Many professional kitchens weigh their ingredients, but measuring cups still earn a place on the prep table. They scoop masa harina for tortilla dough, portion rice before it goes into the pot, measure sugar for horchata and flour for a batch of cookies. At home, where most recipes are still written in cups, a good set matters even more, and stainless steel is the material that lasts: it does not crack, warp or hold onto the smell of the last thing you measured.
Not every steel set is equally good, though. The differences are in the details: whether the markings are etched or printed, whether the handle sits flush with the rim so you can level off flour, whether the set includes the odd sizes, and whether the cups sit steady when you fill them. This guide compares nine stainless steel sets on exactly those points, using the makers’ specifications and what America’s Test Kitchen found when it tested sixteen sets for accuracy and durability.
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Quick verdict: which stainless measuring cups to buy
For most kitchens, the Sur La Table Stainless Steel Measuring Cups, Set of 4 is the set to buy: America’s Test Kitchen’s winner, with heavy steel cups, large etched markings that will not rub off and handles flush with the rim for leveling. For a lighter set with magnetic handles, choose the OXO Good Grips 4-Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Cups, ATK’s Best Buy. If you want the odd sizes too, the Hudson Essentials Stainless Steel Measuring Cups, 6-Piece adds ⅔ and ¾ cup with etched markings.
The table below compares our five standout picks, one for each kind of cook. All nine sets are reviewed in full after it.
Five stainless measuring cup sets compared
One pick for each kind of kitchen, with the sizes and markings each maker, listing or reviewer states.
| Measuring cups | Best for | Sizes | Markings | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baking, accurate dip-and-sweep | ¼, ⅓, ½, 1 cup | Etched, per ATK | View on Amazon | |
OXO Good Grips 4-Piece Stainless Steel Measuring CupsBest lightweight set
|
Everyday cooking, tidy storage | ¼, ⅓, ½, 1 cup | Etched per OXO; looked printed to ATK | View on Amazon |
Hudson Essentials Stainless Steel Measuring Cups, 6-PieceBest with odd sizes
|
Recipes calling for ⅔ or ¾ cup | ¼, ⅓, ½, ⅔, ¾, 1 cup | Etched, per ATK | View on Amazon |
All-Clad Stainless Steel 5-Piece Measuring Cup SetBest premium set
|
Matching All-Clad tools, gifts | ¼, ⅓, ½, ⅔, 1 cup | Etched outside; inside lines on 2 cups | View on Amazon |
Spring Chef Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons, 14-PieceBest cups and spoons set
|
One set for cups and spoons | 7 cups (⅛ to 1); 6 spoons | Engraved U.S. and metric | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Sizes and markings are as stated by the maker, its Amazon listing or America’s Test Kitchen where named; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best measuring cups stainless steel sets
Nine sets, chosen to cover the real choices: four-cup basics against sets with ⅔ and ¾ cup, magnetic handles against storage rings, one-piece cups against riveted handles, and cups alone against sets that include spoons. Three of them, from Sur La Table, OXO and Hudson Essentials, were part of America’s Test Kitchen’s review of dry measuring cups, and we note where ATK’s findings were mixed.
1. Sur La Table Stainless Steel Measuring Cups, Set of 4 – Etched Markings, Flush Handles
Sur La Table’s four-cup set is America’s Test Kitchen’s winning dry measuring cup set. ATK praised the heavy steel construction and the large etched measurement markings, which will not rub off the way printed numbers can. The handles sit flush with the rim, which matters more than anything else for accuracy: you can scoop a heaping cup of flour and sweep a straight edge across the top without the handle getting in the way.
The Amazon listing describes 1/4, 1/3, 1/2 and 1-cup measures in corrosion-resistant stainless steel, smooth flat rims for leveling, a ring that opens so the cups nest together, and dishwasher-safe construction. ATK found the cups sturdy in its durability test, in which testers scooped wet sand to see whether handles bent.
The set is heavy, at 5.6 ounces for the 1-cup measure in ATK’s review, and a couple of ATK’s testers found it slightly too heavy. One caution: ATK lists the set under Sur La Table’s item number 3332566, while this Amazon listing gives model AA0012, so compare the photos with Sur La Table’s own set before you buy.
Why we like it
- ATK’s winning dry measuring cups
- Large etched markings, per ATK
- Handles flush with the rim for leveling
- Held up in ATK’s wet-sand test
Key specifications
| Model | AA0012 (listing) |
|---|---|
| Pieces | 4 cups on a ring |
| Sizes | ¼, ⅓, ½, 1 cup |
| Markings | Etched, per ATK |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Handle | Steel, flush with the rim |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Buy it if you bake from cup measurements and want sturdy cups that level cleanly and stay legible for years.
