The short answer
Yes, for most people. The Black Mirror Basic Plus gives you 0.1 g weighing, an automatic timer and a flow-rate readout at a fraction of an Acaia's price, rechargeable over USB-C. It is not waterproof, and its response is quick rather than espresso-instant.
What it does well
- Automatic timing. Weight and time are measured together without a button press.
- Flow rate. It shows how fast you are pouring, not just how much.
- USB-C charging. Rechargeable rather than a drawer of coin cells, rated for up to 10 hours.
- Size. Small enough for many drip trays, big enough for a dripper.
Where it falls short
- Not waterproof. Keep it clear of the worst drip-tray splashes.
- Response. Quick, but not espresso-instant like the Lunar's 10 ms.
- Fingerprints. The mirrored top shows every one.
Quick picks
The answer first. Tap any row to jump to the full reasoning for that pick.
1. The scale in question
Timemore Black Mirror Basic Plus
Mid tier · A rechargeable coffee scale with auto-timing and a flow-rate readout.
Auto-timing and flow rate at a fraction of an Acaia.
It weighs up to 2000 g at 0.1 g resolution, with a minimum detectable weight of 0.5 g, and starts its timer automatically.
It shows flow rate, which turns a pour into something you can measure.
Its 1600 mAh battery charges over USB-C and is rated for up to 10 hours.
At 152 x 130 x 26 mm and about 380 g, it is small enough for many drip trays and big enough for a dripper.
Specification
- Capacity
- 2000 g
- Resolution
- 0.1 g; minimum detectable 0.5 g
- Timer
- Automatic timing
- Battery
- 1600 mAh, up to 10 hours, USB-C
- Size
- 152 x 130 x 26 mm, about 380 g
What it does well
- Auto-timing and flow rate at a fraction of an Acaia
- USB-C rechargeable rather than a drawer full of coin cells
- Small enough for a drip tray, big enough for a dripper
Where it gives ground
- Not waterproof
- Response is quick but not espresso-instant
- The mirrored top shows every fingerprint
Skip it if
Skip it if you need a waterproof scale for espresso. The Lunar is.
2. If you want waterproof
Acaia Lunar
Upper-mid tier · A compact waterproof espresso scale sized for a machine drip tray.
A 10 ms response in a fully waterproof body, built for the drip tray.
The Lunar weighs up to 2 kg at 0.1 g with a 10 ms response, in anodized aluminum that is fully waterproof.
It fits under a portafilter where a brewing scale will not.
Its platform is too small for pour-over.
It is the most expensive way to weigh 36 grams of coffee.
Specification
- Capacity
- 2 kg
- Resolution
- 0.1 g
- Response
- 10 ms
- Body
- Anodized aluminum, fully waterproof
- Built for
- Espresso, on the drip tray
What it does well
- You can submerge it, dry it and carry on - that is not marketing
- 10 ms response keeps up with a shot starting
- Fits under a portafilter where a brewing scale will not
Where it gives ground
- The platform is too small for pour-over
- The most expensive way to weigh 36 grams of coffee
- Overkill unless you are chasing ratios shot to shot
Skip it if
Skip it if you brew pour-over more than espresso.
3. If you want ratio modes
Maestri House S3 Coffee Scale
Budget tier · A rechargeable coffee scale with brew modes, ratio targets and a flow-rate display.
Espresso and pour-over auto-timers, ratio targets and IPX4.
The S3 weighs to 0.1 g across 3000 g, with auto-timer modes for espresso and for pour-over.
Its ratio mode sets a target from 1:1 to 1:18 and alerts you when you reach it.
It is rated IPX4 for splashes, and its 500 mAh battery is rated for up to 90 days.
More modes means more menus than a simple scale.
Specification
- Capacity
- 3000 g
- Resolution
- 0.1 g
- Modes
- Auto timer for pour-over, auto timer for espresso, standard
- Ratio
- Adjustable 1:1 to 1:18, alerts at target
- Flow rate
- Real-time display
- Battery
- 500 mAh, up to 90 days
- Water resistance
- IPX4
What it does well
- Auto-start timers for pour-over and espresso
- Ratio mode calculates the target water weight from your dose
- Rechargeable, with a battery rated for about 90 days
Where it gives ground
- More modes means more menus than a basic scale
- IPX4 resists splashes, not immersion
- Flow-rate readouts only help if you know what to do with them
Skip it if
Skip it if you want the simplest possible scale.
4. If you want cheaper
Hario V60 Drip Scale
Budget tier · A basic brewing scale with an integrated count-up timer.
A basic 0.1 g brewing scale with a count-up timer.
The Hario V60 Drip Scale weighs to 2000 g, at 0.1 g between 2 and 200 g, with a count-up timer to 99:59.
Its long, narrow platform suits a dripper and server.
It is not water resistant, and its response is slower than the premium scales.
It has no flow-rate display.
Specification
- Capacity
- 2000 g
- Resolution
- 0.1 g between 2 and 200 g
- Timer
- Count-up to 99:59
- Size
- W120 x D190 x H29 mm
- Water resistance
- None
What it does well
- Does the two things a brew scale must do, for very little money
- Long, narrow platform suits a dripper and server
- Auto power-off after five minutes
Where it gives ground
- Not water resistant, and it sits under a pouring kettle
- Slower response than the premium scales
- No flow-rate display
Skip it if
Skip it if you want water resistance or a flow-rate readout.