Do you have difficulty figuring out how much coffee to use? If so, you’re not alone. Many people have difficulty doing this. If not the right amount is used, it may adversely affect the flavor.
This post will take a look at an option you could buy to aid you – the Acaia Pearl. Here, you will learn more about the special qualities of this product and the people for whom it is most suitable. We can discuss the Acaia Lunar at a later time.
Check out our in-depth guide to coffee scales!
Things to Consider Before Buying a Coffee Scale
Prior to buying a coffee scale, it is wise to think about certain elements.
The Type
It is essential to evaluate the layout of the coffee scale. At times, these items might be too diminutive or too big.
Conversely, they may not have the contemporary features that come with a memory setting. This element may make operating the scale difficult.
If It Has Different Brewing Modes
You should also investigate to see if the coffee maker has diverse brewing settings. You can use the different ways of measuring to figure out the correct amount for each cup.
This can be useful early on in the process of making coffee. If you have difficulty recollecting the appropriate measurements, it is beneficial. By enabling a specific mode, the scale will be able to anticipate what will happen. This model is further distinguished by its various flow rate modes.
Its Weight Limit
Coffee scales vary in their weight limit. A few grams is the limit for some, while others can contain up to several thousand. If the weighing scale cannot accommodate certain loads, it could give inaccurate results.
If you desire to make individual servings, a lightweight scale is required. If you need to make several mugs at the same time, a big electronic scale is the best option.
Acaia Pearl – A Brief Product Overview
The Acaia Pearl is the first coffee scale to be created by Acaia. This smooth apparatus will assist you in precisely gauging coffee grounds. You don’t need to worry if this material gets splashed by the water around your espresso machine because it is incredibly strong and won’t be damaged by moisture.
This device can support a weight of up to 2,000 grams and the LED screen will show the amount of weight currently in it. You can use the USB cord that comes bundled with it to power the device.
This item is available in white or black. It has a one-year warranty.
Things We Like
- It has long battery life. After one charge, it will last for up to 25 hours.
- It’s made with durable materials.
- It doesn’t require additional batteries.
- You can connect it to Acaia coffee-making apps via Bluetooth.
Room for Improvement
- It’s pricey. If you’re on a budget, this probably isn’t what you want.
- The alarm can sometimes randomly beep.
- It’s small, so you can only fit about one cup at a time on it.
- The scale is extremely sensitive to magnetic fields. Because of this, it’s essential to keep it away from magnetic objects. Otherwise, it could affect its accuracy.
Features & Benefits
Acaia Pearl has many unique features and benefits. Here are just a few of its offers.
It’s Fast
This model is great if you require a speedy way to measure coffee. It doesn’t take more than 20 milliseconds to figure out how much something weighs. In doing this, you can determine if you need to increase or decrease the amount of coffee grounds.
This is a great purchase for people who require a speedy cup of joe in their home because it is very efficient. This is optimal for baristas that need to expedite order fulfillment, possibly providing a smooth espresso making process!
It Has Built-in Settings
You’ll also find a plethora of added settings. These features encompass a timer embedded in the device, a sound measure, the capacity to change measurement of temperature, and the unit given for weight. These let you adjust the size of each batch of coffee.
You can turn on the different configurations by tapping on the Liquid Crystal Display screen. This tap will modify them when necessary and save the new specifications. If you need to modify them once more, just press the screen again.
At the bottom, you will spot a few tiny dots. One of these indicates the battery power. When your scale’s LED is lit green, you know that there is enough power for it to operate.
If the color of the device changes to yellow or red, it is necessary to recharge it. This useful function will stop the scale from shutting off unexpectedly.
The Design Is Compact and Contemporary
The Acaia Pearl has an LCD screen that fades away, staying true to its simple design. When you reach the lowest point of the measurement, it will show up. The auto-off function will kick in after the display gradually dims out in a few seconds. This configuration will make the scale appear to have a strong outer layer once more.
This may not be the number one priority, yet it can be useful. Coffee scales with large LCD screens tend to be quite bulky. The Acaia Pearl has a sleek and modern look, which is made more prominent by the diminishing of the display.
It’s Eco-Friendly
You might be astonished to discover that the Acaia Pearl has been designed with the environment in mind. The rechargeable battery on this product means that you can charge it without incurring any extra power consumption. The battery can maintain its power for up to 25 hours after it has been activated.
It’s Easy to Use
The Acaia Pearl is simple to operate. Simply plug it in, configure the controls, and you are ready to go!
If you are still unsure of how to work it, the user manual is included. This variation is a welcome improvement since most coffee scales expect you to already be familiar with them. This can be frustrating, especially if it’s your first.
The Acaia Pearl comes with a helpful user guide to assist you with the steps. This text provides comprehensive details on the formation of the scale and the position of its features. The manual for most devices can be found in printed form or can be accessed over the internet.
It’s Accurate and Precise
Coffee scales aren’t always the most accurate. The figures they have given may be close to the accurate measurement, but the true weight may be either more or less than the stated amount.
