A Reason to Invest In the Best Coffee Scales
Coffee scales are a must for those that dabble on the specialty side of coffee.
Or to be fair anybody who wants to take their coffee drinking to the level above just lobbing a few tablespoons of coffee into a cafetiere.
With the rise of specialty coffee, the precision and care taken during its journey from cherry to cup have never been more vital.
Before the coffee is in your kitchen it has been on an incredible journey and one that is monitored so precisely at each step of the way.
Coffee is grown all year round in many coffee growing regions and is only harvested when the coffee cherry is ripe enough to be picked (that’s why it is such a labour intensive crop because each coffee tree may have to be revisited 6 times in each harvest so only the ripe coffee cherries are picked).
Once the cherry is picked it is depulped, dried and processed in whichever way the farmer chooses.
It is stored for a certain amount of time before it is transported at regulated temperatures to the exporter, the importer and then the roaster.
Tom using coffee scales
From here the roaster carefully roasts the beans to the profile which will highlight the coffees attributes the most, it is then rested and purchased by you (maybe in one of our coffee subscription boxes)
Coffee Grind Size Cheat Sheet PDF
To the non-coffee drinking folk, it may seem a little pedantic to weigh your coffee brewing, however, it is such a shame for the coffee to have meticulously been picked, processed and roasted for then to become over or under-extracted at the final hurdle.
Here are a few of our league leaders…
| Best Coffee Scales | Brand/Model |
|---|---|
| Best Overall Coffee Scales | Timemore Black Mirror |
| Best Budget Coffee Scales | Hario Drip Scales |
| Best Professional Coffee Scales | Acaia |
| Best Espresso Coffee Scales | Timemore Black Mirror |
| Best Pour Over Coffee Scales | Hario Drip Scales |
Are Coffee Scales Worth it?
We think so yes. If you want to enjoy high quality coffee and brew the coffee to it’s optimum flavour profile, then there is no other way than using coffee scales.
9 Best Coffee Scales Online
So if you are looking to up your coffee game and you are trying to find the best scales for coffee, here are a few that we would recommend;
1. Timemore Black Mirror
Weight Limit | 0.1g - 2000g
Battery | Rechargeable
Other Specs | Scratch Resistant
Price | ££
Pros
✅ Professional
Cons
❌ Can be slippy
The Timemore Black Mirror series encompasses a range of high-precision coffee scales favored by both coffee enthusiasts and professional baristas.
The Black Mirror scales are known for their sleek design and accurate measurements, essential for crafting the perfect cup of coffee.
They have fast and accurate readings and includes a built-in timer essential for tracking coffee extraction times.
The Black Mirror is designed to meet the needs of both espresso and pour-over brewing methods.
The Timemore Black Mirror scales are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing, often featuring a minimalist and modern look that complements any coffee brewing setup.
With their precision, ease of use, and elegant design, these scales have become a staple in the coffee brewing community.
Read more about the Timemore Black Mirror Coffee Scales.
Or if the Timemore Black Mirror seem like the coffee scales for you Check price on Amazon.
2. Acaia Pearl
Weight Limit | 0.1g - 3000g
Battery | USB
Other Specs | Coffee App
Price | £££
Pros
✅ Very Accurate and Functionality
Cons
❌ Expensive
In terms of good looking coffee scales, the Acaia Pearl definitely takes the crown.
The Acaia Pearl coffee scale is a premium, professional-grade scale designed specifically for the coffee industry.
Launched after a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2013, the Acaia Pearl quickly set a new standard for coffee scales by offering exceptional precision, advanced functionality, and a sleek design
The Pearl is celebrated for its ability to monitor weight, time, and flow rates during the coffee brewing process, making it an invaluable tool for baristas and coffee aficionados alike.
The Pearl's high responsiveness and accuracy allow for meticulous control over the brewing process, which is crucial for achieving consistency and quality in coffee brewing.
The Pearl Model S is an advanced version within the Pearl line, providing additional features such as a real-time flow rate indicator and enhanced connectivity options. This model caters to the needs of coffee professionals who require detailed tracking and data analysis to refine their brewing techniques.
Acaia's commitment to combining functionality with aesthetics is evident in the Pearl's clean, modern design, which not only complements a coffee enthusiast's brewing setup but also provides an intuitive user experience.
The Acaia Pearl's reputation for precision and quality has made it a favorite among the coffee community and a staple in coffee competitions around the world.
