Best of
The Best Measuring Cups (2026)
The best measuring cups of 2026: Pyrex and Anchor Hocking glass jugs, OXO angled and adjustable cups, and Spring Chef and Hudson Essentials steel sets, compared on wet vs dry use, markings, and pour control.
Our top picks at a glance
Best overall
Pyrex Prepware 2-Piece Glass Measuring Set, 1 and 2-CupEveryday liquid measuring, melting butter, and mixing small batches of batter or sauce right in the cup.
Best angled cup
OXO Good Grips Angled Measuring Cup, 2 CupAnyone who hates lifting a jug to eye level, and cooks who measure liquids at the counter while pouring.
Best adjustable cup
OXO Good Grips Adjustable Liquid Measuring Cup, 2 CupSticky ingredients like honey and peanut butter, and cooks who want one cup to replace a whole set of dry measures.
For most kitchens, buy two things: the Pyrex Prepware 2-Piece Glass Set for liquids and the Spring Chef Magnetic Cups Set of 7 for dry ingredients. Together they cover the two measuring jobs properly, with glass that handles heat and steel markings that will not fade. If you pour at the counter and hate lifting a jug to eye level, add the OXO Good Grips Angled 2-Cup. If you bake in big batches, the Hudson Essentials 9-Piece Set is the one dry set that reaches 2 cups.
The picks, ranked
Best overall
Pyrex Prepware 2-Piece Glass Measuring Set, 1 and 2-Cup
The classic glass liquid set: a 1-cup and a 2-cup jug in nonporous glass that goes from microwave to freezer and stacks for storage.
Strengths
- Nonporous glass will not warp, stain, or absorb odors, so the cups stay clear and neutral through years of use.
- The glass is preheated-oven, microwave, fridge, freezer, and dishwasher safe, so you can melt, mix, and store in the same cup.
- Two sizes cover the common liquid range: the 1-cup for dressings and small amounts, the 2-cup for most recipes.
Limitations
- Glass is breakable, so a drop on a tile floor can end a cup that a steel or plastic cup would survive.
- The 2-cup top size is too small for large batters, soups, or stock, where a 4-cup jug is needed.
- Reading the level means lifting the jug to eye level, which the angled OXO cup avoids.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Glass stays clear and neutral after years of use with no lingering smells
- melting butter and warming milk right in the jug saves a bowl
- two sizes cover most everyday recipes without reaching for anything else
Common complaints
- Glass breaks on a hard floor where steel or plastic would survive
- reading the level means lifting the jug to eye level each time
- the 2-cup ceiling forces a mixing bowl for large batters
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Includes | 1-cup and 2-cup glass measuring cups |
|---|---|
| Material | Nonporous glass |
| Heat and cold | Preheated oven, microwave, fridge, freezer safe |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
| Storage | Stackable design |
Best for: Everyday liquid measuring, melting butter, and mixing small batches of batter or sauce right in the cup.
Skip if: You mainly measure dry ingredients, or you want a cup larger than 2 cups for stock and big batters.
Best angled cup
OXO Good Grips Angled Measuring Cup, 2 Cup
The read-from-above cup: a patented angled surface puts the markings where you can see them while pouring, no crouching required.
Strengths
- The patented angled surface lets you read the measurement looking straight down into the cup, so you stop pouring at the right line first time.
- The oval shape and soft, non-slip handle give a comfortable grip and a controlled pour from a generous spout.
- Standard and metric markings are printed on the cup, so one cup covers recipes written either way.
Limitations
- The cup is Tritan plastic, not glass, so it cannot go in the microwave or a preheated oven like the Pyrex set.
- Plastic can cloud with heavy use and long dishwasher cycles, where glass stays clear.
