Coffee scales have been a staple in the barista community for decades now. Whether at a coffee shop or home brewing your coffee, these simple devices help provide accurate measurements that can help get you the perfect cup every time!
But if you're looking to upgrade your current coffee scale, or just start trying out new roasting methods, take a look at this comprehensive buying guide for some of the best coffee scales on the market today.
How We Have Chosen the Top Six Coffee Scales
Buying a coffee scale can be a daunting task. With so many options on the market, how do you know which one is right for you?
Knowing what to look for when buying a coffee scale is hard. Do you need one with all the bells and whistles, or will a simpler model do the trick?
We're here to help. Our editors took the time to learn about each product on the market and have selected only the best ones to recommend. Whether you're looking for a scale with all the features or something more basic, we've covered you.
1. Apexstone Coffee Scale
Why We Love It
This is one of the best coffee scales wins with various features for a low price for a budget-friendly alternative. This scale not only has a built-in timer, but it also measures five different units. It can measure 0.1 grams and has a maximum weight of 3,000 grams.
We love that the size of this scale is large enough for coffee lovers to use as their pour-over scale.
It comes with a money-back guarantee if you need to return it for any reason.
What You Should Know
This particular coffee scale comes with a silicon pad to protect it from heat and spills, and the mat is easily detachable and washable. The LCD also features a blue or green backlight, and displays the unit's switch function, timer, low battery indication, auto-off function, and tare function.
Plus, it's powered by two AAA batteries. And if there's ever any performance issues, this coffee scale has a reasonable warranty duration. So if you take your coffee seriously, then you need to get your hands on this scale.
2. Hario V60 Drip Coffee Scale and Timer
Why We Love It
When making great pour-over coffee, timing is one of the most important aspects. The scale comes with an inbuilt timer to help you keep track of and precisely replicate your recipes. The LCD is a separate space for measuring on the right-hand side, and the timer can be found on the left side, making it easy to read.
What You Should know
The scale is quite basic and has nothing to provide in terms of design, although it's available in various colors: black, stainless steel, and white. For speed of response, it's slower than other scales, which can impact the final product if you're a skilled home brewery.
However, this scale is user-friendly, with the two labeled buttons next to the LCD. Additionally, it features an auto-off feature which will be activated after five minutes of no activity to preserve battery life. The function won't turn off while the timer is in use. This is an important element when making pour-over coffee. For power, it will require two AAA batteries.
3. ERAVSOW Coffee Scale with Timer
Why We Love It
The Eravsow coffee scale has a load sensors and a 1-gram precision. This scale is made from stainless steel that has been brushed, which can last for a long time and is extremely easily cleaned. The platform has a removable silicone mat that may be used for brewing coffee. It keeps the coffee pot from sliding and prevents spilled liquid from burning the espresso machine drip tray.
Even in low light, the significant orange backlight and LCD screen make it simple to read. Indicators for low battery and overload warnings are also shown on display.
The accurate G-sensor offers precise measurements ranging from 0.1 gram to 3000 liters. The measures are simple to convert to ounces, grams, and milliliters.
What You Should Know
The ERAVSOW is a simple all-around coffee scale that comes at a low cost. This digital coffee scale uses an extremely precise G-sensor to weigh beans. Like the other coffee scales on this list, it is also precise, up to 0.1g.
Similar to the Hario drip scale, It also includes a built-in timer. It also has an auto-off feature after five minutes. Another useful feature is the capability to change between grams, ounces, and milliliters.
The system's frame is droplet-shaped, with a rounded top and a narrower bottom. Cleaning is also a breeze because of the stainless-steel surface.
It is a long-lasting and small scale that may serve as your go-to tool for brewing precision. When not used, the espresso machine features a hanger hole on the rear that allows it to be stored on a rack or hung on the wall.
4. BOMATA Coffee Scale with Auto-Timer
Why We Love It
Every drop can change your coffee taste, which is why BOMATA uses a high-precision scale to guarantee the best results. It measures both in g/ml and oz. This scale also has a drip-detection timer that tracks the duration of brewing so that you can focus on making coffee rather than staring at numbers on a screen. And if you are more of a espresso fan, this scale has two modes: one for pouring coffee and one for espresso!
What You Should Know
BOMATA Coffee Scale with Auto-Timer is the ideal kitchen tool for professional and amateur coffee enthusiasts. The scale's auto-timer can start, pause, resume and stop at any time while making coffee without hindering your focus on making a perfect cup. This scale is perfect for pour-over coffee lovers since the timer will start when the dripping begins. Whether you're an expert barista or new to the pour-over brewing method, this product aims to help you make better-tasting coffee at home.
