
My Top 5 Pour Over Coffee Scale - Comparison
Viacheslav DruzhyninShare
Good coffee requires having a good scale. And today's review is about exactly that.
Let’s cover some basics before we proceed to an overview of 5 models of coffee scale.
Scale vs Coffee Scale
The main features coffee scales usually have are:
- Stopwatch
- Speed of reaction
- Accuracy of measurement (to 0.1 g or 0.2 g)
While it’s possible to use a kitchen scale, it’ll be very unpleasant pretty fast.
When do we need high speed of reaction
When measuring coffee it’s especially frustrating if the scale is “lagging”. Meaning, you pour the coffee and wait for them to update the weight. It is like using an old phone which also has a slow internet connection.
But also, when brewing, it’s usually better to have the precision. And when you see the changes instantly - it is priceless.
Accuracy
Usually, it’s way better to know whether you’ve used 10.1 g or 10.9 g of coffee. Especially when you weigh 11 g and don’t know how much coffee is left to add. Because it could flip from 10 g right to 12. Precision is the key. It allows for repeatability. Which is especially important for Espresso.
Also, if you are weighing coffee into a portafilter (espresso), you usually weigh the portafilter, tare, grind coffee and then check how much coffee is needed to be added. And some scale could start to be less precise. You take off the portafilter, place it back and the results will be way different.
Stopwatch
It’s not just a stopwatch. It can be automatic as well. Which is absolutely incredible. But having everything in one device - another level of convenience.
Now we are ready for the overview, but I’ll say it right away: we are going to talk about the scales with built-in batteries. Because I don’t think it’s practical to use AAA / AA batteries. Especially when scales require 3xAAA. I tried such models, they’re great, but predictability in terms of battery life is low.
Top 5 coffee scale
- Timemore Black Mirror Basic 2 - $59
- 3bomber - $56
- Felicita Parallel
- DiFluid Microbalance Ti - $160
- Fellow Tally Pro - $185
Timemore Black Mirror Basic 2
Weight limit: 2000 g
Auto-shutdown: 3 minutes (15 if timer is working)
Pros:
- Nice minimalist scale for everyday use with the stable measurement results
- Have a flow rate function (how many grams per second you pour)
- Timer button is on the left, meaning you can easily press it when holding the kettle in the right hand
- Battery indicator
- You can turn off the sound
- Great auto stopwatch function. Activate once and it stays that way even after turning off the unit. When you ready to brew - just tap the stopwatch. Then, when the weight is changed - it will start counting
- Counts up to 59 minutes. Can be paused and resumed
- Don’t need to hold the turn on / off button for long
Downsides:
- Relatively slow (basic speed)
- Could be a defective unit
- Sound is unpleasant (but can be turned off)
3bomber scale
Weight limit: 2000 g
Auto-shutdown: 2 minutes
Pros:
- Long battery live (charging once a month with regular brewing)
- Inclined display (you can weigh boxes and still see the weight)
- Easy to grab with one hand
- Switch with “Turn off / Turn on / Sound on”. So it’s easy to activate sound. And turn off completely (for regular use - you’ll keep them turned on all of the time and use the front sensor button to turn on / off)
- Auto start + Ratio mode (Enable by double tap of the left button. Weight the dose of the coffee. Press the right button and they will Auto start the time AND show the ratio of coffee to water. Meaning, it’s easier to brew 1:16.67 ratio for pour over especially if you use unconventional dose
- Silicone mat sitting properly, not sliding to the side.
Downsides:
- Left button is for tare. Could be confusing.
- Relatively slow (basic speed)
- Sound is unpleasant (can be turned off)
- Could be a defective unit (it was in my case, but I’ve disassembled it and reassembled - they stopped the weight drift. So, not “defective” after all. Though, they sent me a new unit right away for free).
Felicita Parallel
Weight limit: 2000 g
Auto-shutdown: through the app (Bluetooth + GPS) or through the menu (even trickier)
Pros:
- Reliable beast tested for many years
- Fast weighing / turning on / tare (instant)
- When pressing the buttons - you don’t move the weighing platform
- Fast turning off
- Have different weighing / brewing modes
- Stopwatch on the right
- Great “battery low” indicator
- App for flow rate, ratio, settings etc.
- Aluminum body
- Pleasant to use
Downsides:
- Could be a defective unit
- MicroUSB
- Silicone mat is always sliding
DiFluid Microbalance Ti
Weight limit: 3000 g
Auto-shutdown (adjustable through the app, up to 10 minutes)
Pros:
- Pleasant to use
- Can adjust the sound level to a very comfortable quiet
- Extremely good app with frequent updates (of the scale firmware, app itself). Lots of adjustments and actually useful features
- Fast, responsive. Can adjust the display frequency (not skipping numbers)
- High accuracy
- Nice battery low indicator. Can see the % through the app
- Auto-start can be always turned on. Super nice feature
- Flow rate speed indication
- Stopwatch up to 59 minutes
Downsides:
- Could be a defective unit (in my case it’s appearance, technically - perfect)
- Battery life - 1-2 weeks (depends on use)
- Could be unstable sometimes (around 0.3g) when taking the weight off and placing back on
- Some firmware updates aren’t perfect
Fellow Tally Pro
Weight limit: 3000 g
Auto-shutdown: 10 minutes
Pros:
- “Dumb” (no app) but the features are great
- Feels premium
- Special button for scrolling within 3 modes
- Rotating knob for setting ratio
- Special mode “Brew assist” for pour over (you see current and target weight) with auto-start. Indicates when you need to stop pouring by changing the “color”
- Buttons are physical, not sensors. And they don't affect the weighing when pressed
- SUPER FAST and it’s a pleasant speed (due to OLED display)
- Sticking to the weight (most accurate scale I’ve used)
- Long battery life (charge once a month)
- Count more than 10 minutes
- Big numbers in weighing mode
- Regular brewing mode (stopwatch | weight)
- Stopwatch button on the left
Cons:
- Numbers are very small in “brew assist” mode. Though, they change “color” so still usable
- Weighing platform without any “silicone”. Hard surface