- Stock on this listing has been thin, so check availability before settling on it as your only liquid cup.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Reading the level from above while pouring removes the lift-check-adjust dance
- soft handle and wide spout give a controlled pour with no dribbles
- light plastic body is easy to hold one-handed even when full
Common complaints
- Plastic cannot take microwave heat like a glass jug
- surface can cloud after many hot dishwasher cycles
- thin stock on the listing makes it a poor choice as an only cup
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Capacity | 2 cups (500 ml) |
|---|---|
| Material | BPA-free Tritan Renew |
| Markings | Standard and metric, on an angled surface |
| Handle | Soft, non-slip |
| Dimensions | 7.09 x 4.41 x 4.02 inches |
Best for: Anyone who hates lifting a jug to eye level, and cooks who measure liquids at the counter while pouring.
Skip if: You want glass, or you need more than 2 cups, or you want a cup you can heat in the microwave.
Best adjustable cup
OXO Good Grips Adjustable Liquid Measuring Cup, 2 Cup
The one-cup-does-all adjuster: twist the plunger to any amount from a quarter cup to 2 cups, then push sticky ingredients straight out.
Strengths
- One cup adjusts from a quarter cup to 2 cups, so a single tool covers most dry and liquid amounts without a set.
- The silicone disk on the plunger acts as a squeegee on the inside of the cup, pushing sticky ingredients out cleanly instead of leaving half behind.
- The smooth rotating body and turning knob make setting the amount a quick twist, and the wide rim pours easily.
Limitations
- The plunger mechanism adds parts to wash, and sticky residue can hide around the silicone disk if it is not cleaned properly.
- Setting an odd amount takes a moment of twisting, where grabbing a fixed-size dry cup is instant.
- The cylindrical shape holds less than a wide jug for the same height, and it is a single cup, not a set.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- One cup replaces a whole set of dry measures for most amounts
- silicone disk pushes honey and peanut butter out cleanly with little left behind
- twisting to an odd amount is quick once the motion becomes habit
Common complaints
- Plunger parts add washing time and hide sticky residue around the disk
- setting an amount takes longer than grabbing a fixed-size cup
- single cup means no second measure while one is in use
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Capacity | 2 cups, adjustable from 1/4 cup |
|---|---|
| Mechanism | Plunger with silicone squeegee disk |
| Markings | Cups, ounces, and milliliters |
| Material | BPA-free plastic |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
Best for: Sticky ingredients like honey and peanut butter, and cooks who want one cup to replace a whole set of dry measures.
Skip if: You want the simplest possible cup, or you measure mostly thin liquids where a plain glass jug is faster.
Best magnetic dry set
Spring Chef Magnetic Stainless Steel Measuring Cups Set of 7, Desert Sunset
The magnetic dry set: seven steel cups that snap together for storage, with engraved markings and colour-coded grips you can spot at a glance.
Strengths
- The cups nest magnetically, so they stay together in storage and come apart one at a time with no ring to open or close.
- Measurements are engraved on the handles and punched on the sides in US and metric units, so they will not rub or fade away.
- Seven sizes from 1/8 cup to 1 cup cover nearly every dry amount a recipe calls for, including the in-between 2/3 and 3/4 cups.
Limitations
- There is no pour spout, so tipping flour or sugar into a narrow bowl takes more care than with a spouted cup.
- The coloured silicone grips are the part most likely to show wear over years of dishwasher cycles.
- A mid-range position costs more than a basic steel set with the same sizes, so the premium is really for the magnets and the grips.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Magnets keep the set together in a drawer with no ring to open
- engraved markings stay readable after countless washes
- coloured grips make each size easy to spot at a glance
Common complaints
- No spout means pouring into a narrow bowl takes extra care
- coloured grips are the first part to show wear from dishwasher heat
- mid-range price buys convenience rather than extra sizes
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Includes | 7 cups: 1/8, 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 1 cup |
|---|---|
| Material | 304 stainless steel |
| Storage | Magnetic nesting, no ring |
| Markings | Engraved US and metric, on handle and side |
| Colour | Desert Sunset grips |
Best for: Bakers who measure dry ingredients daily and want a set that stays together in the drawer without a ring.
