The Best Coffee Scale of 2023 + 6 Other Contenders!

Why Should You Trust These Recommendations?

Why Use a Coffee Scale?

Have you ever made the perfect cup of coffee but could never replicate it again? Using a coffee scale gets rid of the guesswork and allows you to approach brewing in a more scientific way.

Why is this important? Customization. Repeatability. Consistency.

By incorporating a coffee scale into your brewing routine, you gain precise control over the brew ratios required for different drinks. 

Whether it's the elusive golden ratio for pour-over or the specific bean-to-water weight for espresso, a coffee scale ensures accurate measurements, leading to consistent and delicious cups every time.

Important Ratios When Using Your Coffee Scale

What is the Best Coffee Scale?

Check out our overviews below and click on "Read More" to jump down to the in-depth reviews:

no. 1

Acaia Pearl Digital Scale

Best Overall

Check Prices From:

Prima Coffee

Seattle Coffee Gear

• Best for: Drip coffee and espresso
• Real-time flow-rate indicator
• Timer with auto-start function
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Auto-tare mode
• Dosing/portafilter mode
• Read More ⇒

no. 2

Brewista Smart Scale II

Runner Up

Check Prices From:

Amazon

Prima Coffee

• Best for: Drip coffee and espresso
• 0.1 gram weight accuracy
• Auto-tare and auto-time modes
• USB rechargeable battery
• 2000 gram capacity
• Read More ⇒

no. 3

Timemore Black Mirror Plus

Best Value

Check Prices From:

Amazon

Prima Coffee

• Best for: Drip coffee and espresso
• 0.1 gram weight accuracy
• 10 hours of battery life between charges
• Automatic timer
• USB Type-C rechargeable battery
• Read More ⇒

no. 4

Hario V60 Drip Coffee Scale

Best for Pour Over Coffee

Check Prices From:

Amazon

Seattle Coffee Gear

• Best for: Drip coffee
• 0.1 gram weight accuracy
• Built-in timer
• Auto-off feature after 5 minutes
• Read More ⇒

no. 5

TIMEMORE Black Mirror Nano Coffee Scale

Best Compact Design

Check Prices From:

Amazon

Prima Coffee

• Best for: Drip coffee
• Auto timer
• Tare and reset buttons
• Rechargeable USB battery
• Read More ⇒

no. 6

Acaia Lunar Espresso Scale

Best for Cafés

Check Prices From:

Amazon

Seattle Coffee Gear

• Best for: Espresso
• Flow-rate indicator
• Built-in espresso modes
• Rechargeable lithium battery with up to 40 hours between charges
• Readability up to 0.01 grams
• Read More ⇒

no. 7

Ozeri Touch Professional Scale

Best Budget

Check Prices From:

Amazon

Walmart

• Best for: Drip coffee
• Large LCD screen
• Available in multiple colors
• Measures in lbs, kg, g, and oz
• Read More ⇒

Now stick around so you can learn more about each product we mentioned and what you should look for when you're shopping for one!

1. Acaia Pearl Digital Scale

Best Overall

The Acaia Pearl is a top-notch coffee scale that combines sleek design with impressive functionality. It boasts exceptional precision, with an accuracy of up to 0.1 grams. This level of accuracy ensures consistent brew ratios for the perfect cup, whether that’s an espresso or a pour-over. 

The scale's waterproof feature adds an extra layer of convenience and peace of mind, protecting it from accidental spills or splashes when you brew coffee.

Equipped with a built-in timer, the Acaia Pearl allows users to precisely monitor the brewing time. Its compact size makes it easy to fit on any countertop or brewing station without taking up excessive space. Plus, the scale's durable construction ensures it can withstand the demands of daily use.

The Acaia Pearl uses a real-time flow-control indicator, giving you a visual representation of how quickly you are pouring water into the coffee bed. 

If you are making espresso, a portafilter mode, simplifies the repetitive weighing of coffee. 

Auto-start and auto-tare modes also make using this scale an all-around pleasant experience.

