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Full testing details and ranking chart:
Behind the Testing:
We tested 10 digital kitchen scales to find the best one:
OXO Good Grips 11 lb Food Scale with Pull Out Display
Polder Easy Read Digital Kitchen Scale
Ozeri Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale
Salter Aquatronic Glass Electronic Kitchen Scale
Escali Alimento Digital Scale
Escali Arti Glass Kitchen Scale
American Weigh EDGE-5K Digital Kitchen Scale
American Weigh CITRON-5K Digital Kitchen Scale
Soehnle Page Evolution
Polder Slimmer Stainless Digital Kitchen Scale
No matter what you’re cooking or baking, weighing the ingredients helps guarantee perfect results. But only if your scale is accurate and easy to use.
Love baking? Don’t miss our review of stand mixers:
Know the correct way to use a whisk? Think again:
WINNING TRAITS OF A GOOD DIGITAL SCALE
– Consistently accurate within 2 grams
– Clear, easy-to-read screen that isn’t obscured by large items
– Responsive, intuitive, easy-to-reach buttons
– Removable platform and/or tight seams that keep out food and water
WHAT WE EXAMINED
ACCURACY: We tested three units of each model, weighing 30-, 200-, and 500-gram lab-calibrated weights 10 times on each unit, at the beginning and end of testing. We preferred scales that gave consistently accurate readings; models that routinely varied by more than 2 grams lost points.
EASE OF USE: We timed how long it took to turn on the scales, switch from grams to ounces, and measure 5 ounces of flour. Several test cooks also subjected top-performing models to a week of daily use. The best models had intuitive controls that were easy to access.
LEGIBILITY: We preferred digital displays with sharp color contrast or a backlight option, big digits, and large screens. Scales lost points if a 5-quart mixing bowl blocked or obscured the screen.
DURABILITY: We dropped each model onto the counter from a height of 2 inches, checking to see if any pieces fell off or if the scales became damaged.
CLEANUP: We stained the platforms with a measured amount of yellow mustard, tomato paste, and canola oil; after 36 hours, we washed them by hand. The best models had removable platforms that we could wipe off or scrub. Scales that trapped water and food residue lost points.
ABOUT US: Located in Boston’s Seaport District in the historic Innovation and Design Building, America’s Test Kitchen features 15,000 square feet of kitchen space including multiple photography and video studios. It is the home of Cook’s Illustrated magazine and Cook’s Country magazine and is the workday destination for more than 60 test cooks, editors, and cookware specialists. Our mission is to test recipes over and over again until we understand how and why they work and until we arrive at the best version.
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Mine is stuck on 1 when I try to use it. Anyone knows if there's a secret reset button anywhere? Cheers!
If I wanted to spend 55 bucks (today's price) on the OXO you're better of spending another 4 bucks for a hyper accurate Lab scale like Labovitas. Accuate to .01 grams . 59 dollars on Amazon
Can you make this video again? It has been a while and new products are available?
How to operate digital scales????
And which do I buy if I'm not murican? I'm looking for one in Europe and it's impossible to find the oxo without a 100% markup.
Hello any update on this
Fun fact, the runner up does have a removable platform for cleaning, at least mine does, but it's a twist and lift to remove.
Some of these scales will automatically shut off in mid use, especially when doing something that can take longer like brewing coffee, quite annoying and something to note.
“Give me a break.” 😂 fair!
The best channel for reviews hands down, host host
My OXO good grips 11 pound scale has gotten a bit indifferent to small weighing tasks. Even with new batteries, it doesn't want to measure one gram of yeast for my Dutch oven loaf recipe. If I add to my zeroed out bowl slowly, it wont move from zero. If i add quickly, it measures when it is a few grams. Six grams of salt measured well.
I really like the scale I have and I learned when I moved overseas how important it is to have a scale. 🙂
I have the ozeri and I got it for free through Medicare disability.
I bought a scale that said 1 gram but it was not true. Talked with company. It is 1 gram AFTER it registers 2 grams. This video is very helpful but I just wanted to warn people about language. "1 gram increments" How accurate can it be if it does not register the first gram?
where is oxo manufactured?
I love you people at ATK. You make my life so much better and easier.
You have allegedly done a lot of time consuming testing, but why is nothing of it on the video? You could have shown some reactions to a unusual features of a product. No results at all from the drop test, so why break the scales in the first place? The type of batteries is important, larger AA for cost, longevity and ease of maintenance.
Yeah baking >.> that's what I need it for.
No nonsense approach as usual, focusing on usability and value. This channel always gives good recommendations. Bravo!
My OXO couldn't give consistent measurements. I replaced it with a professional scale Avaweigh PC10 and it's also inaccurate. This is so frustrating. Anyone know of a CONSISTENTLY ACCURATE and easy to use scale? Ideally accurate to 0.5g.
If you're looking to how to use a scale do you need any other example??
I purchased the $50 Oxo scale on the first recommendation, and was glad to see it was still “top of the heap” in this review. The scale has been in near-daily use for years and still works as new. The ease of zeroing the scale is essential and a constant use function, as is the ability to swap from Kg to Pounds while using many of my favorite British and European recipes. The pull out and backlit control panel is awesome when weighing larger items. This is, beyond doubt, the best designed and built scale I have ever used. Although I was initially reluctant to spend this much for a “simple scale” I found that, in use, it would be a good buy at double the price. Like the Thermapen thermometer, sometimes what appears to be high priced turns out to be quite the bargain. Good job, Lisa!
I've been using the Ozeri scale daily for eons & will happily vouch for it. After five or six years, the clear plastic shield covering the flat buttons wears away & you may want to buy a new one, but otherwise it's great. Completely worth the $ & saves a lot of messy time jockeying chopped & liquid ingredients in and out of measuring cups, once you know what a cup of chopped onions weighs….
Scales are an excellent tool, but the people who's cooking I admire most and who's food I find most satisfying don't use them. They are people with a lifetime of cooking under the belt they cook for the people they love not for the camera. If you want to grow that obsessive compulsive thing you got going on go for it break out the scale. If you want to live life learn to throw things together.
Actually I was looking at a spoon digital scale because like I was saying I need it just for for 1 gr.
I need to measure 1 gr for my Italian recipes, which scale is accurate for that? I have a beautiful Salter but doesn’t go lower than 5 gr. I really need an accurate 1 gr. I spent a lot of time looking for one but the reviews are not great.. I would appreciate if someone helps me thanks
Why doesn't OXO food scale have an ON/OFF button (4 minute shut-off is way too long)? How does AWS food scale stack up against OXO?
This list is useful too, what you guys think?:
scafe.shop/top-10-best-kitchen-scales-2021?cb
It really helped me choose the right item
4:48
Old fashioned starfrit scale is the way to go.
They’re 7-10$ and last forever.
The only gripe is the unit button that is on the bottom.
I liked the design of the oxo scales but was very disappointed that it only goes from pounds to grams. No floz or ml, what use is that?
I have an Oxo scale (max-5 lbs) which I have been using for the past 8 years and I have used it for just about everything. The removal of the tray to clean is nice. To weigh ground beef for burgers is rather nice too.