Coffee scales don’t magically make coffee better. What they do is remove one of the biggest variables, which is not knowing how much coffee and water you’re using in a reliable way. Instead of vaguely scooping coffee and eyeballing your water, you control each exactly. That’s what make them an essential tool in your repertoire if you’re making espresso or pour over. And a very valuable one for methods like AeroPress, French press and more.
A nice thing about scale is also that spending more doesn’t really get better coffee. Some of the scales have cool features that are genuinely useful. But a basic, accurate scale will get you 95% of the way there. I’d much rather see someone buy a $30 no-name scale and spend the remaining money on better coffee beans, or a burr grinder, or both than buying a $200 coffee scale. (Even if it has cool bells and whistles, which one does…).
Here, we’ll run through our favorite coffee scales, from beginner-friendly picks to premium models, so you can find the best scale for coffee based on how you actually brew at home.
Why use a coffee scale?
Outside of buying a decent burr grinder, I’m not sure there’s another upgrade that improves consistency as much as a coffee scale.
The reason is pretty straightforward. Coffee beans don’t all weigh the same. Whether you’re brewing espresso, a French press, or a pour over, measuring by weight is far more accurate than measuring by volume.
Light roasts are denser than dark roasts, different origins produce different bean sizes, and even two bags of the same coffee can vary slightly. Measuring by scoops means you’re changing your recipe without realizing it.
A scale removes that variable and allows you to make coffee with the same coffee-to-water ratio every time. As such, it pays off each time you make a cuppa.
The “Scale Table” for quick scanning
I went above-and-beyond here giving the most detail possible on the scales. This did really involve me placing each on scales, using their specialty features, and brewing coffee with each.
I’ve even included some silly (and obviously subjective) scores here for you quick scanning. Please keep reading though if you’ve got further questions or want to flesh this all out more.
| SCALE → FEATURE ↓ | Hario V60 Drip Scale | OXO Brew Precision Scale | Timemore Mini | Timemore Basic 2.0 | Fellow Tally Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $60 | $65 | $65 | $59 | $200 |
| Weigh in grams | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Timer | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Battery Type | 3 AAA | 4 AAA | USB-C rechargable | USB-C rechargable | USB-C rechargable |
| Weighing Surface Dimensions (depth x width, cm) | 13.7 x 11.9 | 13.2 x 15.5 | 9.4 x 10.6 (rubber mat) | 8.9 x 13.3 (rubber mat) | 14.8 diameter (circular) |
| Total Dimensions (cm) | 19 x 11.9 | 19.8 x 15.5 | 11.0 x 11.8 | 15.2 x 13.3 | 18.2 x 15 (not a rectangle, but maximum dimensions) |
| Scale Weight (g, ∞🤓) | 287 | 438 | 243 | 449 | 595 |
| Waterproof? | No | No | IPX3 water-resistant | 2.0 is top-only, 3.0 is IPX3 | Water-resistant |
| Wiz-bang features | None | None | Power switch & button Pour flow-rate calculation and display | Power switch & button Pour flow-rate calculation and display | Auto-timer-start when water hits & Ratio calculation & color-change on water-weight hit |
| My Beauty Score | 7 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 10 |
| My Overall Score | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 10 |
| My Score Given Price | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 6 💸💸💸 |
| Buy Link | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon |
Our pick: Hario V60 Drip Scale
$47.14
Hario V60 Drip Scale
- High precision and built-in brew timer
- All necessary buttons for a coffee scale (Start/Stop & Tare 🤓)
- More than enough capacity to brew even an 12 cup Chemex
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I should admit my biases here. I’ve been happily using this classic Hario scale since May 2019 when a no-name one I’d bought earlier failed.
The Hario V60 Drip Scale has been around for years, and there’s a reason it continues to appear on so many lists of the best coffee scales. It does the two core things it needs to: offer precise weighing and a timer. And it’s both big enough to easily support the biggest brewer or carafe in your arsenal, but also small and light enough that I was very happy with it on our 9-month cross-country road trip in 2021.
Hario V60 scale reviews praise its consistency, and that’s why it remains one of the best scales for coffee. If your primary goal is brewing better coffee rather than learning new technology, this is an easy recommendation, especially because you can usually get it for less that $50. I also think the AAA batteries are a nice feature (compared with rechargeable ones), and keep the weight down.
I will also note here my curiosity about the new Hario Polaris scale, but I haven’t yet tried it out. And as a general recommendation I find its price too high.
SIDENOTE: We’re also diehard Hario house, and we’ve been nothing but happy with this coffee scale. Read more of our coverage of other Hario gear:
Other great coffee scales
If you’re willing to spend a little more to optimize for faster response times, premium design, portability, or espresso-specific features, these are some other great and cool coffee scale to check out.
