We researched 7 different coffee scales, and we found that the Timemore digital coffee scale has the best features and precision for its price.
Why We Chose Timemore
For us, the best coffee scale is the one that balances all of the features we care about: style, precision, durability, and features. And while there are many scales on this list that have amazing special features—we’re talking Bluetooth connectivity and mobile apps—the Timemore scale is the best price-to-feature ratio.
The Timemore has enough precision to brew both filter coffee and espresso, and there is a built-in timer with a beautiful LCD. And besides this reliable functionality, the Timemore scale also looks beautiful. They make this scale with high-quality material that has a sleek and elegant look.
So, for us, the Timemore scale is the perfect product to balance style and functionality with an affordable price tag.
At a Glance: The 7 Best Coffee Scales
- Timemore (Our Top Choice)
- FEESPEC Coffee Scale with Timer
- Acaia Lunar Coffee Scale
- KitchenTour Coffee Scale with Timer
- Hario V60 Drip Coffee Scale
- Coffee Gator Coffee Scale
- OXO BREW 6 Lb. Precision Coffee Scale with Timer
7 Best Coffee Scales: Detailed Reviews
Besides everybody being on a budget, other factors affect what scale will be best for each person. So, to make choosing the best coffee scale easy for you, we’ve assembled a detailed review of some of the top coffee scales on the market. Let’s check them out!
1. Timemore
Once you get better with coffee brewing, you learn that having precise measurements of time and mass are critical to brewing a delicious coffee. And the Timemore digital coffee scale provides both of those features at the same time.
The high precision scale has accuracy up to .1 grams and can hold as much as 2000 grams in total. With this range, you can brew anything from a V60 to a Chemex with this scale. And having a timer directly on the scale means that you can end your brewing with ease at the perfect extraction point.
Lastly, the Timemore scale has a 10-hour battery life—it has a 1600mAh lithium battery—and you can charge it through a USB charging port. And with the high-quality acrylic/matte surfaces and the bright LCD screen display, all of these features come together to make the Timemore scale in a top position as the best coffee scale.
Pros:
- A precision of .1 grams along with a 2000 gram capacity
- Timer display
- 10-hour battery life
- Beautiful LCD screen
Cons:
- Buttons are overly sensitive
- The scale does not recognize the first .5 grams.
2. FEESPEC Coffee Scale with Timer
Like the Timemore scale, the FEESPEC digital coffee scale has a timer included with a mass measurement of .1 gram precision. The bright display is easy to read, and there is an auto-off function that will save battery life by automatically shutting down after two minutes of inactivity.
This scale also has a fast response time, allowing it to work well in difficult situations involving espresso measurements. There is a heat-resistant silicone pad on top, which means that your brewer won’t damage the scale. And like most high-quality scales, there is a tare function to allow you to quickly reset the reading to zero.
This scale also has a maximum capacity of 3000 grams, which means you can use it for other kitchen measurements that exceed the 2000 gram limit of most coffee scales.
Pros:
- Digital timer included
- Fast response time and a .1 gram precision
- Automatically turns off after inactivity
- Heat-resistant silicone pad
- Tare function and 3000-gram capacity
Cons:
- Plastic buttons
- Too large for some brewing situations
- The auto-off feature is frustrating for some people
3. Acaia Lunar Coffee Scale
If style and beauty are high up on your list of priorities, you should consider the Acaia Lunar coffee scale. Made with aluminum acrylic in a beautiful color blend, this scale will look as sleek and beautiful as a brand new smartphone. And with its mobile app compatibility, the aesthetic experience is matched with the high-tech ability to measure flow rate and save data points.
This scale has a 2000 gram capacity and a .1 gram precision, which means you can make coffee in large brewers like a Chemex while still having enough precision for something like espresso. Acaia made this scale waterproof and durable, and the Bluetooth connectivity is ideal for the coffee geeks who want to dial in their technique.
Lastly, there is a timer that automatically starts along with a customizable auto-off feature.
