |
| Material | BPA-free plastic |
| Markings | Standard and metric |
| Read from above | Yes |
| Microwave | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Pieces | 1 |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who measure liquid several times a day and want speed, and anyone who finds bending to read a glass cup a chore.
Skip it if you want to heat liquids in the cup itself; OXO does not list it as microwave safe.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Read the level while you pour
- Lightweight and easy to hold
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Inner ramp is harder to scrape, per ATK
- Plastic can stain, per ATK
- Microwave use not stated
3. Anchor Hocking 2-Cup and 4-Cup Glass Measuring Cups – A Glass Pair That Nests
Most cooks need two liquid sizes, not four. This Anchor Hocking pair gives you a 2-cup and a 4-cup in tempered glass, which covers nearly every recipe: the small one for a marinade or the milk for a batter, the big one for stock or a cake soak.
The listing describes bold red graduations in cups, ounces and milliliters that it says will not fade, an open handle and a spout for a controlled pour. The two cups nest for storage. Anchor Hocking rates them for the dishwasher, microwave and fridge; the listing does not mention the oven or freezer, so we would not assume either.
Our main guide reviews Anchor Hocking’s 4-piece set with the small 5-ounce glass. If you do not need the little one, this pair is the simpler buy. Note that America’s Test Kitchen marked down Anchor Hocking’s 8-ounce cup for an off-center spout; this listing describes a spout for a controlled pour, but we could not find a review of these two sizes.
Why we like it
- The two sizes most recipes call for, in one box.
- Markings in cups, ounces and milliliters, per the listing.
- Rated for the dishwasher, microwave and fridge.
- Cups nest for storage.
Key specifications
| Model | 15300ECOM |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 2 cups and 4 cups |
| Material | Tempered glass |
| Markings | Cups, ounces and milliliters |
| Read from above | No |
| Microwave | Yes, per listing |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Pieces | 2 |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook setting up a first kitchen, or replacing a broken cup, who wants glass in the two most useful sizes and nothing extra in the drawer.
Skip it if you need oven or freezer use; the listing names only the dishwasher, microwave and fridge.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Two useful sizes that nest
- Three units of markings
- Microwave and dishwasher safe
Cons
- Oven and freezer use not stated
- Read at eye level only
- No independent review of these sizes found
4. Rubbermaid Commercial 8-Cup Bouncer Measuring Cup – Restaurant Jug for Big Batches
When a recipe says two quarts of water for the beans or a gallon of agua fresca, measuring a cup at a time invites mistakes. The Bouncer is the clear jug you see on restaurant prep lines: two quarts in one pour, in a plastic made to survive a drop on a tile floor.
Rubbermaid Commercial describes break-resistant polycarbonate that is commercial-dishwasher safe, a curved lip for a clean pour, a handle, and a temperature range of -40 to 212°F. The listing also says it is NSF certified. That temperature range covers boiling stock and a trip into the freezer, but the listing does not mention the microwave.
The clear body lets you read the level from the side, and the size makes it a mixing jug too: brine for pork, a big batch of horchata base, or the liquid for a pot of pozole. It is overkill for a cup of milk, so treat it as a second cup.
Why we like it
- Two-quart capacity for stock, beans and drinks.
- Break-resistant polycarbonate, per Rubbermaid.
- Rated from -40 to 212°F, per the listing.
- NSF certified and commercial-dishwasher safe.
Key specifications
| Model | FG321700CLR |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 8 cups (2 quarts) |
| Material | Polycarbonate |
| Markings | Not stated in detail |
| Read from above | No |
| Microwave | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes, commercial dishwasher |
| Pieces | 1 |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who make soup, beans or drinks for a crowd and want one jug that will not shatter. The 4-cup and 16-cup Bouncers are also sold if you want another size.
Skip it if you mostly measure a cup or two; it is too big for small jobs and the listing does not detail its markings.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Big capacity in one jug
- Survives drops, per the maker
- Handles boiling liquid, per the listing
Cons
- Too large for small amounts
- Microwave use not stated
- Markings not described in the listing
5. OXO Good Grips Mini Angled Measuring Cup, 2 oz – Tablespoons and Ounces at a Glance
Small amounts are where a big jug fails. Two tablespoons of lime juice for a salsa or an ounce of orange liqueur for a margarita barely wet the bottom of a 2-cup measure, and you cannot read the line. This 2-ounce cup is the fix.
It uses the same angled ramp as OXO’s larger cups, so you read it from above. The listing describes tablespoon, ounce and milliliter markings, and says it is dishwasher safe and BPA free. It doubles as a jigger, though a bar jigger is quicker if you shake drinks often; our jigger guide covers those.
Use it for vanilla in a flan, a splash of vinegar for pickled onions, or the agave in a pitcher of margaritas. A lime squeezer over the cup saves a step.
Why we like it
- Sized for tablespoons and ounces, where big cups are hard to read.
- Angled scale read from above, per OXO.
- Tablespoon, ounce and milliliter markings.
- Dishwasher safe and BPA free.
