Good Cook Precision Digital Diet Scale

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Verywell / Sabrina Jiang

Whether you're using a food scale to better track or understand your nutrient intake, understand portions, or to be more precise in your cooking methods (food scales are incredibly helpful for baking!), adding a scale to your kitchen can be incredibly helpful. There are dozens of options on the market in varying price ranges, so choose one that best meets your specific needs and is easy to understand.

One that toggles between grams and ounces can be helpful to measure different types of foods. Ingredients like spices, flour, or other lighter ingredients are typically best measured in grams, whereas produce and meat can be measured in ounces. But if you go with one that only includes one unit of measure, "make sure the scale has a readout in measurements that you use for daily cooking," says Toby Smithson, MS, RDN, LD, CDCES, FAND, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist.

Since you will likely use the scale for making a whole recipe—which could take anywhere from minutes to hours—you may also want to check how long the weight of the food stays in view on the screen, "because it can be cumbersome if you need to keep turning the scale back on," says Smithson.

Lastly, always keep food safety in mind, especially if you're planning to weigh raw meats and fish or other ingredients that could potentially contain food-borne illness. "Buy a scale that is easy to clean," says Smithson.

The good news is, there are plenty of options that are user-friendly and easy to clean at a reasonable price. Here are the best food scales on the market.

Our Top Picks

Complete with two buttons for simplicity, it features accuracy and a user-friendly and fingerprint-resistant interface.

Affordable without lacking features, it features auto shut-off and is convertible between grams, pounds, ounces, and milliliters.

A scale, thermometer, timer, and mixing bowl all in one, its removable bowl allows for weight calculation without messy transfers.

Complete with a built-in nutrition tracker, it also features a tare function, auto shut-off, and four weighing sensors.

A solid choice when you're in need of weighing large portions or heavy foods, it features a weight capacity of 330 pounds.

For easy cleaning, Ozeri's waterproof food scale can be fully submerged under running water for a clean and bacteria-free surface.

The user-friendly tool promises accuracy thanks to its tare button, unit conversion setting, and auto shut-off.

This smart scale simplifies nutrition tracking thanks to its app compatibility and an internal database of over 8,000 foods.

An option that doesn't skimp on quality or style, it's both lightweight and space-friendly while providing accurate readings.

The chic kitchen statement piece features an easy-to-read 5-inch dial, a detachable mixing bowl, and diverse unit conversions.

Pros

• Easy to read

• Small footprint

• Fingerprint-resistant

• Batteries included

Cons

• Doesn't include milliliter and liter measurements

The OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Food Scale checks all the boxes: accuracy, design, compact, a user-friendly interface, ease of cleaning, readability, and a large platform. The innovative design features a pull-out backlit digital display for easy, clear reading. The display pulls away from the base and tucks back in for easy storage. This feature also eliminates shadows caused by larger bowls, which can obstruct one's view of the display.

This OXO scale is user-friendly with two simple buttons: a power button that doubles as a zero function, which clears the scale between readings—and a unit conversion button which toggles between ounces, pounds, grams, and kilograms. The display also includes a maximum weight capacity indicator icon.

This scale's stainless steel platform is fingerprint-resistant and removable for easy cleaning. The OXO Good Grips food scale weighs foods up to 11 pounds in 0.1-ounce increments and runs on four AAA batteries. This scale measures 11.3 x 8.5 x 1.9 inches and weighs just under 2 pounds.

Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.13 x 1.25 inches | Measurement: 11 pound weight limit (ounces, pounds, grams or kilograms) | Material: Stainless Steel | Batteries Included: Yes | Special Features: Pull-out display

Pros

• Includes milliliters measurements

• Batteries included

• Comes in various colors

Cons

• Automatically turns off quickly

Ozeri's highly accurate and efficient food scale weighs foods up 11.24 pounds in 0.05-ounce increments. This model features a simple two-button operation including a power/tare button, which calculates the net weight of ingredients without the weight of the container, along with a unit conversion button, which transitions between grams, pounds, ounces, and milliliters.

This affordable food scale delivers quick measurements on its sleek, chrome platform. The Ozeri Pronto runs on two AAA batteries and automatically turns off after two minutes.

