The OXO Good Grips Mini Angled Measuring Cup is the best mini measuring shot cup for most kitchens because its angled surface lets you read tablespoons, ounces, and milliliters from above without bending down or squinting at eye level. Mini measuring cups earn their drawer space when you pull espresso shots, batch cocktails, dose out cough syrup for adults who hate the little plastic cap, or measure soy sauce and vinegar for stir fry sauces. We compared plastic, glass, and stainless options so you can match the cup to how you actually use it.
The OXO Good Grips Mini Angled Measuring Cup is the best mini measuring shot cup thanks to its read-from-above angled scale and grippy body. If you want glass, the Anchor Hocking 5 ounce measuring glass is the most durable value.
- Best overall: OXO Good Grips Mini Angled Measuring Cup
- Best value: Anchor Hocking 5 Ounce Measuring Glass
- Best budget: Norpro Mini Measuring Cup Set
- Avoid: Unbranded cups with painted-on markings that fade after a few dishwasher cycles
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Quick Picks
- Best overall: OXO Good Grips Mini Angled Measuring Cup, Angled scale reads from above, with tablespoon, ounce, and milliliter markings on one small cup.. Check price on Amazon
- Best value: Anchor Hocking 5 Ounce Measuring Glass, Real glass that shrugs off stains and dishwashers, with clear molded markings..
- Best budget: Norpro Mini Measuring Cup Set, A simple multi-cup set so one can live by the coffee maker and another by the stove..
Comparison Table
| Measuring cup | Capacity | Best for | Material | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OXO Good Grips Mini Angled Measuring Cup | About 4 tablespoons / 60 ml | Everyday small measuring | BPA-free plastic | Check Price |
| Anchor Hocking 5 Ounce Measuring Glass | 5 ounces | Hot liquids and stain-prone sauces | Tempered glass | Check Price |
| Norpro Mini Measuring Cup Set | Assorted small sizes | Keeping cups at multiple stations | Plastic | Check Price |
| OXO Steel Angled Measuring Jigger | About 2 ounces | Cocktails and espresso dosing | Stainless steel and plastic | Check Price |
How We Chose These Kitchen Scales Picks
We compared manufacturer specs, marking legibility, and thousands of owner reviews across plastic, glass, and stainless mini measuring cups. We prioritized cups with molded or angled markings that stay readable after repeated dishwasher runs, since faded graduations are the most common complaint in this category.
Key Takeaway: A mini measuring cup is only useful if you can still read it a year from now, so pick molded glass markings or OXO’s angled scale over cheap painted lines.
Best Overall: OXO Good Grips Mini Angled Measuring Cup
Best for: Anyone who measures small amounts of liquid several times a week and wants to read the level without lifting the cup to eye level. Why it made the list: The angled interior scale is genuinely faster than a straight-walled shot cup, and the triple markings in tablespoons, ounces, and milliliters cover coffee, cocktail, and recipe use in one tool.
- Key specs: Roughly 60 ml capacity, markings in teaspoons, tablespoons, ounces, and milliliters, soft nonslip grip band, BPA-free plastic, dishwasher safe on the top rack.
- What we like: You read the measurement from above while pouring, so you stop overshooting soy sauce and vanilla. The grippy band keeps wet fingers from dropping it.
- What we do not like: It is plastic, so turmeric, chili oil, and tomato-based sauces can stain it, and very hot liquids can cloud the surface over time. The markings are printed, not molded, so aggressive scrubbing wears them down.
- Who should buy it: Home cooks, coffee people who dose milk or syrup, and anyone who batches salad dressings or marinades in small quantities.
- Who should avoid it: Anyone measuring boiling liquids regularly, or anyone who wants a cup that doubles as a serving vessel. Glass is the better call for both.
- Common complaints: Owners report the printed markings fading after a year of bottom-rack dishwasher cycles and staining from curry pastes.
- Size note: It holds about a quarter cup total, so it complements rather than replaces your standard liquid measuring cup.
- Cleaning note: Top rack dishwasher safe, but handwashing preserves the printed scale much longer.
- Alternative: The Anchor Hocking 5 Ounce Measuring Glass if you want molded markings that can never wash off.
Mini Measuring Shot Cup Buying Guide
Molded vs printed markings
Glass cups like Anchor Hocking have graduations molded into the glass itself, which last forever. Plastic cups almost always use printed markings that fade with dishwasher heat and scrubbing. If you plan to machine wash daily, molded glass is the safer long-term buy.
Which units you actually need
A good mini cup should show at least tablespoons and milliliters, since small recipe amounts are written in both. Ounce markings matter for cocktails and espresso. Avoid cups that only mark ounces, because converting tablespoons in your head defeats the point of the tool.
Angled vs straight walls
Angled cups like the OXO let you read the level from above while you pour, which is faster and more accurate for repeated measuring. Straight shot-style cups are easier to store and fine if you always measure the same amount, like a double shot of espresso.
Safety Notes
- Do not pour boiling liquid into thin plastic mini cups, as they can warp and release the liquid onto your hand.
- Check that any plastic cup is labeled BPA free if you measure hot or acidic liquids.
- Glass mini cups can chip at the rim, so inspect the lip before drinking from one.
- Keep medicine dosing cups separate from kitchen cups to avoid cross contamination.
What to Avoid
- Unbranded cups with painted markings that fade after a few dishwasher cycles.
- Cups that only show one unit of measurement.
- Very lightweight plastic cups that tip over when a spoon rests in them.
- Novelty shot glasses sold as measuring tools with decorative, inaccurate lines.
FAQ
Are mini measuring cups accurate enough for baking?
For liquids in small amounts, yes, a marked mini cup is more accurate than eyeballing a spoon. For dry ingredients in baking, a kitchen scale is still the gold standard, and a mini cup should only handle liquids like extracts, oils, and milk.
Can I use a mini measuring cup for espresso shots?
Yes, this is one of the most common uses. Look for a cup with ounce and milliliter markings, and note that a standard double shot is about 2 ounces. The OXO steel jigger and Anchor Hocking glass both work well next to an espresso machine.
Do plastic measuring cup markings really wear off?
Printed markings on plastic do fade with repeated dishwasher cycles and abrasive scrubbing, and this is the top complaint in owner reviews. Molded glass markings and etched stainless markings do not have this problem.
Final Verdict
The OXO Good Grips Mini Angled Measuring Cup is the best mini measuring shot cup for everyday kitchen use, with the Anchor Hocking 5 Ounce Measuring Glass as the durable glass value pick and the Norpro Mini Measuring Cup Set covering multiple stations on a budget.