Skip it if you want ⅔ and ¾ cup in the same set; this one has the four basic sizes only.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Top accuracy and durability in ATK’s review
- Markings that last
- Easy to level
Cons
- Heavy for some hands
- No odd sizes
- Model code differs from ATK’s
2. OXO Good Grips 4-Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Cups – Light, Accurate, Magnetic
OXO’s set is America’s Test Kitchen’s Best Buy, and it is the same model ATK reviewed, 11132000. ATK found the cups accurate and solidly built, and lighter than the winner, at 3.9 ounces for the 1-cup measure. Magnets in the handles hold the four cups together in a stack, so you can pull out one cup at a time without opening a ring.
The handles have soft, non-slip grips, according to OXO. ATK had two reservations about them. The plastic-topped handles collect flour in the seams, and at 2.5 inches they are a little shorter than the 3 inches ATK prefers. There is also a disagreement about the markings: OXO’s listing calls them permanent and etched, while ATK described them as seemingly printed on and warned they may fade over time. If lasting markings are your priority, the Sur La Table set is the safer choice.
The set includes 1/4, 1/3, 1/2 and 1 cup, and OXO says it is dishwasher safe. The listing names a lifetime satisfaction guarantee.
Why we like it
- ATK’s Best Buy; accurate in its test
- Light, at 3.9 ounces for the 1-cup
- Magnetic handles keep the set together
- Soft, non-slip grip
Key specifications
| Model | 11132000 |
|---|---|
| Pieces | 4 cups |
| Sizes | ¼, ⅓, ½, 1 cup |
| Markings | Etched per OXO; looked printed to ATK |
| Material | Stainless steel, plastic handle grips |
| Handle | Magnetic, non-slip grip; 2.5 in (ATK) |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want light, accurate cups that stay together in the drawer without a ring.
Skip it if you measure a lot of flour; ATK found the handle grips trap it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Accurate, per ATK
- Light and comfortable
- Magnetic nesting
Cons
- Grips collect flour
- Markings may fade, per ATK
- Shortish handles
3. Hudson Essentials Stainless Steel Measuring Cups, 6-Piece – Adds ⅔ and ¾ Cup
Hudson Essentials’ set is for cooks who are tired of measuring ⅔ cup as a ⅓ cup twice. It includes six sizes, 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 3/4 and 1 cup, that nest inside one another, and the listing describes a stainless steel spout for pouring and dishwasher-safe, rust-resistant steel.
America’s Test Kitchen reviewed this exact model, MC-100, and recommended it with reservations. On the plus side, ATK found the single-piece cups durable, balanced and stable on the counter, and the etched markings stayed intact. The drawback is the handles: ATK found them so short that testers had to pinch them, and noted sharp edges.
The extra sizes earn their place in a lot of home cooking. Many cake, cookie and quick bread recipes call for ⅔ or ¾ cup, and having a single cup for each one saves a step and an error. ATK’s testers called the extra sizes occasionally helpful, though some felt they took up too much drawer space.
Why we like it
- Six sizes, including ⅔ and ¾ cup
- Etched markings stayed intact, per ATK
- One-piece cups, stable on the counter
- Pouring spout, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | MC-100 |
|---|---|
| Pieces | 6 cups |
| Sizes | ¼, ⅓, ½, ⅔, ¾, 1 cup |
| Markings | Etched, per ATK |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Handle | One-piece steel; short, per ATK |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Buy it if your recipes often call for ⅔ or ¾ cup and you want durable, one-piece steel cups.
Skip it if you have large hands; ATK found the handles too short to hold comfortably.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Full run of sizes
- Durable, lasting markings
- Stable when set down
Cons
- Short handles
- Sharp edges, per ATK
- No storage ring stated
4. All-Clad Stainless Steel 5-Piece Measuring Cup Set – Etched Outside, Marked Inside
All-Clad’s set matches its cookware and adds one useful size to the basic four: 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 and 1 cup. The listing describes permanently etched capacity markings on the outside that resist fading, plus internal markings on the 1-cup and 1/4-cup measures, so those two can also be filled to a line for smaller amounts.
The handles are riveted, with an All-Clad badge, and All-Clad describes them as sturdy and comfortable. That construction is worth thinking about before you buy. ATK found that on other riveted sets, such as Made In’s and King Arthur’s, the handles met the cup below the rim, so a knife could not sweep cleanly across the top. All-Clad’s set was not part of ATK’s review, so we cannot say how it measures up on that point; look closely at the listing photos of the rim.