This compact, round scale measures 8.25 x 6 x 1.75 inches and weighs 5.6 ounces. It comes in Black, Lime Green, Teal Blue, Red, Silver, Silver on Black, and White.

Dimensions: 8.25 x 1.75 x 6 inches | Measurement: 11.2 pound weight limit (precise graduations of 0.05 ounces, convertible between grams, pounds, milliliters, ounces) | Material: Polycarbonate | Batteries Included: Yes | Special Features: Precision tare button, automatic unit button

Pros

• 4-in-1 product

• Has an auto-tare and auto-zero function

• Easy to read

Cons

• Doesn't include milliliter and liter measurements

The Etekcity Food Scale is a multifunctional food scale that also harnesses the capabilities of a food thermometer, timer, and a mixing bowl. Simply prep and mix ingredients in the detachable 2.06-quart bowl, which allows you to calculate the weight without any messy transferring.

This stainless steel food scale measures foods up to 11 pounds in 0.1-ounce increments. Measurements can be converted between grams, ounces, pounds, and kilograms. The device's auto-tare and auto-zero function conveniently calculates the weight of an ingredient without the weight of its container.

This scale also features a built-in timer, keeping time up to 99 minutes, along with a built-in temperature sensor for precise baking and perfectly room temperature doughs. Metrics are displayed on the backlit LCD display for easy viewing.

This scale is powered by two AAA batteries and features an energy-saving auto shut-off function. The detachable bowl stows conveniently over the scale's base, maximizing storage space. The Etekcity Food Scale with Bowl measures 8.4 x 8.4 x 3.6 inches and weighs 1.3 pounds.

Dimensions: 7.52 x 7.52 x 1.81 inches | Measurement: 11 pound weight limit (grams, ounces, pounds, or kilograms) | Material: Stainless Steel | Batteries Included: Yes | Special Features: Low battery and overload indication, room temperature sensor, alarm timer

Pros

• Tracks nutritional value of food

• Batteries included

• Calibrates automatically

For those who meticulously track their macros, the Greater Goods Food Scale makes life easier. This model features a nutrition tracker built into a food scale that weighs and calculates the nutritional values of food. Four precision weighing sensors ensure an accurate reading of foods up to 11 pounds, in 0.1-ounce increments.

This scale comes complete with a database of nutrition facts for over 2,000 foods and the ability to create up to 99 additional custom entries. When making a snack or meal, enter the code for each ingredient—similar to a grocery store register—using the touch screen keypad. A nutrition fact label will appear on the backlit LCD display. After the recipe is complete, the scale will calculate the total nutritional value.

This simple, white scale calibrates and turns off automatically. The tempered glass top is touch-sensitive and features a tare function to calculate an ingredient's net weight. This scale displays measurements in grams, pounds, and ounces and runs on three AAA batteries. It measures 9.25 x 6.10 x 1.00 inches and weighs 1.79 pounds.

Dimensions: 9.25 x 6.1 x 1 inches | Measurement: 11 pound weight limit (0.1-ounce increments, convertible between grams, pounds, or ounces) | Material: Glass | Batteries Included: Yes | Special Features: Provides nutritional information on over 2000 foods, auto shut-off

Pros

• Small footprint

• Generous weight capacity

• Easy to read

The LEM 330 lb. Stainless Steel Digital Scale blurs the lines between a bodyweight scale and a food scale. The spacious, food-grade stainless steel surface delivers the flexibility to weigh all your kitchen needs, from hearty pots of chili to hefty slabs of meat. This compact scale masters big and little jobs, weighing anything from 0.5 pounds all the way up to 330 pounds, in 0.1-pound increments.

The LEM scale features a separate digital readout with easy-to-read results. This comes in handy when working off of a recipe on the other side of the counter. This UL-approved food scale features a tare function to calculate net weight, along with a PCS function, which counts individual pieces according to weight, which is helpful when making recipes like chicken nuggets. Additionally, the scale's mode button allows users to switch between pounds, ounces, and kilograms.

Delivering a minimalist design, the LEM 330 lb. Stainless Steel Digital Scale measures 10.5 x 10.5 inches and is powered by either the included 9-volt battery or the 110-volt power cord. After five minutes of use, the unit automatically powers down. For easy cleaning, this scale can be wiped down using a damp cloth and mild detergent.

