Best Coffee Scales With a Timer for Pour-Over and Espresso (Spec-by-Spec Comparison)
By the Steam Wand Studio team ·
If you want your coffee to taste the same from one morning to the next, a scale is the most useful upgrade you can make. Scoops measure volume, and beans vary in size and density, so a “tablespoon” isn’t a fixed amount. Weighing your coffee and water in grams makes a recipe repeatable. A built-in timer lets you track bloom time and total brew time without juggling your phone.
This guide compares five coffee scales with timers, from basic battery-powered models to rechargeable, app-connected ones.
How we put this list together: we compared manufacturer specifications, product pages, and user manuals. We have not tested these scales ourselves. Where a figure comes from a source other than the manufacturer, we say so. Prices change often, so check the current price on each retailer’s listing.
Heads up: maker links below are not affiliate-tagged. A Breville Bambino BES450BSS Amazon link, if this guide includes one, is a paid link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Quick comparison
| Scale | Max capacity | Readability (per manufacturer) | Power | Notable features | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hario V60 Drip Scale (VSTN-2000B) | 2,000 g | 0.1 g (2–200 g); 0.5 g (200–500 g); 1 g (500–2,000 g) | 2× AAA batteries | Count-up timer to 99:59 | Check price at Hario at Hario |
| OXO Brew 6-lb Precision Scale with Timer (11212400) | 6 lb / 3 kg | 0.1 g intervals, from 0.5 g | 4× AAA (included) | Built-in pour-over timer, optional auto-off, silicone mat | Check price at OXO at OXO |
| TIMEMORE Black Mirror Basic 2 | 2,000 g (0.5–2,000 g range) | 0.1 g | Rechargeable, 1600 mAh, USB-C | Timer, "hidden" LED display | Check price at TIMEMORE at TIMEMORE |
| Acaia Pearl (AP007/AP008/AP009) | 2,000 g | 0.1 g | Rechargeable 1100 mAh, USB-C; 30–40 hrs listed | Bluetooth 5.0, flow-rate indicator, multiple modes | Check price at Acaia at Acaia |
| Fellow Tally Pro (Studio Edition) | 2,500 g | 0.1 g | Rechargeable, USB-C; 13 hrs listed | Brew Assist ratio mode, OLED screen, removable weigh pan | Check price at Fellow at Fellow |
What actually matters in a coffee scale
1. Readability (resolution)
“0.1 g readability” means the display shows weight in tenth-of-a-gram steps. That matters most for espresso, where doses are small (often under 20 g). It matters less for pour-over water, where you’re weighing hundreds of grams.
Read the fine print here. Some scales only show 0.1 g in their lowest range. Hario’s manual, for example, lists 0.1 g steps from 2–200 g, 0.5 g from 200–500 g, and 1 g from 500–2,000 g. That’s fine for weighing coffee doses, but less precise once a full pot of water is on the scale.
2. Capacity
A dripper, carafe, and water can easily pass 1 kg. Most scales here top out at 2 kg. The OXO (3 kg) and Fellow Tally Pro (2.5 kg) give more headroom for large batch brewers.
3. Timer
Every scale on this list has a timer. Some, like the Acaia Pearl, offer an auto-start timer mode that begins counting when weight is added. Fellow’s Tally Pro shows timer and weight side by side.
4. Power
AAA-powered scales mean buying batteries. Rechargeable USB-C scales mean remembering to charge. Listed battery life varies widely: Fellow lists 13 hours of continuous use for the Tally Pro, and Acaia lists 30–40 hours for the Pearl.
5. Size and fit
If you brew espresso, check whether the scale fits on your machine’s drip tray. If you brew pour-over, make sure your carafe base fits on the platform. Compare the listed dimensions to your setup.