Pros:
- Bluetooth connectivity to a mobile application
- Customizable auto-off feature
- Made with durable and aesthetic aluminum acrylic material
- Waterproof
Cons:
- Its many features come with a high price tag
- Overly complicated for many users
- The unraised buttons are hard to find
4. KitchenTour Coffee Scale with Timer
With a capacity of 3000 grams, the KitchenTour coffee scale is another option that can function as both a coffee scale and a general-purpose kitchen scale. The acrylonitrile butadiene styrene material and the sturdy design mean that your scale will hold strong even when you brew something as large as the 8-cup Chemex.
Another feature that makes it great for other kitchen needs is the scale’s ability to switch between grams, ounces, and milliliters. This functionality means that besides coffee, you can also measure other liquids and powders in your kitchen. They also include a waterproof and non-slip silicone pad with this scale, something we think makes cleanup extra easy.
Lastly, this scale has a timer, a .1 gram precision, and a tare function. For its reasonable price, this product will cover most of your kitchen measuring needs.
Pros:
- Large capacity of 3000 grams
- Sturdy material
- Includes unit conversion functionality
- Timer and tare function
Cons:
- Not as water-resistant as other scales
- Slower response time
- Can develop a slight wobble with time
5. Hario V60 Drip Coffee Scale
Hario is a well-known and trusted brand name in the specialty coffee world, and their V60 drippers are one of the most popular manual brewers around. So, if you already know Hario, we think you will not be disappointed by their drip coffee scale. It is compact, has a .1 gram precision, and has a built-in timer to make brewing as easy as possible.
This compact scale has all the features you need for high-quality brewing without the special features that tend to drive prices up. It is a bit more expensive than the cheapest scales, but that is because the stainless steel material and high precision are worth it for the most enthusiastic coffee brewers.
Finally, the scale has a 2000 gram capacity. This capacity is plenty for any brewing on a single-serve dripper such as the V60 or Kalita Wave.
Pros:
- Compact size
- Stainless steel material
- Built-in timer
- A .1 gram precision
Cons:
- Weight changes have a delayed response
- Slightly unresponsive buttons
- Relies on single-use batteries—no recharging ability
6. Coffee Gator Coffee Scale
If you are considering the need for a coffee scale but want something that is also usable for other kitchen needs, the Coffee Gator scale is another product you might consider. It is packed with all the features you need for coffee brewing, but it is also durable enough to meet your other kitchen scale needs.
Made from a durable non-slip rubber material, this scale is heavy and will stay solidly in place while you use it. It is battery-powered, which is great for moving around the kitchen, and it has a large/bright LCD that is easy to read.
Because of its rubber platform, you will not have to worry about anything slipping off of this surface. The top is also large enough to accommodate large brewers such as the Chemex. Finally, with the push of a button, you can switch between ounces and grams, along with volume measurements like fluid ounces and liters.
Pros:
- Durable rubber material
- Great for general kitchen use
- Sleek and aesthetic design
- Large surface platform
- Batteries included
Cons:
- Not as water-resistant as other scales
- Slow response time
- Questionable accuracy in some situations
7. OXO BREW 6 Lb. Precision Coffee Scale with Timer
If you are willing to venture into a slightly more expensive territory—as with most coffee equipment, certain investments are worth it—you might consider buying the OXO Brew coffee scale. When you look at this scale, you will immediately notice that it has a durable design and sleek appearance that will stand up to larger brewers like the Chemex and other kitchen needs.
Its 6-pound capacity—approximately 2700 grams—means that you can weigh plenty of other kitchen materials without going over the limit. The scale functions on AAA batteries (they are included), and the large digital display is easy to read and shuts off automatically to save battery life.
The precision of this OXO scale is .1 grams and compared to the slow response time of some of the more affordable scales on our list, this scale has an amazing split-second response to changes in weight. And for those who brew pour-overs, French Press, or AeroPress, there is also a built-in timer to make your life even easier.
Pros:
- Large and durable surface
- High capacity of 2700 grams (6 pounds)
- Built-in timer
- A .1 gram precision
- Extremely fast response time
- Auto-off feature to extend battery life
Cons:
- Plastic material
- Slightly unstable
- Missing an off button
- Buttons are difficult to press
Guide to Buying The Best Coffee Scale
Now that you have a solid idea of what features most of the best coffee scales have, it might be worth reading through a more general guide about how to differentiate the scales. We think this information is best for those who are new to coffee and need some help deciding which features they need.