Acaia Pearl is designed to prevent this. It employs state-of-the-art technology to guarantee that the weight of any quantity put on it is accurate. This is a result of its measurements being very responsive to any items placed on it.
The Best Alternative to the Acaia Pearl Scale
Here are the best ones for accurate brewing.
OXO BREW Precision Coffee Scale with Timer
The OXO’s ease of use made it stand out from the other options. Although it did not meet the exact caliber of some of the other digital scales when it measured the different types of coffee beans, the OXO scale was precise when I made pour-overs and I enjoyed its basic design and clear display. The timer button situated on the left side of the scale allowed easy control of timing while a kettle was being held, particularly advantageous for right-handed users. We were additionally impressed with the 3000-gram capacity, which broadened its practicality for a range of culinary uses. All of the tested scales were examined, but this one was the most straightforward and easy to use right off the bat. It would be an excellent choice for any individual trying to improve the coffee making capabilities at their residence.
The major disadvantage of the OXO scale was its ability to measure the mass of coffee. It would typically require about a second to register an exact measurement, though it was usually off by .1 grams. It requires AAA batteries as opposed to having an integrated rechargeable battery, which could possibly deter some people from purchasing it.
Key Specs
- Materials: Plastic body, silicone mat
- Batteries: Four AAA batteries
- Readability: .1 grams
- Maximum weight: 3000 grams
- Care instructions: Wipe clean with a damp cloth
Honorable Mentions
- Acaia Pearl S: Hands down, the Acaia Pearl S was the most impressive scale for accuracy and responsiveness. It was the only scale that registered a single coffee bean, and the 3000-gram capacity made it stand out next to the Acaia Pearl. Ultimately, though, the higher price point and lack of a flow meter on the display made it less appealing than the standard Pearl. The Pearl S also features Brewguide programming that walks you through custom recipes step by step, but this was a little too confusing. This is a pro-level scale, and would likely be more appreciated by a coffee professional.
- Time more Black Mirror: The Timemore Black Mirror performed admirably in accuracy and responsiveness testing, but the smaller display combined with a cheaper overall feel kept it from being competitive.
- Hario V60 Scale: With a microscopic display and no backlighting, the Hario V60 scale was the hardest to read. It also didn’t even register any weight during the 10-bean test, calling into question its overall sensitivity levels.
- Brewista Ratio Scale: The Brewista scale was a headache to use. With bonus ratio functions, a coffee mode and pouring mode, and unresponsive buttons, it was nearly impossible to use out-of-the-box for simple weight and timer functions. It was also slow to read, and less accurate than most.
- KitchenTour Coffee Scale: The slowest, most inaccurate, and cheapest scale of the bunch, the KitchenTour scale just didn’t match the quality of the other scales.
- Escali Versi Coffee Scale: The Escali Versi was almost the runner-up. It was nearly as accurate as the Acaia scales weighing coffee, had quick response times, and had a great form factor. The Versi was too sensitive during brewing, however, and the weight readout would fluctuate during pours. The timer button is also located on the right side of the scale, making it awkward to start and stop the timer while brewing with a kettle for right-handed people, but ideal for those who are left-handed.
Most Scales Compensate for Low Weights
For the first trial of accuracy, I put one coffee bean on each scale. We used an Acaia Lunar scale for our control, which we had calibrated using a 100-gram scientific weight. The results showed that .2 grams was the amount logged for a single coffee bean from Peru and a single coffee bean from Burundi. I anticipated the Lunar to be precise (especially when used for espresso purposes) due to its limited weight range and sensitive platform, but I was astounded to see that the other scales couldn’t even measure out a solitary coffee bean on their surfaces. We tested the platform and ramekin while adding weight, and the only indication of what was transpiring appeared on the Acaia Pearl S. When the Pearl S was in use, the scale would momentarily register 0.2 grams before returning to no weight. Once the coffee bean was taken off, the scale showed a measurement of -.2 grams, verifying that the scale had taken the bean’s mass into account by setting itself to zero. It is unclear whether the scales lacked the capability to detect 0.2 grams or whether 0.2 grams are so minimal that it is acceptable to be within the scale’s accepted error rate. The results of this test indicated that none of these scales could accurately measure the weight of particularly tiny objects, but I doubt that many people have the need to measure the weight of something as small as a feather or a single coffee bean in their home kitchens.
Design Was the Make-or-Break Feature
I conducted all the tests for accuracy and speed and it is evident that these scales are suitable for measuring water when brewing coffee and for measuring out coffee. Any discrepancies were only a tiny fraction of a gram, and scales with reduced responding times still were able to be used efficiently for coffee-making. Expressing that idea in different words, the optimum coffee scales are simply enjoyable to use, providing exact weight gauges coordinated with pour velocity and buttons which are easily reachable and operable while holding a gooseneck pot filled with hot water. Their stylish and contemporary appearance makes your brewing process even more attractive. The scales that did not do as well were acceptable, although judging them alongside more dazzling options made them seem clunky and not as nice to work with.