We weighed all the pros and cons to determine the best kitchen scale option at every price point.

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Written by  Corin Cesaric

Article updated on January 1, 2026 at 3:00 AM PST

Corin Cesaric Editor

Corin Cesaric is a Flex Editor at CNET. She received her bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Before joining CNET, she covered crime at People Magazine and national and international news at NBC Local Television Stations.

Expertise Home | Health | Energy | Climate Change | AI | Appliances

Whether you're an aspiring baker, hoping to make the perfect cup of coffee or a meal prepper, a kitchen scale will come in handy, and there are plenty of options on the market.

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• Best Kitchen Scales of 2026, Tested and Reviewed
• What's the best kitchen scale?
• Best overall kitchen scale
• Best mechanical kitchen scale
• Best cheap kitchen scale
• Best splurge kitchen scale
• Other kitchen scales we tested
• How we tested kitchen scales
• Factors to consider when buying a kitchen scale
• Best kitchen scale FAQ

Kitchen scales have many uses, including meal preparation.

Moyo Studio/Getty Images

From manual scales to battery-operated options slim enough to tuck into a drawer out of sight, there's one that's right for every type of cook. We tested several 11-pound capacity scales and rounded up our favorite options. Plus, here are eight reasons why chefs say everyone needs to add a scale to their kitchen. Here's everything to know about picking the best kitchen scale this year. 

What's the best kitchen scale?

OXO 11-lb. Food Scale with Pull-Out Display is the ideal scale for a baker.

OXO

After conducting hands-on testing on numerous scales, we've landed on Oxo's 11-lb Stainless Steel Food Scale with Pull-Out Display as the best kitchen scale of 2026. With its pull-out display and sleek appearance, this model is perfect for every kitchen need.

Best kitchen scales of 2025

Pros

• Pull-out display
• Removable base

Cons

• Uses 4 batteries (included)

This scale proved highly accurate during tests with various weights, all the way down to one single gram. It also was both simple to use and easy to clean. Plus, the pull-out display lights up and is ideal when using a large bowl that would otherwise cover the weight reading.

The scale also has a sturdy build that gives the impression it'll stand the test of time, as Oxo kitchen tools often do.

There are four weight units to choose from (pounds, ounces, grams and kilograms) and the stainless steel base is removable, making it easy to deep clean. It also offers a tare function that'll cancel out the weight of the bowl you're using to weigh your ingredients, ensuring an accurate read every time.  

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Pros

• Accurate
• No batteries needed
• Removable bowl

Cons

• Bulky

This scale was accurate and easy to assemble. Because batteries aren't required with mechanical scales, you never have to worry about them draining or your scale not being ready to use.

The bowl fits snugly on top of the scale and is removable. The large display is easy to read and the classic design matches any style of kitchen. However, because of the size of this scale, it's best for a larger kitchen, or at least one that has counter space to spare.

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Pros

• Affordable
• Lightweight

Cons

• Might not be as durable as others

This compact scale is accurate and easy to use. When adding one gram to the scale, it occasionally took a few seconds longer than other scales to register the new weight. However, it was extremely accurate overall, especially with weights above one gram and when the weight was placed in the middle of the scale. Plus, its slimness makes it the easiest scale to tuck away into any kitchen drawer or cabinet.

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Pros

• Unique design
• Rechargeable

Cons

• Slightly bulky
• Not as versatile as a flat scale

Like all of SMEG’s retro-inspired tools and appliances, this kitchen scale is aesthetically pleasing. It's also accurate. It has a removable, dishwasher-safe bowl and functions for up to 23 hours before needing a recharge. The light-up screen made the weight readings easy to read, and it can displays the weight in four units (grams, milliliters, pounds and ounces).

I also appreciated the thoughtful packaging, which included cloth covers for the bowl and scale to protect them from scratches during storage. Despite the high price tag, the Smeg scale hit all the performance marks.

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Etekcity Food Kitchen Scale with Bowl: This scale was accurate and easy to use, but ultimately we didn't choose it because flat scales are more versatile. But if you’re looking for an accurate scale that’s easy to use and clean, it's still a great choice. You can also use the base without the bowl to measure other ingredients directly on the base or with a different bowl or plate. 

This Etekcity scale is good for baking as well.

Corin Cesaric/CNET

Escali DS115B Mercado Stainless Steel Scale: Although this mechanical scale was accurate, it didn't come with instructions for assembling or using it. The screws that had to be removed to attach the base that holds the bowl were also hard to remove. Once the scale was in use, I had no complaints about its quality. But the numbers on the scale are smaller than the Taylor Mechanical Scale and could be slightly more difficult for some to read.  

Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scale: Although this scale is a great deal, the readings were occasionally inaccurate. However, they were only off by one single gram when the weight was placed outside the middle of the scale. For the price, this scale performed well, but when I compared it to an equally affordable scale, its inferior screen display made it lose the battle. The screen display doesn't light up like the others, making measurements harder to read. The buttons and scale itself also felt less sturdy than other options and the stainless steel smudged quickly. 

Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scale could benefit from having a light-up display screen.

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I tested each scale on this list with a calibration set to determine how accurate the scales were, with weights as low as one gram.

I also handled each scale to test the functionality and user-friendliness, including how the buttons worked, whether or not they were intuitive, what the readings looked like and if the scales had to be assembled before use.

The calibration test helped us determine which scales had the most accurate readings

Corin Cesaric/CNET

What you plan on measuring

The most important thing to consider when deciding on a kitchen scale is what you’re going to be measuring. If you’re using it for coffee or meal prepping, a flat and highly accurate scale like the OXO scale is best. 

If you’re using your scale for baking, any type will work, including scales with removable bowls. And if you only need it for occasional use, it might be best to go with a budget option like the Etekcity Food Kitchen Scale. 

Looks and aesthetics

If you want to display your scale on your countertop, the SMEG Contemporary Kitchen Scale and Taylor Mechanical Scale are perfect statement pieces for your kitchen.

Other uses beyond baking

Keep in mind that your kitchen scale has other uses, too. For example, if you need to purchase postage for a small package, you can weigh your package with your scale, then buy the postage online, which will save you some money in comparison to purchasing it at the post office.

How do you clean a kitchen scale? 

For removable parts, handwashing is recommended, while the main scale can be easily maintained by wiping it down with a washcloth and ensuring it’s fully dried.

What can you use a kitchen scale for?

They're often used for baking ingredients, such as flour, butter and sugar. They can also be used for dieting and meal preparation, coffee and weighing small packages you're planning to ship.