The best cocktail jigger for most home bars is the A Bar Above Japanese jigger, because its 1 oz and 2 oz cups carry eight interior lines for pours from 1/4 oz to 1 3/4 oz. What decides the choice is the markings: ounces or milliliters, and lines inside or full cups only.
In short: choose A Bar Above for lines, OXO for grip, Leopold Metric for mL, and a bell shape for stability.
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Best Overall
Best for Milliliters
Best for Beginners
Quick Answer: The Best Cocktail Jigger for Each Bar
- Best overall: A Bar Above Japanese jigger, with eight interior lines.
- Best for beginners: OXO SteeL Double Jigger, with a soft non-slip grip.
- Best for milliliters: Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Metric, with 30 mL and 60 mL cups.
- Best for grip: Barfly Diamond Lattice Japanese jigger, with a textured body.
- Best for 1.5 oz pours: Cocktail Kingdom Japanese jigger, 1 oz and 1.5 oz.
- Best bell shape: A Bar Above Bell Jigger, wide and stable.
On This Page
- Comparison Table
- The 7 Best Cocktail Jiggers, Reviewed
- How We Chose
- Japanese, Bell or Stepped
- Reading Jigger Markings
- Jigger Pour Converter
- How to Test Accuracy
- Care
- Honest Limits
- FAQ
- Bottom Line
Best Cocktail Jigger Comparison Table
| # | Product | Best For | Standout Feature | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Bar Above Japanese Jigger | Home bars that want one tool for most pours | Eight interior lines on 1 oz and 2 oz cups | View |
| 2 | OXO SteeL Double Jigger | New home bartenders and wet hands | Soft non-slip grip and six marked pours | View |
| 3 | Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Jigger (Metric) | Metric recipes and cooks who think in mL | 30 mL and 60 mL cups | View |
| 4 | Barfly Diamond Lattice Japanese Jigger | Busy home bars and frequent use | Etched diamond lattice body | View |
| 5 | Cocktail Kingdom Japanese Jigger 1 oz / 1.5 oz | Standard spirit pours | 1.5 oz cup | View |
| 6 | A Bar Above Bell Jigger | Stable pours and wide cups | Bell shape with eight interior lines | View |
| 7 | Restaurantware Bar Lux Bell Jigger | Display bars and gifts | Copper-plated bell shape | View |
The 7 Best Cocktail Jiggers, Reviewed
In short, each pick below lists only specs that a maker or retailer spec sheet confirms. Prices change often, so check the current price on Amazon.
Best Overall
1. A Bar Above Japanese Jigger
Best for: home bartenders who want one jigger for everything from a bar spoon to 1 3/4 oz.
This is the Japanese style, so it is tall, slim and double ended. First, A Bar Above lists a 2 oz large cup with interior lines at 1, 1 1/4, 1 1/2 and 1 3/4 oz. Second, the 1 oz small cup carries lines at 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 oz, plus one bar spoon.
As a result, you rarely need a second tool. For example, a 3/4 oz lime juice pour or a 1/4 oz syrup dose fits in the small cup. In addition, the narrow body is easy to hold and pour from, though it can tip if you set it down full.
- Cups: 2 oz large side, 1 oz small side
- Material: stainless steel 304, polished mirror finish
- Rolled lip and reinforced weld
- Size: 45 mm large-side diameter, 120 mm tall
- Dishwasher safe, per the maker
Pros
- Interior lines for eight common pours
- Slim shape fits small hands and narrow shakers
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Ounces only, with no milliliter lines
- Tall shape can tip when full
Skip it if: you cook from metric recipes, because the lines are in ounces only.
Best for Beginners
2. OXO SteeL Double Jigger
Best for: beginners who want a secure grip and clear interior lines.
First, OXO builds its double jigger with a soft grip on the steel body. As a result, the grip helps when your hands are wet from ice or citrus. In addition, the cups are 1 oz and 1.5 oz, which matches a common spirit pour.
Each side also has interior lines. One side marks 0.33, 0.75 and 1.5 oz, while the other marks 0.25, 0.5 and 1 oz. Therefore a recipe that calls for 3/4 oz or 1/2 oz needs no guesswork. However, the specs below come from the single OXO double jigger spec sheet, and the Amazon listing is titled as a set of 2, so confirm what is in the box.
- Cups: 1 oz and 1.5 oz
- Lines: 0.33, 0.75, 1.5 oz and 0.25, 0.5, 1 oz
- Stainless steel with soft non-slip grip
- About 2 5/16 in wide and 2 15/16 in tall
- Dishwasher safe, per the retailer spec sheet
Pros
- Grip stays secure with wet hands
- Interior lines for six pours
- 1.5 oz cup suits standard spirit pours
Cons
- No 2 oz cup for larger drinks
- Ounces only
Skip it if: you often pour a full 2 oz, since the large cup stops at 1.5 oz.
