…that rein in unwieldy foods

If you’re often annoyed by ingredients rolling off your scale, this could be the scale for you. A raised ring around the border of the platform prevents ingredients (think hazelnuts, cherries, peas) from going anywhere, making it easier to weigh them.

Salter Electronic Ring Food Scale, $59.95 at Cooking.com.

…that take up less space

We hate it when bulky measuring cups jam up our kitchen drawers. The solution: these clever silicone measuring cups that collapse, making them easier to store.

Set of four Chef’n SleekStor collapsible silicone measuring cups (1/4 1/3, 1/2, and 1 cup), $19.95 at Surlatable.com 

…that both measure & prep

This handy measuring bowl set comes with 1/4-, 1/2-, 1-, 1-1/2-, and 2-cup bowls, each of which is marked at the halfway point, so you get double the measuring sizes. But we don’t use them just for measuring; they’re great prep bowls, too, perfect for holding chopped herbs, nuts, and other small ingredients.

Mario Batali five-piece prep bowl set, $9.95 at Surlatable.com 

…that are slim and stable

If you’re in the market for a new set of measuring spoons, staffers in our test kitchen swear by these. They are flat and narrow enough to slip into spice jars and have a curved handle that keeps them from tipping over when you set them on the counter.

Set of five Cuisipro measuring spoons (from 1/8 tsp. to 1 Tbs.), $11.95, at Cheftools.com

…that scoop out ingredients

We found these stainless-steel scoops perfect for measuring dry ingredients like rice, sugar, and coffee beans. The scoops are narrow enough to slide right into canisters, and have a nice groove where your thumb rests for a comfortable grip.

Set of 1/4-, 1/2-, and 1-cup Amco measuring scoops (model 15073), $24.99 at Cookscorner.com