Adjustable sliding measuring spoon
A clever space-saving tool, this single spoon slides to multiple measurements, reducing clutter in kitchen drawers.
Kitchen & Coffee
Measuring cups & spoons
8 kinds worth knowing, 7 picks, and what to check before you buy.
Measuring tools are small gifts that get used almost every day. They suit a new homeowner stocking a first kitchen, a friend who has started baking, or a dad who cooks on weekends and still borrows a coffee mug to measure rice. The sets that get used are easy to read, easy to clean and simple to store. The ones that sit in a drawer are fussy or hard to read. A good spoon measuring set covers most daily cooking. Stainless steel measuring cups and spoons are a sturdier upgrade for someone who bakes often. Before you buy, look at what's already in their drawer. The best gift fixes something that bugs them, like faded markings, missing sizes or a lost teaspoon.
Kind 1 of 8
A good set of measuring spoons
A spoon measuring set usually runs from a quarter teaspoon up to a tablespoon, and some add an eighth teaspoon or a half tablespoon. It suits almost any cook, from a student to a seasoned baker. Check that the sizes are stamped or engraved rather than printed, since printed labels wear off in the sink. Narrow spoons fit into spice jars more easily than round ones. Adjustable sliding spoons save drawer space. Mini spoons for a pinch or a dash suit someone who follows recipes closely.
Mini measuring spoons for small quantities
Perfect for precise baking, coffee preparation, or specialized recipes requiring very small, accurate measurements.
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Stainless steel sets that last
Stainless steel measuring cups and spoons are the kind people keep for decades. They don't stain, hold smells or warp, which makes them a solid gift for a new homeowner or anyone replacing a cracked plastic set. Look for markings that are etched into the metal, handles thick enough not to bend, and a flat base so a full cup can sit on the counter. Check whether the set includes both metric and imperial sizes. That's handy in Canada, where recipes use both.
Stainless steel measuring cups and spoons set
This durable set is perfect for any home cook or baker who values precision and longevity in their kitchen tools.
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Matching cups and spoons together
A combined set of cups and spoons gives someone the full range in one go. That makes it a tidy gift for a first apartment or a housewarming. Decorative sets in ceramic or with painted details can double as something nice to leave out on the counter. Think about how the person cooks. A decorative set suits someone who bakes now and then and likes a pretty kitchen. A busy daily cook will reach for something plainer and tougher. Make sure the sizes are clearly marked and the set nests or hangs neatly.
Decorative ceramic measuring cups and spoons
This charming set adds a touch of aesthetic appeal to any kitchen, perfect for those who appreciate both form and function.
Kind 4 of 8
Red spoons for a pop of colour
People who search for red measuring spoons often want to match a kitchen colour scheme or a red stand mixer, or just want spoons that are easy to spot in a crowded drawer. A bright set is a cheerful gift for a friend whose kitchen already leans that way. Check that the colour isn't a thin coating that chips over time, and that the size markings stand out clearly against the red. If you're unsure of their taste, a steel set with red handles is a safer choice.
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Magnetic sets that stay together
Magnetic measuring cups and spoons snap together when stored, so the one size you need doesn't disappear. Many spoons are double-ended, with a round end for liquids and a narrow end for spice jars. They suit anyone with a cluttered utensil drawer or a small kitchen. Check that the magnets are sealed inside the handles rather than glued on. Also look at how clearly each end is labelled, because double-ended spoons can be confusing if the sizes are hard to read.
Magnetic nesting measuring spoons
Ideal for organized cooks, these spoons snap together for compact storage and easy retrieval from a drawer.
Kind 6 of 8
Glass for seeing what you pour
Glass measuring tools let you see the level from the side, which matters most for liquids. Glass liquid measuring cups with a spout and printed lines are a kitchen staple. Glass spoons are less common and more of a nice-to-have. This kind suits someone who does a lot of sauces, dressings or baking with milk and oil. Check that the lines are fired into the glass rather than painted on, that the spout pours cleanly, and whether it can go in the microwave if they'd use it that way.
Heat-resistant glass liquid measuring cups
Essential for any kitchen, these cups allow for accurate liquid measurements and can often be used in a microwave.
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Flexible silicone for easy scooping
Silicone measuring spoons bend slightly, so sticky ingredients like honey, peanut butter or molasses slide out cleanly. Collapsible silicone cups fold flat, which makes them good for camper vans, cottages, dorm rooms or tight apartment kitchens. Check that the rims are stiff enough to level off flour and that the markings are moulded into the silicone, not printed on. Some silicone holds onto strong smells like garlic or spices. Pick lighter colours if the person cooks a lot of savoury food.
Collapsible silicone measuring cups and spoons
Ideal for small kitchens or RVs, this flexible set flattens for incredibly compact storage when not in use.
Kind 8 of 8
Spoons made for liquids
Liquid measuring spoons have deeper, rounder bowls so vanilla, oil or soy sauce doesn't spill over the edge on the way to the bowl. Some have a small lip or spout for pouring. They suit bakers and anyone who makes cocktails, dressings or marinades. Check that the spoon sits level on the counter when set down, since a tipping spoon defeats the purpose. Also check that the sizes match the recipes they use, including millilitre markings.
How to choose measuring cups & spoons as a gift
- Check what they already own, and fill a real gap, like missing odd sizes or a worn-out plastic set, instead of doubling up.
- Choose engraved, stamped or moulded markings, because printed labels fade after a few months of washing.
- Look for both millilitre and cup or teaspoon markings, since Canadian cooks use recipes from both systems.
- Think about storage: nesting, magnetic or ring-held sets suit small kitchens better than loose pieces.
- Pair spoons with cups, or with a glass liquid measure, for a gift that covers everything a recipe asks for.
Usually safe to skip
- Novelty-shaped measuring spoons often hold inaccurate amounts and tend to become decorations rather than tools.
- Thin plastic sets with printed markings look fine at first, but they warp, stain and lose their labels quickly.
- Oversized decorative sets with no clear markings usually end up on a shelf instead of in use.
Questions people ask about measuring cups & spoons
- What sizes should a good measuring spoon set include?
- Most cooks need a quarter teaspoon, half teaspoon, teaspoon and tablespoon. A useful set adds an eighth teaspoon and a half tablespoon, which come up in baking and let you skip doubling up smaller spoons.
- Are stainless steel measuring cups better than plastic?
- Stainless steel lasts longer, doesn't stain or hold smells, and keeps its markings when they're etched in. Plastic is lighter and cheaper, but it can warp and lose printed labels over time.
- Do magnetic measuring spoons actually stay together?
- Good ones do, as long as the magnets are sealed inside the handles. They're most useful for people whose spoons keep going missing in a busy utensil drawer.
Looking for one person in particular? Shop by person.
Everything else
All measuring cups & spoons picks
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