All-Clad says the set was designed in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, and made in China, and that it is dishwasher safe with a limited lifetime warranty.
Why we like it
- Includes a ⅔ cup
- Etched markings outside, lines inside two cups
- Limited lifetime warranty, per All-Clad
- Matches All-Clad cookware
Key specifications
| Model | 11644003395 (AUK-003) |
|---|---|
| Pieces | 5 cups |
| Sizes | ¼, ⅓, ½, ⅔, 1 cup |
| Markings | Etched outside; inside lines on 1 and ¼ cup |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Handle | Riveted steel with badge |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Made in | China (designed in the USA) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a premium, warrantied set with a ⅔ cup that matches the rest of your All-Clad.
Skip it if leveling flour flush is your priority; riveted handles on other sets got in the way in ATK’s review.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Lasting etched markings
- Inside fill lines
- Strong warranty
Cons
- No ¾ cup
- Riveted handles may not sit flush
- Not independently reviewed
5. Spring Chef Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons, 14-Piece – Seven Cups, Spice-Jar Spoons
Spring Chef’s set covers every measure a home recipe is likely to ask for in one purchase. There are seven cups, 1/8, 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 3/4 and 1 cup, each with a pour spout, and six spoons, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and 1 teaspoon and 1 tablespoon, plus a leveler and rings for each group. The listing describes single-piece stainless steel construction and engraved U.S. and metric markings that will not fade or rub off.
The spoons are rectangular rather than round, which the listing says lets them fit into most spice jars. That is handy in a kitchen that measures ground cumin, dried oregano and chile powder straight from the jar. The ⅛-cup measure also works as a scoop for coffee.
Spring Chef says the whole set is dishwasher safe. ATK did not review this set, so there is no independent accuracy check, and the listing does not give a country of manufacture.
Why we like it
- Seven cups and six spoons in one set
- Engraved U.S. and metric markings
- Narrow spoons fit spice jars
- Leveler included
Key specifications
| Model | Not stated (ASIN B0CBW78J4Q) |
|---|---|
| Pieces | 14 (7 cups, 6 spoons, leveler) |
| Sizes | Cups ⅛ to 1 incl. ⅔ and ¾; spoons ⅛ tsp to 1 tbsp |
| Markings | Engraved, U.S. and metric |
| Material | Stainless steel, single piece |
| Handle | One-piece steel; cups on a ring |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Buy it if you are equipping a kitchen from scratch and want every cup and spoon size in matching steel.
Skip it if you want a set with independent accuracy results behind it; this one has not been reviewed by ATK.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Most complete set here
- Lasting engraved markings
- Spoons fit spice jars
Cons
- Many pieces to store
- Rings slow you down
- Not independently reviewed
6. Bellemain Stainless Steel Measuring Cups, Set of 6 – One-Piece Cups, Metric Too
Bellemain’s set is built like a restaurant tool: each cup is formed from a single piece of 18/8 stainless steel, with no welds, glue or silicone grips, according to the listing. That means nothing to come loose and no seams for flour to collect in, the problem ATK found with OXO’s grips. The six sizes are 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 3/4 and 1 cup.
Bellemain says the markings are etched in both U.S. cups and milliliters and stay readable after washing, which makes this set useful if you cook from recipes written in either system. The listing also describes wide handles for a secure hold with wet or floury fingers, flat, weighted bottoms that keep the cups from tipping, deburred edges, and dishwasher-safe construction.
ATK did not review this set, so its accuracy is unverified by an independent tester. The listing does not say whether the handles sit flush with the rim, so check the photos if you level flour by sweeping.
Why we like it
- One-piece 18/8 steel, no welds
- Etched U.S. and milliliter markings
- Six sizes including ⅔ and ¾
- Weighted bottoms resist tipping
Key specifications
| Model | TRTAZ11A |
|---|---|
| Pieces | 6 cups |
| Sizes | ¼, ⅓, ½, ⅔, ¾, 1 cup |
| Markings | Etched, U.S. and mL |
| Material | 18/8 stainless steel, one piece |
| Handle | Wide, one-piece steel |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want simple, seamless steel cups with metric markings and the odd sizes.
Skip it if you want a set an independent tester has checked for accuracy.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Nothing to trap flour
- Dual-unit markings
- Stable on the counter
Cons
- Not independently reviewed
- Handle position at rim not stated
- No ring stated
7. Le Creuset Stainless Steel Batch-Baking Measuring Cups, Set of 4 – Big-Batch Sizes
This is not a starter set; it is an add-on. Le Creuset’s batch-baking cups come in the sizes most sets leave out: 2/3 cup, 3/4 cup, 1 1/2 cups and 2 cups. The listing describes heavy-gauge stainless steel and dishwasher-safe construction.