Last but not least, the scale comes with a heat-resistant silicone pad for optimum grip, as well as a calibration tool to make sure your scale is always 100% accurate.

Pros & Cons

Acaia Pearl Digital Scale

Buy from Prima Coffee

Buy from Seattle Coffee Gear

Specifications

• Precision: 0.1 g
• Response Time: Instant
• Units Available: g / oz
• Minimum Load: 0.1 g
• Maximum Load: 2000 g
• Battery: Rechargeable lithium-ion
• Battery Life: 30-40 hours
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0

2. Brewista Smart Scale II

Runner Up

The Brewista Smart Coffee Scale is a versatile and feature-rich coffee scale that caters to the needs of both espresso and pour-over enthusiasts. This scale offers a range of functionalities that enhance the brewing process.

With a precise measurement sensitivity of 0.1 grams, this scale allows for accurate and consistent measurements of coffee beans and water. 

Whether you're dialing in shots on your espresso machine or meticulously measuring pour-over ratios, the Brewista Smart Scale ensures precise and repeatable results, resulting in a well-balanced and flavorful cup of coffee.

In addition to its precision, this scale is also water-resistant, making it durable and suitable for any coffee brewing environment. Accidental spills or splashes won't affect the scale's performance, providing peace of mind during the brewing process. 

It also comes with a thick rubber pad so nothing accidentally slides off while brewing.

The Brewista Smart Scale is equipped with a built-in timer and six different user modes, five of which are for espresso.

In terms of size, this digital coffee scale strikes a balance between functionality and compactness. Its dimensions of 5.5” x 5.5” provide ample space for weighing coffee and water while remaining portable and easy to store.

When it comes to battery life, the Brewista Smart Scale offers convenience and longevity with its USB rechargeable battery.

Pros & Cons

Brewista Smart Scale II

Buy from Amazon

Buy from Prima Coffee

Specifications

• Precision: 0.1 g
• Response Time: Fast
• Units Available: g / oz
• Minimum Load: 0.1 g
• Maximum Load: 2000 g
• Battery: USB rechargeable
• Battery Life: N/A
• Connectivity: No

3. Timemore Black Mirror Plus

Best Value

The Timemore Black Mirror Plus is a reliable coffee scale from a reputable brand in the coffee space. While the scale is relatively minimalistic, it caters to the needs of coffee maker users, both espresso machine users and pour-over enthusiasts, providing precise measurements and convenient functionality.

With a measurement sensitivity of 0.1 grams, this scale ensures accurate and consistent measurements. 

While the scale itself is not explicitly mentioned as waterproof, the surface is designed to handle the occasional spills or splashes that can occur when brewing coffee. Make sure not to get any liquid in the cracks or charging ports.

Equipped with a built-in timer, the Timemore allows you to track the brewing time with ease and precision. It comes with an auto-off feature that kicks in after 3 minutes of idleness.

In terms of size, this scale strikes a balance between functionality and portability. With dimensions of 6.7” (D) x 1.3” (H) x 5.1” (W), it offers ample space for weighing coffee and water while remaining compact and easy to travel with.

A rechargeable lithium-ion battery that is charged using a USB type-C cable and that provides anywhere from 10-24 hours of use. Just make sure you don’t use a supercharger to avoid ruining the battery.

If you value simplicity and don’t need loads of fancy features outside of a basic timer, this scale is the best bang for your buck. 

That being said, make sure you are alright with always measuring your coffee in grams, as there is no option to switch to ounces or pounds.

Pros & Cons

Timemore Black Mirror Plus

Buy from Amazon

Buy from Prima Coffee

Specifications

• Precision: 0.1 g
• Response Time: Fast
• Units Available: g
• Minimum Load: 0.5 g
• Maximum Load: 2000 g
• Battery: Lithium-ion rechargeable
• Battery Life: 10-24 hours
• Connectivity: No

4. Hario V60 Drip Coffee Scale and Timer

Best for Pour Over Coffee

The Hario V60 Drip Coffee Scale was designed specifically for pour-over brewing methods. With its precision, timer functionality, and thoughtful design, this digital coffee scale is a must-have tool for any pour-over enthusiast.

