Kitchen scales take the guesswork out of ingredient measuring. Whether you’re baking or rustling up a meal, you need a lightweight and compact tool that’s up to the job. These best digital kitchen scales are here to take your home cooking to the next level.
If you are looking for the best kitchen scales, then you have come to the right place. In this article, we will discuss five different brands of kitchen scales that range in price from competitively cheap to expensive.
We’ll talk about how each scale is priced and what features they offer so that you can make an informed decision on which one might be best for your needs. Let’s get into it.
Ozeri ZK13-5PW Touch II
Simple. Lightweight. Beautiful. The Ozeri Touch II is a lovely tool that would look at home in any kitchen. Its modern design makes it look more like an iPad or tablet and less like a bulky traditional scale, and its size means that it’s easy to store away, leaving you with more room in your kitchen to play with.
It’s not all about appearances though. Ozeri have produced a scale set that outperforms so many of its contemporaries. The sensitivity of this scale means that its pin-point accuracy won’t let you down. It displays weights in pounds, kilograms, grams and ounces, making it suitable for all preferences.
It’s also safe. The Ozeri Touch II features built-in microban protection which means you can weight meat and fish without the risk of bacteria such as salmonella and ecoli.
EatSmart Precision Elite
If you’re after a model that packs in a whole host of features then look no further. While not quite as sleek-looking as the Ozeri above, the EatSmart is definitely the best nutrition scale out there right now. Displaying not only weight, this scale also shows you the nutritional value of a given food item, telling you the number of calories, carbs, fats, and much more, all with the simplicity of the press of a button.
While this feature may not be a deal break for many of you, those of us with particular dietary requirements (for example, diabetes sufferers or even just those of you trying to get more of a handle on your food intake) need to know exactly what is in their food. This scale from EatSmart takes away any anxiety you might have about the contents of your food, and for that they must be commended.
The scale set performs excellently, with pin-point accuracy and is incredibly easy to use. Certainly the best scales out there for food lovers who want to know exactly what they’re eating.
EatSmart ESKS-01 Precision Pro Digital
Another EatSmart scale here, but of the more simple weight variety. The Precision Pro is incredibly straight forward, but don’t mistake this for low-quality: This model is one of the most accurate and reliable models out there, and more than justifies its place in our top three.
The Precision Pro is all about saving you time and being easy to use. Its face features just two buttons: On/Off and unit selection. For those of you who are working within a budget and need something easy then this is the one for you.
Important Features
When shopping for kitchen scales, there are three important things to keep in mind before making your purchase.
Scale Type
You can choose between digital or mechanical scales, or opt for a hybrid of the two. If you want easy storage, you might find mechanical scales too bulky and imposing on countertop space. For this list, we’ve focused on digital models for the sake of saving space.
Unit Measurements
It helps to get a kitchen scale that will have multiple units of measurements. So that you don’t need to be whipping out your calculator each time you need to convert measurements called for in a recipe, let’s say you’re using a recipe that needs you to measure ½ a pound of sugar. If your scale is denoted in kilograms and grams, this will be a problem. But if it has different variations and you can switch from one SI unit to another, your life becomes more accessible.
It also helps to get a scale that can measure different units, such as switching between mass, weight, and volume. A scale that can interchange in this way cuts out the need to get a separate device to calculate your quantities and measure them accurately.
Accuracy
Kitchen scales are a great way to know how much you are putting into your different recipes. While old wives’ tales often use the age-old eye test to measure quantities. However, this isn’t the best. It may work for one cook, but the recipe won’t remain consistent if made by different people. Accuracy is critical, and the only way you will know if you are using the exact quantities is to measure them. This is why accuracy is a big deal for kitchen scales.
Accuracy will also depend on the type of scale that you use, which we will take a look at a little later. It may sound like judging a book by its cover, but often, the cheaper a scale is, the less accurate it will be. The pricier versions have bells and whistles, such as more sensors, to make sure they get the right reading.
The pricier versions often have a better build and insulation against water damage and potential damage from working in the kitchen. Another feature the better builds will usually come with to amp up accuracy is modern additions such as chipsets. The display rate is also often faster on pricier versions, and so is the refresh rate. These are all contributing factors to the accuracy on a kitchen scale. Also, look for a scale with smaller measuring increments, as this often means that you will be closer to an accurate number.