The larger cups make sense when you scale recipes up. Measuring 6 cups of flour or masa harina with a 1-cup measure means six scoops, six levels and six chances to lose count; a 2-cup measure halves that. They are also useful for rice, beans and broth, where the amounts are bigger and the accuracy demands smaller.
ATK did not test this set, but it did review Le Creuset’s standard four-cup stainless set and recommended it with reservations: the cups were heavy and slightly awkward, and a handle bent in its wet-sand test. Expect similar heft here. Pair this set with any four-cup set above for a full range.
Why we like it
- 1 ½ and 2-cup measures
- Adds ⅔ and ¾ cup to a basic set
- Heavy-gauge steel, per Le Creuset
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | ST00272000001005 |
|---|---|
| Pieces | 4 cups |
| Sizes | ⅔, ¾, 1 ½, 2 cups |
| Markings | Not stated |
| Material | Heavy-gauge stainless steel |
| Handle | Steel; construction not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Buy it if you bake or cook in big batches and already own the basic four cups.
Skip it if it would be your only set; it has no ¼, ⅓, ½ or 1 cup.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Rare large sizes
- Fewer scoops for big recipes
- Solid steel
Cons
- Not a complete set
- Likely heavy
- Marking type not stated
8. Farberware Professional Stainless Steel Measuring Cups, Set of 5 – Magnetic, With ¾ Cup
Farberware’s set takes OXO’s magnetic idea and adds a fifth cup. The sizes are 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 3/4 and 1 cup, and built-in magnets snap the cups into a stack, according to the listing, which also suggests sticking them to a magnetic knife strip on the wall.
The listing describes engraved markings that stay legible through washing, a wide, flat rim for leveling, heavy-gauge stainless steel that resists dents and rust, and seamless construction without crevices for residue to hide in. Farberware says the set is dishwasher safe and backed by its limited lifetime warranty.
Note that the set includes ¾ cup but not ⅔ cup. ATK did not review it, so its accuracy has not been independently checked.
Why we like it
- Magnetic nesting, no ring
- Includes a ¾ cup
- Engraved markings, per Farberware
- Limited lifetime warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 5322133 |
|---|---|
| Pieces | 5 cups |
| Sizes | ¼, ⅓, ½, ¾, 1 cup |
| Markings | Engraved |
| Material | Heavy-gauge stainless steel |
| Handle | Magnetic |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you like magnetic storage and want a ¾ cup in the set.
Skip it if your recipes often call for ⅔ cup; it is not included.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Easy magnetic storage
- Five useful sizes
- Warranty stated
Cons
- No ⅔ cup
- Not independently reviewed
- Made in not stated
9. Cuisinart Stainless Steel Measuring Cups, Set of 4 – Plain Four-Cup Basics
Cuisinart’s set is the plain option: 1, 1/2, 1/3 and 1/4-cup measures in stainless steel on a storage ring, dishwasher safe. The listing says little more than that, and Cuisinart does not state on it whether the markings are etched or printed, how the handles are attached or where the cups are made.
That lack of detail is the reason it sits last here. A measuring cup either measures accurately or it does not, and without an independent review or fuller specifications, we can only say it covers the four sizes most recipes need, from a maker with a long line of kitchen tools. If you already own Cuisinart’s matching measuring spoons or mixing bowls and want a set to match, it is a reasonable pick.
For everyone else, the Sur La Table and OXO sets above have independent test results behind them.
Why we like it
- The four basic sizes
- Stainless steel on a ring
- Dishwasher safe
- Matches Cuisinart’s spoons and bowls
Key specifications
| Model | CTG-00-SMC |
|---|---|
| Pieces | 4 cups on a ring |
| Sizes | ¼, ⅓, ½, 1 cup |
| Markings | Not stated |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Handle | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Buy it if you want a basic matching set alongside other Cuisinart tools.
Skip it if you want lasting etched markings you can confirm before buying.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Covers the basics
- Storage ring
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Few specifications given
- No odd sizes
- Not independently reviewed
What to check before buying stainless measuring cups
1. The handle should sit flush with the rim
America’s Test Kitchen recommends the dip-and-sweep method for dry ingredients: scoop a heaping cup, then scrape off the excess with a straight edge. That only works when the handle is flush with the rim. ATK marked down sets whose riveted handles met the cup below the rim, and it prefers flat handles at least 3 inches long.