One outstanding feature of the Hario V60 Drip Coffee Scale is its precision of 0.1 grams, allowing for accurate measurements. This is important when dialing in your brewing ratio when trying various pour-over methods. I like to use 7 grams of coffee per 100 grams of water with a V60, approximately a 1:14 ratio.

While the scale is not waterproof, the latest model has improved water resistance to handle occasional spills.

Equipped with a built-in timer, the Hario allows you to precisely track the brewing time. When the timer is not in use, the scale will automatically turn off after 5 minutes to save battery life.

The size of this scale strikes a balance between functionality and portability. It features a compact design, measuring approximately 4.9” x 4.4”, providing ample space for weighing coffee and water while remaining easy to pack on a trip or stow in a kitchen drawer.

The Hario is powered by two included AAA batteries and offers a simple, affordable option for coffee fans who don’t need a fancier scale for use with an espresso machine.

Pros & Cons

Hario V60 Drip Coffee Scale and Timer

Buy from Amazon

Buy from Seattle Coffee Gear

Specifications

• Precision: 0.1 g
• Response Time: Fast
• Units Available: g 
• Minimum Load: 0.5 g
• Maximum Load: 2000 g
• Battery: 2 AAA batteries (included)
• Battery Life: N/A
• Connectivity: No

5. TIMEMORE Black Mirror Nano Coffee Scale

Best Compact Design

The Timore Black Mirror Nano is a premium coffee scale for those looking for a beautiful minimalist design and a small form factor. With its exceptional precision, sleek design, and thoughtful features, this scale provides a superior brewing experience.

Like the other Timemore listed in this article, this scale offers a measurement sensitivity of 0.1 grams, ensuring extremely accurate measurements. 

The scale is not waterproof, but the buttons and charging port are on the side of the scale, making it more difficult for an accidental splash to get water in unwelcome spots. 

Additionally, the Timemore comes with a removable rubber mat to place on top to help prevent knocking over any cups or coffee equipment.

Equipped with a built-in timer, this scale allows you to track the brewing time precisely. Whether you're pulling shots on an espresso machine or practicing the art of pour-over, the timer function ensures consistency and helps you achieve optimal extraction and flavor profiles.

In terms of size, the Timemore Black Mirror Nano is extra compact and travel-friendly. With dimensions of approximately 3.9” x 3.9”, it offers a decently sized weighing platform while remaining portable and easy to store.

While this scale comes with three brewing modes complete with auto-start and auto-timer features, I don’t find it the best scale to use for brewing espresso. 

While you certainly can use this scale - hell, it even has an espresso mode! - I find it a bit too small to comfortably pull two espresso shots simultaneously without worrying about one falling off into the espresso machine drip tray.

The last great feature of this Timemore is the flow rate display that lets you view the real-time stream speed of your pour. Cool stuff!

Pros & Cons

TIMEMORE Black Mirror Nano Coffee Scale

Buy from Amazon

Buy from Prima Coffee

Specifications

• Precision: 0.1 g
• Response Time: Fast
• Units Available: g 
• Minimum Load: 0.5 g
• Maximum Load: 2000 g
• Battery: Rechargeable lithium-ion
• Battery Life: 10 hours
• Connectivity: No

6. Acaia Lunar Espresso Scale

Best for Cafés & Baristas

Like the Pearl, this beautiful (and expensive) scale from the same company is on my coffee equipment bucket list. While the Pearl is targeted for home use, this scale is Acaia’s response to a demand for the ultimate espresso scale for commercial environments.

Unlike many competitors, the Lunar is water-resistant and very tough, which is crucial for use in a busy coffee shop. It’s made from anodized aluminum.

This scale is renowned for its precision, offering a 0.1 gram measurement sensitivity with a readability of 0.01 grams. If you want to dial in your espresso shots to ultra-precise levels, the Lunar will allow you to do just that. 

Equipped with a built-in timer, the Lunar allows for precise tracking of espresso extraction time. The scale is extremely fast, sensitive, and responsive, reacting almost instantly to weight changes.

