Top 8 Coffee Scales for Chemex Precision Brewing
Are you bothered by your inconsistent and lackluster Chemex brews? With Chemex brewing, every step and piece of equipment requires precision. From the number of coffee beans used to the water temperature, your pouring rate, and yes, that includes your humble coffee scale as well; every detail counts.
A scale isn’t just for accurate measurements. It is also an essential tool to achieve flavor clarity and consistency for each cup of coffee.
I’ll share my top picks for 2024‘s best coffee scales for Chemex brewing. I’ve got you covered with many options, from premium to budget-friendly and basic to innovative.
Top Coffee Scales for Chemex Brewing in 2024: In-Depth Reviews
Here is a summary of scales you can safely use for brewing with your Chemex.
| No. | Product Name | Accuracy | Max Weight | Material | Battery Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Timemore Black Mirror Basic Plus (Top Pick) | 0.1 g | 2000 g | Acrylic | Li-ion (USB-C) | Fast response, water-resistant, auto-timer | Over-sensitive buttons, not a smart scale |
| 2 | Acaia Pearl Coffee Scale | 0.1 g | 2000 g | Polycarbonate | Li-ion (USB-C) | Smart scale, fast response time, premium | Expensive, poor UI, app required for features |
| 3 | Hario V60 Drip Coffee Scale | 0.1 g | 2000 g | ABS resin | 2 AAA batteries | Precise, optimized timer, compact, minimalist | No rechargeable batteries, finicky buttons |
| 4 | OXO Precision Coffee Scale | 0.1 g | 2994 g | Plastic | 4 AAA batteries | Accurate, built-in timer, silicone insulator | Slow response, prone to scratches, unresponsive |
| 5 | KitchenTour Coffee Scale | 0.1 g | 3000 g | ABS | 3 AAA batteries | Budget-friendly, compact, water-resistant | Slippery mat, slower readings, lack of feedback |
| 6 | CoastLine Digital Pro Pocket Scale | 0.1 g | N/A | Stainless steel | 2 AAA batteries | Travel-sized, easy to clean, accurate | Cheap buttons |
| 7 | Etekcity Digital Multifunction Stainless Kitchen Scale | Varied | 5000 g | Stainless steel | 2 AAA batteries | Unit conversion, lightweight, food safe | Limited accuracy, hard-to-read display |
| 8 | Apexstone Coffee Scale | Varied | 3000 g | Silicone and plastic | 2 AAA batteries | Screen lights up, affordable | Not very accurate, flimsy, cheaper plastic |
1. Timemore Black Mirror Basic Plus – Editor’s Choice
Timemore Black Mirror Basic Plus has a minimum load of just 0.5g and 0.1 g intervals, it’s perfect if you seek precision. This is actually the scale I use on a day to day basis, and is, therefore, my Top Recommendation.
The shell design ensures more resistance to water than most scales on the market. It isn’t fully waterproof though, so don’t think of submerging it in the dishwasher.
Moreover, two capacitive touch buttons give easy access to all scale functions like timing and taring from their responsive surface though they are overly sensitive. When I was still learning how it works, I had a few accidental presses. They make up for this lack of tactical response by adding an audible beep.
Lastly, Timemore Black Mirror’s auto-timer feature makes it easy for you to keep track of time. It was easy to use, but depending on your coffee recipes, the timer will stop prematurely if you’re like me, who lifts and swirls my dripper. They did provide a 40-second allowance for this, so you can still have time for blooming.
TIMEMORE Black Mirror Basic 2.0 Electronic Coffee Scale
Perhaps the best price-value on the market, this beautifully designed scale gives you advanced features like automatic timer, flow meter, and scale accurate to 0.1g. Its user-friendly control panel and waterproof surface make coffee preparation effortless.
Pros
Timemore Black Mirror Basic Plus Product Specifications
- Dimensions: 130 mm x 152 mm x 26 mm (W x L x H)
- Weight: 0.92lbs w/ silicone pad
- Measuring Units: g
- Maximum weight: 2000 g
- Material: Acrylic
- Battery: Rechargeable lithium-ion
- Charging Port: USB-C
2. Acaia Pearl Coffee Scale – Premium Choice
With its premium price comes premium features. Acaia Pearl Brewing Scale boasts high-end laboratory-grade scale technology not commonly found in other coffee scales on the market.
