Best Coffee Scale
For some of us, our day is defined by the quality and taste of our first morning coffee. Die-hard coffee lovers never tire of finding new ways to bring that first, second or fifth cup to brewing perfection. And while you may think you’ve discovered the true path to your coffee nirvana, that can’t really be the case if you haven’t invested in a coffee scale.
Say what? A coffee scale? Yes, these small devices used by the finest cafes are made to measure the coffee-to-water ratio for each cup made. No matter how well we may ‘eyeball’ the scoop method, each one is different from the next, depending on the size and type of the coffee bean. So, too much water results in a diluted taste and too little water gives a bitter experience.
A coffee scale takes the guesswork out and automatically calculates the right amount of coffee-to-water ratio for a delicious cup every time.
We feature five coffee scales you can buy online. Read on to find one that suits your needs.
Top Pick Best Basic: Apexstone Coffee Scale with Timer
You’ve never used a coffee scale before and are intrigued to discover how it can improve your daily brew. It’s not that you have so much time in the morning to fuss over a new gadget, but if it’s intuitive and produces good results, then you’re game to try.
We think you should consider this coffee scale that has high precision sensors so that you get accurate measurements from 0.1 oz. /1 g to 3,000g/ml, with the flexibility of five different units of measurement: ounces, pounds, grams, milliliters and grams/milliliters.
The clear LED screen with a blue or green back light makes it easy to read the measurements. Other features include a units switch function, a convenient built-in timer to time the brew for a consistent cup of coffee, a low-battery indicator, an auto off function and a tare function.
A silicone mat protects the scale from heat or liquid and it’s easy to take off to clean. And when not in use, the hard plastic cover protects the scale from dust and damage.
Pros:
- Has a built-in timer
- Offers five different units of measure
- High precision sensors
- Low-battery indicator
- Silicone pad to protect against spills
- Reasonably priced
Cons:
- Batteries that come with it are not very powerful
Top Pick Best Overall: TIMEMORE Digital Coffee Scales With Timer
You’re interested in the concept of a coffee scale but you’re not inclined to just go out and buy the least expensive model to try it out. Your motto is you get what you pay for, although you still prefer to purchase a mid-priced rather than a high-end product.
This coffee scale from Timemore is about twice as pricey some other lower-end models, but is not at the higher end of the spectrum. However, for the extra money, it does offer up some pretty cool features. Nice and compact with a slim modern aesthetic, this coffee scale won’t disappoint in precision, as it measures in 0.1-gram increments.
It has a tare feature and an integrated timer for complete and total control over your coffee brewing process. With an auto power-off in three minutes when the timer is off, and an auto power-off in 100 minutes when the timer is on, you don’t have to worry about the battery running out when not in use.
It also has a type C USB charging interface with a built-in 1600 mAh rechargeable lithium battery, which is a nice green alternative to regular batteries, and lasts 10 hours on a single charge.
Pros:
- Measures 0.1-gram increments for highest precision.
- Integrated timer for control of your coffee brewing process
- Auto power-off in three minutes when the timer is off; Auto power-off in 100 minutes when the timer is on
- Type C USB charging interface for the built-in rechargeable lithium battery
Cons:
- Controls are very sensitive
Top Pick Best Portable: Weightman Espresso Scale with Timer
You like the idea of a coffee scale but you don’t want to get one for the house and one for the cottage or when you go camping. You’d also like something you can use to measure other food items to keep your partner on track with his diet. A flexible, portable coffee scale that you can fit into your pocket to bring to the cottage or on a camping trip, this model by Weightman may be what you are looking for.
Measuring 2.7 inches by 4.7 inches and only 0.7-of-an-inch thick, it is a comfortable fit in the palm of your hand and will neatly tuck away in a purse, pocket or glove compartment. Although it’s small, it’s still packed with features such as a high precision sensor system for an accuracy reading of increments of 0.1 grams, with a maximum capacity of 1,000 grams and a minimum of 0.05 grams, and readings in grams and ounces.
The espresso scale timer function can record the time you need for coffee, tea and milk and the tare function registers a tare weight for anything within 1,000 grams. This coffee scale also comes with a collapsible 600 ml silicone bowl to put your beans or other foods in to be weighed. Take it with you or leave it at home, the bowl is safe to use in the microwave and clean in the dishwasher.