Best for Milliliters
3. Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Jigger, Metric
Best for: bartenders and recipe writers who work in milliliters.
Also, Leopold is the classic bell-shaped jigger from Cocktail Kingdom, and this listing is the metric version. Therefore it has a 30 mL cup and a 60 mL cup, so recipes written in milliliters need no conversion.
Next, Cocktail Kingdom describes the Leopold line as an art deco design in 18/8 stainless steel. It also says its quality control is built for precise measuring. Meanwhile, for the ounce version, the maker lists interior lines at 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and 1 1/2 oz. Check the metric listing for its exact lines before you buy.
- Cups: 30 mL and 60 mL
- Maker describes 18/8 stainless steel for the Leopold line
- Art deco bell shape
- Ounce version has interior lines at 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and 1 1/2 oz
Pros
- Metric cups match mL recipes
- Wide, stable bell shape
- Classic art deco bell shape
Cons
- Interior lines on the metric version are not confirmed here
- Bell shape takes more drawer space
Skip it if: your recipes use ounces, because the standard Leopold in 1 oz and 2 oz is the better match.
Best for Grip
4. Barfly Diamond Lattice Japanese Jigger
Best for: people who make several drinks a night and want a textured, easy-to-hold jigger.
Barfly is the bar-tools line from Mercer Culinary, so it targets working bars. First, this Japanese-style jigger has 1 oz and 2 oz cups and an etched diamond lattice pattern on the outside. The pattern adds a little texture, so the jigger holds better when wet.
Next, the listing mentions external markings and internal measurement lines. It also notes a seamless interior and rolled top edges. In short, it is a sturdy workhorse that is easy to clean and pour from.
- Cups: 1 oz and 2 oz
- 18/8 stainless steel with rolled top edges
- External markings and internal lines, per the spec sheet
- Satin interior finish
- Round, elongated Japanese style
Pros
- Textured body helps with a wet grip
- Seamless interior is easy to rinse
- Rolled edges pour cleanly
Cons
- The exact line positions are not listed
- Ounces only
Skip it if: you want a plain, smooth body or metric markings.
Best for 1.5 oz Pours
5. Cocktail Kingdom Japanese Style Jigger, 1 oz / 1.5 oz
Best for: bartenders who pour 1.5 oz as their base measure.
Cocktail Kingdom sells its Japanese-style jigger in several size pairs. For instance, this one pairs a 1 oz cup with a 1.5 oz cup. The 1.5 oz size matters because the NIAAA defines a US standard drink of 80-proof spirits as 1.5 fl oz, about 40 percent alcohol by volume.
Because the cups are small, this jigger suits two-ingredient drinks and neat pours. However, it will not replace a 2 oz jigger for sours that use a 2 oz base. Cocktail Kingdom lists the size pair, but its collection page does not detail the interior lines.
- Cups: 1 oz and 1.5 oz
- Japanese slim style
- Sold by Cocktail Kingdom in several finishes
- Interior lines not described on the collection page
Pros
- 1.5 oz cup matches a standard spirit pour
- Slim and easy to store
- Offered in several finishes
Cons
- No 2 oz cup
- Line details are not published on the collection page
Skip it if: your recipes use 2 oz of base spirit.
Best Bell Style
6. A Bar Above Bell Jigger
Best for: bartenders who prefer the wider, steadier bell shape.
The bell jigger has the same 2 oz and 1 oz cups as its Japanese sibling, but in a wider body. The larger side is 2 in across, while the smaller side is 1.7 in. In addition, the jigger stands 3.4 in tall, so it is shorter and more stable.
Meanwhile, lines on the larger side sit at 1, 1 1/4, 1 1/2 and 1 3/4 oz. Similarly, the smaller side marks 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 oz, plus one bar spoon. Meanwhile, the wider mouth makes it easier to see the liquid line from above.
- Cups: 2 oz and 1 oz
- Stainless steel 304, food grade
- Size: 2 in and 1.7 in diameter, 3.4 in tall
- Eight interior lines
- Dishwasher safe, per the maker
Pros
- Stable on a bar top
- Wide mouth is easy to read
- Same line set as the Japanese version
Cons
- Wider body is harder to hold than a slim one
- Ounces only
Skip it if: you want a slim jigger that fits a narrow drawer slot.
