If you were the kind of kid who enjoyed helping in the kitchen, shopping for new kitchen accessories – non-stick pans, a chopping board or a Le Creuset casserole dish – was akin to being taken to a sweet shop.
Aisles and aisles of gadgets, whatsits and doodahs gleaming in glass shelves, itching to be used – though likely not by a clumsy child baker. I don’t know about you, but that sense of wonder and delight at cool culinary accessories never quite left. That’s probably why I’m here, assessing the best kitchen weighing scales on the market.
There’s a reason classic mechanical options have stood the test of time. They imbue kitchens with a sense of vintage charm, last forever (with careful washing and a little WD40 on the springs), are battery-free, and often come with multiple measurement rings depending on whether you’re baking with a recipe that uses grams, ounces or even millilitres.
Electronic scales still have their place in the modern kitchen. They’re lightweight, easy to store, and some will work out tricky conversions for you, like a fancy calculator. But which option is right for you? Let me break down the basics.
Manual scales
Also referred to as mechanical or analogue scales, the historic kitchen essential worked by using a spring or lever system to measure weight. When an object is placed on the scale, it exerts a force on a spring or lever which deflects onto a dial pointer.
Ancient civilisations used the kind of manual scales that often represent Lady Justice, which work by comparing the weight of a mass or object to known standard weights. However, before global standardisation, known weights differed across regions and were often specific to villages. Purists might opt for cast iron scales accompanied by a collection of vintage weights. Me? I think it’s far too much faff.
Now, classic spring or lever manual scales remain a simple, effective and faff-free means of measuring cooking ingredients. They’re low-maintenance and reliable; I still use the ones my mum bought more than three decades ago.
Top features in manual scales:
Electronic scales
Many modern chefs look to electronic scales for more precise weighing. While this is certainly true of higher-end scales, going manual can often save you from the pain of dead or corroded batteries and other unfixable technical difficulties.
Here’s what to consider if you’re going the technological route:
Keep scrolling for a curated selection of the best of both below.
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Salter Electronic Digital Kitchen Scale & 1.8L Bowl, 5kg
Highly rated and value-for-money, it’s rare to come across a set of digital scales that comes with a measuring bowl – and this one has a capacity of 1.8litres, a handle and a pouring spout. Winner.
Plus, the digital scale is equipped with an ‘add and weigh’ function, should you wish to utilise the brilliant mixing bowl to measure multiple ingredients at once.
Often measuring mixtures over 1.8 litres? Fret not, simply pop on your bowl of choice and measure up to 5L/5kg.
Buy now £19.60, John Lewis
Ooni Dual Platform Digital Scale
Ooni’s dual-scale setup is a standout for any serious cook, but particularly pizza makers. The high-capacity main platform accommodates large mixing bowls and dough quantities up to 10kg, while the precision micro-scale (200g max) is ideal for salt, yeast, or spices with 0.1g accuracy.
Both scales have separate tare functions, and an easy-read LCD makes switching between modes clear. The flat design includes a removable lid for the micro-scale that doubles as a tray. A smart, compact design for multitaskers who measure both big and small.
For £50, the device could be improved by being rechargeable. That said, if your everything drawer is stuffed full of batteries begging to be used, this set of relatively high-tech scales is a great choice.
Buy now £49.99, John Lewis
Salter SA00562CFEU12 Timeless Mechanical Kitchen Scale
This is a mechanical scale built for longevity and ease - no batteries, no digital fuss.
Salter’s Timeless model includes a large bowl that sits securely atop a traditional spring-loaded dial. Measurements are shown in clear 25g increments up to 5kg (or equivalent in oz), and the bowl is detachable for easy cleaning.
With its durable plastic body and retro styling, it’s ideal for everyday prep and as a backup for digital-fatigued bakers. Simple, straightforward, and always on.
Buy now £18.00, Amazon
Smeg 50's Style Analog and Digital Stainless Steel Kitchen Scale
This scale fuses retro design with modern tech. A central analogue dial offers traditional visual cues, while a hidden digital LCD on the base enables exact precision down to the gram.
The generously sized stainless steel bowl is dishwasher safe, and the base features non-slip feet and intuitive controls. It’s rechargeable via USB-C, eliminating the need for batteries.
A smart pick for design-conscious cooks who appreciate both precision and aesthetics.
Buy now £170.00, Selfridges
Bugatti Uma Scale
More sculptural than standard, the Uma is a scale and a timer under one elegant roof.
A large, curved backlit display makes measurements easy to read, and the bowl’s ergonomic design looks chic in any kitchen, especially given how many colours it’s available in. The scale offers precision down to 1g and doubles as a kitchen timer with a 90-minute countdown.
Made from high-quality stainless steel and ABS plastic, it’s built to last, and to impress.
Buy now £119.00, Amazon
OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Digital Kitchen Scale with Pull-Out Display, Silver, 5kg
OXO is a cult kitchen staple for a reason. This thoughtfully designed scale features a sliding digital display that pulls out to remain visible even when using large bowls.
Its stainless steel surface is smudge-resistant and easy to clean, and the intuitive controls include tare and unit conversions at the touch of a button.
With a capacity of 5kg and 1g precision, it balances functionality and elegance, making it well-suited to both everyday cooking and more precise baking.
Buy now £55.00, John Lewis
Joseph Joseph LCD Tri Scale
The Tri Scale from Joseph Joseph folds neatly into a slim stick for drawer storage, making it perfect for compact kitchens. Once unfolded, three arms provide a stable base for bowls or plates, and the central LCD offers a responsive, easy-to-navigate interface.
The aquatronic function allows for measuring liquids, and the scale includes auto-off and overload indicators. It’s also equipped with an additive weighing function. Some users complain of accuracy when measuring heavier mixes, which is worth keeping in mind.
The scales are brilliant for travelling and camping.
Buy now £34.99, Amazon
Russell Hobbs Square Digital Scale
A no-nonsense budget scale that ticks all the basic boxes. The tempered glass platform is hygienic and wipes clean easily, while the digital readout is large and easily legible. It includes an add-and-weigh function and switches between metric and imperial units.
At just over £6, it’s a reliable choice for anyone after basic digital weighing without unnecessary features.
Buy now £6.50, Argos