Timemore Black Mirror Basic
The Timemore Basic (bigger above) scale is a nice upgrade over without spending TOO much money.
The Timemore Black Mirror Basic 2 strikes a balance between performance and value. Compared to entry-level scales, the Timemore has a cool feature: it can tell you how fast you’re pouring in water. This feature is really pour-over specific. And in my whole life, I’ve never wanted the data. But with the scale making it available, I am curious to toy with it.
I also think the Timemore is fairly handsome, especially WITHOUT the rubber pad which we’ve removed above. I also liked (after my initial confusion) that you have a side-power switch to “real” turn if off to prevent against issues as it slides around in transit. And I like the density that its USB-C rechargeable battery offers — NOT tossing out alkaline batteries every year-or-so is a cool feature.
Best for: Density enthusiasts
OXO Coffee Scale
Like most OXO coffee gear, this scale’s strength is its simple utility (I mean that as a compliment). It also mean it’s not really competing in the svelte beauty department. But the control “buttons” are straightforward, the display is easy to read, and the scale provides more detailed and useful coffee decimal points than its large kitchen scale counterpart (Which we have and like a lot too, but for baking, etc. Rarely for coffee.) Like the kitchen scale (and the above Hario), it uses AAA batteries.
Best for: Simplicity
Fellow Tally Pro
The Tally Pro is expensive. About $200. Whether it’s worth that price depends on how much you care about your scale being a real looker. Because that’s a lot of what you’re paying for here. (Much like the Fellow Stagg EKG — it gets the job done AND looks sharp doing it).
It has that trademark Fellow click-wheel, and the display genuinely beautiful. I think the Brew Assist feature is cool: it lets you set a ratio, then it’ll do your ratio math for you. It also has another cool trick in that mode: the time starts when it detects you’ve poured in water. Genuine 🤯 moment for me. And finally, if you’re using that Brew Master mode, it also changes the background color of your weight from black to white when you hit (or exceed) your pour goal. (See the last two photos above.)
It charges by USB-C, which I like for the above mentioned density of feel reasons.
Best for: Rich people, Fellow enthusiasts, people who like the math help
Timemore Black Mirror Mini
The Timemore Black Mirror Mini proves that smaller doesn’t mean less capable.
Its compact footprint it one of the best travel coffee scale options. Even with its smaller size, the Timemore Black Mirror Mini still delivers the pour-speed metric, satisfying density, and usefulness of it’s bigger cousin. Like it’s bigger cousin, it also charges via USB-C.
That said, it is the scale in our rundown most limited by its size. You can totally brew a large Chemex (or similarly large vessel) on it, but the display is harder to read than any other scale in this mix.
Best for: Frequent travelers, and those looking to dial in espresso (this is the only one in our rundown that *might* fit onto the drip-tray under-your-cup on an espresso machine)
How to choose the best coffee scale
Coffee scales are most useful for their accuracy and time-keeping. The Fellow trick of saving you from the uncivilized horrors of using your phones calculator is pretty nice, but unnecessary. Same for the TIMEMORE’s ability to track your flow rate, though for espresso enthusiasts I do really see the value.
A built-in timer is worth having and battery type is worth some consideration. I wouldn’t worry about the bells-and-whistles if those listed didn’t immediately appeal to you. If you’re VERY clumsy, consider the waterproofing. Though my no-waterproofing-claimed Hario scale has survived so many water-splashes I don’t REALLY think that matters.
The TL;DR on the kitchen scales for coffee
Here’s what we hope you click away knowing:
- A coffee scale is one of the highest ROI changes after buying a quality coffee grinder.
- Most people do not need that Fellow Tally Pro, but we wouldn’t fault you for buying it if you’re drowning in cash or want to make your pour-over set up out-of-this-world.
- The best scale for espresso is different from the best scale for pour over or other brew methods. The TIMEMORE mini is the only one you should consider if that’s your focus.
The affordable models are good enough for the vast majority of home brewers. If you’re just getting started, I’d buy a solid, reliable scale like the Hario V60 Drip Scale and put the rest of the budget toward a better coffee grinder.
That upgrade will have a much bigger impact on your daily cup.
$47.14
OVERALL WINNER: Hario V60 Drip Scale
- Your coffee snobs have used it for years
- It's reliable, nails the basics, and doesn't cost too much
- I do like that small circle at the back
Low-Key Coffee Snobs is funded by affiliate commissions which we (often) make when you buy products we link.
If you want more great gear for your at-home coffee set up, check out our list of gooseneck kettles, our in-depth Baratza Encore review (our fave electric burr grinder), and our run-down of the best coffee brewing methods and their differences.