Read more in our Acaia Pearl Coffee Scales Review.
Or if the Acaia Pearl seem like the coffee scales for you:
3. Hario Drip Scales
Weight Limit | 0.1g - 2000g
Battery | AAA
Other Specs | Drip Station
Price | ££
Pros
✅ Classic Coffee Scales
Cons
❌ Can damage with water
Hario are the cornerstone of domestic specialty coffee equipment.
You may have heard of a V60, one of our favourite brew methods here at Batch that we use to select coffee for our fine coffee club.
They also have their fingers and toes dipped in pretty much every aspect of homebrewing, my trusty manual Hario coffee grinder accompanied me to many coffee farms throughout the Americas.
The Hario V60 coffee drip scale is a great bit of kit if you are serious about your morning pour over. The scales measure to 0.1g of accuracy and the integrated timer means you will be able to brew extremely accurate coffee.
If you are brewing a V60 and you’re partial to paraphernalia then this one may be for you as you can also purchase the V60 drip station which fits on top of the hario scales.
A good coffee scale from a great coffee brand. That’s birthday and Christmas covered.
Read more about the Hario Coffee Scales.
Or if the Hario Drip Scales seem like the coffee scales for you Check price on Amazon
Photo: Crate and Barrel
4. Brewista Smart Scale II
Weight Limit | 0.1g - 2000g
Battery | Rechargeable
Other Specs | 6 User Modes
Price | ££
The Brewista smart scale is back with a bang.
This time the Brewista scale is focused on the water resistant aspect and made number 2 as airtight as possible.
The silicone surface makes the brew method stick while also providing easy cleaning. It has a USB rechargeable lithium battery for longer life.
It has 6 different modes which automatically shut down, start timing or tares depending on which of the six fits best to your brewing needs.
This is one for those that don’t have the best aim when it comes to trying to get your hot water on the coffee grounds.
Does the Brewista sound good to you? Check price on Amazon
5. Hiroia Jimmy Brewing & Espresso Scale
Weight Limit | 0.1g - 2000g
Battery | Rechargeable
Other Specs | Detachable LED
Price | £££
The Jimmy Espresso & Brewing Scale is one of the most innovative coffee scales on the market today.
The detachable magnetic timer lets you clip it onto your espresso machine while the coffee is brewing so you can watch it out of the corner of your eye.
It was designed for both espresso and pour over coffee with a focus on quality and consistency every time. It comes with a 32 bit processor which allows the Jimmy to create functions for specialty coffee where it can log historical data to help you improve each brew.
There is no doubt this guy was made for commercial and professional use, it isn’t cheap for a coffee scale but if you like top of the range goods and you’re up for splashing out then the Jimmy may be for you.
If you like the look of these coffee scales Check price on Coffee Merch.
6. Coffee Gator Digital Scale
Weight Limit | 0.1g - 3000g
Battery | AAA
Other Specs | Non Slip
Price | £
The coffee gator digital coffee scale is another no nonsense coffee scale.
What it lacks in style it makes up for in affordability and precision. It goes down to 0.1g and all the way up to 3kg which means it can double up as a set of food weighing scales.
It has a backlight LED display for those early mornings when its still dark outside.
The Coffee Gator is a coffee scale with a timer which allows for you to keep track of the brew time on the same device.
One of the best digital coffee scales on the market in terms of value for money.
Like the look of Coffee Gator? Check price on Amazon
7. Felicita Incline Scales
Weight Limit | 0.1g - 2000g
Battery | USB Rechargeable
Other Specs | Coffee App
Price | ££
The Felicita is compact in size so it can fit underneath your home espresso machine.
The body is completely waterproof so you don’t have to worry about accidentally spilling any water and It has a USB rechargeable lithium battery.
Coffee scales that are designed for commercial and professional use but at a competitive price for the home barista that wants to hone in their coffee-making skills.
Does the Filicita tick your boxes? Check price on Amazon.
8. Bodum Bistro
Weight Limit | 0.1g - 5000g
Battery | AA
Other Specs | Silicone Pad
Price | £
Bodum are synonymous with certain areas of coffee brewing.
I own a Bodum chambord cafetiere and have brewed some of the best cafetiere coffee on many Sunday mornings.
The Bodum Bistro comes in as a fairly affordable set of coffee scales.
The silicone protective pad helps the brew not to slip while also looking pretty cool. It measures down to 0.1g too so you can be sure to brew your coffee accurately.
