The best adjustable measuring cup for most kitchens is the KitchenArt Pro 2 Cup Adjust-A-Cup. Its plunger sets any volume from 1/8 to 2 cups, then pushes sticky foods such as peanut butter and honey out cleanly. However, your choice depends on size, easy pouring and whether you want to use a dishwasher.
In short: buy the KitchenArt Pro 2 Cup for most jobs, the Tri Adjust-A-Cup for easier pouring, and the OXO Good Grips if you want a cup you can put in the dishwasher.
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Best Overall
Best Easy Pour
Best Dishwasher-Safe
Quick Answer: Which Best Adjustable Measuring Cup Fits You?
- Most kitchens: the KitchenArt Pro 2 Cup, the top pick in the America’s Test Kitchen test.
- Easier pouring: the KitchenArt Tri Adjust-A-Cup.
- Dishwasher cleanup: the OXO Good Grips 2-Cup, labeled dishwasher-safe.
- Small amounts too: the KitchenArt Pro set with adjustable spoons.
- Trial run: the KitchenArt 1 Cup.
- Thin liquids: skip all plunger cups and use a clear liquid cup.
On This Page
- Comparison table
- The 5 picks, reviewed
- How we chose
- Why a plunger cup helps
- Foods that suit it
- How to use one
- Volume conversions
- Care and limits
- FAQ
- Bottom line
Best Adjustable Measuring Cup Comparison at a Glance
| # | Product | Best For | Standout Feature | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KitchenArt Pro 2 Cup Adjust-A-Cup | Everyday sticky ingredients, 1/8 to 2 cups | Smooth plunger, wide base, 2-cup range | View |
| 2 | KitchenArt Tri Adjust-A-Cup (1 and 2 Cup Set) | Cooks who want a redesigned pouring shape | Easy-pour shape, 1/8 to 2 cups | View |
| 3 | OXO Good Grips 2-Cup Adjustable Measuring Cup | Clear Tritan body, graduations for liquids and dry foods | Twist-knob plunger, dishwasher-safe | View |
| 4 | KitchenArt Pro Adjustable Measuring Set (Tablespoon, Teaspoon and 1 Cup) | Tiny to medium amounts of sticky foods | 1/8 tsp to 1 cup in one set | View |
| 5 | KitchenArt 1 Cup Adjust-A-Cup | A small, cheaper plunger cup for the drawer | Canister slides inside itself | View |
The 5 Best Adjustable Measuring Cup Picks, Reviewed
First, an adjustable cup is a plunger cup. You pull or turn the plunger to the line you want, fill the barrel, level it, and push the plunger up to empty it. Therefore, this guide covers only that style. For ordinary dry and liquid cups, see our best food measuring cups roundup instead.
Best Overall
1. KitchenArt Pro 2 Cup Adjust-A-Cup
Best for: cooks who measure peanut butter, honey, shortening or sour cream often, because review kitchens liked this cup best.
First, America’s Test Kitchen tested four adjustable cups, and the KitchenArt Pro 2 Cup was its top pick. Specifically, the testers praised a trackless plunger that slides straight through the barrel, and a wide base that keeps the plunger from shooting out. In addition, they found it easy to take apart for cleaning.
Meanwhile, Apartment Therapy reviewed the same cup and says it adjusts from 1/8 cup to 2 cups. The reviewer adds that the plunger pushes out almost all of a sticky ingredient and that the markings stayed legible after many dishwasher cycles. However, ATK notes that the plunger needs a drop of oil now and then, and its barrel cracked in a drop test.
- Range: 1/8 cup to 2 cups, per Apartment Therapy
- Markings: standard and metric units, per the listing
- Material: ABS and SAN plastic with a silicone plunger, per the listing
- Barrel: about 3 in. (7.6 cm), per ATK
- Limited parts warranty, per the listing
Pros
- Top pick in the ATK test
- Plunger clears nearly all of a thick ingredient
- Wide, stable base
- Comes apart for cleaning
Cons
- Plunger may need a drop of oil
- The barrel cracked when dropped in ATK testing
- Some owners report a wobble or leak with thin liquids
Skip it if: you mostly measure thin liquids such as milk or stock; a clear liquid cup is easier to pour.
Best Easy Pour
2. KitchenArt Tri Adjust-A-Cup (1 and 2 Cup Set)
Best for: bakers who pour as often as they scoop, so they want a cup shaped for both.
