While guesswork is fast and simple, the most accurate kitchen scale helps you consistently track your portion better and reach your fitness goals faster. Not all the options on the market come with the same measure increments and accuracy, unfortunately.
To find the most accurate kitchen scale, you’ll need to pay attention to the elements that our experts listed in this article. But first, let’s take a look at the top picks we have found:
Here are the most accurate kitchen scales you can buy in 2024:
- Best For Baking (Digital Kitchen Scale): OXO 11238300
- Best For Tracking Nutritional Value (Digital Kitchen Scale): Mackie V2
- Largest Weight Capacity (Digital Kitchen Scale): EatSmart ESKS-10
- Smallest Weight Capacity (Mechanical Kitchen Scale): San Jamar SCMDL5
- Easy To Read (Mechanical Kitchen Scale): Starfrit 080211-003-0000
- Best For Bread Making (Mechanical Kitchen Scale): San Jamar SCDLB2
| 6 Most Accurate Kitchen Scales | ||
|---|---|---|
Best For Baking | OXO 11238300
| |
Best For Tracking Nutritional Value | Mackie V2
| |
Largest Weight Capacity | EatSmart ESKS-10
| |
Smallest Weight Capacity | San Jamar SCMDL5
| |
Easy To Read | Starfrit 080211-003-0000
| |
Best For Bread Making | San Jamar SCDLB2
| |
Best For Baking: OXO 11238300
- User-friendly – simple control panel, large pull-out display with an oversized plate, & functional buttons with text
- Easy to clean – removable platform
- No auto-off setting
Many bakers at different levels mentioned the OXO 11238300. One major reason is its simplicity in the design and accuracy in the measurement.
We believe that even if you've just switched to using a kitchen scale, you can immediately learn how to use it as this model has only two function buttons with text. The large pull-out digital display with an oversized plate allows for weighing larger amounts.
This kitchen scale works accurately to 1/8 ounce, has Zero function, and is easy to clean thanks to the removable platform. The batteries are included, so it is ready to use right out of the box.
This scale will help you weight the ingredient accurately and make the best batches of pies, cookies, brownies or cupcakes.
| OXO 11238300 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 1.8 x 9.2 x 8 inches |
Weight Capacity | 5 Pounds |
Measurement Increments | 1/8-ounce and 1-gram increments |
Measurement Units | Pounds and kilograms |
Highlight Features | simple control panel, a large display screen size, & functional buttons with text removable platform |
When it comes to user-friendly digital kitchen scales for baking, our favorite of the bunch is the OXO 11238300
Best For Tracking Nutritional Value: Mackie V2
- Able to track different nutritional value – the USDA’s calorie and Macros calculator
- The most accurate in the market – the .01 ounce increments
- Customizable – 900+ custom food codes
- Probably not so friendly for beginners - Complicated interface
- Wish the display would hold longer
Not only is the Mackie V2 the most accurate kitchen scale on the market but also the most multifunctional option.
Using the USDA’s calorie and Macros calculator, it can measure and show all of the nutrients like fat, carbs, protein, fiber, and sodium. There's a wide range of measuring units to show and the big screen helps you easily track all the nutritional value.
What we also like about this kitchen scale is it provides a lot of preset food codes and allows you to input 900+ of your own compared to other options in the market.
| Mackie V2 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 9.75 x 6 x 0.7 inches |
Weight Capacity | 11 Pounds |
Measurement Increments | 1 gram increments or .01 ounce increments. |
Measurement Units | ounces, pounds, grams, fluid ounces and milliliters |
Highlight Features | the USDA’s calorie and Macros calculator the .01 ounce increments 900+ custom food codes |
The Mackie V2 allows you to make the most of your kitchen scale. It can weigh, display, and help you track nutritional value with ease.
Largest Weight Capacity: EatSmart ESKS-10
- Perfect for weighing large items – the 15-pound capacity
- Clear readouts – huge digits & large-sized, backlit display
- Easy to track your portion - an EatSmart calorie factors guide
- Not instantly turn on
- The power button requires pressing for 2 seconds to turn off
We were pleasantly surprised by the EatSmart ESKS-10 of its enormous capacity (15 pounds in 0.05-ounce increments), along with an expanded surface, an extra-large backlit display, and huge digits.
In our accuracy tests, it gave the same readout across the center and four corners. This means you'll get the accuracy reading even when placing the items off-center - something that cheap options hardly do.
But that is not all!
The ESKS-10 also features an EatSmart calorie factors guide to help you control your portion. The three-minute auto-off setting is practical.
| EatSmart ESKS-10 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 10 x 7.5 x 1 inches |
Weight Capacity | 15 pounds |
Measurement Increments | 0.05 oz./1 gram increments |
Measurement Units | Pounds/ounces, grams, and decimal pounds |
Highlight Features | the 15-pound capacity huge digits & large-sized, backlit display an EatSmart calorie factors guide |
Check out the EatSmart ESKS-10 if you’re in need of a digital kitchen scale with the largest weight capacity.
Smallest Weight Capacity: San Jamar SCMDL5
- Space-saving – the compact size of 7.5 x 9 x 7.5 inches
- Sleek and stylish looking – seamless stainless-steel design
- Struggling to hold and weigh round items - No bowl
The San Jamar SCMDL5 ticks all the boxes of a dream kitchen scale: affordability, compactness, smallest capacity, and accuracy.
Compared to other similar counterparts, this one boasts a simple and clear read dial with bigger digits, making it a friendly option for seniors.