Dimensions: 15.6 x 11.3 x 1.9 inches | Measurement: 330 pound weight limit (0.1-pound increments, convertible in pounds, ounces, or kilograms) | Material: Stainless steel | Batteries Included: Yes | Special Features: Auto shut-off

Pros

• Waterproof

• Includes milliliters measurements

• Batteries included

Cons

• Automatically turns off quickly

If not cleaned properly, kitchen surfaces—including food scales—can become breeding grounds for bacteria. Unfortunately, many digital screens can develop water spots between the sheets of glass when they come into contact with chemical cleaners, water, and humidity, eventually rendering the device unusable.

Luckily, Ozeri's scale is a fully waterproof, low-maintenance device that can be fully submerged under running water for a clean and bacteria-free surface. This digital food scale weighs foods up to 11.46 pounds in 0.1-ounce increments. The sleek, black scale features rounded edges with a chic, mixed glossy and matte finish. Results are displayed on the touch-sensitive, infinity contrast LED screen.

The scale's tare button calculates the net weight of ingredients by subtracting the weight of the container. The unit button allows users to seamlessly convert between grams, pounds, ounces, fluid ounces, and milliliters. This food scale is made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and measures 7.9 x 7.9 x 1 inches. It weighs 1.04 pounds and runs on three AAA batteries.

Dimensions: 7.88 x 7.88 x 1 inches | Measurement: 11 pound weight limit (0.1-ounce increments, convertible between grams, pounds, ounces, and milliliters) | Material: Polycarbonate | Batteries Included: Yes | Special Features: LED screen, tare button

Pros

• Water-resistant display

• Batteries included

• Small footprint

Cons

• Doesn't include milliliter and liter measurements

The Escali Primo Digital Scale is a straightforward, user-friendly food scale that delivers precise measurements almost instantly. This unit measures foods up to 11 pounds in 0.05-ounce increments and remains on for 4 minutes before automatically powering down. This two-button operation features an on/off button that doubles as a tare button, and a unit conversion button that toggles between grams, ounces, and pounds.

The high-quality, precise Escali Primo scale features a sealed digital display and control panel, protecting against spills and water damage. This unit runs on two AA batteries and features automatic shut-off to conserve battery.

Its rounded design fits well in any kitchen and comes in a variety of colors, including Black, Chrome, Metallic, Pumpkin Orange, Royal Blue, Soft Pink, Soft White, Tarragon Green, and Warm Red. This scale measures 8.5 x 6 x 1.6 inches, weighs 0.72 pounds, and is made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

Dimensions: 8 x 6 x 1.2 inches | Measurement: 11 pound weight limit (0.05 ounce increments, convertible in ounces, pounds, and grams) | Material: Plastic | Batteries Included: Yes | Special Features: Auto shut-off, tare feature

Pros

• Smartphone compatible

• Tracks nutritional value of food

• Includes milliliters measurements

Cons

• Is not compatible with other fitness apps

Ditch the old school food journal and go digital with the Etekcity Smart Food Nutrition Scale. This smart scale is compatible with the free VeSync app for iPhone and Android, which can digitally track and manage your nutrition intake and goals. Complete with access to the USDA's database of over 8,000 foods, VeSync can measure calories, calories from fat, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, potassium, total carbohydrates, dietary fiber, sugar, and protein. VeSync is also compatible with health and fitness apps, including Fitbit and Apple Health.

This sleek, stainless steel food scale features a large, backlit LCD display with a tare function, a battery life and low battery mode indicator, and delivers weight in ounces, pounds, grams, and milliliters.

This scale accurately weighs foods up to 11 pounds in increments of 0.04-ounces. The Etekcity Food Scale measures 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches and weighs 1.2 pounds.

Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches | Measurement: 11 pound weight limit (0.4-ounce increments, convertible in ounces, pounds, grams, and milliliters) | Material: Stainless steel | Batteries Included: Yes | Special Features: Syncs with the VeSync app, tare function, four sensors

Pros

• Small footprint

• Comes in various colors

• Easy to read

• Includes milliliters measurements

Cons

• Uses a more expensive battery

For a compact, sleek, and accurate kitchen scale that won't clutter your kitchen countertops, look no further than the Greater Goods Digital Food Kitchen Scale. This simplistic pick doesn't skimp on quality or style. Its classic, clean design comes in various colors, including Ash Grey, Black Glass, Cherry Red, Cobalt Blue, and Stainless Steel.

