As an Amazon Associate, AYTXX earns from qualifying purchases.
Introduction
Measuring cup sets are a small investment that can help deliver more consistent results for baking and everyday cooking. This guide compares four Amazon measuring cup sets—two stainless steel sets and two glass sets—so you can consider material, size coverage, and storage style for your kitchen. Whether you want a compact glass set for liquids or a magnetic stainless set that helps keep cups organized, these four options cover common home-cook needs.
Quick comparison: at-a-glance
- OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Cups with Magnetic Snaps (OXO) — Best overall: stainless steel set with magnetic handles; includes 1/4, 1/3, 1/2 and 1 cup.
- Prepworks by Progressive Stainless Steel Measuring Cups (4-Piece) (Prepworks/Progressive) — Best budget: nested 4-piece stainless set with flat bottoms for stable measuring; includes 1/4, 1/3, 1/2 and 1 cup.
- Pyrex Essentials 3-Piece Glass Measuring Cups Set (1, 2 and 4 Cup) (Pyrex) — Best for beginners: clear glass 3-piece set with common liquid sizes (1, 2 and 4 cups).
- Pyrex Prepware 2-Piece Glass Measuring Set (1 and 2 Cup) (Pyrex) — Best alternative: compact 2-piece glass set; Pyrex describes the glass as nonporous and lists it as safe for preheated oven, dishwasher, freezer and microwave.
OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Cups with Magnetic Snaps (OXO) — Best overall
What it is
The OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Cups with Magnetic Snaps is a stainless steel measuring cup set that includes 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup and 1 cup. The magnetic handles are designed to keep the cups together for storage and can allow removing one cup at a time.
Why it stands out
- Includes common cup sizes that cover many dry-ingredient measurements for baking and cooking.
- Magnetic handles help keep the cups together for organized storage and can make it easier to remove a single cup.
- Stainless steel construction provides a classic metal option for those preferring metal measuring cups.
Pros
- Magnetic measuring cups help with storage and single-cup access.
- Covers commonly used cup sizes in many baking recipes.
- Stainless steel pairs well with metal mixing bowls.
Cons
- Set includes only the four cup sizes listed (no larger liquid-only cups included).
- Stainless steel does not provide the visual ease of seeing liquid levels that glass measuring cups do.
Best for
Home cooks who want a durable stainless steel measuring cup set with magnetic storage and the common cup sizes used in most recipes.
Prepworks by Progressive Stainless Steel Measuring Cups (4-Piece) (Prepworks / Progressive) — Best budget
What it is
The Prepworks by Progressive Stainless Steel Measuring Cups (4-Piece) is an affordable nested set of stainless steel measuring cups that includes 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup and 1 cup. The set has a flat bottom design intended to help the cups sit level for measuring.
Why it stands out
- Nested measuring cups keep the set compact for drawer storage.
- Flat bottom design can help the cups sit level for more consistent measuring when scooping dry ingredients.
- Stainless steel material offers a sturdy, traditional option at a budget-friendly point.
Pros
- Nested measuring cups are space-efficient and simple to store.
- Flat bottoms improve stability and can help when leveling off dry ingredients.
- Stainless steel construction for a solid, traditional measuring set.
Cons
- Focuses on dry measuring cup sizes and does not include larger glass liquid measuring cups.
- No magnetic feature; the cups stack rather than snap together for single-cup removal.
Best for
Buyers seeking a straightforward, budget-friendly set of stainless steel measuring cups with nested storage and flat bottoms for stable measuring.
Get the Prepworks by Progressive Stainless Steel Measuring Cups (Best budget) on Amazon
Pyrex Essentials 3-Piece Glass Measuring Cups Set (1, 2 and 4 Cup) (Pyrex) — Best for beginners
What it is
The Pyrex Essentials 3-Piece Glass Measuring Cups Set includes 1-cup, 2-cup and 4-cup measuring cups made of clear glass. This set includes liquid sizes commonly used in everyday recipes.
Why it stands out
- Includes commonly used liquid measuring sizes for beginners and everyday cooks.
- Clear glass construction makes it easier to see liquid levels.
Pros
- Focused selection (1, 2 and 4 cups) covers common liquid measurements for sauces, soups, and baking liquids.
- Clear glass makes it easier to line up measurements visually when pouring.
Cons
- Smaller set compared with four-piece cup sets for dry measures; not designed to replace a full dry-cup collection.
- Glass is more fragile than metal and may require careful handling and storage.
Best for
Beginner cooks or anyone looking for a simple, visual glass measuring cup set that covers common liquid volumes.
Shop the Pyrex Essentials 3-Piece Glass Measuring Cups Set (Best for beginners) on Amazon
Pyrex Prepware 2-Piece Glass Measuring Set (1 and 2 Cup) (Pyrex) — Best alternative
What it is
The Pyrex Prepware 2-Piece Glass Measuring Set includes 1-cup and 2-cup measuring cups made from nonporous glass. According to Pyrex, the glass is not prone to warping, staining, or absorbing odors and is listed as safe for preheated oven, dishwasher, freezer and microwave.
Why it stands out
- Compact 2-piece set for minimalists or small kitchens.
- Nonporous glass that Pyrex describes as not prone to warping, staining, or absorbing odors.
- Pyrex lists the glass as safe for preheated oven, dishwasher, freezer and microwave, which can be useful if you want measuring cups that can also handle heat or storage.
Pros
- Compact and straightforward: two liquid sizes that are commonly used.
- Nonporous glass helps avoid odor and stain retention, according to the manufacturer.
