OXO Good Grips kitchen scale review: the pull-out display that solves a real problem

This OXO Good Grips kitchen scale review covers one of the most recommended digital scales for home cooks. Its trick is simple: the display unit slides out from the base on a short arm, so you can still read the weight when a wide mixing bowl, a pizza stone or a large plate would otherwise cover the screen.

Cook's Illustrated named it a longtime favourite and gave it top marks in its testing, and it still appears in many best-scale lists in 2026. Based on OXO's specifications, published test results and owner reports, here is what it does well, where it falls short and whether it is worth the higher price.

Design: why the pull-out display matters

Most kitchen scales put the display on the front edge of the platform. As soon as you place a large bowl on top, the numbers disappear and you end up tilting your head or lifting the bowl. OXO's pull-out display avoids that: pull it forward and it sits clear of whatever you are weighing, then push it back in for storage.

The platform is brushed stainless steel and lifts off for washing, and the overall profile is slim enough to slide into a drawer or stand on its side in a cupboard. The backlit display is large and easy to read, which reviewers mention as a key strength.

The design is typical of OXO's Good Grips range, which focuses on tools that are comfortable and easy to use for as many people as possible. Here that shows in the large, clearly labelled buttons and a display that can be pulled into view rather than read at an awkward angle.

Key features

The scale covers the basics a baker needs: grams and ounces, a zero or tare button for weighing ingredients one after another in the same bowl, and a capacity of 5 kg. Buttons are clearly labelled, and testers describe them as responsive.

• Pull-out, backlit display
• Zero (tare) function for adding ingredients to one bowl
• Metric and imperial units
• Removable stainless steel platform
• Runs on four AAA batteries

Accuracy and performance

Accuracy is the reason to buy any kitchen scale, and the OXO scores well here. Cook's Illustrated praised its consistent accuracy and clear display, and other reviewers report reliable readings in 1 g steps, which is precise enough for bread, cakes and coffee brewing at home.

There are two quirks. First, in imperial mode the scale shows ounces in fractions, such as 1/8 oz, rather than decimals, which some users find confusing when following American recipes that use decimal ounces. Second, some reviewers note that the display takes a moment to settle when weight is changing quickly, for example when pouring flour. Most home cooks will not mind, but bakers who pour fast may notice it.

If you need to weigh very small amounts, such as yeast or spices, a pocket scale with 0.1 g resolution is a better tool alongside the OXO.

Cleaning and durability

The stainless steel platform lifts off, so spills can be wiped or washed without getting the electronics wet. The base itself should only be wiped with a damp cloth. OXO's reputation for durable kitchen tools and the scale's long presence on the market are reassuring.

How to use a kitchen scale for better baking

Weighing ingredients instead of using cups is one of the simplest ways to get more consistent baking. A cup of flour can vary a lot depending on how it is scooped, while 250 g is always 250 g.

The tare function is what makes a scale fast to use. Put your bowl on the platform, press zero, add the first ingredient, press zero again and add the next. You can build a whole cake batter in one bowl with less washing up. With the OXO, pulling out the display first keeps the numbers visible even when the bowl is wider than the platform.

For best accuracy, use the scale on a flat, stable surface, replace the batteries when the display dims, and avoid placing hot pans directly on the platform.

• Look for 1 g increments for baking and coffee
• A tare or zero button is essential
• Check the maximum capacity against your largest bowls and batches
• A readable or backlit display matters more than extra features
• A removable platform makes cleaning much easier

Is the OXO scale worth it over cheaper scales?

Budget digital scales can be perfectly accurate for everyday use, so the question is what the extra money buys. With the OXO, the answer is mainly usability: the pull-out display, the backlight, the removable stainless platform and a build that has earned consistent praise from test kitchens over many years.

Cheaper scales often have small, unlit displays that disappear under a bowl, glass platforms that are harder to keep clean, or buttons that need a firm press. If you weigh ingredients a few times a week, those details add up. If you only weigh occasionally, a well-reviewed budget scale such as the Escali Primo will serve you just as well for accuracy.

It costs more than a budget scale, but the pull-out display, backlight, removable platform and proven accuracy make it one of the most practical scales for everyday cooking. For people who bake regularly, it is worth the extra money.

Who should buy the OXO Good Grips scale?

It is a strong pick for bakers, people who weigh ingredients in large bowls, and anyone who has struggled to read a scale hidden under a plate. It also suits cooks who want a reliable, attractive scale that will last.

If you only weigh ingredients occasionally, a cheaper basic scale will do the job. If you regularly weigh more than 5 kg, for example for large batches of dough or preserves, look at OXO's 22 lb version or another high-capacity model.

Key specs

Capacity

5 kg (11 lb)

Increments

1 g or 1/8 oz

Units

Metric and imperial

Display

Backlit digital display that pulls out from the base

Platform

Removable stainless steel

Power

4 x AAA batteries (included)

Also available

Larger 22 lb (10 kg) version

Alternatives to consider

• Escali Primo: A simpler, cheaper digital scale that many testers rate highly for accuracy.
• Salter Arc digital kitchen scale: A slim, affordable option widely sold in Europe for occasional weighing.
• OXO Good Grips 22 lb Food Scale: The same pull-out design with double the capacity for large batches.

Frequently asked questions

The OXO Good Grips food scale with pull-out display solves a problem most cheap scales ignore, and it pairs that with reliable accuracy, a backlit screen and an easy-clean platform. Fraction-based ounce readings and a slightly slow display are minor downsides. If you bake often or weigh in big bowls, this OXO kitchen scale is worth it in 2026.

How we research: Reviews are based on the maker’s specifications, published independent tests and owner reports. Scores compare the product with others in its class.