6 Coffee Scales in Comparison

Before my time as a coffee fan, I only knew scales for weighing flour when I was craving another cake. It never occurred to me that I would use a scale, and then a precision scale, to make coffee. But at some point, old and dirty is no longer enough to celebrate coffee preparation adequately. That’s why I bought my first precision scale for making coffee – the Hario Drip Scale. It is the classic among coffee scales. In the meantime, there are quite a few coffee scales on the market. I took this as an opportunity to test more and less well-known scales from Hario, Brewista, Timemore and Acaia.

The classic Hario scale comes in a timeless design. With dimensions of (LWH) 190 x 120 x 28 mm, the scale is nice and small and includes two AAA batteries which make for an airy weight of 274 g. The plastic surface is easy to clean and any preparer, no matter how large, will fit on the weighing surface. The display is a simple LCD, without a lot of bells and whistles. Even if it comes across a little old-fashioned, it is easy to read. To the left of the display is the start/stop button for the timer and to the right of the display is the on/off button with tare function. Two buttons for everything. That is enough. The two buttons are flat and respond to touch. From 2-200 g, the Hario Drip Scale weighs reliably within one decimal place. Weighing stops at a total of 2000 g.

Well, the design of the scale is debatable. However, it serves its purpose at a good price. The surface is easy to clean, the display is easy to read and the two AAA batteries last forever. What bothers me a bit are the buttons, which don’t give any feedback at all. The second shortcoming is the delay with which the weight is displayed. If you pour too quickly, you’ll be over the desired weight in no time, because the scale displays the weight with a slight delay.

The Hario Drip Scale is a solid coffee scale that does what it is supposed to – display time and weight. Anyone who celebrates their coffee preparation, who likes the design and who does not want to do without a scale, should buy the Hario Drip Scale.

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The Metal Drip Scale is the further development of the Drip Scale from Hario. It has received a facelift, so to speak. With (LWH) 175 x 120 x 31 mm, the „Metal“ version is smaller, but somewhat higher and with a total of 470 g heavier than its colleague. The metal version is of much higher quality: the surface of the weighing unit is made of stainless steel and is even removable. The surface underneath is high-gloss black. The top of the scale can be removed with a quick twist. This makes both parts easy to clean – which really makes sense with the mirror-smooth surface. In addition, the batteries are integrated here. The battery can be charged via USB using a cable that is included. According to the manufacturer, one charge lasts up to 80 hours. If you assume that a brew takes about five minutes, you can brew coffee about 960 times. That should be enough for one day.

I really like the metal version of the Hario Drip Scale. It looks sturdy and is well-manufactured. By charging via USB you do not have to bother with batteries. The removable weighing plate has advantages and disadvantages. An advantage is that you can clean the scale easily. However, I’m afraid that the connection noodles out and wobbles over time (but how often do you have to take off the plate to clean everything thoroughly?). It’s a shame that the scale is technically identical to the previous version. The display time has exactly the same delay and the buttons also remained identical. Only the improved display with LED backlight is a technical advance.

Visually, the metal version of the Drip Scale makes quite an impression. Anyone who pays attention to cleanliness and appearance when preparing coffee is well served by the scale. However, you should not be too meticulous, otherwise you will quickly be disturbed by the delayed display of the weight.

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The small waterproof Brewista Smart Scale measures only (LWH) 125 x 105 x 17 mm and weighs 260 g with batteries (2xAAA). Because of its size, the Brewista is perfect for espresso preparation. Filter coffee doesn’t pose a problem either. Only when preparing coffee with the Chemex does the space get tight. The LCD is illuminated in orange and is clearly legible. The four buttons are easy to reach and operate. The special feature of the scale are the six different modes, which are preset for espresso and hand filters. Compared to the scales from Hario, the Brewista has four buttons (On/Off, Mode, Tare, Time). The weighing surface is made of stainless steel and the rest of the scale is made of a coated plastic.

The design with orange illuminated buttons and the orange display take some getting used to at first glance. However, the numbers are easy to read and the buttons provide good feedback. Here you still have to press properly, with force. The size of the scale is really very practical and the Brewista fits under many espresso machines. A Hario V60 Range Server easily finds space, and your brewing experience is relaxed even with a medium-sized Chemex. The six different modes are a fun idea in my opinion, but nothing more. After some trial and error, I only used the „hand2“ mode, where everything is done manually by pressing the buttons. If you want to change the mode, you first have to press through the modes for what feels like an eeeeeeeeon. Zzzzz! The keys react a bit sluggishly. If you tare the scale or want to start the timer, the Brewista does this with a small delay. Fortunately, the display speed is much better than that of the Hario.

I can only recommend the Brewista Smart Scale. The price is on a par with the Hario Drip Scale. It is fast and easy to use. Anyone who is satisfied with the small weighing surface of 10×10 cm, I can only recommend this scale.

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The scale among scales, the moped among mopeds! The Acaia Pearl looks really good and is solidly built. The design is reminiscent of a Mac Mini. The scale, available in black and white, comes with an integrated battery that is charged via the included USB cable. According to the manufacturer, one battery charge lasts 30 to 40 hours. At 500 g, the scale is the heaviest of those tested, but is still compact at (LWD) 160 x 160 x 32 mm. The Acaia Pearl also has only two touch-sensitive buttons. The entire surface is made of Plexiglas and the base is made of a non-slip material. The special feature of the Acaia Pearl is the connection via Bluetooth 4.0. With the own Acaia app, the scale can be controlled via your cell phone, brewing curves can be created and shared, the battery status can be displayed or photos can be taken. With the app, the scale can also be updated regularly. Pressing the start button takes you to the scale’s settings menu, where you can set a number of parameters.