I love how precise and sensitive the Acaia scale is with its 0.1-gram readability and quick 20-millisecond response time. Plus, it’s also resistant to weight changes from evaporation – an impressive feature that ensures accurate measurements every time.
The triple display panel offers real-time flow rate monitoring and current weight measurement and even has a timer for manual coffee. However, the user interface may not be ideal for everyone since the touch-sensitive buttons can sometimes feel vague and unresponsive. Navigating the menu screen can also pose a challenge.
This versatile smart scale is perfect for a modern kitchen with its minimalistic design and customizable shut-off settings via the companion app.
It is very expensive though, and you may not use all of its features. It is on the list because it is popular, but I would recommend the Timemore for 95% of people over this.
Pros
Acaia Pearl Coffee Scale Product Specifications
- Dimensions: 160 mm x 160 mm x 32 mm (W x L x H)
- Weight: 1.1 lbs
- Measuring Units: g / oz
- Maximum weight: 2000 g
- Material: Polycarbonate
- Battery: Rechargeable lithium-ion
- Charging Port: USB-C
- Display: 8-digit LED
3. Hario V60 Drip Coffee Scale
The HARIO V60 Scale is a top-performing product for coffee enthusiasts who demand accuracy and precision in their Chemex brewing. This scale’s 0.1-gram sensitivity ensures consistent dosing.
This drip scale might come in a compact size, but it can easily accommodate even the largest Chemex brewers, which is perfect when I’m brewing for a party.
Hario is famous for its minimalist features, and this scale is no different, which makes it perfect for my modern kitchen. With just two buttons and a digital display, it combines practicality and ease of use. However, it was pretty picky about button pushes and needed about two firm pushes to turn it on and a short push followed by a long one to turn it off.
But what I loved the most was the optimized timer which makes brewing with a Chemex a breeze. Its feature to stay on for five minutes when untouched is very convenient since I can grind additional beans mid-weigh without repeating the temperamental process to turn it on.
Even with all that, I’m not a fan of its lack of rechargeable batteries, which is a major downside for me considering its price. It did come with an automatic shut-off to preserve battery life. I think the not-so-bright display also contributes to the fact that battery life lasts considerably longer.
Pros
Hario V60 Drip Coffee Scale Product Specifications
- Dimensions: 120 mm x 190 mm x 29 mm
- Weight: Approximately 700 g
- Measuring Units: g
- Maximum weight: 2000 g
- Material: ABS resin
- Battery: 2 AAA batteries
4. OXO Precision Coffee Scale – Stylish and Functional
For Chemex brewing enthusiasts who demand precision and versatility, the Oxo Precision Scale delivers. It boasts an impressive 0.1g accuracy and a large format with a six-pound max capacity. Response time wasn’t that quick compared to other options, but it wasn’t far off.
What sets this scale apart is its built-in timer, which is very convenient since Chemex coffee makers require precision to be consistent for every brew.
As for the drawbacks, there are quite a few. The silicone heat insulator helps protect your setup from accidental spills, keeping your countertop mess-free, but at the same time, this silicon rubber mat is tough to clean without making a mess.
The display provides precise readings, but the touch interface can be unresponsive. I found that it requires me to use a light touch for it to register.
Additionally, the material its surface is made from tends to mark very quickly. While some nicks and scratches are inevitable, I would have preferred to keep them at a minimum to keep them looking clean.
Pros
OXO Precision Coffee Scale Product Specifications
- Dimensions: 120 mm x 190 mm x 29 mm
- Weight: 1.32 lbs
- Material: Plastic
- Measuring units: g /oz
- Maximum weight: 6.6 lbs
- Battery: 4 AAA batteries
5. KitchenTour Coffee Scale – Best Budget Buy
In a world of coffee scales obsessed with smart features and premium prices, the KitchenTour coffee scale is an excellent cost-effective option that is the right kind of functional, but it doesn’t come without its flaws.
In terms of accuracy, it precisely weighs up to 1/10th of a gram and is just perfect for pour over coffee. However, it could take a full second to register the correct weight after a few adjustments.
