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An Expert Guide to Coffee Scales

Published on 01/17/2024 · 10 min readBrew with precision! Our expert guide to coffee scales helps you choose the right one for consistent measurements and perfect coffee every time.
Jason Gass, Coffee Expert
By Coffee Expert Jason Gass

Photo by Imanol

TL;DR: A coffee scale can greatly improve your brewing experience. Purchasing the perfect coffee scale means looking for features like durability, accuracy, maintenance needs, and styling.

One of the best purchases I have made for my home coffee bar is a coffee scale. When I started getting serious about making the perfect cup of coffee, this single tool made my world so much easier and my coffee so much better.

While it can be easy to look at your portafilter or regular coffee filter and guess at the proper amount of coffee beans, your resulting coffee is inconsistent and may not taste as good as it could.

In this article, I will help guide you through coffee scales and why they are important. Additionally, I will offer some features you should consider when shopping, and some of my preferred products here on Curated.

You can always reach out to me or one of the other Coffee Experts here at Curated if you have questions.

What Is a Coffee Scale?

As with other types of scales, a coffee scale is designed to help you measure the exact amount of coffee grounds and/or water for your brewing process. Most coffee scales are stand-alone tools that complement your espresso machine or coffee maker.

Most coffee scales have a flat measuring surface that allows you to measure water or grounds directly into a carafe, porta-filter, or other container. However, some high-end coffee makers have integrated coffee scales to make the brewing process more streamlined.

Coffee scales are as variable as coffee makers and espresso machines. They come in a wide range of styles with plenty of different features to aid in your coffee brewing process.

What to Consider When Buying a Coffee Scale

Photo by Nathan Dumlao

If you are looking to purchase a coffee scale, I have put together a list of considerations that you should look for while shopping. These are the questions that are the most helpful when shopping for my own coffee scale.

1. How important is precision or accuracy?

If you are focused on making the very best cup of coffee or shot of espresso, precision and accuracy are your primary buying consideration. Some lower-end scales don’t have the precision or accuracy that higher-end options have.

I typically look for a scale that measures weight to 0.1 grams or lower. This is usually good for coffee brewing. However, if you are weighing espresso grounds, you might want a scale with a precision value of 0.01 grams.

2. How important is the ease of cleaning and maintenance?

Most coffee scales are not difficult to clean or maintain. However, they do sometimes come with features that make the process a little more challenging. I recommend avoiding scales that have grooved or textured weighing surfaces.

Smooth surfaces are easy to clean and do not hold grounds in nooks and crannies. You should consider scales that are easy to clean. This will increase their lifespan and ensure that they maintain their precision and accuracy.

3. What features do you need?

There are a few features that many coffee scales come with that I think are very handy to have. The first is a quick response time. This means that you will get an accurate measurement in just a few seconds.

The second thing I think is valuable for every coffee scale is a tare function. This function allows you to set the scale to zero after you have set your filter or carafe on the weight surface.

Other features to look for include an auto on/off feature to help save battery life. You also want to make sure that the scale measures in units that are preferable to your needs. Or, consider a scale that will switch between grams, ounces, or pounds.

4. How much counter space can you spare?

Most coffee scales are not too big, so for most of us, size is not a terribly important consideration. However, if your kitchen is small and you do not have a lot of storage space, a compact coffee scale is a good choice.

5. How much should a coffee scale cost?

As with any other coffee tool purchase, I encourage you to know your budget and stay within that budget when shopping. There are lots of coffee scale options out there, and you are sure to find the perfect option in one of these price ranges:

  • Budget (under $50): In the budget price range, you will find scales with lower-quality materials and limited features. However, there are good options that are basic but have good measurement accuracy.
  • Mid-range ($50-$150): For just a bit more money, you can find a scale that has better measurement accuracy, better quality construction, and more features. This is the right option for the coffee lover who wants to balance cost and quality.
  • High-end ($150+): If you are committed to the perfect cup of coffee and you have the cash, a high-end coffee scale might be right for you. These scales are made from the best materials and look more like commercial-grade laboratory scales than kitchen tools. High-end scales tend to have exceptional precision and accuracy but do require more care to maintain this quality.

What Are the Different Kinds of Coffee Scales?

1. Digital Kitchen Scales

Photo by Tyler Nix

If you want to purchase a scale that can be used for more than just brewing coffee, a digital kitchen scale is a nice option. These scales come with a range of features and price ranges. A high-precision kitchen scale that measures 0.01 grams is the perfect coffee scale, while also being useful for other kitchen tasks.

Benefits

  • Multi-purpose and versatile.
  • Tend to be lower cost than more advanced models.

Keep in Mind

  • Precision may not be as good unless you purchase a high-end model.
  • Durability can be a problem.

2. Brewing Scales

Photo by Sean Benesh

If you are looking for a coffee-specific scale you will find two general styles: those that are for pour-over brewing and those made for espresso brewing. Pour-over scales typically can measure heavier weights and have a built-in timer for consistent brewing and blooming or degassing process times. Espresso scales measure lighter weights and are thinner, allowing you to measure the pull of your espresso by weight instead of time.

Benefits

  • Usually more precise and accurate than basic digital scales for better coffee extraction.
  • Materials are generally high-quality and more durable.

Keep in Mind

  • Not designed for multi-purpose kitchen use.
  • Higher priced than basic digital coffee scales.