If you’re into Bodum, Check price on Amazon
9. Rhino Coffee Gear Brewing Scale
Weight Limit | 0.1g - 3000g
Battery | AAA
Other Specs | Light Weight
Price | £
The Rhino coffee gear brewing scale is a trusty and reliable coffee scale that comes in at a fairly affordable price.
It measures down to 0.1g and up to 3kg.
The coffee scales are lightweight and take AAA batteries which make it perfect for a weekend camping trip.
If Rhino fits the bill, Check price on Coffee Hit
How to choose coffee scales?
First of all coffee is fairly light, we’re talking around 20g per cup, so the coffee scales need to measure down to a fairly low weight. Anything that isn’t accurate down to 0.5g is hard to get really precise.
On the opposite end of that ‘scale’ you need to make sure the scales can take a weight up to at least 1kg. You do find smaller scales that measure down to 0.1g but only up to 500g which is pretty useless if you’re balancing your ceramic coffee dripper or your best ceramic coffee mug on top.
Take a look at our best coffee scale reviews above for one that suits your needs.
What features should I look for in a coffee scale?
For the ideal espresso brewing, I'd prioritise these features on a coffee scale:
Precision: It should measure in increments of 0.1g for accurate dosing.
Timer: A built-in timer helps manage extraction time.
Stability: It should not fluctuate during measurement.
Size: Ample space for an espresso cup or portafilter.
Why Weigh Coffee?
Weighing coffee is important in speciality coffee when you are trying to brew the best possible coffee. Every coffee has an optimum point in each of the brewing variables (weight of coffee, grind size, water temperature, brew time, agitation of the brew, water pressure).
You will see baristas using coffee scales when dialling in (setting up) the coffee machine each morning, they will weigh how much coffee they grind into the portafilter basket and then the amount of coffee that is brewed and then adjust certain variables accordingly.
Check out our post for an in-depth look at the Best Sage Grinder.
Does Coffee Weigh More Than Water?
Brewed coffee will weigh more than water as coffee has dissolved solids a measurement that is referred to as TDS (total dissolved solids) in speciality coffee.
What Is The Coffee Weight For a Double Shot Of Espresso?
Roughly between 36g - 48g of coffee. The yield (brewed coffee) for a double shot espresso should be around double the dose (ground coffee). For instance, if your portafilter basket only holds 18g of coffee then expect your double shot espresso to weigh around 36g.
If your shot is less than 36g then try adjusting the coffee grind size slightly coarser, using your coffee scales to make sure the dose stays the same.
If the shot is more than 36g then adjust the grind finer. The pressure you exert when using your coffee tamper will also have an effect on the shot.
Best Coffee Beans For Espresso
What Is The Coffee Weight To Water Ratio?
The coffee to water ratio is an extremely important variable when brewing coffee. If you add too much water the coffee will taste weak and too little it will taste strong, either way, the coffee will not extract correctly and will ultimately taste unbalanced.
The coffee to water ratio does however change with each brew method and can differ slightly depending on the coffee you use and the preferred taste.
If you are brewing a cafetiere or pour-over you should be aiming at around 1:12 to 1:17.
Brewing an Aeropress or Stovetop should be slightly less at 1:6 to 1:10.
If you brew with Espresso it should be at around 1:2 of water:coffee.
How To Grind Coffee For Pour Over
Best Coffee Scales For Espresso?
There are a number of coffee scales that are designed especially for espresso. The Acaia Pearl and the Timemore Black Mirror work especially well as espresso scales. They are super accurate and have applications that make them more favourable as coffee scales for espresso.
If you brew with a Stovetop Espresso Maker then the Anpress Digital Coffee Scales should do the trick.
How Much Ground Coffee Do I Need To Make a Coffee?
You can make a coffee theoretically with as much coffee as you like. The important thing is the ratio of coffee:water. That’s why it is important to weigh your coffee and water on a coffee scale. Depending on the brew method, the coffee:water ratio can range from 1:2 through to 1:17.
Best Coffee Grinder For Espresso
What Makes Coffee Scales Different to Kitchen Scales?
Coffee scales are essentially a set of weighing scales however they have been specialised for use in brewing coffee. For example most coffee scales are accurate down to the gram many down to .1 of a gram where kitchen scales tend to be less accurate.
There is also usually a timer on a set of coffee scales, so you can accurately measure the amount of time the coffee take to brew.