The Acaia Pearl is the ultimate scale and the right choice for any coffee nerd. The Acaia weighs very accurately and is fast. Creating brew curves with the app is a nice gimmick and a fitting feature for anyone who is very precise, wants to improve their brew, or likes to try new recipes. I was most impressed with the look, accuracy, and speed of the scale. The design is elegant, the touch-sensitive buttons give feedback in the form of a light or, if you like, a sound. The operation is really simple and well implemented. The Pearl is great for making filter coffee because of its dimensions. If you’re looking for a reliable scale for espressos that’s also a bit more robust than the Pearl, on the other hand, I recommend the Acaia Lunar.

If you are willing to spend a little more for a scale (with Bluetooth), you will not be disappointed by the Acaia Pearl. It is really fun to brew with it. It is incredibly accurate, fast and looks great.

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The Acaia Pearl already sounds good, but isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, since you prefer to prepare espresso and are often traveling? Then the Acaia Lunar is the right model for you, because the scale is more handy and robust, suitable for espresso machines and to pack in your hand luggage. You can even immerse the Acaia Lunar in a container of water without damaging it. It will still work.

For protection, it comes with a heat-resistant silicone overlay that can be placed on the surface. Thanks to the 90° angle, you can easily place your portafilter on the surface when you flip the overlay. A 100-gram weight is included for calibration, as well as anti-slip strips to keep the scale from slipping away. Like the Pearl, the Lunar can hold a weight of just under two kilograms. A USB cable for charging is also included. However, the battery here lasts „only“ under 27 hours compared to the Pearl’s 30 to 40 hours.

The Lunar displays the smallest changes in milligrams within 20 milliseconds – barely visible to the human eye. This can also be a disadvantage, depending on where you place the scale: it even senses a breeze that hits the surface. Therefore, it’s best not to place it in front of an open window – and don’t breathe too close to the scale. The military precision of the product is amazing.

In the functions, you can choose to have the time run as soon as an espresso flow is detected (but there’s no coffee in the cup yet), as soon as the first drop hits the cup, or as soon as an object is placed on the scale. These settings can also be controlled via the Acaia app. Through this app, you can also store different preparation methods, so you don’t have to reset the scales every time. You can save how hot the water is or how fine the grind is. In addition, the app records and analyzes the values as soon as the espresso is extracted. This gives you the chance to refine and improve your preparation.

The Acaia Lunar has a steep price, but it does not disappoint. It is robust and therefore durable, suitable for traveling and the reliable preparation of espresso. Different modes and the Acaia app give you more options to evolve as a hobby or professional barista than cheaper competitor products do.

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A coffee scale that costs less than €70 and is supposed to be suitable for both filter coffee and espresso preparation? That isn’t possible, you want to shout out the window. I too was skeptical at first when I unpacked the Timemore product. But I was quickly taught better. Spoiler: the Timemore Black Mirror is awesome.

The Black Mirror Basic Plus is made of plastic, so it’s not as sturdy as a comparable scale made of aluminum. However, the matte surface is scratch resistant, so it can withstand some challenges. The surface is also waterproof. A silicone mat as heat protection and a USB-C cable for charging are included. If you only make one or two cups of coffee or espresso every day, you only need to charge the scale every two weeks. The battery indicator on the LED display is extremely helpful and useful for this purpose. The scale comes with a one-year warranty.

One shortcoming of the Black Mirror Basic Plus is noticeable during the first measurement attempt, because the LED display, which only becomes visible when the device is switched on, only starts measuring at a weight of 0.5 g. The weight of the Black Mirror Basic Plus is not measured. The higher-quality Acaia products already start recording at 0.1 g. As soon as the minimum weight of 0.5 g is reached, the scale displays the weight down to 0.1 g within milliseconds. It does its job reliably and efficiently.

On the bottom right, the scale can be tared, and on the bottom left, you can start the stopwatch, pause it, or turn off the beep if you press and hold. Although it is possible to set the stopwatch to start automatically, it is a bit more complicated compared to the Acaia scales. This is because the automatic function has to be set manually. The scale then tares itself and starts a countdown before stopping the time when brewing begins. The Timemore Black Mirror does not have any features, is not „smart“. The Timemore is suitable for both filter coffee and espresso brewing, but: I recommend that you measure your portafilter before ordering, because depending on your machine, the Timemore may not fit on your drip tray.

The Black Mirror scale from Timemore is a real alternative for coffee fans who don’t want to spend 300 €. It has fewer features than the more expensive competition, but weighs accurately no matter where you place your weight. It is a bit slower than the Acaia scales and has a higher minimum weight, but it is reliable, handy, elegant and practical. It is clearly recommended for home use.

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„If you want to achieve a high quality brew, you definitely need a reliable coffee scale“

Not all scales are the same. Which model is best for you depends on various factors, not only on the money you are willing to spend. Do you prefer to prepare filter coffee or espresso, are features and saving recipes in an app important to you?

For beginners, the Hario V60 Drip Scale is sufficient, for advanced users, we can highly recommend the Timemore Black Mirror. For professionals, it is worth taking a look at the two Acaia products reviewed here, even if the price may deter you at first. None of the scales reviewed here are a washout. If you’re having trouble deciding: We offer even more detailed information about the scales on the respective product pages.