The Top 5 Best Scales for Coffee: Reviews and Buyer’s Guide (2024)

As a coffee enthusiast, having an accurate scale is essential for making consistently great cups of coffee. I used to think any old kitchen scale would do the trick, but after finally investing in a high-quality coffee scale, I realized how wrong I was. With a precise scale that provides quick, accurate readings, it’s so much easier to nail the right coffee-to-waterpour-over-specific ratio and achieve the perfect extraction every time.

After testing a bunch of different models over the years, I’ve landed on my top five favorite scales that I think any coffee lover should consider. Whether you’re looking for the overall best scale, something budget-friendly, a premium splurge, or a pour-over specific scale, I’ve got you covered. Keep reading for my in-depth review of each model, along with the key factors to look for when shopping for your own brewing scale.

The Top 5 Best Scales for Coffee

1. KitchenTour Coffee Scale — Best Overall
2. MAXUS Espresso Scale — Best Budget Option
3. Fellow Tally Pro Studio Digital Scale — Best Premium Option
4. Hario V60 Drip Coffee Pour Over Scale — Best for Pour Over
5. Timemore Coffee Scale — Best Design

KitchenTour Coffee Scale - Best Overall

When it comes to the best all-around coffee scale, the KitchenTour Coffee Scale takes the top spot in my book. With its precise 0.1 gram sensitivity, nearly instant response time, and built-in timer, this thing has everything you need to nail your coffee brewing ratios.

The sleek modern design looks great on any countertop, and the backlit LCD display is super easy to read. I love that you can switch the display between grams, ounces, milliliters, and pounds with the touch of a button. It makes it easy to use as a kitchen scale when you need it.

I bought this scale because of the resolution. It’s accurate to 0.1 grams up to a total weight of 500 grams, which is more than enough for my usual V60 setup. The precision drops to 0.3 grams above 500 grams, but really, the difference between 0.1 and 0.3-gram resolution is splitting hairs.

There are two things I don’t like about it: the capacitive buttons and the batteries. The buttons are fine and work well, but they don’t give you any feedback when you press them. Hardly a big deal, but it does annoy me sometimes.

I also wish the scale came with renewable batteries. It takes three AAA batteries, while a lot of scales at this price point take cheaper watch batteries. The battery life is good, but I still might invest in some renewable AAAs anyway to cut down on operating costs over time.

Despite all of the features it has, the KitchenTour is very reasonably priced. It usually goes for around $25, although it is occasionally a bit cheaper on Amazon. This scale is my go-to scale for coffee and I don’t feel like I’m missing anything.

MAXUS Espresso Scale - Best Budget Option

If you’re looking for an accurate coffee scale on a tight budget, the MAXUS Espresso Scale is your best bet. For under $20, you get 0.1-gram precision, a built-in timer, and a compact form factor that takes up minimal space.

The MAXUS scale measures in grams only, displaying weights up to 1,000 grams (or about 2.2 pounds). While the display isn’t quite as crisp as some pricier models, I can still read the weights clearly as long as I’m directly in front of the scale.

My favorite part of this scale is the built-in stopwatch mode, which lets you time extractions or bloom periods right on the scale. Just tap the power button to start and stop the timer — easy.

I don’t love the 1,000-gram weight limit, which makes the MAXUS only useful for smaller batches made with light brewers. I can’t brew a full batch of French press with it, for example. I also think that it’s almost too small to use. My mug takes up the entire tray, and with a V60 cone full of coffee on top of the mug, things get a little unbalanced feeling.

For the price, it’s hard to find a better basic scale for weighing coffee. The MAXUS gets the job done on a budget. Just keep in mind the maximum capacity if you plan to weigh brewers or carafes along with the coffee grounds. And be careful not to knock your mug off of the small weighing plate.

Fellow Tally Pro Studio Digital Scale - Best Premium Option

If you’re ready to splurge on the ultimate coffee brewing scale, look no further than the Fellow Tally Pro. The gorgeous modern design and suite of premium features make this my top choice for a high-end coffee scale — but it doesn’t come cheap.