Next, the Tri Adjust-A-Cup is KitchenArt’s newer take on the same idea. For example, according to the retail listing, the 2-cup size adjusts from 1/8 cup to 2 cups (16 fl oz), and the shape was updated to pour more easily. Also, the Amazon title lists a 1 cup and 2 cup set.
In addition, the cup is built from food-grade ABS and SAN plastic with silicone parts. As a result, pint, cup, ounce and milliliter marks sit on the clear outer sheath. Moreover, the maker advises you to adjust the volume only before filling, and says the cup will not leak when used that way.
- Range: 1/8 cup to 2 cups (16 fl oz) for the 2-cup size
- Markings: pint, cup, ounce and milliliter, per the listing
- Material: ABS and SAN plastic with silicone, per the listing
- Size: about 3.25 by 3.25 by 6 in. (8.3 by 8.3 by 15 cm), per one listing
- Hand wash and dry right away, per the listing
Pros
- Redesigned for pouring
- Metric and US marks on the sheath
- Works for liquids, dry and semi-solid foods
Cons
- Hand wash only, per the listing
- Never adjust it while it holds liquid
- Newer, so there is less independent review data
Skip it if: you want to run the cup through the dishwasher; the OXO below is labeled for it.
Best Dishwasher-Safe
3. OXO Good Grips 2-Cup Adjustable Measuring Cup
Best for: cooks who want a clear, dishwasher-safe cup, because the built-in squeegee plunger saves scraping.
Finally, the OXO Good Grips cup holds 1 pint (2 cups). According to a restaurant-supply listing, the body is clear Tritan plastic, and it has a soft, non-slip base. A knob on the bottom sets the plunger, and the plunger also works as a squeegee. In addition, the sleeve separates from the body for cleaning.
Also, the same listing says it is dishwasher-safe and heat-safe to 212 F (100 C). However, ATK’s test of an OXO adjustable cup found that it leaked most when measuring water and that the plunger was awkward to operate. We do not know which OXO version ATK used, so treat that as a caution for thin liquids.
- Capacity: 1 pint (2 cups)
- Markings: cups, ounces, and liquid and dry measures, per the listing
- Material: Tritan plastic, BPA free
- Size: about 6 in. tall and 3-1/16 in. wide
- Dishwasher-safe; heat-safe to 212 F (100 C), per the listing
Pros
- Dishwasher-safe, per the listing
- Clear body shows the level
- Plunger doubles as a squeegee
- Soft non-slip base
Cons
- ATK found leaks with water in its test
- Plunger was awkward in that test
- Fewer fine increments are described than on the KitchenArt
Skip it if: you often measure thin liquids; use a clear liquid cup for those jobs.
Best Set for Small Amounts
4. KitchenArt Pro Adjustable Measuring Set (Tablespoon, Teaspoon and 1 Cup)
Best for: bakers who need small amounts of honey, extract or peanut butter as often as a full cup, so the small sizes matter.
Next, this set pairs a 1 cup plunger cup with two adjustable spoons. According to a retail listing, the cup adjusts from 1/8 cup to 1 cup, while the adjustable tablespoon runs from 1/2 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon, and the adjustable teaspoon runs from 1/8 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon (5 mL).
Because this post is about cups, the spoons are a bonus. Still, they help because a 1/8 cup is only 2 tablespoons. As a result, one set covers everything from a pinch of honey to a full cup. The listing says to hand wash only and not to move the slider while the cup holds liquid.
- Cup range: 1/8 cup to 1 cup, per the listing
- Adjustable tablespoon: 1/2 tsp to 1 Tbsp
- Adjustable teaspoon: 1/8 tsp to 1 tsp (5 mL)
- Cup material: ABS and SAN plastic; spoons are zinc alloy and plastic
- Hand wash only, per the listing
Pros
- Small and medium sizes in one box
- Spoons have an angled edge for leveling
- Compact for a drawer
Cons
- Cup tops out at 1 cup
- Hand wash only, per the listing
- Not for amounts above one cup
Skip it if: you regularly measure more than one cup in a single scoop; take the 2-cup models instead.
Best Compact Single Cup
5. KitchenArt 1 Cup Adjust-A-Cup
Best for: cooks who want to try a plunger cup, so the commitment stays small.
