Whether you want to weigh out for cookie dough or portions for your meals, then an accurate digital scale is an essential for every kitchen. Taking up less space up and giving more specific readings, it is unsurprising that for many of us, the digital scale has replaced the mechanical scale in the kitchen.
There are digital scales available for all budgets, so to help you to choose the best digital kitchen scale we review some of the top selling scales currently available. We also look in-depth at features such as power supply, auto shut-off and tare function, all of which you may want to think about when shopping for a new scale.Best Pick
Able to weigh up to 11.24 lb. (5.1 kg), The Ozeri Pronto ZK14-S digital scale (black) with its chrome finish is our best pick of the digital kitchen scales.
Budget Pick
With its European certifications and food grade stainless steel, the Eteckcity digital scale (stainless steel) is our digital kitchen scale budget pick.
Quick Comparison: Top 10 Best Digital Kitchen Scales
1. Ozeri ZK14-S Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale
Highlighted Features
The Ozeri Pronto ZK14-S digital scale (black) has a chrome finished weighing platform and can weigh up to 11.24 lb. (5.1 kg) in 0.05 oz/1 g graduations. It has an easy to read LCD display and although this does not come with its own weighing bowl, the tare function means that you can easily weigh out in your own container.
This comes with a one year limited warranty and it runs on three AAA batteries which are included. There is also an auto shut-off function after two minutes. The lifespan of this scale may not be as long as expected, and neither may it be as robust.Pros
Cons
2. Etekcity Digital Kitchen Scale
Highlighted Features
Able to weigh up to 11 lb. (5 kg) in 0.01 oz/1 g graduations, the Eteckcity digital scale (stainless steel) has a 304 food grade stainless steel platform. This has a tare function and its easy read display is backlit. This is CE/RoHS certified (European certifications) and comes with a one year limited warranty and the option to extend it to two.
As a budget friendly scale, this may not be as accurate with lower weights, and you will need to ensure that it is on a flat surface before weighing out.Pros
Cons
3. Greater Goods Digital Food Scale
Highlighted Features
The Greater Goods digital kitchen scale can weigh up to 11 lb. (5 kg) and it shuts off and calibrates automatically. This is a silver colored easy to clean scale and it has a tare function. Like most kitchen scales, it can be inaccurate when weighing smaller quantities and it may drain batteries quite quickly. This comes with a five year limited warranty from the manufacturer.
Pros
Cons
4. Etekcity Digital Kitchen Scale Multifunction Food Scale
Highlighted Features
Measuring up to 11 lb. (5 kg) in 0.1 oz/1 g increments, the high precision Etekcity digital kitchen scale has a detachable stainless steel bowl for easy pouring. The display is LCD with a blue backlight and you can use tare and auto-zero to measure with other containers. It comes with two AAA batteries and it has a one year limited warranty from the manufacturer.
Some owners have reported that this is heavy on battery life, although this may be due to a manufacturing fault rather than common across all products. The auto off function may also occur a little too quickly when weighing out, so you may want to have all of your food ready to weigh before starting. There is also a timer function on this with an audible alarm, but you can turn it off if not required.Pros
Cons
5. Zerla Digital Kitchen Scale
Highlighted Features
The Zerla digital kitchen scale is able to weigh up to 11 lb. (5 kg) in 0.5 oz (1 g) increments. This white scale does not come with a bowl, but its tare function allows you to measure out in any type of container. The display is LCD and it comes with two AAA batteries, although it has no backlight for easier reading.
Made from food-grade safe components, this has a 30 day money back warranty. You may find that the lifespan on this scale may be shorter than comparable digital scales and may not be as accurate when weighing smaller precise amounts.Pros
Cons
6. Accuweight 207 Digital Kitchen Scale
Highlighted Features
The Accuweight 207 digital kitchen scale can weigh up to 11 lb. or 5 kg as well as up to 176 fl. oz or 5 l liquid measurements. This has a tare function which will allow you to measure out in different containers. Although this measures in 0.1 oz or 1 g increments, it may not be as accurate when needing to measure to the increment in lower quantities.
The scale has a tempered glass platform for easy wiping, although you cannot remove this to clean underneath easily. It takes two AAA batteries and the large digital display has a blue backlight for easy reading. There is also a lock function which you can switch when you have finished the scale to help reduce battery drain. This comes with a one year warranty that can be extended to three years after purchase.Pros
Cons
7. Escali Primo Digital Kitchen Scale
Highlighted Features
The Escali Primo digital kitchen scale (chrome) has an easy to read LCD scale. It measures in increments of 0.1 oz (1 g) up to 11 lb. (5 kg). This does not come with a weighing bowl, but its tare function allows you to use your own. This scale may not feel as robust as comparable scales and it may be inaccurate when weighing lower weights such as yeast for breadmaking.