Size
Size is something to consider because people brew coffee with different machines, grinders, and brewers. For example, if you will mostly be brewing large amounts at a time—a brewer like the Chemex—you should get a large scale that can hold this brewer and support the weight. Look for scales with a large and durable surface as well as a capacity of at least 2000 grams.
But if you need a small scale that can fit underneath your espresso machine’s group head, you should get one of the smaller models. Larger scales will drive you crazy if espresso is your main passion!
Style
For some people, the style will be less relevant—they mostly want a scale that works well. In that case, look for a precise and durable scale at an affordable price point.
But we understand those preferring a stylish scale, something made with beautiful material that adds to your kitchen decor. The TimemoreTimemore scale, with its acrylic/matte surface, is a fantastic option for those who want functionality and style.
Precision
Precision tells you how consistent a measuring device is—whether your scale reads out the same mass every time you use it. For larger brewing, having less precision—a scale with .5 or even 1 gram precision—is enough to get you consistently delicious brews.
But if you need a scale to brew espresso, having exact precision is key. Look for scales that have the precision to a tenth of a gram (.1 grams) to ensure consistent espresso extraction.
Tare Function
Unless you enjoy doing quick math in your head while brewing coffee, the tare function is an essential feature of a scale. A tare button resets the weight to zero, allowing you to reset the display after placing your bowl or measuring vessel onto the scale.
Taring the scale before beginning the brewing process also tells you exactly how much water you poured.
Battery Life
For those brewing at home most of the time, battery life might not be a huge concern—you can even consider a scale that plugs in. But battery life is essential for anyone brewing on the road regularly and for people who brew anywhere at home when there is not a plug nearby.
Another feature to keep an eye out for concerning battery life is auto-off features. These save batteries by turning them off after a set amount of time, and some of them are even customizable!
Special Features
Special features will vary from scale to scale. But look for convenient features such as Bluetooth connectivity, water resistance, and USB charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
By now, you should have a much better understanding of what features to look for in a coffee scale and how those features compare between some of the top models. But before you choose the best coffee scale for you, let’s finish off our article by answering some of the most common questions.
Why use a scale when brewing coffee?
Measuring the beans and water by volume only gets you somewhat close to an accurate amount. With a scale, you can measure the exact amount of coffee and water by mass, which leads to precise brewing and cancels out the difference in coffee bean density.
What to look for in a digital coffee scale?
The main features to look for in a digital coffee scale include its precision, its total capacity, and whether or not it has a tare function. Outside of those essential features, you might want to make sure the size fits your needs and that there is enough water resistance to survive your inevitable water spills.
What is the best ratio for making coffee?
When you are brewing coffee, the ratio is a complicated science, and we don’t think that one ratio will fit every brewing situation. For regular strength filter coffee, begin with a 1:16 measurement, meaning 16 grams of water for every 1 gram of coffee. But sometimes, coffee tastes best when that ratio is tighter, so you might experiment at 1:14 or even 1:12.
Does a regular kitchen scale work for coffee?
The standard kitchen food scale you might already own measures mass by grams, so it is natural to think that you can brew coffee with this same product. And switching to such a scale from simply measuring in volume will indeed be an upgrade. But a dedicated coffee scale is much more precise and consistent.
Wrap Up
To make consistently delicious coffee, you need to measure coffee by mass. And the only way to measure your coffee in grams is with a precise scale that can detect the difference between 1 or 2 coffee beans. And as you can now know after reading our article, there is much more to consider in the world of coffee scale than first meets the eye.
Depending on how you brew your coffee, the size of the scale might be a factor for you—espresso connoisseurs will be frustrated with the larger scales! And for coffee geeks that want smartphone connectivity and data tracking, having Bluetooth features and mobile apps is the most important.
But outside of these specific cases, the main factor that determines the best coffee scale is the product that balances style, precision, and functionality with an affordable price. And after extensive research, we believe that the Timemore digital coffee scale is the best product for most users.
So, if you want to up your coffee game, consider purchasing the Timemore, or any of these other highly-rated scales—you’ll thank us after your next brew!
Getting a scale is a must if you are serious about Making The Perfect Cup of Coffee.