Skip if: You want the cheapest dry set, or you measure liquids in these cups, which have no spout for pouring.
Best budget steel set
Hudson Essentials Stainless Steel Measuring Cups Set, 6 Piece
The budget steel classic: six nesting cups with a pour spout, in food-grade stainless that costs little and lasts for years.
Strengths
- Six common sizes from 1/4 cup to 1 cup cover the dry amounts most recipes use, at a budget position.
- Each cup has a spout, so pouring flour or sugar into a bowl is cleaner than with a rim-only cup.
- Food-grade stainless steel will not rust or corrode, and the set nests for compact drawer storage.
Limitations
- There is no 1/8 cup, so very small dry amounts need a measuring spoon instead.
- The cups stack on a ring rather than magnetically, so the ring has to be opened to use one cup alone.
- Markings are stamped rather than engraved, and the smallest cups can be fiddly to level off cleanly.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Spout on every cup pours flour and sugar cleanly into a bowl
- steel feels solid and shows no rust after long use
- low price makes it an easy first set for a new kitchen
Common complaints
- Missing 1/8 cup forces a spoon for very small dry amounts
- ring storage means opening the ring to use a single cup
- smallest cups are fiddly to level off neatly
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Includes | 6 cups: 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 1 cup |
|---|---|
| Material | Food-grade stainless steel |
| Pouring | Spout on each cup |
| Storage | Nesting set |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
Best for: Buyers who want a solid steel dry set at the lowest sensible price, with a spout for clean pouring.
Skip if: You want the 1/8 cup size or magnetic storage, or you need cups larger than 1 cup.
Best glass set value
Anchor Hocking Glass Measuring Cups, 3 Piece Set (1 Cup, 2 Cup, 4 Cup)
The three-size glass set: 1, 2, and 4-cup jugs in made-in-USA glass, so big batters and small dressings both have the right cup.
Strengths
- Three sizes up to 4 cups mean you stop borrowing a mixing bowl when a recipe scales up.
- The glass is microwave, fridge, freezer, and dishwasher safe, so you can melt, mix, reheat, and store in the same jug.
- Imperial and metric units sit side by side on sturdy glass, and the signature spout pours cleanly.
Limitations
- Three glass jugs take real cabinet space, and the 4-cup jug is heavy when full.
- Glass breaks on hard floors, so this set suits careful handling more than a busy household with small children.
- Like all glass jugs, you still lift it to eye level to read the line, which the OXO angled cup avoids.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Three sizes up to 4 cups mean large batters get a proper jug
- glass handles microwave, fridge, and freezer without a second vessel
- imperial and metric side by side suit recipes from any source
Common complaints
- Three glass jugs take serious cabinet space
- 4-cup jug is heavy when full and needs two hands
- glass needs careful handling around hard floors and small children
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Includes | 1-cup, 2-cup, and 4-cup glass measuring cups |
|---|---|
| Material | Lead-free, BPA-free glass |
| Markings | Ounces, cups, milliliters, and liters |
| Care | Microwave, fridge, freezer, and dishwasher safe |
| Origin | Made in USA |
Best for: Households that want one glass set to cover every liquid amount, from a tablespoon of oil to a full quart of batter.
Skip if: You have limited cabinet space for three glass jugs, or you want a set that also covers dry measuring.
Best lidded set
Anchor Hocking Lidded Measuring Cup Set, 2-Piece (2-Cup and 4-Cup with Red Lids)
The measure-and-store jug: a 2-cup and a 4-cup glass cup with snap-on lids, so pre-measured ingredients wait in the fridge.
Strengths
- Red snap-on lids seal each cup, so a measured dressing or batter can wait in the fridge without a spill or a smell.
- Bold red graduations in cups, ounces, and milliliters are easy to read from several angles.
- The open-handle design suits both right and left-handed pouring, and the cups nest when the lids are off.
