I've Worked In the Coffee Industry for 16 Years—Here's Why You Need a Coffee Scale

It may be hard to believe, but the expensive espresso machine on my counter is almost useless without a good coffee scale. No matter how high-tech that machine is, it’s near-impossible to pull a great-tasting shot of espresso without weighing the beans first. And while a pourover, French press, and automatic drip don’t require the exact degree of precision brewing espresso does, a scale is still the best way to improve your coffee across all of these methods.

While a kitchen scale is great for weighing coffee if you mostly make auto-drip, coffee scales up the ante in two ways: they’re usually more precise, showcasing a 0.1-gram resolution, and they also offer lightning-fast responsiveness. Kitchen scales are often a little slower and wait for the weight to settle before they display a number, but a good coffee scale is designed to show you a real-time accurate reading, so you know exactly how much water to add when brewing a pourover. The Acaia Pearl also has a flow-rate indicator on the display to show you how fast you’re pouring, and the Bluetooth app can even walk you through pourover recipes step-by-step. And though it may be a small addition, this coffee scale also comes with a heat-resistant silicone pad to prevent the sudden temperature changes from affecting the internal measurement system of the scale. 

The reason weight works better than volume as a measurement for coffee is that there are a number of environmental factors that can affect coffee density, so a standard 2-tablespoon scoop of ground coffee could weigh anywhere between six to 10 grams. Even if you’re not ready to jump into brewing espresso, weighing out coffee for your drip brewer can greatly increase your consistency, especially if you like buying coffee from different roasters.

Whether a high-end pourover scale or a study kitchen scale is best for your home setup is a personal choice, though I’ve had the same Acaia Pearl and Acaia Lunar for almost a decade, and neither has shown a drop in performance. So, without further ado, here are a few of our (and my) favorite scales worth checking out if you’re serious about coffee, like me, or are just looking for more consistency in your morning coffee routine. 

The Best Coffee Scales

The Best Budget-Friendly Coffee Scale

OXO BREW Precision Scale with Timer

Orig. $56 $54 at Amazon $56 at Williams-Sonoma View on Webstaurantstore.com

This scale from OXO was the second most responsive in our testing and features an easy-to-read display, accurate readings, and a high 3-kilogram capacity. Plus, it’s just $55—about $100 less than our other picks.

Good to Know

• Materials: Plastic body, silicone mat
• Dimensions: 10.75 x 7.75 1.55 inches
• Batteries: Four AAA batteries
• Resolution: 0.1 gram increments
• Maximum weight: 3000 grams
• Bluetooth connectivity: No
• Care instructions: Wipe clean with a damp cloth
• Best for: Budding coffee geeks who want a versatile (and affordable) scale that has a high enough max capacity for most kitchen tasks, too
• Price at time of publish: $55

The Best Coffee Scale for Coffee Nerds

Acaia Pearl

$295 at Amazon $150 at Acaia.co View on Bluebottlecoffee.com

With lightning-fast readings and ultra-precise accuracy, the Acaia Pearl set the standard for coffee scales everywhere. It also features a built-in timer, a water-resistant platform design, and Bluetooth connectivity.

Good to Know

• Materials: Plastic body, silicone mat
• Dimensions: 6.3 x 6.3 x 1.25 inches
• Battery life: 30-40 hours
• Resolution: 0.1 gram increments
• Maximum weight: 2000 grams
• Bluetooth connectivity: Yes
• Care instructions: Wipe clean with a damp cloth
• Best for: True coffee nerds who brew multiple pourovers a day and want top notch responsiveness and resolution
• Price at time of publish: $150

The Best Espresso Scale

Acaia Lunar Scale

View on Acaia.co $250 at Seattlecoffeegear.com $250 at Clivecoffee.com

For espresso, Acaia engineered a scale small enough to fit on an espresso machine drip tray, waterproofed it, and made it even more accurate and responsive than the Pearl. It’s constructed out of high-grade coated aluminum for durability and also features Bluetooth connectivity. 

Good to Know

• Materials: Aluminum, acrylic
• Dimensions: 4.1 x 4.1 x .6 inches
• Battery life: 30-40 hours
• Resolution: 0.1 gram increments
• Maximum weight: 2000 grams
• Bluetooth connectivity: Yes
• Care instructions: Wipe clean with a damp cloth
• Best for: Home espresso enthusiasts who want a durable, waterproof scale that’s small enough to fit on a drip tray but high enough capacity to tare a portafilter as well.
• Price at time of publish: $250

The Best Kitchen Scale for Drip-Only Folks

OXO 11-lb. Stainless Steel Food Scale With Pull-Out Display

$54 at Amazon $56 at Williams-Sonoma $62 at Walmart

For people who aren't quite ready to go head first into the coffee brewing rabbit hole, a great kitchen scale can build better consistency for your automatic drip brewer routine. Though its smallest unit of measure is one gram, it also features an 11-pound max capacity, making it more versatile for bigger weighing projects as well.

Good to Know

• Materials: Stainless steel, plastic
• Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.13 x 1.25 inches
• Batteries: Four AAA batteries
• Resolution: 1 gram increments
• Maximum weight: 11-pounds
• Bluetooth connectivity: No
• Care instructions: Wipe clean with a damp cloth
• Best for: Anybody looking for more consistency in their day-to-day auto-drip coffee routine but isn’t ready to tackle complicated brew methods
• Price at time of publish: $56

FAQs

Are coffee scales worth it? 

There are a handful of coffee scales we recommend at a wide price-point difference, but coffee scales are quicker to read and more accurate than most kitchen scales, and we think they’re essential for great quality coffee at home. Home coffee fanatics might get more out of a pricier Acaia scale, but our budget pick is a great option for anyone looking to improve their coffee setup. 

Do I need an expensive coffee scale?

You don’t need an expensive coffee scale, but you do need one that’s responsive enough to give you real-time readouts while you’re pouring water. In our testing, most scales had too much of a delay while brewing, so we recommend the Acaia Pearl as a high-end pick or the OXO Brew Precision scale for a more budget-friendly option. 

Why do baristas use scales? 

Measuring coffee and water by weight is the most accurate way to create a consistent brew ratio because different coffees have different densities. By weighing out each component, baristas are able to confirm that their brew ratios as accurate and repeatable, and can better dial-in great tasting coffee.