Best for Looks
7. Restaurantware Bar Lux Bell Jigger
Best for: home bars where the finish matters as much as the pour.
Restaurantware sells this bell jigger in stainless, black, copper and gold finishes, but the listing here is the copper-plated version. In addition, the Bar Lux model has 1 oz and 2 oz cups, straight edges for drip-free pouring and a pedestal base.
The spec page does not describe interior lines, so treat it as a fill-to-the-brim jigger. Also, the maker says to hand wash it, which suits a plated finish. As a result, it is a good display piece but less convenient for daily use.
- Cups: 1 oz and 2 oz
- Stainless steel 304 body
- Height 3.38 in, width 2.1 in
- Pedestal base and straight edges
- Hand wash, per the maker
Pros
- Attractive plated finish
- Stable pedestal base
- Deep wells hold liquid
Cons
- No interior lines described
- Hand wash only
Skip it if: you want interior lines for 1/4 or 3/4 oz pours.
How We Chose the Best Cocktail Jiggers
We did not pour drinks for this guide. Instead, we compared the maker specifications for each jigger and read the product listings. Therefore our picks are research-based, and we state only specs that a maker or retailer spec sheet confirms. Where a spec was not published, we say so.
These criteria decided the ranking:
- Cup sizes: first, a jigger should match the pours you make most, whether 1 oz, 1.5 oz or 2 oz.
- Markings: interior lines add small pours, and also metric cups help when a recipe uses mL.
- Build: stainless steel, a rolled lip and a clean weld pour better, so they last longer.
- Handling: grip, balance and stability matter because your hands are wet.
- Care: finally, dishwasher-safe stainless steel is easier to keep clean than plated finishes.
- Brand variety: no more than two picks per brand, so the list is not one line of jiggers repeated.
For background, we also used the NIAAA standard-drink definition and the NIST conversion factors for the fluid ounce. In addition, we read the America’s Test Kitchen jigger article for its criteria on wide mouths, clear markings and headspace. Every product here is meant for adults of legal drinking age, and the same jiggers also measure syrups, juices and mocktail ingredients.
Japanese, Bell or Stepped: Choosing the Best Cocktail Jigger Style
First, most jiggers are double ended, with a large cup on one side and a small cup on the other. In practice, the shape changes how a jigger feels more than how it measures. Next, here is how the main styles compare.
| Style | Shape | Strength | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | Tall and slim | Easy to hold and pour; fits small shakers | Can tip when set down full |
| Bell | Wider, shorter, flared | Stable; wide mouth shows the line | Bulkier in a drawer |
| Stepped | Cups of several sizes stacked in steps | Many sizes in one tool | Harder to read fine lines |
| Angled cup | Small measuring cup with a sloped scale | Read the line from above | Not the classic bar look |
For most people, the Japanese style is the best cocktail jigger shape, because it fits the hand and the shaker tin. However, a bell jigger is a better choice if you pour at a crowded counter. America’s Test Kitchen chose an angled OXO measuring cup over classic jiggers, because it has a wide mouth and extra headspace. Therefore, an angled cup is worth a look if you value easy reading over style.
Reading Jigger Markings: Ounces, Milliliters and Tablespoons
First, a cup filled to the brim measures its stated volume. In addition, interior lines let you measure smaller amounts in the same cup. For example, the A Bar Above jiggers mark 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 oz on the 1 oz side.
The US fluid ounce is exactly 29.5735 mL, according to the NIST conversion tables. A jigger sold as 30 mL x 60 mL is therefore very close to a 1 oz x 2 oz jigger. For example, the 30 mL cup holds about 1.4 percent more than 1 fl oz, and the 60 mL cup holds about 2.03 fl oz. In practice, that difference is small, but it adds up in a recipe with many parts.
- 1 fl oz = 29.57 mL = 2 tbsp = 6 tsp
- 1.5 fl oz = 44.36 mL = 3 tbsp
- 2 fl oz = 59.15 mL = 4 tbsp
- 1/4 fl oz = 7.39 mL = 1.5 tsp
Do not mix systems in one recipe. For example, if you start with a 30 mL cup, use 15 mL and 22.5 mL lines for the rest. Otherwise your ratios drift.
Jigger Pour Converter
Therefore, use this converter to turn a recipe pour in fluid ounces into milliliters, teaspoons or tablespoons. It starts at the common 1.5 oz pour.
For more on bar math, see our guide to measuring ingredients for cocktails and the explainer on how much 30 ml is.
How to Test the Best Cocktail Jigger for Accuracy
First, you can check any jigger at home with a kitchen scale. Water works well, because 1 mL of water at room temperature weighs about 1 g. As a result, this test takes only five minutes.