It comes with two AA batteries and its auto shut-off function will turn the scale off after four minutes of inactivity. This comes with a lifetime limited warranty.Pros
Cons
8. My-Weigh KD-8000 Digital Scale
Highlighted Features
This is suitable for weighing up to 17.62 lb. (8 kg) in 0.05 oz (1 g) increments. It also has a percentage function, making it ideal for breadmaking or even soap making. Designed for easy cleaning, it has a stainless steel platform and a hard clear shield and three disposable soft clear covers to cover the LCD and control pattern.
It has a programmable auto shut-off and the easy read LCD display has an adjustable backlight. This takes three AA batteries, but you can buy an adapter to run it off an outlet. Although some owners have experienced shorter than expected lifespan, this does come with a lifetime limited warranty.
Pros
Cons
9. INEVIFIT Digital Kitchen Scale
The INEVIFIT digital kitchen scale is suitable for weighing up to 13 lb. or 6 kg in 0.04 oz or 1 g increments. It can also measure liquid volume in milliliters. Its LCD display is backlit for easier reading and it has a tare function for weighing out in your own bowl; although, like most kitchen scales, it may not be as accurate when weighing out smaller amounts.
This black scale has a stainless steel finish and it comes with a five year limited warranty from the manufacturer.
Pros
Cons
10. Greater Goods Nourish Digital Kitchen Scale
The Greater Goods digital food scale allows you to obtain nutritional data for up to 2000 foods, including custom entries. The buttons are touch-sensitive and the platform is made of tempered glass, which although easy cleaning can make it more susceptible to breakage than other scales.
Ideal for measuring individual ingredients, tracking your meals and daily totals or counting macros, this scale calibrates automatically when it shuts off. It is able to weigh up to 11 lb. (5 kg) in 0.1 oz (1 g) increments and it has a tare function. Some owners who count macros have commented that the nutritional data incorporates a substantial amount of junk food which can make it more difficult when macro counting.
This comes with a two year limited warranty and it is powered by three AAA batteries which are included.Pros
Cons
Things to Consider Before Buying a Digital Kitchen Scale
A digital scale should always be easy to clean, and the display should also be easy reading. Look for larger displays; some of which may be backlit to make reading even easier.
If you use your scales more for weighing out baking ingredients, then a rounded platform may be more suitable as this will fit a bowl better, while rectangular or square can be easier for irregular shapes such as diced vegetables or fruits.
Accuracy and Capacity of Digital Scales
There is a trade-off with scales around accuracy and overall capacity. Usually, the more accurate a scale, the lower its capacity will be and vice versa.
A scale which weighs to around 11 lb. is enough for most kitchens, especially if there is no weighing bowl and you need to use your own. A glass mixing bowl is heavy before you even start to add your cake ingredients.
If you regularly need to weigh small amounts, such as few ounces of yeast or spices, then a jeweler's scale may be more suitable as these are calibrated for accurate weighing of smaller quantities.
Power Considerations
Digital scales are often battery powered although some will come with an AC adapter (or the option to purchase one). The batteries in battery powered scales may last from a few months to a few years depending on how often you use the scale.
Auto shut-off is useful to preserve battery life, but if this feature kicks in too soon, it can mean you are mid-weighing when it turns itself off. If the scale has no memory function it will reset to zero when you turn it back on again – annoying to say the least! Three or more minutes is reasonable; those that switch off after one minute or so may cause problems, especially with more complicated recipes.
The Tare Function
A tare weight is the weight of your ingredients without the weight of the bowl. This is ideal when you want to weigh out smaller quantities. If you place your bowl on the scale and then press the tare, it will reset to zero. You can also use this feature to zero the scale after you add each ingredient so that you do not need to add up as you go along - as long as your total recipe weight will not go above the maximum scale capacity.
Conclusion
In this article we have taken a look at some of the features of digital scales, including their power supply and the importance of the shape of the weighing platform. We have also looked at the tradeoff between capacity and accuracy, as well as the value of the tare function, and why the auto shut-off may not always be as useful.
So, whether you are looking for a scale to measure out your meal portions for macro counting, or for weighing out your cookie ingredients, we hope that our reviews have helped you to make the choice of the best digital kitchen scale for your weighing needs.
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