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The best coffee scales make every cup more consistent, because weighing beans and water is far more accurate than scooping. A good scale reads in 0.1-gram steps, responds quickly as you pour and adds a timer so you can track brew time. We compared specs, expert reviews and owner feedback to pick eight coffee scales for pour-over, espresso and everyday kitchen use.
Part of our Coffee Buying Guides.
Our top picks at a glance
- Best overall: Timemore Black Mirror Basic 2
- Best budget: Greater Goods Coffee Scale with Timer
- Best for coffee enthusiasts: Fellow Tally Pro
- Best premium app scale: Acaia Pearl S
- Best espresso scale: Acaia Lunar
- Best water-resistant espresso scale: Felicita Arc
- Best classic pour-over scale: Hario V60 Drip Scale
- Best large display: OXO Brew 6 lb Precision Coffee Scale with Timer
| Scale | Best for | Capacity | Readability | Power | Smart features | Price tier | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timemore Black Mirror Basic 2 | Best overall | 2 kg | 0.1 g | USB-C rechargeable | Auto-timer, flow rate | $$ | See price |
| Greater Goods Coffee Scale with Timer | Budget | 3 kg | 0.1 g | 3 AAA batteries | Count-up and countdown timer | $ | See price |
| Fellow Tally Pro | Enthusiasts | 2.5 kg | 0.1 g | USB-C rechargeable | Brew Assist ratio mode | $$$ | See price |
| Acaia Pearl S | Premium app scale | 3 kg | 0.1 g | Rechargeable lithium-ion | Bluetooth app, flow rate, 7 modes | $$$ | See price |
| Acaia Lunar | Espresso | 2 kg | 0.1 g | USB-C rechargeable | Bluetooth app, flow-rate graph | $$$ | See price |
| Felicita Arc | Water-resistant espresso | 2 kg | 0.1 g | USB-C rechargeable | IPX5, auto-tare, app | $$$ | See price |
| Hario V60 Drip Scale | Classic pour-over | 2 kg | 0.1 g | 2 AAA batteries | Timer | $$ | See price |
| OXO Brew 6 lb Precision Coffee Scale | Large display | 3 kg | 0.1 g | 4 AAA batteries | Timer, removable silicone mat | $$ | See price |
Price tiers: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $99, $$$ = $100 and up. Prices change often, so check the current price before you buy.
1. Timemore Black Mirror Basic 2 — Best overall
Timemore’s Black Mirror line has become a go-to for home brewers who want specialty-scale features without paying Acaia prices, and the Basic 2 is the current version. It weighs up to 2 kilograms in 0.1-gram steps, charges by USB-C and has a built-in 1,600 mAh battery. A weight-triggered auto-timer starts when you begin pouring, and a flow-rate readout shows how fast water is going in.
America’s Test Kitchen chose the Black Mirror Basic Plus, listed as the Basic 2.0, as its top precision coffee scale, praising its accuracy, sensitivity and sturdy build, along with a side-mounted power button that’s hard to press by accident. Tom’s Guide named the Basic 2 its best scale for pour-over. The top surface is splash-proof, but the scale has no formal water-resistance rating and the charging port isn’t sealed.
Why we picked it: It delivers the accuracy, timer and flow-rate tools most pour-over and espresso brewers need at a mid-range price, and it earned top marks in independent testing.
Keep in mind: Tom’s Guide found the touch buttons oversensitive, which can cause accidental tares, and the flow-rate number changes too quickly to read easily.
What owners say: A few long-term reviewers on a retailer’s site report the power button or battery weakening after about a year, though those reports are anecdotal.
2. Greater Goods Coffee Scale with Timer — Best budget
If you want to start weighing coffee without spending much, this is the pick. CNN Underscored named the Greater Goods scale its best coffee scale overall, calling it easy to use, solid for the price and useful as an everyday kitchen scale. It holds up to 3 kilograms, reads in 0.1-gram steps and has a timer that counts up or down.
It runs on three AAA batteries, switches off after two minutes of inactivity and can display grams, ounces, pounds, milliliters and fluid ounces. A silicone cover protects the platform, and CNN noted a five-year warranty, which is generous at this price.
Why we picked it: It covers the essentials, 0.1-gram readings and a timer, for the lowest price in this guide, and it still won a major outlet’s top spot.
Keep in mind: There are no auto-start or ratio features, it refreshes the weight more slowly than the fastest scales, and CNN found the ridged cover harder to clean.
What owners say: We couldn’t verify a broad owner-review summary, so read recent buyer reviews; CNN’s testers saw it as a dependable starter scale that also handles baking.
3. Fellow Tally Pro — Best for coffee enthusiasts
Fellow’s Tally Pro is built for people who brew pour-over carefully every morning. CNN Underscored named it the best scale for coffee enthusiasts and found it the most responsive model it tested, with a bright, easy-to-read display. It holds 2.5 kilograms, reads in 0.1-gram steps and charges by USB-C.