It also comes with a real-time flow-rate indicator and customizable workflow parameters when brewing espresso. 

For example, the Tare Save function allows you to store the tare weight of your preferred dosing container or cup, letting you work more efficiently and save precious seconds.

In terms of size, the Lunar is compact and specifically designed to fit comfortably on an espresso machine's drip tray. Its dimensions of approximately 4.2” x 4.2” make it an ideal scale for espresso enthusiasts who value space efficiency.

Powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, this scale offers a long battery life that allows for extended use between charges. It also includes a convenient USB charging cable for easy recharging.

If you regularly brew espresso and have a large budget to spend, the Acaia Lunar is the gold standard of espresso coffee scales. It may very well be the best coffee scale I have come across.

Pros & Cons

Acaia Lunar Espresso Scale

Buy from Amazon

Buy from Seattle Coffee Gear

Specifications

• Precision: 0.1 g
• Response Time: Instant
• Units Available: g / oz
• Minimum Load: 0.1 g
• Maximum Load: 2000 g
• Battery: Rechargeable lithium-ion
• Battery Life: 30-40 hours
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0

7. Ozeri Touch Professional Digital Kitchen Scale

Best Budget

If you’re searching for the cheapest scale to get the job done, look no further than the Ozeri Touch Professional Digital Kitchen Scale. While it is primarily designed for kitchen use, it can be effectively utilized for brewing coffee as well.

Unlike the coffee scales listed above, the Ozeri Touch is only accurate to 1 gram. This is the biggest compromise for the low price tag. 

If you choose to purchase this scale, we recommend only brewing pour-overs with it. Stay away from espresso, where you will want a scale to have precision within 0.1 grams at the very least.

While the scale is waterproof, it features a tempered glass platform that is resistant to small spills and easy to clean, making it suitable for a coffee brewing environment. 

One important note of this scale is that it does not have a timer, You will need to use your phone or watch to track your coffee brewing time. It can, however, measure in grams, ounces, pounds, and milliliters.


The large maximum weight of 5750 grams makes it perfect for use in the kitchen as well.

In terms of size, the Ozeri Touch offers a spacious weighing platform with dimensions of 8.25” x 6”, providing ample space for measuring coffee and water while its thin profile makes it pretty easy to hide away when it’s not in use.

Powered by two lithium batteries (included), this scale offers long-lasting battery life, ensuring uninterrupted brewing sessions without the need for frequent battery replacements. The Ozeri Touch will power off after 2 minutes of inactivity to preserve battery life even further.

Oh, and did we mention it comes in a variety of colors? Teal blue, red engine, and crystal rose are just a few of the many fun options available. While this isn’t the best coffee scale, it is the cheapest.

Pros & Cons

Ozeri Touch Professional Scale

Buy from Amazon

Buy from Walmart

Specifications

• Precision: 1 g
• Response Time: Average
• Units Available: g / kg / oz / lb / fl. oz / mL
• Minimum Load: 1 g
• Maximum Load: 5750 g
• Battery: 2 lithium batteries (included)
• Battery Life: N/A
• Connectivity: No

Buying Guide: What to Look for in a Coffee Scale?

In your search for the best coffee scale, you should make sure to consider the following factors before whipping out your credit card.

Precision & Sensitivity

If you plan to use a scale for making coffee, you want to make sure it is precise up to 0.1 grams. Anything greater than that leaves too much room for error, and it will be harder to consistently produce the same recipe.

Response Time

Pick a scale with a fast response time. The quicker the scale reacts to changes in weight, the better it is. Obviously, this comes with a higher price. 

While a lot of manufacturers don’t list “response time” as one of the scale’s specifications, check YouTube or Amazon reviews to see how quick or slow the responsiveness of the scale really is.

Design & Size

Whether you appreciate coffee scales with a minimalist look or plastic pieces is up to you. However, if you enjoy the look and feel of your scale, your daily ritual of coffee will bring you that much more joy. 

Pick something beautiful and durable that can withstand a fall or two from the counter.