The Tally Pro measures in 0.1-gram increments with impressive speed and accuracy. The weighted base provides stability, while the magnetic system lets you slide off the metal catch plate for easy cleaning. Everything about this scale just oozes quality.

It also has a 5,000-gram capacity, so you can use it to brew big batches of French press or Chemex without overflowing the weight limit. This is extremely useful if you regularly need to make a lot of coffee at once.

But the real standout feature is the innovative Brew Assist mode. It walks you through the entire pour over brewing process on the integrated display, hitting bloom times, pour rates, and final weights right on target. For pour over newbies, this automated guidance is a total game changer.

There’s no denying the Tally Pro comes at a premium price, but for pour over purists or those who want the absolute best, it’s a worthwhile investment. The incredible precision and clever Brew Assist mode make it my top pick for a high-end coffee scale.

Hario V60 Drip Coffee Pour Over Scale - Best for Pour Over

If you’ve spent any time on our site, you know that I love the Hario V60. So it’s not surprising that I also like the scale that Hario makes specifically for use with the V60.

If pour over coffee is your main brew method, then the Hario V60 Pour Over Scale is a great addition to your coffee-brewing arsenal. The built-in timer allows you to program bloom times and total brew times for the perfect V60 recipe. It might not sound like much, but the number of times I’ve missed one of my marks because I couldn’t remember what recipe I wanted to try that day is staggering.

With 0.1 gram precision and a 2000 gram capacity, this scale provides plenty of sensitivity and room for a full pour over setup. The LCD display clearly shows the weight, timer, and battery level with large digits that are easy to see during the brew, even though the screen isn’t backlit.

The grooved surface is ideal for stabilizing your mug with a V60 in place, and the waterproof design means you don’t have to worry about drips and spills on the scale.

One of the only downsides of this scale is its price. It’s about twice as expensive as the KitchenTour, making it a hard sell if you don’t feel like you need the V60-specific timer functionality. It also only measures in grams, so it’s less useful than the KitchenTour as an all-purpose kitchen scale.

For V60 diehards like me, the specialized design makes this the obvious choice. The Hario scale helps simplify the tedious parts of pour over brewing so you can focus on technique and reproducibility. If you can get over the high price tag, I recommend it.

Timemore Coffee Scale - Best Design

If looks matter to you just as much as performance, the Timemore Coffee Scale is worth your attention. In my opinion, this is hands-down the most stylish and modern-looking scale on the market.

The slim profile and stainless steel base look elegant and refined on any countertop, and the large backlit display shows readings clearly while adding to the modern aesthetic. If you don’t care much about looks, this scale isn’t for you. But the brick design is striking — just saying.

Beyond just looks, the Timemore scale offers 0.1-gram precision, a 2000-gram capacity, and a built-in timer. The battery lasts for ages, so you don’t have to worry about constant recharging.

The worst thing I can say about it is that it’s expensive. If you’re willing to pay a premium for looks and build quality, the Timemore is a great choice.

While it’s not packed with fancy extras, the Timemore nails the basics and looks fantastic doing it. If you want a capable, reliable scale that also impresses with its looks, you could do much worse than this scale.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Scale for Coffee

When shopping for coffee scales, there are a few key specifications to keep in mind to make sure you get the right model for your needs. Here are the most important factors to consider:

Resolution

The resolution refers to the degree of precision with which the scale can measure weight. For brewing coffee, you’ll want a scale that measures at least in 0.1-gram increments.

Anything less than 0.1g precision will be too imprecise for the small weights involved in coffee brewing. You need to be able to detect subtle changes in weights to properly dial in your coffee ratios. High-precision scales make your brewing process more consistent, which makes it much easier to dial in the perfect cup.

Scales that display .01 grams offer even more precision, but they’re usually for scientific use cases, are very expensive, and are overkill for making coffee. You might want a super-high-precision scale for making espresso, but even then, a 0.01-gram scale is going to cost a lot and you’ll be deep into the region of diminishing returns.

Update Speed

The update speed determines how quickly the scale updates the weight display after you place an item on it. Faster update speeds give you a more real-time reading while you’re mid-brew and prevent accidentally whizzing right past your stopping point — no, I don’t want to talk about it.

