Before becoming a coffee enthousiat, I never imagined using a scale in my coffee making workflow. Initially, my coffee was inconsistent and I didn't understand why. Realizing the need for precision, I upgraded to the Hario Drip Scale.
A digital coffee scale allows precise measurement of ground coffee and water, crucial for extracting the best flavor, particularly in pour-over and espresso methods. I tested five digital scales, grinding pounds of coffee and brewing numerous pour-overs, to identify the best for your coffee bar.
What to look for in a coffee scale
- Accuracy and Precision: Look for scales that offer precise measurements down to 0.1 grams.
- Built-in Timer: A timer is essential for pour-over and espresso brewing.
- Size and Portability: Ensure the scale fits your brewing setup and is easy to store or transport.
- Durability: High-quality materials and construction will ensure longevity.
- Ease of Use: User-friendly interfaces and clear displays are important for seamless operation.
Difference between Pour-Over & Espresso scale
Different brewing methods require specific features in a coffee scale:
- Pour-Over: For pour-over, scales with a built-in timer are essential to manage bloom and pour rates accurately. Features like flow rate are nice to have. The scale should accommodate a larger brewing setup and offer high precision to control the pour.
- Espresso: Espresso scales need to be compact to fit on espresso machines and must have quick response times to measure the precise amount of coffee grounds and liquid. A built-in timer helps in monitoring shot extraction times.
Kitchen Scales vs. Coffee Scales
While kitchen scales can measure weights, they lack the precision and features essential for coffee brewing:
- Precision: Coffee scales measure down to 0.1 grams, crucial for consistent coffee-to-water ratios.
- Built-in Timers: Essential for pour-over and espresso brewing, most kitchen scales do not include this feature.
- Size and Design: Coffee scales are designed to fit brewing setups perfectly, whereas kitchen scales are bulkier and less suited for precise brewing tasks.
The Best Coffee Scales
Best Budget-Friendly Coffee Scale
Flair Brew Scale
The Flair Brew Scale is designed to fit seamlessly with all Flair espresso makers, from the NEO Flex to the 58 but can also fit easily for all espresso machines. The Flair Brew Scale offers precision down to 0.1g and features auto-tare and auto-time functions to keep your brews precise and consistent. For a budget friendly option, it has features like Auto Mode to start the timer at the first drips and stops when no flow is detected for 2 seconds, ideal for slow pressure ramps.
Key Features:
- Compact design
- Auto timer start
- Accurate measurements
- User-friendly interface
- Budget-friendly price
What We Liked: The Flair Brew Scale provides excellent value for money with its precise measurements and easy-to-use design. It's perfect for those new to coffee brewing or anyone looking for an affordable yet reliable scale. It's also a compact design for espresso with an auto start.
What We Didn't Like: It lacks some advanced features found in higher-end models, such as flow rate, which might be a drawback for more experienced brewers. Small for pour over.
Best Pour Over Scale
Fellow Tally Pro Precision Scale Studio Edition
The Fellow Tally Pro Precision Scale has the most polished finish and an intuitive interface. It's priced significantly higher than other scales, but its advanced features and surprisingly rapid measurements make it stand out. The scale includes three modes: weight, timer, and Brew Assist, all shown on a bright OLED display readable in any lighting conditions. It measures weight in grams, milliliters, pounds, or ounces and serves as a kitchen scale.
Brew Assist mode helps achieve the correct coffee-to-water ratio, a feature not found on other scales. The scale is water-resistant, not waterproof, and easy to clean with a removable weigh pan. It comes with a two-year warranty, USB-C charging cord, and a rechargeable battery that takes under two hours to charge. It's an investment that enhances your at-home coffee experience with precise measurements and Brew Assist capabilities.
Key Features:
- Precise and fast measurements
- Multiple timer function
- Modern design
- Brew assist mode
What We Liked: The Fellow Tally Pro is ideal for pour-over enthusiasts, offering highly accurate measurements and a built-in timer. It has a ratio assist function and its design also adds a stylish touch to any coffee setup. There is a hidden game to play on it!
What We Didn't Like: It’s on the pricier side, which may not be suitable for budget-conscious buyers. It's slightly big for espresso. Additionally, the advanced features may be overwhelming for beginners.
Best All Around Coffee Scale
Timemore Black Mirror Basic Coffee Scale
The Black Mirror scale stands out for the best all around coffee scale. Its LED screen is invisible when not in use but instantly appears when needed. Building on the Timemore BASIC line, it retains essential features like accuracy, responsiveness, a physical power switch, textured buttons, and an auto-timer. Additionally, it offers grams/ounces switching and flow rate monitoring for enhanced brewing control.
