A kitchen scale is one of the cheapest ways to become a more consistent cook and baker, and Etekcity's compact scale is one of the best-selling options. It weighs up to 11 lb in 1 g increments, switches between five units, and has a stainless steel top that wipes clean.

Who it's for

Great for bakers who want to measure flour by weight, for meal-preppers and anyone tracking portions, and for home cooks following recipes written in grams. It's also handy for weighing packages. If you need sub-gram precision for pour-over coffee ratios, supplements or jewelry, look for a scale with 0.1 g resolution.

What we liked

Precise for everyday cooking: 1 g increments are accurate enough for baking, cooking and portioning.
Tare function: zero out the bowl and weigh ingredients one after another in the same container.
Easy to read and clean: a backlit LCD with large digits and a stainless top that wipes clean; batteries are included.

What could be better

Large mixing bowls can overhang and hide the display.
It's not precise enough for tasks that need 0.1 g accuracy.

Key specs, explained

11 lb / 5 kg capacity: enough for most mixing bowls full of ingredients.
5 units: oz, lb:oz, fl oz, g and mL.
304 stainless steel platform: food-grade and easy to wipe down.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Are batteries included? Yes, two AAA batteries.

Q: What's the maximum weight? 11 lb (5 kg).

Q: Is it good for coffee? It works for general brewing, but coffee enthusiasts often want 0.1 g precision and a built-in timer.

Should you buy it?

An inexpensive, reliable kitchen scale that most home cooks will use constantly. A top pick for anyone starting to cook or bake by weight.

Buy on Amazon

Etekcity Digital Food Kitchen Scale, 11 lb: What to Know Before You Buy

Key specs