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Best Coffee and Espresso Scales

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Coffee Scale Buying Guide

Whether you need to pinpoint the exact amount of coffee grounds, the ideal bean-to-water ratio, or the right brew dose, there is one thing that can bring accuracy to your coffee-making routine – a decent coffee scale

Ditch the overwhelming research and take a buying shortcut with our list of the 11 new, improved, and best-performing scales for your cup of Joe. Precise and consistent brew awaits!

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If a compact, durable, and multi-functional scale is what you’re after, then our best choice on this list surely over-delivers.

Thanks to its sealed buttons and spill-proof body, large LED display, and chrome design that looks good on any counter, Escali Precision will fit perfectly in your kitchen.

But that’s not all! With its super-efficient tare function, automatic shutoff, and a lifetime of warranty, Escali definitely has a right to say that customer satisfaction is guaranteed.

And if that’s not enough, then let its capacity of 11 pounds and easy unit conversion force the decision!

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If pour-over coffee is your energizer of choice, then Hario Drip Scale is the perfect decision for your brewing routine. Thanks to the drip timer, you can use this scale to accurately and precisely time your brew.

The scale has a 5-minute auto-shutoff, an easy-to-read display, and sleek black design. There are no unit conversions; however, its 0.1-gram increments are what makes it our premium pick.b

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Thanks to its capacity of 11.24 pounds and the 0.05-ounce increments, our best value can be used with equal efficiency for coffee ground measuring, as well as for larger cooking projects. The tare function it’s an added bonus that allows you to subtract the weight of your containers for convenience.

With five units of measurement, easy conversion, and user-friendly operation, this simple yet great-performing scale brings a lot of value.

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With a stainless steel body and a 1-g precision, this durable coffee scale can be your go-to for brewing accuracy for many years to come. The scale also has a removable silicone pad which is meant to keep your coffee pot from slipping and prevents spillage.

The display is digital and easy to read, and with its easy measurement conversion, it’s safe to say that the scale is super user-friendly.

The scale comes with a built-in timer for your pour-over, and there are also the auto-shutoff and tare functions integrated. What more could you possibly need?

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The capacity may not be as great as the accuracy – it can weigh up to 6.6 pounds only with increments of 0.1 grams – but this scale will definitely assist your coffee making routine pretty successfully.

With a built-in timer of 20 minutes, this multi-functional scale will be perfect for your brewing, whatever the method.

The scale features five measurement units, a tare function, auto shutoff, and an overload prompt.

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Just like the previous scale, this one offers the same 6.6-pound capacity and 0.1-gram increments. It also has a precise tare function, a built-in timer, and an auto-shutoff. The difference here is mainly in the blue-lit 14-mm high LCD screen and the fact that this scale comes with a silicone, non-slip mat, which is perfect for your carafe or cup.

The design here is not only compact, but the scale also has a hook so you can conveniently hang it below your counter for space-saving storage.

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If an electronic and precise scale is what your coffee routine lacks, then here is a perfect fit for you. Thanks to its 0.3-gram precision, 6.6-pound capacity, and an accurate tare function for convenient weighing, this scale will become a vital part of your brewing process.

The scale also has a built-in timer for your pour-over, and a waterproof silicone pad is there to keep your carafe in place, making sure no mess will be made.

Thanks to the ABS platform and frame, you can rest assured that this durable scale will be a part of your kitchen for a very long time.

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Thanks to the highly-sensitive sensors, this scale changes the weight almost instantly, while pouring. And if a pour-over is your caffeine fix of choice, it is a no-brainer than this is one of the best matches for your brewing routine.

The scale comes with a built-in timer that times up to 100 minutes, a precise tare function, an auto shut off, a low-battery prompt, as well as an overload indicator.

Measuring down to 0.1 grams for the first 200 grams of weight, and down to 0.5 grams for weight between 200 and 500 grams, the precision here should work just fine for coffee making, as well as baking or other weighing projects.

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With the graduation of 0.01 grams, this is one of the most precise coffee scales you will find. The maximum capacity here is only 300 grams, but if you are looking for a scale for your beans and ground only, it is more than efficient.

Plus, with the built-in timer, you get to measure the brewing time.

The thing we love most about this scale, though, is the fact that it is pocket-portable and that it comes with a practical silicone bowl for your coffee.

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USB charging or 3 AAA batteries is what powers this Apexstone scale. The display is LCD, clear, and easy to read, with a simple unit conversion button, tare function, and a 100-minute timer.

The scale measures up to 6.6 pounds with a precision of 0.3 grams.

Perfect for measuring beans, pour-over, or recording brewing times for other coffee-making methods.

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Although this scale is not sensitive enough to instantly change the weight as you pour, still, it offers a convenient start/pause function so you can gradually add more coffee and measure with accuracy.