- Set up the scale. First, place a small empty cup on a digital kitchen scale and press tare so it reads zero.
- Fill the jigger. Next, fill the 1 oz cup with room-temperature water until it just reaches the brim, with the jigger held level.
- Pour and read. Then pour the water into the cup on the scale. A 1 fl oz cup should read about 29.5 g.
- Check the large cup. After that, repeat with the 2 oz cup. A good result is close to 59 g.
- Test the interior lines. Finally, fill to each interior line and compare. For example, half an ounce should read about 14.8 g and three-quarters about 22.1 g.
Readings within about 1 g of those numbers are normal, because the water surface, the meniscus and your pouring all add small errors. However, if a cup is off by several grams, treat the jigger as a guide only. Read our best kitchen scale guide if you need a scale for this test.
Caring for Your Best Cocktail Jigger
Stainless steel is easy to keep clean. First, rinse the jigger right after use, because sugar and citrus residue can dry hard. Most plain stainless models are dishwasher safe per their makers, while plated finishes often call for hand washing. Then dry the jigger before storing it, and avoid steel wool, which scratches the surface. Finally, do not drop it on a hard floor, since a dent in the rim changes how it pours.
Honest Limits of Any Jigger
In short, a jigger measures volume, not alcohol content. The NIAAA notes that drink size alone does not indicate alcohol content, since a spirit at a higher proof carries more alcohol in the same pour. Also, a brim-full cup is only as accurate as your hand. Tilting, rushing and over-filling all add error. In addition, because makers do not publish a tolerance for most jiggers, treat the stated volume as nominal. Finally, if you are of legal age and choose to drink, the NIAAA standard-drink guide is a useful reference for what one drink contains: what counts as a standard drink.
Best Cocktail Jigger FAQ
What is the best cocktail jigger for a home bar?
The A Bar Above Japanese jigger is our pick for the best cocktail jigger for most home bars. It also has 1 oz and 2 oz cups and eight interior lines. However, the OXO SteeL Double Jigger is a good alternative if you want a softer, more secure grip.
What size is the best cocktail jigger for home use?
Most standard jiggers have a 1 oz cup on one side and a 2 oz cup on the other. However, some, like the OXO and one Cocktail Kingdom model, use 1 oz and 1.5 oz cups. Metric jiggers use 30 mL and 60 mL.
Is Japanese or bell the best cocktail jigger style?
A Japanese jigger is tall and slim, so it is easy to hold. Meanwhile, a bell jigger is wider and steadier on a counter. Neither measures better, so the best cocktail jigger style is the one you can pour from without spilling.
How many ounces is a jigger?
A jigger is a bar measure, and modern double jiggers hold two sizes, often 1 oz and 2 oz or 1 oz and 1.5 oz. Also, one US fluid ounce is 29.57 mL, according to NIST.
How many mL is a 1.5 oz jigger pour?
A 1.5 fl oz pour is 44.36 mL, or 3 tablespoons. In practice, in many metric bars it is rounded to 45 mL.
Is a 30 mL jigger the same as 1 oz?
Almost, because a 30 mL cup holds about 1.4 percent more than a US fluid ounce, which is 29.57 mL. For most drinks the difference is too small to taste, but keep one unit system in a recipe.
Does the best cocktail jigger need interior markings?
They make it more versatile, not more accurate. For example, interior lines let one cup measure 1/4, 1/2 or 3/4 oz. A brim-full cup is usually easier to fill exactly, so use the lines carefully and read them at eye level.
How do I check the best cocktail jigger for accuracy?
First, fill the cup with water, pour it onto a tared kitchen scale and read the grams. Then a 1 oz cup should read about 29.5 g and a 2 oz cup about 59 g. A reading within about 1 g is normal.
Is the best cocktail jigger dishwasher safe?
Plain stainless steel jiggers usually are, per makers like A Bar Above and OXO. However, plated finishes, such as copper or gold, often need hand washing. Check the listing for the model you choose.
Can the best cocktail jigger measure mocktails?
Yes, because a jigger measures syrups, juices and mocktail ingredients just as well. See our guide to measuring ingredients for mocktails for ratios and common pours.
Bottom Line: The Best Cocktail Jigger to Buy
If you want one tool that covers most pours, the A Bar Above Japanese Jigger is the best cocktail jigger for most home bars. Pick the OXO for grip, the Leopold Metric for mL recipes, and a bell jigger if you want a steadier base. Also, for more on tools, see our best syrup measuring bottle guide.