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Author:
Jessica Simms
When it comes to espresso, the key to pulling the perfect shot lies in precision and accuracy.
Eyeballing the grounds may work for the experienced baristas, but for the best cuppa at home, measuring your coffee before it hits the portafilter, as well knowing the exact dose in your cup, is more than recommended.
Relying on a decent scale for your ground Java can make you fall in love with espresso all over again. Here are the ultimate 13 espresso scales on the market today.
With the capacity of 11 pounds, our best choice of this list is definitely something your kitchen needs. Versatile and multi-function, you can use Escali Primo not only for measuring your beloved Espresso coffee, but also for baking, cooking, or achieving your weight-loss goals.
Automatic shutoff, fancy LED panel that can be locked, spill-proof, and with a lifetime warranty, there’s really nothing to worry about with this fantastic scale.
Simple measurement conversion and 0.05 oz increments make Escali Primo super user-friendly.
There are many reasons why this Hario scale is our premium pick. Let’s start with its sleek black design that looks so elegant on the countertop. Next, its precision is unbeatable. True, there is no conversion to ounces, but this scale measures in 0.1 gram increments, which is as accurate as you can get. Bottomline – you can measure the ideal amount for your espresso shot.
But, perhaps the best thing about this scale is its drip timer that allows you total control not only for your espresso shots but for your other brewing systems as well.
It has a 5-minute auto-shutoff function, but don’t worry – your scale will not turn off while the drip timer is on.
Looking for value in pocket size? Well, we’ve found you a winner! With a capacity of 1.1 pounds, four high sensors for super precision, 0.001-ounce increments for accuracy, multiple measurement units, and a size that is similar to your phone, the best value on the list has a lot to offer.
Durable but also light, this small digital scale with LCD display will look good whenever you choose to place it. Convenient for storing, and super-easy to clean, what more can you possibly need?
Although not as accurate for espresso as the previous three, Eravsow scale is still a decent buy. It measures in 0.1-ounce (1 gram) increments only, but if your shot needs 18 grams of coffee and you know exactly how many ml your dose needs to be, this can be an excellent investment as the scale is pretty versatile.
A well-lit LCD screen, auto-shutoff, and with overload and low-battery indication, ERAVSOW is easy to use. Plus, the stainless steel body and removable rubber pad makes it easy to clean.
Resembling a waffle griddle, this black scale is meant to be a part of your kitchen. And thanks to its 6.6-pound capacity and multi-function, you can use it for pretty much anything.
Precise for measuring your beans, but also perfect for your pour-over coffee (it has a built-in timer), this is something that every coffee drinking household should have.
Constructed to last and waterproof!
For your espresso shots, this is one of the best scales out there. The capacity is 300 grams (10.6 ounces), meaning it is not that versatile, but with 0.01-gram increments, it offers more than the refined precision that espresso-making requires.
The scale comes with a silicone bowl for your beans and grounds, it has a built-in timer, and it offers an easy switch from grams to ounces and vice versa.
Black, thin, and compact, this scale comes with an elegant design that will look good on any countertop. Measuring in 0.1-gram intervals (up to 6 pounds), this scale is not only precise for your espresso shots but also for anything that needs measuring around your kitchen.
The built-in timer also makes pour-over coffee a breeze, making this scale one of the best for coffee measuring.
The tare function, digital display, and flat platform make it super-easy to use.
Another scale optimized for pour-over coffee that instantly measures while pouring. The increments here are 0.1 grams (up to 200 grams), and the capacity is 6.6 pounds.
The scale comes with a silicone pad that not only protects it from spillage and heat but also makes it super-simple to clean.
The green LCD screen is easy to read, and the auto-off function only adds to the convenience.
This multi-purpose scale designed to perfect your pour-over skills can also be good for your espresso measurements. Measuring down to 0.1 g makes this scale super precise, but that’s not the only thing to love about it.