2. Etched beats printed
Printed numbers wear off in the dishwasher; ATK found one set’s printed markings scrubbed right off. Etched or engraved markings last. Check the listing, and where a reviewer and a maker disagree, as they do on OXO’s set, assume the markings may fade.
3. Decide whether you need the odd sizes
ATK’s minimum is ¼, ⅓, ½ and 1 cup. Sets with ⅔ and ¾ cup save steps in baking recipes, though ATK’s testers found them only occasionally helpful and some felt they crowded the drawer. If you scale recipes up, a 1 ½ or 2-cup measure helps more than a ⅛ cup.
4. Weight and balance
ATK prefers cups under 4 ounces that sit steady on the counter. Heavy cups feel solid but can be tiring to use. ATK found that long, heavy handles made some cups tip over when empty, while Hudson Essentials’ one-piece cups were balanced and stable.
5. Remember what a cup actually holds
A cup is a volume, not a weight, and different ingredients weigh very different amounts. King Arthur Baking’s ingredient weight chart lists a cup of all-purpose flour at 120 grams and a cup of masa harina at 93 grams, so swapping one for the other cup for cup changes the recipe. King Arthur recommends weighing ingredients with a digital scale for best results, and ATK also suggests a scale when precision matters most. For masa, see our guide to the best masa harina for tortillas.
6. Storage: rings, magnets or loose
Rings keep a set together but mean opening and closing a clasp to use one cup. Magnetic handles, as on OXO’s and Farberware’s sets, let you pull out a single cup. Loose nesting cups are the simplest to wash but easiest to lose.
How we chose these nine measuring cup sets
We started from what makes a measuring cup accurate and lasting: handles you can level against, markings that survive washing, the sizes you actually use and steady balance on the counter. We searched Amazon US for stainless steel sets from established makers, including Sur La Table, OXO, All-Clad, Hudson Essentials, Spring Chef, Bellemain, Le Creuset, Farberware and Cuisinart, and checked each listing’s stock through Amazon’s product data, keeping only sets that were in stock when we checked.
Specifications come from each Amazon listing. Accuracy and durability findings come from America’s Test Kitchen’s review of dry measuring cups, and the ingredient weights from King Arthur Baking’s ingredient weight chart; we name each source where we use it. We have not used these products ourselves for this guide. We left out RSVP’s Endurance sets and Norpro’s stainless sets, both of which ATK recommended, because they showed limited stock when we checked, and Trudeau’s set, which ATK did not recommend.
Stainless measuring cup questions, answered
What are the best quality stainless steel measuring cups?
America’s Test Kitchen’s winner is the Sur La Table Stainless Steel Measuring Cups, Set of 4, for its heavy steel, flush handles and etched markings. Its Best Buy is OXO’s Good Grips stainless set, which was accurate and lighter but has grips that collect flour.
Are stainless steel measuring cups better than plastic?
They last longer and do not warp or hold odors, and their markings are usually etched rather than printed. Plastic can be just as accurate, though: ATK recommended two plastic sets, from Norpro and OXO, for accuracy and light weight. Choose steel for durability, not for accuracy alone.
Do I need ⅔ and ¾ cup measures?
Not strictly; you can combine smaller cups. They save steps and reduce counting mistakes in baking, which is why sets from Hudson Essentials, Bellemain and Spring Chef include them. ATK’s testers found them occasionally helpful.
Can I use dry measuring cups for liquids?
You can, but filling a cup to the brim with liquid and carrying it without spilling is awkward. A liquid measuring cup with a spout and lines below the rim is easier for water, milk and broth. Spouted steel cups such as Hudson Essentials’ and Spring Chef’s help a little.
How should I measure flour or masa harina in a cup?
ATK recommends dip and sweep: scoop a heaping cupful, then level it with a straight edge. Whatever method a recipe’s author used, follow it, because a packed cup weighs more than a loosely filled one. For the most consistent results, weigh instead.
Our final word on stainless measuring cups
Buy the Sur La Table set for the best combination of accuracy, durability and lasting markings, or OXO’s for a lighter magnetic set. Choose Hudson Essentials or Bellemain for the odd sizes in one-piece steel, All-Clad for a premium warrantied set with a ⅔ cup, Spring Chef for cups and spoons together, Le Creuset’s batch-baking cups to add 1 ½ and 2-cup measures, Farberware for magnetic storage with a ¾ cup and Cuisinart for plain basics.
Measuring cups work alongside the rest of your prep kit; see our picks for the best mixing bowls stainless steel sets and best baking pan sets, and our guides to tortilla making tools and Mexican cooking tools. If you would rather skip the measuring tonight, see the menu or call to order.