Size is probably more important. If you plan to travel with your scale, you want to pick a smaller, thinner model. 

That being said, make sure you don’t pick a scale that’s too small if you plan to use it while pulling two shots of espresso simultaneously. You want to make sure the espresso cups have enough space on the scale’s surface under the group head without any risk of falling into the espresso machine drip tray.

Timer

A timer is a crucial element. If your scale doesn’t have one, you will have to use your phone or watch to set a timer. Nobody wants to use multiple pieces of equipment for such an important task. Make it easy on yourself and get a scale with a timer and a bright LCD screen.

Battery Life

Most modern coffee scales come with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries or replaceable AA or AAA batteries. You should get anywhere from 10-40 hours between charges and even more with AA or AAA batteries. This comes down to personal preference.

Ideally, pick a scale with an auto-off feature to save even further on battery life after a certain amount of minutes sitting idle.

Water Resistance

Waterproof coffee scales are best but can be hard to come by and expensive. Many are built with water-resistant materials. Make sure you check the specs before buying because you will occasionally spill water or coffee on your scale.

Heat Resistance

Unless you’re making cold brew, brewing coffee is hot! Pick a scale built with quality heat-resistant materials. Ideally, purchase one with a removable silicone pad. Not only does this help with heat, but it also provides a grippier surface for your cups and brewing equipment to sit on. 

Fewer spills = a happier coffee drinker!

Bonus Features

If you want fancier features such as a real-time flow-rate indicator or pre-saved auto-tare settings, you should look into the more expensive coffee scales. Some, like the Acaia scales, even have specific settings and parameters for making espresso.

Tips on Using Coffee Scales: Dos and Don’ts

Coffee Scale Dos:

• Do calibrate your scale regularly: Ensure accurate measurements by calibrating your coffee scale regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  
  
  
• Do use a flat and stable surface: Place your coffee scale on a level and stable surface to avoid any interference with the measurements.
  
  
  
• Do tare before each use: Reset the scale to zero by taring it with your brewing vessel or container before adding any coffee beans, coffee grounds, or water. This allows you to measure the exact weight of your ingredients without the weight of the container.
  
  
  
• Do measure both coffee and water: For pour-over brewing, measure the weight of both the ground coffee and water to maintain consistency in your brew ratios.
  
  
  
• Do start with small increments: If you're experimenting with your brew recipe, make small adjustments to the coffee or water weight to observe the impact on flavor and extraction.

Coffee Scale Don'ts:

• Don’t overload the scale: Avoid exceeding the maximum weight capacity of your coffee scale as it may lead to inaccurate readings or damage the scale.
  
  
  
• Don’t forget to clean the scale: Keep your coffee scale clean by wiping it after each use. Accumulated coffee grounds or residue can affect the accuracy of measurements.
  
  
  
• Don’t store the scale with batteries inside: If you won't be using the scale for an extended period, remove the batteries to prevent battery leakage, which can damage the scale.
  
  
  
• Don’t neglect the scale's manual: Familiarize yourself with the specific instructions and guidelines provided by the manufacturer to ensure optimal usage and avoid any misuse or damage.

Taking Care of Coffee Scales

1. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for calibration, battery replacement, and any other maintenance procedures specific to your coffee scale.
   
   
   
2. Consider using a protective cover or case for your coffee scale during storage or transport to prevent scratches or damage.
   
   
   
3. Avoid exposing the scale to extreme temperatures, as it can affect its performance and accuracy.
   
   
   
4. Store your coffee scale in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight or excessive humidity.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right coffee scale can make a world of difference in your brewing experience, and this list of the best coffee scales (in our opinion) offers a range of options to suit every coffee enthusiast's needs. 

The Acaia Pearl stands out as the best coffee scale on this list, combining sleek design, exceptional precision, and fancy features. For those on a budget, the Ozeri Touch Professional Digital Kitchen Scale offers a cost-effective option, although it sacrifices precision. 

Whether you prefer pour-over or espresso, there's a coffee scale on this list that will elevate your brewing game to new heights of precision and consistency.

Happy brewing!