The heat-resistant mat, built-in timer, different unit measuring, digital blue screen, and laminated buttons also make this scale of 6.6-pound capacity a decent buy.
DmofwHi offers similar features as the previous scale. The 0.1-gram precision with 6.6 capacity makes this a pretty precise and versatile scale not only for espresso-making, but also for tea, baking, fruits & veggies, grain, or jewelry measuring.
And with the built-in timer and good tare function, the scale is user-friendly and simple to use.
It doesn’t matter if you need to measure your grounds for espresso or the exact time of pulling the perfect shot – this scale will offer both. With a built-in timer made for pour-over and a 0.1-gram accuracy, Brewista gives you the chance to measure 4.4 pounds with precision.
Its large stainless steel platform is convenient and easy to clean, and the press-button operation and orange screen user-friendly.
Although not the most precise of all, this scale’s 1-gram increments may work for your espresso-making process if you round your grounds down to 17 or 18 grams. Besides, with its built-in timer, you can always rely on a perfectly-extracted shot.
Optimized for pour-over coffee, and with a capacity of 6.6 pounds, this YYGJ gives you options and different functions.
The auto-shutoff and overload & low-battery indication are just nice touches that make the scale even more appealing.
With six simple modes to use, rechargeable battery, protective cover, and a silicon pad, this sturdy-looking Brewista brings heaps of value.
Its precise measurements (down to 0.1 grams) and the capacity of 4.4 pounds are, perhaps, the best things about it.
Use it manually for standard scale purposes, or choose between its amazing automated modes designed explicitly for espresso making!
Because as experienced as you may be, your eyes can often trick you, period. A good scale offers accuracy, precision, and, most importantly, consistency. By having a coffee scale that you can use to measure your beans and your extracted coffee, you make sure that each dose will be as good as the last one.
The best part of it all is that such a scale allows you to measure down to 0.1 g (or even 0.01 g), so you can always rely on precise repeatability. Even the sharpest eyes and the world’s best barista cannot be that precise.
You may not be able to change how your espresso machine work (except, perhaps, replace it), but the things that you can control in the process of making espresso are:
These are the variables that the quality of your shot depends on. And they can be all measured with a digital scale so that you can produce consistent coffee to water ratio, every single time.
In theory, no, you don’t need a scale to pull an espresso shot or brew regular coffee. You can do it without measuring, and you can probably do it right.
But if you care about precision and you want to produce the exact flavor, strength, and richness with every single cup, then having a scale is a definite must. Why do you think coffee tastes better in your local coffee shop? Because of accuracy and consistency!
A coffee scale is every espresso machine’s best friend. When working in unison, they provide a brew that is always rich, creamy, and super-flavorful. And the process is quite simple.
The water to coffee ratio is just as crucial to coffee, as flour to sugar is for cakes. Add more coffee, and you will be drinking a painfully intense cup. Add more sugar, and your cake might be too sweet to enjoy.
Theoretically, for espresso, coffee to water ratio of 1:2 is considered the most acceptable. Usually, baristas use about 18 grams of coffee for extraction of about 36 grams of a liquid shot. And here is when your scale comes super handy. It does not only allow you to measure it, but it also offers you the control to pinpoint the precise amount that you enjoy the most, so you can brew consistently.
A 1:1 shot is considered a ristretto – the most intense cup and a 1:3 or 1:4 qualifies as lungo – the light shot.
When it comes to drip coffee, 1:17 ratio is considered regular (about 13.9 grams of coffee per 8 ounces of water), and 1:15 is strong (15.7 grams per 8 ounces of water).
For cold brew, this ratio would be 1:8 for regular (29.5 grams for 8 ounces of water), and 1:5 for a strong brew (47 grams of coffee per 8 ounces of water).
Have we managed to convince you that buying a coffee scale for your espresso-making process is a smart investment? Great! Then, the next step is to find the one that suits your needs the most so you can enjoy the same consistency every single time.