Overall, the classic 1 cup Adjust-A-Cup is the simplest way to try the idea. For instance, according to a retail listing, you pull the plunger down to the amount you want, add the ingredient and then push the plunger up to dispense it. Because the canister slides inside itself, it stores compactly.
Apartment Therapy says the 1 cup version is mainly useful for small measures such as tablespoons, since the 2 cup is more versatile. Also, the listing does not give a minimum volume, so check the markings when it arrives.
- Capacity: 1 cup
- Markings: metric and US units, per the listing
- Material: ABS and SAN plastic with silicone
- Care: hand wash with warm soapy water, per the listing
- Minimum volume: not stated by the seller
Pros
- Small and compact
- Same plunger idea as the Pro
- Fits in a crowded drawer
Cons
- Only one cup of capacity
- Minimum volume is not stated
- Hand wash only, per the listing
Skip it if: you often need more than a cup at once; pick the 2 cup Pro.
How We Chose the Best Adjustable Measuring Cup Picks
To be clear, we did not test these cups in a kitchen. Instead, we compared the America’s Test Kitchen equipment test, an Apartment Therapy review, maker pages and retailer listings. Then we kept cups with a true plunger mechanism that Amazon could list with a working link. Any spec we could not find is left out.
- True plunger design: a barrel with a plunger that sets the volume and ejects the food. Standard nested, angled and collapsible cups are excluded.
- Documented range: a stated minimum and maximum volume where the sources gave one.
- Cleaning: the plunger must come apart, and we note which models are hand-wash only.
- Independent evidence: the ATK adjustable cup test and the Apartment Therapy review.
However, only a handful of plunger cups are sold, and most come from one brand. As a result, four of the five picks are KitchenArt models in different sizes. ATK also tested Mrs. Anderson’s and Norpro cups, but we could not list them with a working link, so they are not among the picks.
Why the Best Adjustable Measuring Cup Beats a Standard Cup for Sticky Foods
First, a standard cup leaves food behind. For example, thick foods cling to the walls, and you lose some with every scrape. Instead, a plunger pushes the food out from below, so almost nothing stays in the cup.
Moreover, there is data. America’s Test Kitchen reports that measuring 1 cup of mayonnaise or sour cream varied by only about 2 grams with an adjustable cup, but by up to 14 grams with dry and liquid cups. In contrast, liquid cups did slightly worse. If you have no adjustable cup, however, ATK says a dry cup is the next most consistent option. For more detail, you can read its guide to thick, wet ingredients.
| Cup type | Strength | Weakness with sticky foods |
|---|---|---|
| Adjustable plunger cup | Sets any volume; pushes food out | More parts to clean; some hand-wash only |
| Dry nested cup | Fill and level | Food clings; fixed sizes |
| Liquid spouted cup | Easy to pour thin liquids | Hard to scrape; read at a line |
Meanwhile, for more on dry and liquid cups in general, our guide to measuring with a cup compares the two styles.
Which Foods Suit the Best Adjustable Measuring Cup
In short, a plunger cup earns its place with foods that cling. For example, the KitchenArt listings name honey, peanut butter and butter, and ATK adds mayonnaise and sour cream. Next, the table below adds a few close relatives.
| Food | Why it sticks | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Peanut butter | Thick and oily | Pull the plunger first, then press the food in and level |
| Honey and syrup | Very viscous | Warm the jar slightly so it flows into the barrel |
| Sour cream and mayonnaise | Heavy and smooth | Tap the cup to release air bubbles |
| Butter and shortening | Solid and greasy | Press it in firmly and level the top |
| Molasses | Slow and sticky | Let the plunger push it out slowly |
Honey is the classic case, so our guide on how to measure honey or syrup covers the weigh-it and oil-the-cup options too.
How to Use the Best Adjustable Measuring Cup
The steps are simple, but the order matters. In particular, set the volume before you add food.
- Set the volume. First, pull the plunger down, or turn the knob, until the cup mark lines up with your amount.
- Check the scale. Then read the line from the side at eye level, not from above.
- Fill the barrel. Next, press the food in so no air pockets remain.
- Level the top. Then sweep a flat knife across the rim.
- Push it out. Finally, hold the cup over the bowl and push the plunger up in one smooth motion.
- Scrape the plunger. Afterward, wipe the plunger face with a spatula, since a little food clings there.