Its standout feature is Brew Assist mode, which guides you toward a target coffee-to-water ratio as you pour, alongside simpler Timer and Weight modes. Retailer specs list roughly 13 hours of continuous use per charge, and the scale is water-resistant rather than waterproof.
Why we picked it: Very fast readings and a genuinely useful ratio mode make it the most satisfying pour-over scale here for regular brewers.
Keep in mind: It’s expensive, and CNN noted the weighing surface shows smudges easily.
What owners say: We couldn’t verify a broad owner-review summary; independent testers’ praise for its speed and Brew Assist mode is the strongest signal, so check recent buyer reviews too.
4. Acaia Pearl S — Best premium app scale
Acaia’s Pearl is the scale many specialty cafés and serious home brewers measure against. The Pearl S holds 3 kilograms, reads to 0.1 gram and offers seven modes, including Weight, Timer, Portafilter, Espresso, Flow Rate, Flow Rate Practice and Brewguide. A rechargeable lithium-ion battery lasts up to about 40 hours, according to retailer Prima Coffee.
Tom’s Guide named it the best premium coffee scale for its speed, accuracy and educational Brewguide app. America’s Test Kitchen recommended it and found it among the fastest scales it tested, and CNN Underscored called it very responsive and the most customizable model in its test.
Why we picked it: It’s fast, accurate and deeply configurable, with an app that helps you learn and repeat recipes.
Keep in mind: ATK found the unlabeled multi-tap buttons confusing and the app prone to crashes, CNN found the menus cumbersome and noted a one-year warranty, and it isn’t waterproof.
What owners say: We couldn’t verify a broad owner-review summary; testers’ notes on its speed, button learning curve and app crashes are the best guide, so check recent buyer reviews too.
5. Acaia Lunar — Best espresso scale
The Lunar is Acaia’s compact espresso scale, sized to sit on a drip tray under a portafilter. Acaia lists it at about 105 by 105 by 15.5 millimeters and roughly 270 grams, with a 2-kilogram capacity and USB-C charging. Tom’s Guide reports 0.1-gram resolution, about 40 hours of battery life, a live flow-rate graph and Brewmaster app support.
Tom’s Guide named the Lunar its best espresso scale, noting that it shrugs off splashes and steam from an espresso machine. Its live flow-rate graph lets you track a shot’s weight in real time, which helps when dialing in a 1:2 ratio.
Why we picked it: A small footprint, fast readings and splash resistance make it ideal for the espresso bar.
Keep in mind: It’s expensive and less versatile than larger Acaia models for pour-over, and some listings come from third-party sellers, so check who’s selling it.
What owners say: We couldn’t verify a broad owner-review summary, so check recent buyer reviews and confirm the seller before ordering.
6. Felicita Arc — Best water-resistant espresso scale
The Felicita Arc is Tom’s Guide’s best coffee scale overall, and it’s one of the few here with a formal water-resistance rating, IPX5. It measures about 4.1 by 5.3 by 0.6 inches, so it fits on most espresso machine drip trays, and it has an aluminum body, a 2-kilogram capacity and 0.1-gram resolution.
It charges by USB-C and runs for roughly 20 hours per charge. Features include auto-tare, auto-timing, a pre-infusion timer, flow-rate tracking, five working modes and a Bluetooth app, which together cover both espresso and pour-over.
Why we picked it: It combines a compact espresso footprint with real water resistance and a full set of smart features for less than Acaia’s top models.
Keep in mind: Tom’s Guide found the menu system confusing at first, and it’s still a pricey scale.
What owners say: We couldn’t verify a broad owner-review summary; Tom’s Guide’s praise for its build and its note about the confusing menu are the best guide, so check recent buyer reviews too.
7. Hario V60 Drip Scale — Best classic pour-over scale
Hario’s V60 Drip Scale is the natural partner for the brand’s famous cone dripper. The current model, the VSTN-2000, weighs from 2 to 2,000 grams in 0.1-gram steps, runs on two AAA batteries and has a built-in timer. It measures about 4.75 by 7.5 inches and comes in several colors.
America’s Test Kitchen recommended it, praising its responsive buttons and dependable timer, and measured readings that were about 0.2 gram off on average. CNN Underscored liked its design and color options. It’s a simple, no-app scale that does the basics well.
Why we picked it: A trusted pour-over brand, a reliable timer and a straightforward design at a mid-range price.
Keep in mind: ATK found it slow to start and noticed display lag that can lead to over-pouring, plus a raised platform that traps grounds. CNN noted it shows grams only.
What owners say: We couldn’t verify a broad owner-review summary; testers liked its simple design but flagged slow response, so check recent buyer reviews too.