Record down to 0.1 grams and up to 6.6 pounds, and do it conveniently with a precise tare function, easy measurement conversion, and with a silicone mat to hold your carafe from slipping.

The LED display and digital touch are an elegant bonus you will deeply appreciate.

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The Importance of a Good Coffee Scale

Why should you make a coffee scale an important part of your brewing routine? There are four reasons:

#1: Accuracy and Precision – You may think you know just how much coffee you need to add (whether eye-measuring or leveling teaspoons), but unless you weigh it, you will never be able to get the exact amount. And in the world of making good coffee, yes, even half a gram can make a huge difference.

#2: Consistency – Okay, so you may get lucky from time to time and actually get the approximate amount of coffee needed. But what about those mornings when your senses fail you? If you want to enjoy consistently good coffee every single morning, then relying on a good scale to ensure repeatability is the only way.

#3: Reducing Waste – How many times has it happened to grind slightly more Java than needed? Measuring the exact amount you need will prevent wasted coffee.

#4: Experimenting and Learning – When you have a scale to rely on, you can play around with different ratios, amounts, and brewing times. By having more control over the brewing process, you get to experiment and learn how to make a cuppa that your palate will enjoy the most.

How to Buy a Great Coffee Scale

The greatness of your coffee scale mainly depends on what you consider to be great functioning. Do you need it for espresso or pour-over? Do you want to buy a scale so you can measure coffee beans and grounds only, or do you want to play around with brewing times as well? Do you need a built-in timer? Do you want it to be super precise or not?

Before making a purchase, write down the things that your superior scale should have, and start from there. The important thing is for all the functions for your brewing routine to be included. Anything else is a welcome bonus.

How to Use a Scale for Pour-Over Coffee

When making pour-over coffee, there are three things that you need to measure with precision if you want to treat your tongue with notes of deliciousness:

#1: The amount of coffee needed

#2: The amount of water needed

#3: The ideal brewing time

For a generous cuppa, you will need 0.7 ounces (20 grams) of coffee, 11.9 ounces (340 grams) hot water, and 3 minutes of brewing time. You will need a cup, carafe, filter paper, a filter, a scale, and, of course, coffee. And here is how you do it:

  1. Measure the exact amount of coffee and grind it.
  2. If your scale has a tare function, subtract the weight of your cup and filter.
  3. Add your ground Java to the filter.
  4. Measure 60 grams of hot water, and wet the coffee with it. Let it bloom for 30-45 seconds.
  5. Pour more water until the scale reaches 200 grams. Let steep for half a minute.
  6. First, clean up the brim with the remaining water, and then pour the rest of it over, until the scale shows 340 grams.
  7. Swirl before serving and enjoy!

How to Use a Scale for Espresso Coffee

Your coffee scale can also be an invaluable tool for espresso-making, as well.

The amount of coffee needed for espresso depends on the intensity you wish to achieve. For a regular espresso shot, though, you will need about 18 grams of ground coffee. With the ratio of 1:2, for 18 grams of coffee, you will need 36 grams of brewed liquid. Here is how to achieve perfection:

  1. Start by measuring your coffee. Measure 18 grams, grind immediately and add to your portafilter. Alternatively, you can place the portafilter onto the scale, tare it, then grind 18 grams of fine Java directly into it.
  2. Tamp the coffee and lock the portafilter into the machine.
  3. Place your scale below the group head.
  4. Place the cup on top of the scale, and tare its weight.
  5. Start brewing, and stop when the scale shows 36 grams.
  6. Enjoy!

Coffee Bean Weight Compared to Water

Not sure how much water and coffee you should measure for your ideal cuppa? Let us help!

Drip Coffee

Regular Cup: 1:17 ratio or 13.9 grams of coffee and 8 ounces of water   

Strong Cup: 1:15 ratio or 15.7 grams of coffee for 8 ounces of water

Cold Brew

Regular Cup: 1:8 ratio or 29.5 grams of coffee per 8 ounces of water

Strong Cup: 1:5 ratio or 47 grams of coffee per 8 ounces of water

Espresso

Regular Cup: 1:2 ratio or 18 grams of ground coffee for 36 grams of brewed coffee

Strong Cup (Ristretto): 1:1 ratio or 18 grams of coffee in, for 18 grams of brewed liquid.

Lungo: 1:3 or 1:4 ratio for 18 grams of ground coffee and 54-72 grams of brewed coffee.

Conclusion

Now that you know just how crucial ratios and precise measuring are for brewing coffee, the next step is to pick your favorite scale from this list and let it convince you that consistency is the key to taking real pleasure in your morning cuppa. Repeatable brew doses and intensity yield repeatable smiles!

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