As an added bonus, the seamless stainless-steel design brings a sleek and stylish look to be a unique decoration item in your kitchen.
| San Jamar SCMDL5 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 7.5 x 9 x 7.5 inches |
Weight Capacity | 5 Pounds |
Measurement Increments | 1/2 ounce increments |
Measurement Units | Pounds and ounces |
Highlight Features | the compact size of 7.5 x 9 x 7.5 inches seamless stainless-steel design |
The San Jamar SCMDL5 is the smallest weight capacity model we tested that works consistently and accurately.
Easy To Read: Starfrit 080211-003-0000
- Easy to read – huge digits
- Able to weigh large ingredients – the 11-pound capacity & a large bowl
- Unique retro look
- Taking up considerable space
This is the favorite pick of budget-conscious shoppers who only concern two primary things when looking for a new mechanical kitchen scale: easy reading and accuracy.
The Starfrit 080211-003-0000 is easy to set up, can measure a large and heavy item up to 11 pounds in 1-ounce increment, and gives clear readouts. The price is excellent!
We also love the way it looks. With a unique retro appearance, this scale is perfect for decoration purposes.
| Starfrit 080211-003-0000 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 8.9 x 8.9 x 7.7 inches |
Weight Capacity | 11 Pounds |
Measurement Increments | 1oz |
Measurement Units | Ounces, pounds, kilograms, grams |
Highlight Features | huge digits the 11-pound capacity & a large bowl Unique retro look |
The Starfrit 080211-003-0000 is what a good mechanical kitchen scale should be: accurate, easy to read, versatile, and affordable.
Best For Bread Making: San Jamar SCDLB2
- Perfect for bread making – the 2-pound capacity & 1-ounce increments
- Easy to keep clean – a removable bowl
- The bottom edges are sharp
If you want an accurate mechanical kitchen scale for making bread, look no further.
The San Jamar SCDLB2 works consistently, features all the range of measurements needed for making bread, and is accurate to one ounce. The metal bowl is removable for easy cleaning and the non-slip feet feel stable.
For the price, this is a no-brainer.
| San Jamar SCDLB2 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 8 x 8.5 x 10 inches |
Weight Capacity | 2 Pounds |
Measurement Increments | 1 oz. (20g) |
Measurement Units | (lb. / oz.) and (kg / g) |
Highlight Features | the 2-pound capacity 1-ounce increments |
When it comes to mechanical kitchen scales for bread making, the San Jamar SCDLB2 is easily our favorite
How To Choose The Most Accurate Kitchen Scale?
Measuring Units
Find the kitchen scale that is comfortable for you to use! From that point, we find the measuring unit is an important element to consider.
If it’s just you who is going to use the scale, then pick a model able to measure in the measuring unit that you’re familiar with. For 2+ users, consider a kitchen scale that measures in both metric and imperial units.
For precision and intuition, our experts recommend choosing a model that reads ounces in decimals rather than fractions.
If you usually have to measure heavy items, pick a kitchen scale with choices between lb./oz. and oz. as this helps save your time from doing conversion math.
Accuracy
Whether it’s a 10-gram capacity kitchen scale or a 10-pound option, a digital kitchen scale or a mechanical model, the unit must weigh everything within its ranges consistently and accurately.
When testing an option, we often check if the scale gives consistent readings when we place the object in the center and on the corners of the platform. And, our experts advise you to do so when you’re looking for a new kitchen scale at offline stores.
For online shoppers, it is helpful to read the product descriptions, relevant customer feedback, and review lists by experts.
Size
A kitchen scale with a reasonably sized platform is important. The key reason is the assurance of accuracy when you measure items at different sizes – whether that’s a bag of onions, a mixing bowl, or a lemon. Besides, a reasonably sized platform of a scale doesn’t take up space in your cabinet when not in use.
According to our experience, the platform size of a scale should be from 5-1/2” to 12” across in length.
Which Brands Make The Most Accurate Kitchen Scale?
OXO
OXO has been a proud US-based brand for kitchen tools since 1990. At the current, they have had nearly 100 headquarters across the United States and around the world. Their products are known for top-notch durability and functionality.
Starfrit
Starfrit has been in the industry for 55+ years and the key for their success is the very strong R&D team of the best Canadian and Worldwide inventors. That also explains the diversity of their product lines, along with superior function and extraordinary performance.
FAQs
What type of food scale is the most accurate?
Digital food scales are the most accurate because they eliminate the guesswork as when you’re reading a mechanical model. The superior accuracy levels also come from the interior construction – which features fewer moving parts to not go wrong inside.
Are cheap digital scales accurate?
Yes, they are. As long as they’re set up precisely and utilized consistently, cheap digital scales are still more accurate than the mechanical ones.
How do I know if my scale is accurate?
To know if your kitchen scale is accurate, prepare some pennies. Put one quarter (which weighs 5.67 grams) on the scale bowl or plate and check the reading. Put another quarter on it and check the reading again.
If the results are orderly 5.67 grams and 11.34 grams, then the scale is accurate.
Should I weigh raw or cooked food?
You should weigh raw food for the most consistent and accurate food measurement as the nutrition facts panels provide details for foods in their packaged state.
Is a kitchen scale good for weight loss?
Yes, it is. A kitchen scale is good for weight loss because:
1) A lot of processed foods hold more calories than what is claimed on their labels
2) This tool helps you accurately measure and track your nutrient intake to lose weight faster without eating a calorie deficit
Conclusion
That’s all for this post!
Although the number of options on the market can be overwhelming when shopping for the most accurate kitchen scale, our team hopes that the review and buying guide enhances your confidence to make your right purchase. Thanks for reading!