For pour over coffee, you want a relatively fast update speed. Under one second is ideal. This allows you to see the weight tick up in basically real time as you pour water slowly. If the reading lags too much, it’s hard to nail your pour technique and you’ll have to stop and start toward the end to let the scale catch up.

Unfortunately, manufacturers rarely list the exact update speed. You’ll have to rely on reviews and descriptions to get a sense of how responsive the readings are on a given scale. All of the scales I reviewed here meet my threshold for “fast enough.” If you’re looking at other scales I didn’t cover here, terms like “instant response” and “real-time tracking” suggest a quick update speed. Just be aware that a lot of times such phrases are pure marketing speak.

Built-in Timer

A built-in timer is extremely useful for brewing coffee. Timers allow you to time key events in the brew process hands-free, like bloom time, total brew time, etc. This makes the brew process easier and helps you keep track of your recipes more easily so you can tweak them over time.

Without a built-in timer, you’d have to manually start and stop a separate timer while brewing, which is a hassle. I find it invaluable to have timers integrated right into the scale so you can start them with the tap of a button. The fewer pieces of equipment I need to use during a brew, the happier I am.

Most quality coffee scales will include at least one built-in timer, but more advanced models offer multiple timers for different steps in the brew. I prefer having a blooming and total brew timer, though having just one timer is still helpful. Just know what you’re getting so you can work within the scale’s timer limitations.

Capacity

The capacity refers to the maximum weight the scale can handle before losing accuracy. For coffee purposes, you want a capacity of at least 2000 grams (around 70 ounces).

This allows you to weigh a full brewing setup of a brewer, mug, and up to 1500 grams of water. Scales with less than a 2000-gram capacity are prone to inaccuracy when weighing standard brew setups.

Also, pay attention to how the scale’s precision changes at higher weights. Many scales reduce precision above certain weights. You want to make sure it maintains at least 0.1-gram precision up to the weight you plan to brew with. Don’t forget to include the weight of your mug and brewer.

Wrapping Up: The Best Scales for Coffee

Having an accurate, precise coffee scale can elevate your brewing game. Paying attention to resolution, speed, timers, and capacity will ensure you get a scale tailored to your exact brewing needs.

For most coffee aficionados, I recommend the KitchenTour Coffee Scale for its combination of precision, speed, and helpful built-in timers. If you’re on a budget, the affordable MAXUS scale gets the job done. Pour over fanatics will appreciate the specialized Hario V60 scale, but it’s not as good as the KitchenTour for general use.

Whatever your priorities, choosing the right brewing scale makes hitting your target coffee ratios much more consistent. Ditch the randomness and start brewing with intention. Your taste buds will thank you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need a scale for making coffee?

Using a scale when brewing coffee allows you to accurately measure the coffee grounds and water to achieve an optimal brew ratio. By weighing with a precise scale, you can replicate the same great cup of coffee consistently. Without a scale, you’ll have to use volume measurements, which are less precise and vary between different beans.

How accurate does a coffee scale need to be?

Look for coffee scales that measure to 0.1 gram accuracy. This level of precision gives you enough sensitivity to properly dial in your coffee ratios. Higher accuracy like 0.01 gram is theoretically better for highly nuanced brewing but is overkill in practice. A resolution of 0.3 grams is acceptable, but anything above 0.5-gram precision is not fine enough.

What features should I look for in a coffee scale?

Key features to look for are 0.1 gram sensitivity, fast response time, at least one built-in timer for brew durations, and a capacity of at least 2000 grams. Extra timers, backlit displays, and rechargeable batteries are also nice bonuses for convenience. If you can afford to pay more, having a higher capacity gives you more flexibility to brew larger batches.

Are coffee scales worth the cost?

A coffee scale is worth the cost — upt to a point. Good coffee scales typically range from $15-$150. While pricier scales have more advanced features, even budget-friendly models provide the accuracy needed to help you make better coffee at home. For most home brewers, a scale in the $20-$50 range offers the best value.