When brewing coffee, splashes are hard to avoid, which is why I’m thankful that even with all the small amounts of boiling water I managed to spill, the water-resistant coverings remained intact.
The interface might be straightforward to navigate and operate, but it’s lacking in terms of tactile feedback. However, this could probably be why this scale is more durable against water.
The silicone mat can be a bit slippery, but it’s easy enough to clean. Not to mention that its structure, plus the mat’s water-proofing, prevented the batteries from being compromised after I left the scale sitting in a spill for a bit too long.
Pros
KitchenTour Coffee Scale Product Specifications
- Dimensions: 8.5 in x 6.42 in x 1.54 in
- Weight: 0.6 lbs
- Measuring units: g / oz / mL
- Maximum weight: 3000 g
- Material: ABS
- Battery: 3 AAA batteries
6. CoastLine Digital Pro Pocket Scale – Compact and Portable
As a frequent traveler, I’ve been looking for a convenient pocket-sized digital scale that I could use on the road. Regarding portability, the CoastLine Digital Pro Pocket Scale has been an absolute game-changer for me.
Even with a compact size, it can provide accurate readings in standard and metric measurements with 0.1-gram/0.01-ounce increments which is the precision that a Chemex needs.
The scale comes with two small plastic trays that perfectly fit the weighing platform and serve a dual purpose. Not only are they space-efficient for when you have little room to spare in your luggage, but they can also protect the more delicate components during transport.
Another thing I love is that it’s made with a stainless steel platform that is easy to wipe clean after use, so I don’t have to worry about cleaning up a mess when I’m out traveling. The material also makes it durable enough to withstand the rigors of frequent travel.
The blue back-lit LCD screen is also a welcome feature, so I don’t have to struggle as much reading in low-light conditions like when I’m out making morning coffee for camping.
However, the button interface feels cheap to the touch, but given the price, it’s understandable, and as long as it remains functional, it’s not a deal-breaker.
Pros
CoastLine Digital Pro Pocket Scale Product Specifications
- Dimensions: 4 in x 5 in x 0.75 in
- Weight: 0.20 lbs
- Measuring units: g / oz
- Material: Stainless steel
- Battery: 2 AAA batteries
7. Etekcity Digital Multifunction Stainless Kitchen Scale – Lightweight and Versatile
The Etekcity Digital Multifunction Stainless Kitchen Scale is a versatile and reliable addition to any kitchen. It has an impressive capacity of 5000 g, which means you can weigh your beans and water without worrying about maxing out the limit. You can even use it as a general kitchen scale because of its high capacity.
Its multifunctional capabilities make it useful beyond just measuring ingredients for coffee brewing. Because of its food-grade stainless steel material, it looks sleek, and I’ve also found myself using it for various purposes, such as meal prep or weight loss tracking.
Its lightweight construction makes it easy to handle and clean after use. However, in terms of display, it’s not that easy because the display is part of the scale’s top surface and takes up 4 inches of its length. It’s on the smaller side, so you can’t place anything round or square bigger than 5 1/2 inches without difficulty reading it.
In terms of accuracy, it works well enough for food portions, but it tends to be off by up to 5 grams with weights lower than 100g, so more than a +/- 5% variance. While versatile, this can throw off your measurements, especially since Chemex is all about precision.
Pros
Etekcity Digital Multifunction Stainless Kitchen Scale Product Specifications
- Dimensions: 186 mm x 145 mm x 15.5 mm
- Weight: 200 g
- Measuring units: oz / lb: oz / fl: oz / g / mL
- Maximum weight: 5000 g
- Material: Stainless steel
- Battery: 2 AAA batteries
8. Apexstone Coffee Scale With Timer – Affordable and Practical
Despite being plastic-made, the Apexstone Coffee Scale with Timer is moderately accurate for its affordable price. It has a maximum capacity of 3kg, making it versatile enough to use beyond just measuring coffee beans and practical enough to use in the kitchen.
What I loved was how the screen lit up every time it registered a change in weight. Plus, with its blue backlight, it was effortless for me to keep track of everything. The built-in timer function was very handy when waiting for the grounds to bloom before I could pour more water into the brewer.