Limitations
- The set has no 1-cup size, so small liquid amounts still need another cup.
- Lids are one more part to wash and store, and a lost lid leaves a cup that is just a plain jug.
- The 4-cup jug with a full load is heavy, and the lid seal needs a firm press to sit properly.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Snap-on lids turn measured ingredients into sealed fridge storage
- bold red graduations read clearly from several angles
- open handle suits both right and left-handed pouring
Common complaints
- No 1-cup size in the set leaves small amounts to another cup
- lids are extra parts to wash and easy to misplace
- seal needs a firm press or it sits slightly askew
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Includes | 2-cup and 4-cup glass cups, each with a red lid |
|---|---|
| Material | Tempered glass; BPA-free plastic lids |
| Markings | Cups, ounces, and milliliters in red |
| Care | Dishwasher, microwave, and fridge safe |
| Storage | Nesting cups; lids seal for fridge storage |
Best for: Meal preppers and bakers who measure ingredients ahead of time and want them sealed until use.
Skip if: You never store measured ingredients, or you want a 1-cup size in the set.
Best complete kit
Spring Chef Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons Set of 14 with Leveler
The complete kit: seven dry cups, six spoons, and a leveler on one ring, so every amount from an eighth of a teaspoon to a full cup is covered.
Strengths
- Seven cups and six spoons cover the full range from 1/8 teaspoon to 1 cup, so no recipe amount is left uncovered.
- The included leveler sweeps dry ingredients flat for a true level measure, which is the step most bakers skip.
- The spoons are narrow and rectangular to fit into most spice jars, so you scoop straight from the jar instead of shaking spice onto a spoon.
Limitations
- Everything hangs on a ring, so using one cup means opening the ring or pulling the whole set out.
- Fourteen pieces take more drawer space than a cups-only set, and the leveler is easy to misplace.
- This is a dry-measuring kit: liquids still need a glass jug, so it does not replace the Pyrex or Anchor Hocking picks.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Cups, spoons, and leveler in one box cover every amount a recipe can name
- narrow spoons scoop straight from spice jars without shaking
- leveler makes a true flat measure quick and repeatable
Common complaints
- Everything on one ring means pulling the whole set out for a single cup
- fourteen pieces take more drawer space than a cups-only set
- leveler is small and easy to lose in a busy drawer
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Cups | 7 cups: 1/8, 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 1 cup |
|---|---|
| Spoons | 6 spoons: 1/8 tsp, 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 3/4 tsp, 1 tsp, 1 Tbsp |
| Extras | Leveler and ring |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Markings | Engraved US and metric |
Best for: Bakers starting from scratch who want cups, spoons, and a leveler in one purchase.
Skip if: You already own measuring spoons, or you want magnetic storage instead of a ring.
Best single steel cup
Hudson Essentials Stainless Steel Measuring Cup, 2-Cup Single
The single steel liquid cup: one 2-cup measure in heavy 18/8 stainless, with stamped markings inside and out for hot and cold liquids.
Strengths
- Single-piece 18/8 stainless construction with no welds, rivets, or soldered handle, so there is nothing to loosen or trap food.
- Stamped measurements on the handle, the outside, and the inside of the cup make levels readable from above and from the side.
- Steel handles hot liquids without the thermal-shock worry of glass, and it will not melt or warp like plastic.
Limitations
- It is a single cup, so dry measuring still needs a set, and small liquid amounts are hard to read in a 2-cup body.
- Steel hides the liquid level from outside, so you read from the top, not through the wall like glass.
- There is no spout, so pouring a thin liquid from a full cup takes a steady hand.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Heavy single-piece steel feels indestructible in daily use
- stamped marks inside the cup read clearly from above
- hot liquids go in without any worry about heat shock
Common complaints
- Steel wall hides the level from outside so reading is top-down only
- no spout means a full cup of thin liquid needs a steady pour
- single cup cannot cover dry sizes or small liquid amounts
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Capacity | 2 cups |
|---|---|
| Material | 18/8 stainless steel, single-piece construction |
| Markings | Stamped on handle, outside, and interior |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
| Use | Hot and cold liquids |
Best for: Cooks who want one tough liquid cup for sauces, gravy, and hot liquids, without buying a whole set.