Pros:
- Compact size makes it easy to take anywhere
- Includes a 100 percent food-grade, foldable silicone bowl
- Accuracy readings of 0.1-gram increments
- Has a timer and tare function
- LCD blue backlit display
Cons:
- May need to be recalibrated
- Should be used on a flat, solid surface
- Uses regular batteries
Top Pick Best Smart Scale: Felicita ARC Electronic Coffee Scale
When it comes to coffee, you like to indulge in epicurean delights, pampering yourself by sourcing the best beans and brewing method to create a delicious cup of coffee. Now you’re considering a coffee scale to bring your favorite hot beverage to a new level, so you are looking for a top-quality product that has all the best features available.
This model from Felicita hits all the high notes when it comes to making the perfect pour-over cup of coffee. The speed and sensitivity of this coffee scale guarantees the best results every time, is designed to fit portafilters and espresso machines, and is accurate to 0.1gram.
This digital kitchen scale includes a built-in timer and customizable modes for automatic starting and stopping as well as an auto-tare feature. As well, the Felicita app (for android or iOS) includes many features like the ability to gauge your pour speed. The water-resistant aluminum body will hold up to years of bangs and spills and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery is good for up to 20 hours.
Pros:
- Accurate to 0.1 grams
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Rechargeable lithium battery
- Built-in timer
- Customizable modes
- Auto-tare feature
- Auto-start and stop
Cons:
- More expensive than other models
Top Pick Best Versatile: Bamoer Bluetooth Smart Food Nutrition Scale
You’re a practical person. You like the idea of a coffee scale but you want something that can do more. This kitchen scale from Bamoer not only has a coffee timer function that displays the weight and ratio between coffee beans and water, it can also be used for a multitude of other kitchen tasks.
Four highly precise transducers provide accurate measurements for anything weighing between one and 5,000 grams, in increments of 1g / 0.05 ounces. It has quick four conversion units of grams/ounce/pound:ounce/milliliter and a one-button tare function. For uses over and above coffee, the Bluetooth control through the free AiFresh app that works with iOS and Android, allows you to track and record food data, calculate calories and offer a detailed nutritional analysis.
Made with high-grade 304 stainless steel and BPA-free materials, this versatile coffee and food scale is easy to clean and maintain and will not take up too much space on your countertop. Or, you can make use of the small hook on the back of the scale and hang it up neatly out of the way.
Pros:
- Works as a coffee scale
- Precise measurements with 1-gram/0.05 ounce increments
- Four unit conversions
- One-button tare feature
- Bluetooth control with free app
- Can measure all foods up to 5,000 grams
- App has various health-related features
Cons:
- App features may not interest some people
- Uses regular batteries
Things to look out for:
Consider these things when looking for a coffee scale so you will choose one that best suits your needs:
If you want your coffee to be as tasty as it can possibly be, and we know you do, using a scale to measure your ingredients is the best way to get there. The precision that the right scale offers for your daily brew won’t just boost the flavor and balance one time – it will do so every time.
Why does a coffee scale do the job better than the standard scoop measurement? Because with a scale you know exactly how much coffee you are using and how much water you need to use, for a balanced ratio every time.
Features:
A tare function: This does automatic measuring and calculating for you. Without it, you’re going to have to perform some extra math to figure out the coffee to water ratio.
Precision: A scale that measures to the ounce is useful for many applications, but you want to get more specific for coffee. Look for accuracy to at least one gram, and one tenth of gram if possible.
Timer: These are especially useful for manual brews. If your scale has a timer, that’s one less gadget you’ll need in your process.
Auto-off: Some people like this feature although others don’t. The auto-off will save you some battery life, but it could be frustrating if your scale turns off in the middle of your pour over, while you’re waiting for your grounds to bloom. Nonetheless, many coffee scales offer this feature.
Size: This will depend on your needs and brewing method. Smaller scales are more portable and easy to store. A larger scale can accommodate larger brewers. They will also allow you to use your scale for more applications in the kitchen.
Versatility: If all you’re looking for is a coffee scale, then no problem. But if you want to be able to weigh other food items, then look for a more versatile model such as a general kitchen scale with a coffee feature.
Batteries: Some models function on regular triple-A batteries, which can be an added expense when they need to be replaced. If you’re more environmentally conscious, look for a rechargeable model that uses a lithium battery.
Cost: Coffee scales come in a very wide range of prices from very affordable to very expensive. Like most things, if it is on the very low end of the price range, it will have fewer features and perhaps not last too long. There are many mid-range models that have some good features and are durable to last longer than a lower-priced one. Finally, those that are expensive offer up lots of bells and whistles including Bluetooth connectivity to a free app. Regardless of how much you want or can spend, at the end of the day, it’s best to choose the one that meets your specific needs.