However, it’s not the most accurate on this list. You can expect it to be 0.3 – 1.2 grams off from true weight at intermittent times, which is concerning, but it is still acceptable for Chemex brewing. Since I make coffee regularly, another thing I noticed is the delay of about one second before it could register a change in mass.
At times, the scale seemed to snap to common round values. Like when I was weighing beans, it suddenly jumped to 100 g when I was getting close.
There is one more minor drawback that I am very particular about. The mat where the scale sits is very flimsy and easily detached if moved around, which can be bothersome since I often switch my setup around the house.
Pros
Cons
Apexstone Coffee Scale With Timer Product Specifications
- Dimensions: 7.56 in x 5.24 in x 1.18 in
- Weight: (Package) 1.04 lbs
- Measuring units: oz / g / lb / mL / g: mL
- Maximum weight: 3000 g
- Material: Silicone and plastic
- Battery: 2 AAA batteries
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Ideal Coffee Scale for Chemex
With many excellent coffee scales on the market for Chemex brewing, it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed or unsure where to start. Fortunately, in the next section, I’ll list the scale features you should consider that suit your needs and preferences. With research and smart shopping decisions, you can achieve the perfect coffee in no time.
Weight precision and accuracy
The accuracy of any coffee scale can significantly impact the taste of your brew. Even small deviations can have a significant effect on flavor and texture.
While most scales should be accurate within at least 0.1 grams, it’s always best to find one with a higher precision if possible since you want great coffee for every brew.
A power source (battery or USB-rechargeable)
A coffee scale runs on battery power, or you can charge the scale via USB; both options have their advantages and disadvantages.
A rechargeable model can save you money on batteries over time and is also the more eco-friendly option.
If you opt for the standard triple/double A batteries, you will need frequent replacements depending on how much you use them; however, this ensures you a more constant supply of energy even when there’s no power outlet nearby.
Furthermore, it is essential to check if the battery compartment is adequately protected against damage caused by moisture or accidental spills, which is quite common among coffee brewers.
Size compatibility with Chemex brewer
It’s crucial to ensure that the size of the coffee scale fits properly under the Chemex without any spills, especially when pouring water during blooming.
When selecting a coffee scale for your Chemex brewer, keep in mind both the size of the scale and its capacity. The last thing you want is to purchase a scale only to find out it doesn’t fit well or makes measuring difficult.
A coffee scale should be large enough to accommodate your Chemex brewer but not too big that it takes up too much counter space or hinders ease of use. Fortunately, most manufacturers include product dimensions and weight capacities in their descriptions. Make sure to match it with your Chemex model.
Built-in timer function
Brewing coffee using a manual method requires you to pay attention not just to measurements but to timing as well. A built-in timer is convenient so you can easily keep track of various stages in coffee-making, such as blooming.
Look for models with intuitive controls and a straightforward user interface, so you won’t need to spend precious time setting up complicated settings before brewing.
Water resistance for durability and ease of use
Believe me; you cannot underestimate how often splashes and spills happen when making coffee at home. Most scales aren’t water-proof, but there are models that have higher water resistance than others. Not only does this feature make a scale more durable, but it makes for easy cleaning too.
Style and design
While this factor doesn’t really affect functionality or performance, if you’re brewing with a Chemex known for its aesthetics, you mustn’t overlook this one either. Many great-looking options can complement your kitchen decor while providing all the necessary features Chemex users are looking for.
How do you use a coffee scale?
Using a coffee scale slightly differs for every model, but the general steps go like this:
- Turn on the scale.
- Place your Chemex carafe or cup onto it, and press the “tare” button to reset the weight to zero.
- Add in the desired amount of coffee beans based on personal preference.
- Once you’ve added enough beans, proceed to grinding.
- Pour the ground coffee into the filter.
- Weigh the water next using an appropriate water to coffee ratio.
Using a digital coffee scale, especially one with more smart features, can take some getting used to at first, but the investment is more than worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions about Coffee Scales for Chemex Brewing
You probably have a few questions about using scales with your Chemex brewer, these questions might answer some of them.
So, Which Scale Will You Get?
Whether you’re an experienced barista or just discovering the joys of brewing with a Chemex, I hope this guide on Chemex scales has given you some insight into the top-rated scales available.
Leave us a comment below if there are any questions or feedback about our list.