8. OXO Brew 6 lb Precision Coffee Scale with Timer — Best large display
OXO’s Brew precision scale suits people who want an easy-to-read screen and a scale that doubles for kitchen tasks. It weighs from 1 to 3,000 grams in 0.1-gram steps, has a built-in timer, a removable silicone mat for easy cleaning and runs on four AAA batteries. It measures roughly 6 by 7.5 inches.
CNN Underscored found it responsive, nearly as quick as pricier models, with a large LED display and a helpful warning when the surface isn’t level. America’s Test Kitchen was less enthusiastic, recommending it with reservations after measuring readings up to 0.3 gram off and about a four-second start-up time.
Why we picked it: A bright, large display, a cleanable mat and a familiar brand make it an easy everyday choice.
Keep in mind: CNN noted it costs more than scales with similar features and has a boxy design, and ATK’s accuracy results trailed the top picks.
What owners say: We couldn’t verify a broad owner-review summary; testers liked the readable display but called the design boxy, so check recent buyer reviews too.
How to choose a coffee scale
Why weigh coffee at all? A scoop of coffee can hold anywhere from about 6 to 10 grams depending on the roast and grind, so measuring by volume makes every pot a little different. The Specialty Coffee Association’s Golden Cup guideline is about 55 grams of coffee per liter of water, roughly a 1:18 ratio. Many brewers start between 1:15 and 1:18 and adjust to taste. A scale lets you repeat a recipe you like.
Look for 0.1-gram readability. Every pick here reads in 0.1-gram steps. That precision matters most for espresso, where a common starting recipe is 18 grams of coffee in and 36 grams of espresso out. General kitchen scales such as the Escali Primo read only in 1-gram steps and usually lack a timer, which is fine for drip coffee but not ideal for espresso.
Check response speed. A scale that lags behind your pour can lead you to overshoot your target. Independent tests found big differences here: CNN ranked the Fellow Tally Pro and Acaia Pearl among the fastest, while ATK saw noticeable lag from the Hario and a slow start from the OXO.
Match size to your setup. Pour-over scales need room for a dripper and carafe, so a larger platform helps. Espresso scales must fit on your machine’s drip tray, which is why compact models such as the Acaia Lunar and Felicita Arc are popular for espresso.
Consider timers and smart features. A built-in timer is essential for pour-over and espresso. Auto-start timers, flow-rate readouts and ratio modes such as Fellow’s Brew Assist are helpful extras, and Bluetooth apps let you log recipes, but they add cost and complexity.
Think about power and water. USB-C rechargeable scales save on batteries, while AAA models are easy to power anywhere. Few coffee scales carry a formal water-resistance rating; the Felicita Arc’s IPX5 is the exception here. Wipe spills quickly and never submerge a scale.
Pair it with good gear. A scale works best alongside a burr grinder and a steady pour. See our guides to coffee grinders and pour-over coffee makers.
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FAQ
Do I really need a coffee scale?
You don’t need one to make coffee, but a scale is the easiest way to make it taste the same every day. Weighing beans and water removes the guesswork of scoops, which vary by roast and grind.
Can I use a regular kitchen scale for coffee?
For drip coffee or French press, a kitchen scale that reads in 1-gram steps works fine. For pour-over and especially espresso, a coffee scale with 0.1-gram readability and a built-in timer gives much better control.
What coffee-to-water ratio should I use?
The Specialty Coffee Association’s Golden Cup guideline works out to about 55 grams of coffee per liter of water, roughly 1:18. For a stronger cup, try 1:15 or 1:16. For espresso, a common starting point is 1:2, such as 18 grams in and 36 grams out.
What is the best scale for espresso?
Choose a compact scale with 0.1-gram readability and fast response that fits on your drip tray. The Acaia Lunar and Felicita Arc are our top espresso picks, and the Timemore Black Mirror Basic 2 is a good lower-cost option if it fits your machine.
Are coffee scales waterproof?
Most are only splash-resistant. The Felicita Arc carries an IPX5 rating, while scales such as the Timemore Basic 2 and Acaia Pearl S have no formal rating, so wipe up spills promptly and keep charging ports dry.
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Sources
America’s Test Kitchen: Best precision coffee scales · CNN Underscored: Best coffee scales · Tom’s Guide: Best coffee scales · Tom’s Guide: Timemore Black Mirror Basic 2 review · Eight Ounce Coffee: Timemore Basic 2 · Prima Coffee: Acaia Pearl S · Acaia: Lunar specifications · Crema: Fellow Tally Pro specs · Tom’s Guide: Escali Primo · Seattle Coffee Gear: SCA Gold Cup standard · Pro Coffee Gear: Espresso scales
Owner feedback is summarized in our own words from public reviews. Photos courtesy of Unsplash.