Do you need a scale to brew better coffee at home?
Brewing Gadgets October_2025
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Do you need a scale to brew better coffee at home?
Most people who brew coffee at home never use a scale. A scoop feels easier. It’s fast, familiar, and doesn’t need batteries. But if you want better-tasting coffee every morning, a scale is the one tool that makes a bigger difference than you think.
A good coffee scale does more than measure. It adds control and consistency to a process that’s otherwise built on guesswork.
Why measuring matters for brewing
Coffee is a recipe. And like baking, small changes make a big difference. How much ground coffee you use and how much water you add are two of the most important variables in how your coffee tastes.
Scoop too little, and the coffee is thin and weak. Scoop too much, and it turns bitter. A scale removes that guesswork. It helps you find what tastes good to you - and repeat it.
Grams, ratios, and consistency
Coffee is often brewed using a ratio. A common one is 1:15. That means 1 gram of coffee for every 15 grams of water. So if you use 20 grams of coffee, you’ll need 300 grams of water. A scale makes that easy.
Without one, even experienced brewers get it wrong. Scoop size varies depending on roast level, humidity, and grind size. So what looks like the same amount can actually be very different.
Why espresso needs a scale
Espresso is sensitive to even small changes. Recipes are written in grams for a reason. Just a 0.5g difference in dose or output can affect how your espresso tastes.
If you’re dialing in espresso and don’t know your dose or yield, you’re flying blind. A good espresso scale changes that. It gives you clarity and a way to troubleshoot.
Which coffee scale should you buy?
Not every scale is made for coffee. The right one depends on how you brew.
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If you make espresso
- Acaia Lunar Espresso Scale – Slim, fast, waterproof, and built to fit under your machine.
- Acaia Umbra Lunar – Newest version of the Lunar with better responsiveness and an anti-fingerprint finish.
- Timemore Basic 2.0 – Affordable and compact with a built-in timer.
- Brewista Smart Scale II – Water-resistant and made for espresso machines with six auto modes.
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If you brew pour-over or French press
- Acaia Pearl 2021 or Pearl S – Fast, beautiful, and packed with features for serious brewers.
- Hario Drip Scale – A favorite with pour-over beginners for good reason.
- Bonavita Rechargeable Scale – No-fuss, with a built-in timer and tare.
- Rhino Brewing Scale – Durable and readable, perfect for larger brews.
If you’re weighing beans or dosing
- Subminimal Subscale – Smart design that doubles as a dosing cup.
- Precise Max Scale – Higher capacity with decent accuracy for weighing larger amounts.
- Bruer Dosing Cup Scale – Minimal and compact, ideal for home setups.
What to look for in a scale
No matter what your budget is, choose a scale that reads in grams, responds quickly, and fits your brew method. For espresso, make sure it’s small enough to fit on your drip tray.
For pour-over, speed and readability matter most.
The takeaway
Using a scale doesn’t make coffee more complicated. It makes it more consistent. More personal.
And way more satisfying. Once you start brewing with a scale, you’ll wonder how you ever did without it.
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