This compact food scale measures 8.1 x 6.13 x 0.55 inches and weighs a mere 7.5 ounces—the small but mighty scale measures foods up to 11 pounds in 0.1-ounce increments. The high-contrast LCD screen displays large text for easy-to-read measurements.

The low-profile, rounded design features a rectangular weighing platform that fits nicely in a drawer. Designed in both plastic and stainless steel, the scale's surface is easy to clean and features two touch-sensitive buttons. The tare or zero function allows users to calculate the weight of ingredients without the container included, which is helpful for messier ingredients like peanut butter or honey. The unit button converts measurements between grams, pounds, ounces, fluid ounces, and milliliters.

The Greater Goods Digital Food Kitchen Scale runs on a CR2032 battery and automatically shuts down after two minutes of use. It features scratch-resistant feet that keep the scale from scratching the counter and keeps the unit in place.

Dimensions: 8.1 x 6.13 x 0.55 inches | Measurement: 11 pound weight limit (convertible in grams, pounds, ounces, fluid ounces, and milliliters) | Material: Plastic | Batteries Included: Yes | Special Features: 4 sensors, auto shut-off

Pros

• Easy to read

• Includes a removable mixing bowl

• Easy to clean

Cons

• Doesn't include milliliter and liter measurements

An analog scale is a fun design piece for your kitchen, and some people prefer the vintage style due to its high level of accuracy. The Taylor Stainless Steel Analog Kitchen Scale features an easy-to-read 5-inch dial that measures foods up to 11 pounds in 1-ounce increments, displaying weight in pounds, ounces, kilogram, and grams.

This stainless steel countertop kitchen scale features a rectangular base with an extra-large dial. The removable 5-cup mixing bowl can be easily cleaned using warm soapy water.

This Taylor scale can be recalibrated by simply turning the adjustment knob at the base of the unit. The scale does not require batteries, measures 7.8 x 9 x 8.9 inches, and weighs 3.6 pounds.

Dimensions: 7.8 x 9 x 8.9 inches | Measurement: 11 pound weight limit (1-ounce increments, convertible in pounds, ounces, kilograms, or grams) | Material: Stainless steel | Batteries Included: No | Special Features: Removable bowl

Final Verdict

For a compact, budget-friendly food scale that's ideal for cooking newcomers and pros alike, try the Escali Primo Digital Scale (view at Amazon). This scale is highly accurate and takes up minimal countertop space.

For those looking for additional insights into their nutrition, the Greater Goods Nutrition Food Scale (view at Amazon) is an excellent choice. This model is user-friendly and features a touchscreen with a built-in database of over 2,000 foods to help you manage your nutrition stats.

What to Look for in a Food Scale

Weight Capacity and Platform Size

Deciding what size food scale you need should be one of the first steps you take before making your purchase. Elise Thompson, RD at TriStar Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, says that you need to ask yourself if you're measuring single portions, family-size portions, or industrial-size portions.

While smaller units are more portable, they lack versatility for larger portion sizes. Even if you typically measure food for a single person, it might be advisable to get a larger food scale to avoid the need to upgrade to one with a larger surface area later on.

Ease of Cleaning

"Many people will put a bowl onto their scale, tare out the bowl, and then measure rather than putting the food directly onto the scale itself," says Thompson. She says that if this is the case, the scale itself might not get dirtied in the process.

However, it's important to note that any surface that comes in contact with food needs to be sanitized. So, opt for a model that is waterproof or one that can be disassembled for easy cleaning—especially if someone in the household has food allergies.

Functionality

A unit conversion button is helpful for those times when you need to change a unit of measurement from one to another. "Nutrition labels often have servings listed in either ounces or in grams, but this can require a lot of math when trying to figure out how much of something to add to a recipe when those units of measurement don't add up," Thompson explains. She says that a food scale that can quickly bounce back and forth with a button is helpful to avoid unnecessary work.

Additionally, most scales include a tare function that lets users weigh messier ingredients. This is done by measuring something in a container while calculating the ingredient's net weight minus the container. As a bonus, some food scales also provide nutritional data and offer a compatible app for keeping a food diary.

