The 6 Best Kitchen Scales for Baking

What to Look for when Buying a Kitchen Scale for Baking

Size

Kitchen scales can vary widely in size, so think about where you’re going to use it and how you’re going to store it. Will it stay out on the countertop, or be stored away most of the time? Decide where you’ll be using it and make sure the space is adequate and that there’s room for the scale as well as the ingredients and other tools you generally use. If you only use a scale occasionally, decide where it will be stored for easy access without getting buried under other tools.

Type

Kitchen scales for home use can be mechanical or digital, and each type has its proponents. There’s also the scale “as an attachment” for KitchenAids. The mechanical scales are easy to use and don’t require batteries, charging, or electricity but may not be as precise as digital scales. Digital scales are generally smaller and sleeker than mechanical scales.

Maximum Capacity

How much weight do you want your scale to be able to handle? This varies quite a bit with different scales. To decide, think about what you’ll be using the scale for: Will it be only for baking, or will you also want to weigh heavier ingredients such as meat or vegetables?

Design

This is pretty basic and consists of two parts. Does the design do what you want it to or are there shortcomings? Check the specifications of the scale to see if there are any design elements you particularly like or dislike, then just allow yourself to respond to how the scale looks, overall. Does it fit your aesthetic? The better you like how it looks, the more pleasure you’ll have while using it.

Added Features

Does the scale have any added features that will make using it easier for you? Look for features like an automatic shutoff, timer, fitted bowl, and informational displays printed on surfaces. Some scales are also waterproof and some come with included apps.

FAQs

How do you use a kitchen scale for baking? 

In baking, exact measurements matter so a kitchen scale is a great tool to have when you’re aiming for the best baking possible. Allow yourself enough time to be able to weigh your ingredients—particularly the first time you’re using a recipe. Prepare your workspace by gathering all your ingredients with any containers you might want to use during the process as well as the other tools you’ll need. Set up your scale and switch it on if it’s digital. Adjust your tare weight to each container you use as you go along. When your ingredients have been weighed and set aside you may want to move the scale for added workspace. Making the recipe will be easy now because everything’s ready to go! 

Do you need a kitchen scale for baking bread? 

Not necessarily, but it can help you fine-tune your loaves. If you do use a scale, It’s important to make sure that the flour you use for baking bread is the same type each time and that it’s been stored in the same way as these criteria can affect the final result.

What type of scale do professional bakers use?

Professional bakers use heavy duty commercial scales to fit their specific needs. Commercial scales may be mechanical, digital, or electric and can be set on a table or hang. Some have special attributes such as counterbalances, rechargeable batteries, ability to transfer information to a computer or printer, label printing, PLU capacity, and shock absorbers. Professional scales used in commercial operations open to the public must meet standards that make them Legal for Trade by the National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP). In addition, all scales used must be NSF certified to meet public health and sanitation standards.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Karen Resta is a writer specializing in food culture and history, cooking, pastries, and restaurants. She's also a former pastry chef and, as a photographer and writer, has traveled to Budapest, Kyiv, and Paris during their Fashion Weeks, always finding the best authentic pastries along the way. She now spends a lot of her free time baking at home. Having the right tools available and knowing how to use them well (which can take practice, like anything else) makes all the difference, and she curated this list with that in mind.