Key specifications
| Model | 1102640 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) |
| Material | BPA-free plastic |
| Markings | Tablespoons, ounces and milliliters |
| Read from above | Yes |
| Microwave | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Pieces | 1 |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who makes drinks, dressings or salsas from recipes that count lime juice and syrups in tablespoons or ounces.
Skip it if you already own a jigger with tablespoon marks; it does the same job.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Accurate small amounts are easy to see
- Read from above
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Only 2 ounces
- Small and easy to lose in a drawer
6. KitchenAid Gourmet Measuring Jugs, Set of 3 – Three Plastic Jugs That Nest
If glass makes you nervous, or small hands in the kitchen do, a plastic set is the practical choice. KitchenAid’s three jugs come in 1, 2 and 4 cups, the sizes most recipes need, and they nest into one stack.
The listing describes BPA-free plastic with clear markings, spouts on every jug and non-slip handles. It does not say whether the jugs are microwave or dishwasher safe, and it does not list the units on the markings, so check the box when it arrives. As America’s Test Kitchen notes about plastic cups generally, they are lighter than glass but best washed by hand and kept out of the microwave.
This onyx set is one of several colors KitchenAid sells under the Gourmet name; the jugs are the same apart from color.
Why we like it
- 1-, 2- and 4-cup jugs in one set.
- Spouts on all three, per the listing.
- Non-slip handles.
- Jugs nest for storage.
Key specifications
| Model | KQ298OSOBA |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1, 2 and 4 cups |
| Material | BPA-free plastic |
| Markings | Not stated in detail |
| Read from above | Not stated |
| Microwave | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated |
| Pieces | 3 |
Why we recommend it
It suits a family kitchen that wants three unbreakable sizes in one stack, from a maker with a big service network.
Skip it if you want heat ratings spelled out; the listing leaves out microwave and dishwasher guidance.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Three useful sizes
- Light and unbreakable in normal use
- Nests compactly
Cons
- Microwave and dishwasher use not stated
- Marking units not listed
7. Cuisinart Nesting Liquid Measuring Cups, 3-Piece – Tapered Rims for a Clean Pour
Cuisinart’s set is another clear 1-, 2- and 4-cup trio, and the one with the most useful listing detail: markings in cups, ounces and milliliters, a tapered pouring rim Cuisinart says gives a smooth flow with no drips, and dishwasher-safe cups that nest.
The cups are clear, which helps you see a line through the side. Cuisinart’s listing does not name the material or say whether the cups can go in the microwave, so heat milk or butter in glass and pour it in. A tapered rim is worth having when you pour thin liquids such as lime juice or vinegar that run down the outside of a blunt lip.
Why we like it
- Markings in cups, ounces and milliliters.
- Tapered pouring rim, per Cuisinart.
- Three sizes nest together.
- Dishwasher safe.
Key specifications
| Model | CTG-00-3MC |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1, 2 and 4 cups |
| Material | Not stated (clear) |
| Markings | Cups, ounces and milliliters |
| Read from above | No |
| Microwave | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Pieces | 3 |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook with a small kitchen who wants three sizes stacked in the space of one, with markings in every unit a recipe might use.
Skip it if you want to know exactly what the cups are made of before you buy; the listing does not say.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Three units of markings
- Pour rim designed against drips
- Compact nesting storage
Cons
- Material not stated
- Microwave use not stated
8. OXO Good Grips Adjustable Liquid Measuring Cup, 2 Cup – Pushes Out Honey and Agave
Honey, agave syrup, molasses and melted piloncillo cling to the walls of a normal cup, so you never get the full measure out. OXO’s adjustable cup works like a plunger: set the base to the amount you need, fill to the rim, then turn and push to scrape every drop out.
The listing describes a rotating body with a turning knob, an internal track that guides the plunger to the marking you want, and a silicone disk that acts as a squeegee on the inside. Capacity is 2 cups, and it is dishwasher safe and BPA free. It is also handy for peanut butter, shortening and lard, which helps if you make flour tortillas by the batch.
Why we like it
- Plunger pushes sticky liquids out cleanly, per OXO.
- Silicone disk wipes the walls as it moves.
- Measures up to 2 cups.
- Dishwasher safe and BPA free.
Key specifications
| Model | 1250080 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 2 cups |
| Material | BPA-free plastic, silicone disk |
| Markings | Measurement markings (units not stated) |
| Read from above | No |
| Microwave | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Pieces | 1 |
Why we recommend it
It suits bakers and drink makers who measure agave, honey or syrups often and are tired of leaving a tablespoon behind in the cup.
Skip it if you mostly measure water, milk and stock; a plain jug is quicker for thin liquids.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Gets the full measure of sticky liquids out
- Works for fats such as lard and shortening
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- More parts to clean than a jug
- Slower for thin liquids
9. Newness 4-Cup Stainless Steel Measuring Cup – A Metal Jug That Will Not Shatter
A stainless steel jug suits a busy counter where glass gets knocked over. Newness makes this 4-cup cup from 304 stainless steel with a V-shaped spout and a closed handle that is spot welded on, and the listing calls it unbreakable.
The markings are inside the cup: ounces from 2 to 32 in 2-ounce steps, milliliters from 100 to 1,000, and cups from 1/4 to 4 in quarter-cup steps. You read them from above by looking in, which takes a little practice in a shiny cup. It is dishwasher safe.