This scale has two modes: One for pour-over coffee: the beginning of dripping will auto-start the timer. When you remove the coffee maker, the scale will auto-lock the time and weight and record the results. The second mode is for espresso: It will automatically tare the cup weight, the dripping will automatically start the timer, and it will automatically lock the result when the dripping ends.
It also has a LED display that is perfect for various settings and has the type-C rechargeable feature, so you'll never have to worry about batteries dying on you prematurely.
5. KitchenTour Coffee Scale with Timer
Why We Love It
This Kitchen Drip Coffee Scale can be used for coffee or food and is sturdy, accurate, safe, and user-friendly. It features a highly sought-after built-in timer with a crucial feature called a tare and a non-slip silicone pad.
What we love most about KitchenTour are the various weight options that let users easily switch between solid and liquid measurements by pushing a button. On the subject of weight, the scale features an accurate capacity of 0.3g to 3000g.
What You Should Know
This scale features touch-activated keys for an elegant and clean design. The backlit reverse LCD display makes weighing quick and easy. Plus, the KitchenTour is highly accurate, so you can be confident you're getting accurate measurements every time.
Whether you're a professional chef or just trying to whip up a tasty meal home, the KitchenTour is the perfect scale for all your kitchen needs. It also has an adjustable auto-off time function.
6. Brewista Smart Coffee Scale
Why We Love It
Brewista's Smart Coffee Scale II is an easy-to-use scale will help you measure down to 0.1 grams, while its water-resistant coating makes brewing with precision a breeze. Additional features include a rechargeable USB battery, an impressive 2000 gram (70 oz) capacity, and an LCD display in both ounces and grams.
The Smart Scale II also comes included with a protective cover/tray and silicone pad for optimal water and temperature resistance. It also has six modes, five for espresso, and one for manual.
Time is of the essence when it comes to your daily cup o' joe, so turn your morning routine up a notch with Brewista's auto tare and auto time options. Plus, Brewista has included an auto-off function so you don't need to worry about wasting any power at all - just set it and forget it!
What You Should Know
Brewista Smart Coffee Scale II has been designed with precision and stability in mind, so that you can make reliable coffee every time.
This scale is made by the leading brand in coffee-brewing equipment; their scale is created in-house from concept to manufacturing, and features incredible collaborations with world-champion baristas and Q Grade certified coffee experts.
Different Features in Different Scales
There are a lot of different features that can be found in coffee scales. This makes it hard to choose the right one for your needs. This article will discuss some of the different features available in different coffee scales and how they can benefit you.
First, let's take a look at the size of the scale. Some scales have smaller sizes that fit on a countertop, while others have larger sizes that can be placed on a stand. When searching for your perfect scale, you'll want to consider what you'll be weighing on it.
Next, we need to think about what kind of scale we want. There are digital scales, which measure weight in pounds or kilograms, and balance scales, which use a counterweight to keep the balance between two weights accurate.
Types of Coffee Scales
There are a couple of different types of coffee scales that can be used to measure the weight or volume of your coffee. They can be separated into two main categories, mechanical and electronic.
Electronic Coffee Scales
These scales use sensors to take your weight or volume measurements. They are usually easier to use than mechanical ones but may not be as accurate.
Mechanical Coffee Scales
These scales use a set of weights that you have to place on the scale to get an accurate reading. This type of scale is usually more accurate than electronic ones, but they can be more difficult to use.
What to Look For Before Buying a Coffee Scale?
Size
Finding the appropriate size scale for coffee will be determined by the brew method you prefer to use. If, for instance, you only pour-over coffee, you'll need an appropriate scale that will fit the dimensions of your pour-over device. If you are brewing espresso using a smaller scale, a smaller one would be the best choice to accommodate the scale in the drip tray while you make off the shot of espresso.
Precision
One of the most important things to consider while looking for a coffee scale is its accuracy. A good scale must be able to accurately measure accurately, so stay clear of scales that show measurements that are less than one gram. Choose a coffee scale that can determine weight up to 0.1 grams if you want the best results from your brew.
Battery Life
If you consume coffee often and therefore makes many cups of coffee, then you might think about an instrument that has a rechargeable battery or that can be connected to an outlet. If you are a homebrewer, on occasion, the battery's lifespan may not be as crucial, and an instrument with rechargeable batteries is probably a great choice.
Tare Function
Whatever method you choose to brew with the tare button is an essential element to look for on the coffee scale. Many brewing methods require that you place your brewing equipment in front of the scale to start. Having the tare button allows users to set the weight to zero and to accurately count the quantity of water or grounds in the brewing device.