The picks
1. Hario V60 Drip Scale: best simple pour-over scale
What the manufacturer lists:
- Maximum weight 2,000 g; weighing range 2 g to 2,000 g
- Display units: 0.1 g (2–200 g), 0.5 g (200–500 g), 1 g (500–2,000 g)
- Count-up timer up to 99 minutes 59 seconds
- Powered by 2× AAA batteries
- Size approx. 120 × 190 × 29 mm
Why it stands out: It’s designed specifically around the pour-over routine: weigh coffee, tare, start the timer, pour. Hario describes it as a scale that “measures both volume and pour time, the two factors that are essential” for pour-over.
Keep in mind:
- The tiered readability means it isn’t the best choice for weighing espresso shots on the cup. It’s better suited to pour-over.
- Hario’s manual lists tolerance as ±0.2 g from 2–200 g, ±1 g from 200–500 g, and ±3 g from 500–2,000 g.
2. OXO Brew 6-lb Precision Scale with Timer: best for coffee and baking
OXO Brew Precision Scale at OXO
What the manufacturer lists:
- Measures from 0.5 g up in 0.1-gram intervals
- Weighs in grams, ounces, pounds, and kilograms up to 6 lb / 3 kg
- Integrated timer “optimized for pour-over coffee”
- Optional auto shut-off, which can be disabled while using the timer
- Tare function
- 4 AAA batteries included
- Dimensions 8.75” × 6”; non-slip silicone mat included
Why it stands out: The 3 kg capacity is the highest on this list, so it works as a kitchen scale for baking as well as coffee. The removable silicone mat protects the scale from heat and scratches.
Keep in mind:
- It’s larger than espresso-focused scales, so check it against your drip tray if you want to weigh shots.
- It runs on batteries rather than USB charging.
3. TIMEMORE Black Mirror Basic 2: best rechargeable scale on a budget
TIMEMORE Black Mirror Basic 2 at TIMEMORE
What the manufacturer lists (TIMEMORE Japan listing):
- Measuring range 0.5 g–2,000 g, accuracy 0.1 g
- 1600 mAh rechargeable lithium battery, USB Type-C charging
- Up to 24 hours of use per charge (as listed by TIMEMORE Japan; other regional listings state different figures, so check the listing you buy from)
- Size 152 × 130 × 26 mm; approx. 380 g
- Built-in timer and a buzzer; LED display that hides when the scale is off
- Silicone mat included
Why it stands out: You get 0.1 g readability across the full range plus USB-C charging, without the higher price of the premium brands. Check the current price.
Keep in mind:
- Battery-life claims differ between TIMEMORE’s regional listings. Treat the hours as approximate.
- Do not exceed the 2,000 g maximum.
4. Acaia Pearl: best for detail-oriented pour-over brewers
Acaia Pearl at Acaia What the manufacturer lists (Pearl, models AP007/AP008/AP009):
- Maximum capacity 2,000 g / 70.55 oz
- Readability 0.1 g; repeatability 0.1 g
- Lithium-ion rechargeable battery (3.7 V, 1100 mAh), 30–40 hours of continuous use, “varies with brightness and selected settings”
- USB Type-C charging
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Built-in real-time flow-rate indicator; modes including Dual Display, Auto-Start Timer, and Beverage Mode
- Dimensions 160 × 160 × 32 mm; heat-resistant pad included
- Warranty: 2 years (US/EU), per Acaia
Why it stands out: The flow-rate indicator shows how fast you’re pouring in real time, which helps you learn steadier pouring. The auto-start timer removes one more button press.
Keep in mind:
- At 160 × 160 mm, it’s a wide scale. Check that it fits your space.
- Acaia’s care instructions say to clean it with a soft cloth and warm water only, with no detergents.
- It’s a premium-priced scale. Check the current price.