One honest caveat: the Newness listing says not to use the cup with acids, salts and other corrosive chemical liquids. We would use it for milk, stock and water and keep lime juice and brines in glass.
Why we like it
- 304 stainless steel, per the listing.
- Inside scales in ounces, milliliters and cups.
- V-shaped spout and welded handle.
- Dishwasher safe.
Key specifications
| Model | P-US-5248-3 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 4 cups (32 ounces, 1,000 ml) |
| Material | 304 stainless steel |
| Markings | Ounces, milliliters and cups, inside |
| Read from above | Inside markings, viewed from above |
| Microwave | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Pieces | 1 |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who have broken a glass cup or two and want a big jug that survives the floor. The 2- and 3-cup sizes are sold too.
Skip it if you measure lime juice or brine often; the maker warns against acids and salts.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Will not shatter
- Fine quarter-cup scale
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Maker warns against acids and salts
- Cannot see the level from the side
- Microwave use not stated
How to choose a liquid measuring cup
Capacity first. A 2-cup measure covers most recipes; a 4-cup handles cake soaks, stock and rice water. If you cook for a crowd, an 8-cup jug saves several refills. A tiny 2-ounce cup is worth adding for lime juice and syrups.
Glass, plastic or steel. Glass is heavy and can break, but it does not stain and, for Pyrex, goes in the microwave and a preheated oven. Plastic is light and forgiving; America’s Test Kitchen suggests washing it by hand and keeping it out of the microwave. Steel will not break, but you cannot see the level from the side.
How you read it. Classic cups are read at eye level with the cup on the counter. Angled cups put a second scale inside that you read from above, which ATK found spares you from bending, at the cost of ridges that are harder to scrape clean.
Markings and headroom. Look for bold, long lines and the units your recipes use. ATK found cups with about an inch between the top line and the rim pour more cleanly.
The spout. A narrow, centered spout pours thin liquids without dribbling down the side. ATK marked down one glass cup for an off-center spout.
Liquid measures for caldo, tres leches and margaritas
For soups and stews, volume is forgiving: a few tablespoons either way in a pot of caldo changes little. A big jug is about speed. Cakes and custards are less forgiving. Tres leches and flan depend on the ratio of milk to egg and flour, so measure liquids in a cup at eye level, on a flat counter, and dry ingredients in dry cups or by weight. Our baking scale guide covers weighing, and our measuring spoons guide covers the small amounts.
Drinks are where small measures matter most. A margarita is mostly a ratio of tequila to lime to sweetener, and an ounce off in a pitcher changes the balance. Measure each part in a small angled cup or a jigger, then scale up. Our margarita accessories guide covers the rest of the bar.
How we chose these nine liquid cups
We searched Amazon for glass, plastic, angled and stainless steel liquid measures from Pyrex, Anchor Hocking, OXO, KitchenAid, Cuisinart, Rubbermaid Commercial, Cambro, Winco, Farberware and others, and kept only cups showing as in stock when we checked. Specifications come from the Amazon listings and, for Pyrex, from Pyrex’s published use-and-care rules. We read America’s Test Kitchen’s liquid measuring cup review and cite its findings by name. We did not read Serious Eats or Wirecutter for this guide, and we have not used these cups for it.
We left out the Pyrex 3-pack, the OXO angled 3-piece set and the Anchor Hocking 4-piece set because our main measuring cups guide already reviews them. Pyrex’s 2-cup single cup was out of stock, and several Anchor Hocking single cups showed limited stock. We skipped unbranded glass sets.
Liquid measuring cup questions, answered
What is the best liquid measuring cup, according to America’s Test Kitchen?
ATK’s current review picks the Pyrex 1-cup glass measure as its winner for accuracy and bold, readable lines, and the OXO Good Grips 1-cup angled cup as its best plastic option. We picked larger sizes from both makers here.
What does Wirecutter recommend for liquid measuring cups?
We did not read Wirecutter’s guide for this page, so we cannot report its picks. Our choices rest on the maker specifications and ATK’s review.
Do you need separate measuring cups for liquids?
Yes, for accuracy. A dry cup must be filled to the brim and leveled, which spills liquid. A liquid cup has room above the top line and a spout, so you fill to the mark and pour cleanly.
Can you microwave a glass measuring cup?
Pyrex rates its glass cups for the microwave and a preheated oven, but warns against heating them empty or nearly empty, using them on a stovetop or under a broiler, and sudden temperature changes. Check each maker’s rules; Anchor Hocking lists its pair for the microwave too.
How do you read a liquid measuring cup correctly?
Set the cup on a flat counter, pour, then bend so your eye is level with the line. With an angled cup, look straight down and stop at the inner mark.
Our first pick for measuring liquids
Start with the Pyrex 4-cup jug for stock, milk and cake soaks, add the OXO 2-cup angled cup if you want to read from above, and keep the OXO 2-ounce mini cup by the limes. For dry cups and mixed sets, see our main measuring cups guide and our stainless steel measuring cups page.
If you would rather leave the measuring to our kitchen tonight, see the menu or call to order.