Precision is crucial in coffee brewing, and the Timemore Black Mirror scale consistently delivers accurate measurements with its advanced weighing technology. The Black Mirror Basic 2 offers 0.1g precision, a range from 0.5g to 2KG, and a timer that runs up to 59:59 minutes. Its waterproof, matte surface is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. Always use the provided silicone pad during brewing. It includes an automatic timer function.
The Timemore Black Mirror scale features a unique “shell” design, making it more water-resistant than its competitors. Equipped with a USB-C port for efficient charging, its 1600mAh lithium-ion battery provides up to 7 hours of continuous use per charge, perfect for extended brewing sessions.
Key Features:
- High accuracy
- Responsive touch interface
- Minimalist design
- Versatile for various brewing methods
What We Liked: The Timemore Black Mirror Basic stands out for its versatility and reliability. It’s suitable for multiple brewing methods and offers a user-friendly experience with its responsive touch interface and minimalist design.
What We Didn't Like: The scale’s touch-sensitive buttons can be overly responsive, leading to accidental resets. It also lacks a built-in timer, which could be a limitation for some users.
Buy Timemore Black Mirror Basic 2
Best Espresso Scale
Timemore Black Mirror Mini
The Timemore Black Mirror Mini is an advanced, cost-effective coffee scale with a compact design ideal for travel and fitting on espresso machine drip trays. With a thickness of 15.5mm and a weight of 190g, it’s exceptionally portable. It includes high-precision measurement, a robust power switch, responsive buttons, an auto-start timer, and precise flow rate monitoring. Suitable for both pourover and espresso, it offers up to 20 hours of battery life per charge.
Key Features:
- Compact size
- Flow rate indicator
- Precise measurements
- Built-in timer
- Fits on espresso machines
What We Liked: The Timemore Black Mirror Mini is perfect for espresso lovers as it's the most compact scale on this lineup. The measurements are precise and a built-in timer and auto timing. It’s ideal for achieving perfect shot timings.
What We Didn't Like: The small size might be less convenient for other brewing methods like pour over.
Buy Timemore Black Mirror Mini
Noteworthy Mention
Hario V60 Drip Coffee Scale
The Hario Drip Scale is a classic. This scale is relatively compact and lightweight. Its easy-to-clean plastic surface fits any brewer. The simple, easy-to-read LCD display, though somewhat old-fashioned, adds to its practicality. To the left of the display is the start/stop timer button, and to the right is the on/off button with a tare function. These two flat, touch-responsive buttons are sufficient.
The Hario Drip Scale weighs accurately to one decimal place from 2-200 g, with a maximum capacity of 2000 g. Despite its basic design, it is functional and affordable. However, the buttons lack tactile feedback, and the weight display has a slight delay, which can cause overshooting when pouring quickly.
Key Features:
- Reliable accuracy
- Built-in timer
- Easy to use
- Ideal for manual brewing
What We Liked: The Hario V60 Drip Scale is classic for many coffee setups and is known for its reliability. The built-in timer is perfect for manual brewing methods like pour-over, and it offers consistent performance.
What We Didn't Like: It lacks the design and advanced features of some other models, and it's battery powered. Additionally, the response time can be slightly slower compared to high-end scales and the accuracy past 200g is low.
Why You Need a Coffee Scale
A coffee scale is essential for achieving consistency and precision in your brewing process. Here’s why:
- Consistent Measurements: Ensures the exact amount of coffee and water each time, crucial for maintaining flavor profiles.
- Precise Ratios: Helps maintain the ideal coffee-to-water ratio, enhancing the taste and strength of your brew.
- Time Management: Built-in timers help track brewing times for pour-over and espresso, improving overall extraction quality.
- Efficiency: Reduces waste by preventing overuse of coffee grounds and water.
Conclusion
Choosing the right coffee scale can significantly impact your brewing consistency and overall coffee experience. Whether you're on a budget or looking for specialized scales for pour-over or espresso, there’s a perfect option out there. The Flair Brew Scale, Fellow Tally Pro, Timemore Black Mirror Basic, Timemore Black Mirror Mini, and Hario V60 Drip Coffee Scale are all excellent choices that cater to different needs and preferences. Invest in a quality coffee scale and elevate your coffee brewing to new heights.
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