3. Multi-Functional Scales

Multi-function scales offer you a variety of useful features not found in basic digital scales when it comes to brewing the perfect cup of coffee. Besides the built-in timer that many brewing scales offer, multi-function scales have some other unique options. Look for things like a detachable display, Bluetooth connectivity, and smartphone apps that allow you to track your brewing processes.

Benefits

  • Better tracking and consistency of the brewing process
  • Tend to have larger weighing surfaces

Keep in Mind

  • These can be tricky to figure out
  • Higher priced than basic digital or brewing scales

Features to Look for in a Coffee Scale

With all of this in mind, you can now start considering your coffee scale purchase. Here are features you should look for when shopping.

  1. Accuracy: A good scale will measure in grams and give accurate readings to at least 0.1 grams.
  2. Weight Capacity: If you are looking to use your scale for pour-over or other kitchen tasks, make sure that it has plenty of capacity. Two thousand grams is usually good for coffee brewing.
  3. Tare Functionality: If you plan on filling containers on your scale, make sure that it has a tare button. This "tare" function allows you to zero out the weight of a container.
  4. Response Time: None of us wants to wait for the scale to delay. Especially when pulling a shot of espresso. Look for a scale with a fast response time.
  5. Units of Measurement: Most of the time you will work in grams, but make sure the scale you select can switch between grams and other units such as pounds and ounces.
  6. Display: I like a display with large clear numbers and an LED-backlit control panel. This makes it an easy-to-read display without question, even in low light.
  7. Auto-Off Feature: Most kitchen scales are battery-operated. The automatic timer shut-off saves battery life. Just make sure that it does not turn off too soon. This can be an annoyance if you are carefully measuring water or coffee for brewing.
  8. Build Quality: When considering build quality, things I recommend looking for are water resistance, durable materials (stainless steel and high-quality kitchen plastics), and easy maintenance.
  9. Power Source: While many coffee scales are battery operated, you will find that more and more options are rechargeable, corded or have a USB power source. Pick the one that suits your needs and preferences.
  10. Timer Function: If you are brewing pour-over or measuring an espresso pull by time and weight, a built-in timer is a great feature to have.
  11. Price: Coffee scales come in a wide range of prices. Make sure you know your budget and stay within that budget. There are plenty of amazing, affordable coffee scales to choose from.
  12. Warranty & Customer Support: Manufactured things are not always perfect, so a good warranty will protect you if your scale happens to be a lemon. Also, if you have questions about returns or need assistance, it is nice to have someone to call for help.

How to Choose the Best Coffee Scale for You

Photo by Kurtis Ko

If a coffee scale is on your mind and you are ready to make your purchase, it may be helpful to consider what other buyers have selected. Below, I offer you the selections from three other Curated users and the reasoning for their purchase.

Kyle: The Coffee Scale New Guy

Kyle is just getting started with his home coffee brewing. But, he also loves appliances that are sleek and a bit “techy”. For Kyle, smartphone connectivity is a must for just about anything he buys. He chose the Zwilling Enfinigy Kitchen Scale for his kitchen. This scale is both sleek and minimalistic and also has a smartphone app. It has easy-to-follow set-up instructions and offers exceptional German engineering for high accuracy and consistent measurements.

Features Kyle Should Look For:

  • Minimalistic, sleek design
  • Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity

Product to consider: Zwilling Enfinigy Kitchen Scale

Tim: The Seasoned Barista

Our shopper, Tim, has been making espresso and other coffee drinks at home for many years. He is looking to replace his current scale with something a bit more modern. One thing he loves is to measure his espresso shots by weight instead of time, so a quick response and a thin profile are essential for Tim. His pick is the Acaia Pearl Scale. This scale is highly responsive, comes in three finishes, and is thin enough to fit under his espresso cups.

Features Tim Should Look For:

  • High precision and accuracy values
  • Fast-responsive coffee scale

Product to consider: Acaia Pearl Scale

Mandy: The High-tech Coffee Connoisseur

Mandy has been brewing coffee for a long time, and she knows just what she likes. Besides measuring grounds, Mandy wants a scale that can handle her current pour-over obsession. She also likes more technology-based tools, so a scale that allows for custom programs is a winner for her. Mandy selected the Acaia Lunar Scale. This scale can be programmed with custom settings. It also has a heat-resistant weighing surface, which is perfect for brewing hot coffee by weight.

Features Mandy Should Look For:

  • Heat-resistant construction
  • Custom programming

Product to consider: Acaia Lunar Scale

Find the Best Coffee Scale for You

A coffee scale is a great investment if you are looking to improve the quality of your daily cup of joe. This simple tool is an easy way to take your daily cup of joe to the next level. I hope that I have helped you narrow your coffee scale options with this guide and my shopping recommendations.

If you have questions or would like more information about coffee scales, reach out to me or one of the other Coffee Experts here at Curated. We love helping fellow espresso lovers find the perfect equipment for their routine and brewing preferences.

Curated experts can help

Have a question about the article you just read or want personal recommendations? Connect with a Curated expert and get personalized recommendations for whatever you’re looking for!

Shop Coffee & Espresso on Curated

Zwilling Enfinigy Kitchen Scale
$39.99$49.99
Acaia Pearl Scale
$150.00
Acaia Lunar Scale
$250.00

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