Weight Capacity Range
This refers to the total weight that the scale can take. It’s important to know this so that you don’t overburden it. For instance, you can’t use a regular kitchen scale for heavy-duty restaurant measuring. Find out what the maximum weight is that you can place on the scale without breaking it. A regular kitchen scale for home use can carry up to 6 and 12 pounds in most cases.
Sizes will vary according to manufacturers’ specifications. The weight capacity range that you choose should be compatible with what you intend to be measuring. A meat scale will be different from a scale for liquids or dry baking ingredients.
Try to think ahead and get the scale that is right for you. Also, most kitchen scales don’t cover tiny measurements. As such, if you know that you will measure minimal amounts that are not within the specified weight capacity range, you may need to switch to a pocket scale for more accurate readings.
Battery Life
A good battery should last about 12 months or so. But this also depends on the manufacturer of the battery. It is always better to go with rechargeable batteries.
Surface Design
Some scales come with a built-in measuring cup, which can be handy for measuring produce, such as fruits or vegetables.
If you don’t need a measuring cup, opt for scales with a flat stainless steel plate. Most digital or digital-mechanical scales have a flat surface, which allows you more measuring flexibility and is easy to clean.
Digital vs. Analog Scales
Kitchen scales come in different versions; digital and analog scales. They each have their advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a look at some of those. Firstly, digital scales are usually more accurate than analog scales. Also, you will find that they are often more versatile. You can switch between different measuring units on a digital scale but not on an analog scale.
The digital scale is one of the most common kitchen scales. It’s easy to use, easy to read, and also easy to set to your preference. You can weigh ingredients that range between half an ounce, right up to 12 pounds. They are powered by a battery that you can replace when necessary. The weight measurements will often read 0.05-ounce increments. This helps increase accuracy. Also, digital scales are often fitted with rubber feet so that the scale doesn’t move about on the countertop.
Analog scales, on the other hand, do not operate on batteries which is a plus because it means that you will not need to worry about battery power. You can operate it anywhere anytime. Also, analog scales are much larger than digital scales. While this is good, it also means that you need to consider more counter space. The weight is displayed on the analog reading and not on a digital screen. An analog scale does have the bells and whistles that a digital scale does.
How to Calibrate a Kitchen Scale
All kitchen scales lose their accuracy over time. Thankfully, a quick calibration can put it back on track. Here’s how to do it the right for both digital and analog scales.
Digital
While most digital scales come pre-calibrated, it’s essential to keep the accuracy in check by calibrating after some months. Hold down the calibration button until it tells you that it is ready to calibrate. Then place the suggested weight on the scale needed to calibrate the scale. Do this until it shows a “0”. Some scales may display an “end,” then you know it’s done calibrating.
Analog
These are some of the easiest scales to calibrate. Simply stand above the scale, and look at the dial, ensuring that the measuring line is aligned with the “0”. It’s almost like winding a watch that has lost time. Look for the dial at the back of the display to calibrate it if need be. The desired result is when the measuring tip lines with “0”.
Maintenance Tips
One of the biggest maintenance tips is to keep the scale clean. This will help you maintain accuracy. Cleanliness involves removing food debris from the different cracks it may get wedged in. alcohol-based cleaners help clean effectively. Also, maintain the scale by making sure that the batteries are often swapped out. Make sure to check the battery levels to see when they need to be changed.
FAQ
Do digital kitchen scales lose accuracy over time?
Over time, all kitchen scales become inaccurate and require recalibration. While some models are easy to calibrate by simply using standard weights, others should be replaced when they’ve lost their accuracy for good.
How do I know that my kitchen scale is accurate?
One of the easiest ways to do this is to place something on the scale with a weight that you know. This will let you see if you are on the right track. This is the easiest way. However, you could also make use of calibration weights. You can weigh two different items and make sure that the weights tally.
You can also use the following weights to check the accuracy of your scale: A nickel weighs 5 grams, pennies weigh 2.5 grams, while quarters weigh 5.67 grams.
What kind of scale do professional bakers use?
Professional bakers will often opt for scales with a comprehensive weight range that can measure dry and wet ingredients. The more versatile the scale is, the better. A scale that shows percentages is also a favorite because this then assists in adjusting recipes when needed.