- Safe for multiple kitchen tasks (preheated oven, dishwasher, freezer and microwave) according to Pyrex’s description.
Cons
- Only two sizes: may not be sufficient for cooks who need a broader range of dry-cup sizes.
- Glass pieces require careful handling compared with metal measuring cups.
Best for
Cooks who want a compact, heat-capable glass set for liquid measuring and prep tasks that may go from mixing to oven or freezer.
Buy the Pyrex Prepware 2-Piece Glass Measuring Set (Best alternative) on Amazon
How to choose a measuring cup set
Material: stainless steel measuring cups vs glass measuring cups
Stainless steel measuring cups: If you prefer metal, both the OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and the Prepworks by Progressive Stainless Steel Measuring Cups list stainless steel construction. Stainless steel sets tend to stack or nest neatly and pair well with metal mixing bowls.
Glass measuring cups: The Pyrex Essentials (3-piece) and Pyrex Prepware (2-piece) are clear glass measuring cups, which give a visual advantage for liquid measuring. Pyrex Prepware’s description notes its nonporous glass will not warp, stain, or absorb odors and is listed as safe for preheated oven, dishwasher, freezer and microwave.
Sizes and coverage
- If you need the most common dry-cup sizes used in many recipes, the 4-piece stainless sets (OXO and Prepworks) include 1/4, 1/3, 1/2 and 1 cup.
- If you focus on liquid measurements, the Pyrex glass sets offer 1-, 2- and 4-cup sizes (3-piece) or a compact 1- and 2-cup pair (2-piece).
Storage and organization
- Magnetic measuring cups: The OXO Good Grips set’s magnetic handles help keep cups together and may allow removing a single cup at a time, which can be useful for organized drawers or limited space.
- Nested measuring cups: The Prepworks by Progressive set nests for compact storage; nested measuring cups are useful if you prefer stacked storage.
Stability and measuring accuracy
- Flat bottom design: The Prepworks by Progressive set specifies a flat bottom to help with stability and measuring when sitting on a counter.
- Visual liquid-reading: Glass measuring cups are generally easier to read when measuring liquids by eye.
Heat use and versatility
- The Pyrex Prepware 2-piece glass set is described by Pyrex as safe for preheated oven, dishwasher, freezer and microwave, which can be handy if you want measuring cups that can also handle heating and storage.
- Do not assume oven/microwave safety for other sets unless the product description explicitly lists that feature.
Which one should you choose? Final recommendation by use case
- Best overall (organized stainless-steel set): Choose OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Cups with Magnetic Snaps if you want a stainless steel measuring cup set that includes common dry-cup sizes and magnetic handles for tidy storage and single-cup access. Buy the OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Cups with Magnetic Snaps (Best overall) on Amazon
- Best budget (stable nested stainless set): Choose Prepworks by Progressive Stainless Steel Measuring Cups (4-Piece) if you want an affordable nested set of stainless steel measuring cups with flat bottoms for stability and accurate leveling. Get the Prepworks by Progressive Stainless Steel Measuring Cups (Best budget) on Amazon
- Best for beginners (liquid measuring, visual ease): Choose Pyrex Essentials 3-Piece Glass Measuring Cups Set (1, 2 and 4 Cup) if you primarily measure liquids and prefer clear glass that makes seeing levels easier. Shop the Pyrex Essentials 3-Piece Glass Measuring Cups Set (Best for beginners) on Amazon
- Best alternative (compact, heat-capable glass): Choose Pyrex Prepware 2-Piece Glass Measuring Set (1 and 2 Cup) if you want a compact glass option and the ability to use those cups in the oven, microwave, dishwasher or freezer as described by Pyrex. Buy the Pyrex Prepware 2-Piece Glass Measuring Set (Best alternative) on Amazon
Where to buy (affiliate links)
- OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Cups with Magnetic Snaps
- Prepworks by Progressive Stainless Steel Measuring Cups (4-Piece)
- Pyrex Essentials 3-Piece Glass Measuring Cups Set (1, 2 and 4 Cup)
- Pyrex Prepware 2-Piece Glass Measuring Set (1 and 2 Cup)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these sets include both dry and liquid measuring cups?
The OXO Good Grips and Prepworks sets are 4-piece stainless steel measuring cups including 1/4, 1/3, 1/2 and 1 cup (typically used for dry measures). The Pyrex Essentials (3-piece) and Pyrex Prepware (2-piece) are glass measuring cups sized for liquids (1, 2, and 4 cups; and 1 and 2 cups, respectively).
Which sets are best for compact storage?
The Prepworks by Progressive set is nested for compact storage. The OXO set uses magnetic handles to keep cups together without nesting, while the Pyrex glass sets are individual pieces that require careful stacking or cupboard storage.
Are any of these safe for oven or microwave use?
The Pyrex Prepware 2-Piece Glass Measuring Set is described by Pyrex as safe for preheated oven, dishwasher, freezer and microwave. Do not assume other sets are oven- or microwave-safe unless their product descriptions list that feature.
Which set is best if I want magnetic measuring cups?
The OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Cups with Magnetic Snaps includes magnetic handles that help keep cups together and allow removing one cup at a time.
Final Verdict
If you want a single, well-rounded option that balances everyday sizes and organized storage, the OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Cups with Magnetic Snaps (Best overall) is a recommended pick for many home cooks. Its stainless steel construction and magnetic handles provide organized storage and the common dry-cup sizes used across recipes. Buy the OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Cups with Magnetic Snaps on Amazon