Readability

The digital display—or analog for the old school fans—must feature large, crisp, and clear text. For the best visibility, opt for a pull-out display. In terms of measurements, Thompson says that some scales provide more precise readings, which can be helpful for those needing to weigh their food for health reasons.

FAQs

How accurate are food scales?

Food scale accuracy varies. While some weigh food in 1-gram or 0.05-ounce increments, others display readings in 0.1-pound increments. For the most accurate measurement, choose a scale that provides readings in the smallest increments, suggests Liz Weiss, MS, RDN, the founder of Liz's Healthy Table.

Something else to consider: If you tend to measure food that's already on a plate or in a container, food scales with a 'tare' option will provide the most accurate reading, Weiss notes. "This feature subtracts a container's weight to obtain the weight of the contents," explains Weiss. "It does the math for you, allowing you to weigh an ingredient or food portion without having to subtract the weight of the bowl or plate," she explains.

Concerned that your scale isn't calibrated correctly? Check the accuracy by placing a coin on the scale and checking the reading, suggests Weiss. A penny is 2.5 grams, a nickel is 5 grams, and a quarter is 5.67 grams, per the United States Mint, and your scale's readings should reflect this. If the measurement is off, check the manufacturer's instructions to recalibrate the scale and then test it again.

What is the best way to store a food scale?

Handle your food scale with care. "When storing your scale, it's best to avoid stacking things on top of it. If you overload it, the weight sensors can become damaged, which may cause inaccurate readings," explains Weiss.

It's also important to store your scale at room temperature. Putting it on a shelf in your garage in the middle of winter? Not such a great idea. "Digital food scales are designed to operate at room temperature. After being in cold temperatures, the displays may not work properly," Weiss cautions.

Weiss uses her scale regularly for recipe testing, so she keeps it in an easy-to-access drawer in her kitchen. Weiss recommends finding a similar location for your own scale and wiping it down with a damp cloth before putting it away. "While your food scale may be spill-proof, it's not waterproof. So don't submerge in water. If it's particularly dirty you can add some dish soap to the damp cloth to get a deeper clean."

Why should you use a food scale?

"From home cooks to people watching their weight to those tracking macros, a food scale is an indispensable kitchen tool," Weiss says. The three main reasons: it adds ease to baking, makes healthy eating simpler, and gives a more precise measurement than measuring cups or spoons.

"Imagine that you're baking a new chocolate chip cookie recipe, and it calls for a cup of all-purpose flour," Weiss says. "Measuring by volume may yield less-than-perfect results. However, weighing the flour with a food scale all but guarantees you'll use just the exact right amount." (FYI: A cup of all-purpose flour weighs 4¼ ounces, or 120 grams.)

A digital food scale is also ideal for people tracking calories and portion sizes. "It's hard to know what a 4-ounce portion of meat, a 2-ounce portion of dry pasta, or an ounce of your favorite cheese really looks like—unless, of course, you use a food scale," Weiss says. "Weigh your food enough times, and you'll eventually be able to eyeball portion sizes easily, giving you better control of your diet," she adds.

Weiss recommends curious cooks check out this handy Ingredient Weight Chart, which she says is a "quick reference for volume, ounces, and grams equivalencies for everyday ingredients."

What Experts Say

"Whether you're aiming for specific nutrition markers each day or are a chef devoted to exact measurements, a food scale is a handy tool with a variety of uses. Using a food scale can help you to accurately measure portion sizes and be more aware of what you are consuming on a daily basis."—Eliza Savage, MS, RD, CDN

Why Trust Verywell Fit?

Emily Stone researches and reviews products for Verywell Fit and Verywell Health. She currently uses the Etekcity Smart Food Nutrition Scale (view at Amazon) for weekly meal prep and tracking macros as it's simple and doesn't require extra time to gather a meal's nutritional data.

Additional reporting to this story by Sarah Anzlovar, MS, RD

As a food-obsessed registered dietitian, Sarah Anzlovar, MS, RDN, LDN, is always looking for the best, most nutritious products on the market. She prioritizes whole food ingredients to get the most out of every meal and keep you satisfied and energized throughout your day.

Good Cook Precision Digital Diet Scale

Source: https://www.verywellfit.com/best-food-scales-4173446

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