Frequently Asked Questions about Coffee Scales
What is the best way to use a scale for coffee?
If you want to use a scale for coffee, pour-over use an affixed filter onto the scale, then press the tare button and begin adding your preferred amount of grounds into the filter. Then, you place the filter (with the coffee grounds in it) inside the vessel you are using to brew and press the tare button next time and continue to add water in the same manner as you would brew coffee, watching the weight of the display until you reach your desired ratio of water to coffee.
To make espresso, press the tare switch after placing the portafilter onto the scale. Then, add the ground coffee directly into the portafilter until it is at the desired weight. Set the scale in the tray for drips (if the capacity is sufficient), and then put your cup on the top over the counter. Hit the tare button once more, take the espresso shot, and observe the results.
Do you require an appropriate scale for pour-over coffee?
No rule of thumb demands you to use a scale to create pour-over espresso. Many people employ a coffee scoop and simply guess the water needed for their coffee. But having a scale can help you elevate your coffee to higher levels.
A scale allows you to experiment with various ratios of coffee to water and discover the one most compatible with your coffee preferences. It also guarantees you a consistent cup of coffee rather than figuring out how much coffee and water you should mix each time.
Do kitchen scales from the regular range can be used to make coffee?
It's feasible to use a normal kitchen scale to make coffee. However, a few factors must be considered to ensure it can be effective for coffee.
First, you must ensure that the scale isn't equipped with an auto-off function which will be activated when it is the scale is being used. This is a concern when you intend to brew pour-over coffee.
If the scale shuts off while you're still making the coffee, you'll be unable to keep your measurements. Another thing to consider is an alarm clock. There are some; however, it could be beneficial to purchase one specifically designed for coffee as it has the necessary features you require.
What is the best way to clean up a scale on a coffee?
Cleaning the coffee scale will depend on the scale you've got. Most of the time, scales made for coffee aren't impervious to water. Therefore, you should not immerse them in water to avoid permanent damage. Most coffee scales can be handled well with a simple wipe of their surfaces after every use.
Some scales for coffee come with the option of removing a silicone mat which helps protect the surfaces of the scale. The mats can be removed and cleaned separately.
Are coffee scales worth it?
Coffee scales can be a great investment for coffee enthusiasts because they ensure accurate measurements and help to produce the best possible cup of coffee. Coffee scales are especially useful for those who like to experiment with different ratios of coffee beans to water or who like to make small recipe adjustments to achieve the perfect flavor profile.
Scales that measure in grams are the most accurate, but metric scales that measure in ounces can also be effective if you're not too concerned about achieving ultra-precise measurements. Ultimately, it's up to the individual brewer whether a scale is worth it - but for those who take their coffee seriously, a scale is a valuable tool.
How precise should a coffee scale be?
The more precise a coffee scale is, the better your coffee will taste. A difference of one gram can make a noticeable difference in the flavor and balance of your cup of coffee.
Most home brewers don't need a scale calibrated to the nearest thousandth of a gram. A good accurate scale within 0.1 grams should be sufficient for most home brewers.
Do I need an expensive coffee scale?
Not really. You can get a decent kitchen scale for less than $30.
Brewing coffee is all about ratios; you can measure those ratios accurately with a kitchen scale. For example, if you're using 18 grams of coffee for every 250 grams of water, you can use the scale to measure both the coffee and the water, and then it's just a matter of pouring them in the correct proportions.
A kitchen scale will also come in handy for other tasks like measuring ingredients for baking or cooking. So overall, it's worth investing in one!
Do baristas use scales?
Many baristas use scales to measure the correct amount of coffee beans they need for a beverage. This helps to ensure that each cup tastes the same. Additionally, a scale can help ensure that the barista is not wasting coffee beans.
What is Coffee Scale Best for You?
When buying a coffee scale, there are a couple of things to consider. That's why we've put together this guide with the six best coffee scales so that you can make an informed decision.
In the end, it's important to find a durable and accurate scale so that you can accurately track your weight and intake while enjoying your morning cup. A scale can make your coffee brewing at home an enjoyable experience, whether it's to brew espresso, measure coffee, or pour over, or to try out new coffee recipes!
Thanks for reading, and we hope this article has assisted you in making a decision.
Looking for a retro coffee maker with all the vintage vibes? Check out the article The Best Retro Coffee Maker by Catchy Finds for some favorite nostalgic finds!
Here is the list of items reviewed:
2. Hario V60 Drip Coffee Scale and Timer
3. ERAVSOW Coffee Scale with Timer
4. BOMATA Coffee Scale with Auto-Timer