One caution applies to the KitchenArt cups: the maker says to adjust only before filling. Otherwise, moving the plunger while the cup holds liquid can cause a leak.
Cup Volume Conversions for Your Best Adjustable Measuring Cup
An adjustable cup lets you stop at any line, so it helps to know common amounts in tablespoons and milliliters. For reference, one US cup is about 236.6 mL, so the table below converts the most common sizes.
| US cup | Tablespoons | Milliliters |
|---|---|---|
| 1/8 cup | 2 | 29.6 |
| 1/4 cup | 4 | 59.1 |
| 1/3 cup | 5 1/3 | 78.9 |
| 1/2 cup | 8 | 118.3 |
| 3/4 cup | 12 | 177.4 |
| 1 cup | 16 | 236.6 |
| 2 cups | 32 | 473.2 |
Next, use the converter for any other amount.
Instead of guessing for tiny amounts, pair the cup with a spoon set. Our best measuring spoon set guide has seven picks.
Care, Oiling and Limits of the Best Adjustable Measuring Cup
First, plunger cups need a little care. Otherwise, the seal dries out and the plunger sticks.
- First, take the plunger apart after each use when the maker allows it.
- Next, wash with warm soapy water, and dry the parts before you reassemble them.
- Add a drop of neutral oil to the plunger if it begins to stick, as ATK and Apartment Therapy both note.
- Hand wash the KitchenArt Tri, 1 Cup and Pro set, because their listings say to. The Pro 2 Cup reportedly survives dishwashers, but washing by hand protects the printed marks.
- Finally, do not move the plunger while the cup holds liquid.
Honest limits
First, adjustable cups measure by volume, and volume is never as exact as weight. Therefore, a baker who wants repeatable results should weigh sticky foods on a scale. Our best kitchen scale guide covers nine options. Also, owners report that some plunger seals wobble or leak with thin liquids, so a clear liquid cup remains the better tool for milk or stock.
Best Adjustable Measuring Cup FAQ
What is the best adjustable measuring cup overall?
The KitchenArt Pro 2 Cup is the safest choice because America’s Test Kitchen rated it highest. It was picked as the easiest to use in a test of four adjustable cups, and Apartment Therapy reviewed it favorably as well.
How does an adjustable measuring cup work?
First, you set the plunger to the volume you want, fill the barrel, level the top and push the plunger up. As a result, the food slides out instead of clinging to the walls.
Is an adjustable cup more accurate than a normal cup?
For sticky foods, yes. For example, in ATK’s test, 1 cup of mayonnaise or sour cream varied by about 2 grams with an adjustable cup but by up to 14 grams with dry and liquid cups.
What can I measure with the best adjustable measuring cup?
In practice, it suits peanut butter, honey, syrup, sour cream, mayonnaise, butter and shortening. However, thin liquids are easier to measure in a spouted liquid cup.
Can I put an adjustable measuring cup in the dishwasher?
It depends on the model. For instance, the OXO listing says it is dishwasher-safe, while most KitchenArt listings say to hand wash. So check your own cup’s instructions.
Why does my adjustable measuring cup leak?
Moving the plunger while the cup holds liquid can cause a leak, according to the KitchenArt listings. Also, a dry or worn seal can let thin liquids seep past it.
Does the plunger need oil?
Sometimes. ATK and Apartment Therapy both note that the KitchenArt plunger may need a drop of neutral oil to keep sliding smoothly.
Which size should I buy?
A 2 cup model covers most recipes, since it adjusts from 1/8 to 2 cups. However, Apartment Therapy says the 1 cup version is mainly useful for small amounts.
How many tablespoons are in 1/8 cup?
There are 2 tablespoons in 1/8 cup, which is about 29.6 mL. Therefore, a 1/8 cup line is a handy way to measure two tablespoons of honey.
Should I weigh sticky ingredients instead?
A scale is more repeatable, so use one for precise baking. In contrast, an adjustable cup is faster and good enough for most everyday recipes.
Bottom Line on the Best Adjustable Measuring Cup
For most cooks, the best adjustable measuring cup is the KitchenArt Pro 2 Cup Adjust-A-Cup. It was the top pick in a four-cup test, and it clears sticky foods cleanly. Instead, choose the Tri Adjust-A-Cup for easier pouring, the OXO if you want a dishwasher-safe cup, or the Pro set when you also need small spoon measures. However, for thin liquids, stay with a clear liquid cup.