5. Fellow Tally Pro: best for “just tell me how much water” brewing
Fellow Tally Pro at Fellow What the manufacturer lists:
- Max capacity 2,500 g; readability 0.1 g
- Units: g, oz, lb, ml
- Three modes: Brew Assist (choose a coffee-to-water ratio and it guides you to your target brew weight), Timer (side-by-side timer and weight in grams), and Weight
- Rechargeable lithium-ion battery, listed at 13 hours of continuous use; USB-C
- Removable weigh pan for cleaning; OLED display
- Dimensions 177 × 150 × 33 mm
- 2-year standard warranty with option to extend
Why it stands out: Brew Assist does the ratio math for you, so you set 1:16, for example, and the scale tells you when you’ve poured enough water. It’s useful if you change dose sizes often.
Keep in mind:
- Fellow notes it is water resistant but not waterproof, and no part of it is dishwasher safe.
- Listed battery life (13 hours) is shorter than the Acaia Pearl’s, though Fellow says that typically means charging once every 1–2 months for an average user.
Which one should you choose?
- Pour-over only, simplest setup: Hario V60 Drip Scale.
- Coffee plus baking, biggest capacity: OXO 6-lb Precision Scale with Timer.
- Rechargeable with 0.1 g across the range, mid-budget: TIMEMORE Black Mirror Basic 2.
- Learning to pour more consistently: Acaia Pearl, for its flow-rate indicator.
- Ratio guidance without math: Fellow Tally Pro, for Brew Assist.
How to use a coffee scale with a timer (basic pour-over routine)
- Put your dripper, filter, and carafe on the scale. Rinse the filter and discard the rinse water.
- Tare (zero) the scale.
- Add ground coffee and note the weight.
- Tare again (or use a ratio mode, if your scale has one).
- Start the timer and pour a small amount of water to “bloom” the grounds. Fellow’s Stagg instructions, for example, suggest pouring about twice the coffee’s weight in water and waiting 30 seconds.
- Continue pouring in stages until you reach your target water weight.
- Note the total time, then adjust grind size next time if the brew runs much faster or slower than your recipe calls for.
FAQ
Do I need 0.1 g accuracy for pour-over? It helps when weighing your coffee dose, but most pour-over water amounts are hundreds of grams, so 0.5–1 g steps on the water are usually fine. Espresso benefits most from 0.1 g readability.
Can I use a kitchen scale instead? Yes, if it reads in grams and responds quickly. A dedicated coffee scale adds a timer and, on some models, faster response and ratio or flow-rate tools.
Rechargeable or battery-powered? It’s a convenience trade-off. Rechargeable USB-C models avoid buying batteries; AAA models never need to sit on a charger.
Will a coffee scale fit under my espresso machine? It depends on your machine’s drip tray. Compare the scale’s listed dimensions to your tray before buying.
Related guides
- Best Gooseneck Kettles for Pour-Over: 5 Electric and Stovetop Picks Compared
- 25 Small-Space Coffee Bar Ideas for a Café Feel at Home
Sources
- Hario, V60 Drip Scale global product page (VSTN-2000B dimensions, description): https://global.hario.com/product/coffee/scale/VSTN.html
- Hario, V60 Drip Scale instruction manual (capacity, display units, tolerance, timer, batteries): https://www.hario.com/manual_pdf/VST-2000B.pdf
- OXO, 6-lb Precision Scale With Timer product page: https://www.oxo.com/oxo-precision-scale-with-timer.html
- TIMEMORE Japan, Black Mirror Basic 2.0 Coffee Scale listing (range, accuracy, battery, dimensions): https://timemore.jp/collections/all-products/products/timemore-black-mirror-basic-2
- Acaia, Pearl product page (specifications table, modes, battery, warranty): https://acaia.co/products/pearl
- Fellow, Tally Pro Precision Scale product page (capacity, modes, battery, care): https://fellowproducts.com/products/tally-coffee-scale
- Fellow, Stagg stovetop kettle instructions (bloom guidance example): https://ep-shopify.s3.amazonaws.com/related-documents/fellow/fellow-stagg-pour-over-kettle-manual.pdf
Specs can vary by region and model revision. Confirm on the retailer’s listing and check current price before buying.