Skip if: You need dry-cup sizes too, or you want a spouted glass jug for reading levels at a glance.
Best large-size set
Hudson Essentials Stainless Steel Measuring Cups Set, 9 Piece with Spout
The big-batch steel set: nine cups from an eighth of a cup to a full 2 cups, with spouts and stamped markings for large dry measures.
Strengths
- Nine sizes run from 1/8 cup to 2 cups, including 1.5-cup and 2-cup measures that most dry sets stop short of.
- Every cup has a spout, so large dry amounts pour cleanly into a mixer bowl instead of spilling over the rim.
- Stamped measurements on the handle, the outside, and the interior of each cup survive washing far better than printed marks.
Limitations
- Nine nested cups make a tall stack that needs a deep drawer or a high shelf.
- The largest cups are heavy in steel, so a full 2-cup scoop of flour is a two-hand lift for some cooks.
- The set duplicates the small sizes of any other steel set, so it suits buyers who do not already own one.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Cups up to 2 cups cover big-batch baking no standard set reaches
- spout on every cup pours large dry amounts cleanly
- stamped markings inside and out survive heavy washing
Common complaints
- Nine nested cups make a tall stack needing a deep drawer
- largest cups are heavy when full of flour
- small sizes duplicate any steel set already owned
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Includes | 9 cups: 1/8, 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 1, 1.5, 2 cup |
|---|---|
| Material | Food-grade stainless steel |
| Pouring | Spout on each cup |
| Markings | Stamped on handle, outside, and interior |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
Best for: Bakers who scale recipes up and need dry cups larger than 1 cup, with a spout for pouring into a mixer bowl.
Skip if: You bake small batches only, or you want magnetic storage, or you already own a 1-cup-top set.
How we chose
Wet or dry first
Every pick is judged on the job it is built for. Liquid cups need a spout, a readable level, and a shape you can pour from; dry cups need a flat rim to level off, a size range that matches recipes, and markings that survive washing. A cup that tries to do both jobs usually does one badly, so the list keeps the two types separate.
Markings that survive
Printed markings fade, engraved and stamped markings do not. We weighted engraved and stamped markings heavily, because a cup whose numbers have worn off is a guessing cup, and we said plainly where a pick relies on printed marks.
Pour control and reading
A spout, a comfortable handle, and a way to read the level without crouching all count. The angled OXO surface, the glass wall you can see through, and the stamped interior marks on the steel cups each solve the reading problem differently, and we credited each approach on its own terms.
Storage honesty
Measuring cups live in drawers, not on display. Magnetic nesting, ring storage, and stacking all got real weight, because a set that will not stay together is a set that loses its smallest cups first.
Questions, answered
Do I need separate cups for wet and dry ingredients?
Yes, if you want accurate results. Dry cups are filled and leveled off at the rim, while liquid cups are filled to a line on the side and read at eye level. Using one for the other job is the most common source of measurement error in home baking, and it is why this guide keeps the two types separate.
Are glass measuring cups better than plastic?
For liquids, usually: glass does not stain, absorb odors, or cloud, and it handles microwave and oven heat. Plastic wins on weight and on surviving drops, and the OXO angled cup shows plastic at its best with a reading surface glass cannot offer. Steel wins for dry cups, where visibility does not matter and durability does.
Why do my measuring cups have different sizes, like 2/3 cup?
Because recipes use them: a 2/3 cup avoids the error of filling a 1/3 cup twice or guessing two-thirds of a 1-cup measure. Sets that include the in-between sizes (1/8, 2/3, 3/4) are more useful than sets with only the four standard sizes, which is why the steel sets here are ranked partly on their size range.