The Brews Cruise

Accessory · Updated 2026-09-03

Best Coffee Scale UK (2026)

A £50 scale is the single best coffee investment you can make. We tested the UK's best scales for speed, accuracy and workflow — from budget Timemore to pro Acaia.

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Our picks at a glance

Quick comparison of our top picks
AwardModelRatingPriceBest for
Best OverallTimemore Black Mirror Basic 24.6/5£49Home baristas who want a reliable scale with timer without paying Acaia prices.
Best PremiumAcaia Lunar4.5/5£245Serious espresso dial-in and shop-grade workflow.
1

Best Overall

Timemore Black Mirror Basic 2

Timemore Black Mirror Basic 2 — 0.1g accuracy, built-in timer, USB-C rechargeable, auto-tare. The rational choice at £49.

2

Best Premium

Acaia Lunar

Acaia Lunar — 0.01g precision, flow rate display, app connectivity, aluminium unibody. The pro standard at £336.

The full breakdown

Pick 1 · Best Overall

Timemore Black Mirror Basic 2

4.6/5£49

0.1g accuracy, built-in timer, USB-C rechargeable, and auto-tare — all for under £50. The Timemore Black Mirror Basic 2 is the best budget coffee scale — fast response, built-in timer, USB-C rechargeable, and accurate to 0.1g. It punches way above its price point.

Why it's great

  • · 0.1g accuracy from 0.5g to 2kg
  • · Built-in timer with auto-start on pour
  • · USB-C rechargeable (no batteries needed)

Flaws, but not dealbreakers

  • · Plastic body feels less premium than Acaia
  • · No app connectivity or flow rate display
  • · Timer can be accidentally triggered
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Pick 2 · Best Premium

Acaia Lunar

4.5/5£245

0.1 g precision with brew-time and flow-rate readouts in the palm of your hand. The espresso scale that set the standard — 0.1g precision, real-time flow-rate, and the benchmark every cheaper scale is measured against.

Why it's great

  • · 0.1 g precision, 0.1 s timer
  • · Real-time flow-rate display
  • · Compact pro-tamper-friendly footprint

Flaws, but not dealbreakers

  • · £245 is a huge ask for a scale
  • · Overkill for most home setups
  • · Battery depends on the app
Check latest priceRead the full review →

How to choose

Why you need a scale

Volume measuring (scoops, cups) is inconsistent — one tablespoon is 5-7g depending on roast. A 0.1g scale gives you repeatable ratios. 1:16 pour-over needs 18.75g for 300ml — impossible to guess.

0.1g vs 0.01g — does it matter?

0.1g (Timemore) is sufficient for every home method. 0.01g (Acaia Lunar) only matters for competition-level espresso where 0.2g dose changes extraction. Save £287 unless you're dialling in daily.

Timer and auto-tare — essential workflow

A built-in timer that auto-starts when you pour (Timemore, Acaia) removes the 'phone timer + scale' juggling. Auto-tare zeros the scale when you place the dripper — one less step. These features save more time than 0.01g precision.

USB-C rechargeable vs batteries

Timemore and newer Acaia models are USB-C rechargeable (20+ hours). Older Acaia Pearl uses CR2450 coin cells. USB-C is cheaper long-term and more convenient — no dead batteries mid-brew.

Frequently asked questions

Only if you need 0.01g precision, flow rate display, or app connectivity for logging. For 99% of home baristas, the Timemore at 1/7 the price does everything you need. The Lunar is a pro tool; the Timemore is the rational home choice.

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