BAGAIL BASICS Coffee Scale with Timer

Setup is straightforward — charge it via the USB-C port (it charges fast), place it on a flat surface, and power it on with the touch sensor. To brew: place your vessel on the scale, hit tare to zero it out, add your coffee grounds, tare again, then start pouring water. The auto-timer kicks in when it detects the first pour, so you don't need to manually start it. You can switch between grams, milliliters, ounces, pounds, and fluid ounces depending on your recipe. Reviewers note the touch controls are responsive and the bright LED display is easy to read even in dim kitchens.

Here's the workflow with the BAGAIL BASICS: 1) Turn on the scale using the touch sensor. 2) Place your brew vessel (V60, portafilter, etc.) on the silicone mat. 3) Press tare to zero out the vessel weight. 4) Add your coffee grounds to the desired weight (e.g., 18g for espresso). 5) Tare again to zero. 6) Start pouring water — the auto-timer begins automatically when it detects weight change. 7) Pour to your target water weight while monitoring the timer. The bright LED display shows both weight and time simultaneously so you can track everything at a glance.

Reviewers frequently make this comparison, and the consensus is that the BAGAIL BASICS delivers comparable accuracy and features at a fraction of the Acaia's price. Both offer 0.1g precision and built-in timers. The Acaia has app connectivity and a slightly more premium feel, but for the core job of weighing and timing coffee, reviewers say the BAGAIL BASICS holds its own. If you don't need Bluetooth app integration, this scale gives you the functionality that matters.

At 1.1 inches tall, it fits under most espresso machines, but a few reviewers note it may not work with very low-profile setups. If your machine has a removable drip tray, you can take that out to gain clearance. It works well with bottomless portafilters. However, if you use a standard spouted portafilter, the extra width of the spouts combined with the scale's height might be tight. Measure the clearance under your group head before buying if you're concerned.

Reviewers report the battery lasts months between charges with regular use, which is impressive. It charges via USB-C and charges quickly. One caveat: a couple of reviewers mention battery degradation after extended ownership (a year or more of daily use), where it starts needing more frequent charging. Also worth noting — the scale cannot be used while it's charging, so you'll want to top it off between sessions rather than letting it die mid-brew.

Most reviewers love the auto-timer — it starts automatically when it detects weight change, which is very convenient during brewing. However, one reviewer reported the auto-timer being unreliable, and the timer display can be slightly dimmer than the weight display. For the vast majority of users, it works as expected, but if precision shot-timing is critical for your espresso workflow, it's worth knowing that occasional inconsistency has been reported.

Being honest: a few reviewers mention battery degradation after a year or so of daily use, requiring more frequent charging. You can't use it while it's plugged in to charge. A couple of users noticed slight weight drift during very long measurements. The timer only counts up (no countdown), which some tea and coffee brewers would prefer. And at 1.1 inches tall, it may not fit under all espresso machines without removing the drip tray. None of these are dealbreakers for most users, but they're worth knowing.

It's an excellent beginner scale. Reviewers highlight the responsive touch controls, bright and easy-to-read LED display, and simple tare and unit switching. The auto-timer removes one more thing to worry about when you're still learning your brew technique. The 6.6 lb capacity is forgiving — you won't accidentally overload it. And the price point means you're not making a huge investment while you figure out if precision brewing is for you.

Yes — the silicone mat is removable and reviewers confirm it can be washed under running sink water. This is a bigger deal than it sounds, since coffee scales inevitably get splashed with coffee, water, and grounds. The fact that it's somewhat waterproof and easy to pop off and rinse means maintenance is minimal. Several reviewers called this out as a surprisingly practical feature for daily use.

Yes — the 0.1g precision is perfect for gongfu brewing, where you're often working with small amounts of leaf (3-8g) and precise water volumes in small gaiwans or teapots. The compact size fits well on a tea tray, and the multiple unit options let you measure in grams or milliliters. The auto-timer can help track steep times, though note it only counts up, not down — so you'll need to watch for your target time rather than setting a countdown.

Yes, and reviewers specifically mention using it beyond coffee. The 0.1g precision makes it better than a typical kitchen scale for small quantities — spices, seasonings, yeast, and salt where a gram or two makes a real difference. The 6.6 lb / 3 kg capacity handles most cooking tasks, though you'll want a larger scale for big batches. The removable silicone mat is washable under running water, which is convenient for kitchen use. Several reviewers use it as their primary cooking scale for anything requiring precise measurements.

Yes, it supports five units: grams, milliliters, ounces, pounds, and fluid ounces. The milliliter mode is particularly useful for water measurement during brewing — just tare with your empty vessel, then pour water and read the volume directly. Since 1ml of water weighs 1g, the gram and milliliter readings will be virtually identical for water, but having both options is convenient when following different recipes.

The easiest check is repeatability — weigh the same item several times and see if you get the same number. Reviewers of the BAGAIL BASICS specifically praise its consistency here. You can also use calibration weights if you want to verify absolute accuracy. One thing to watch for: a couple of reviewers mention slight weight drift over extended periods (the reading slowly creeps), which is common with load-cell scales. If you notice this, just re-tare before your next measurement.

It's ideal for home baristas doing pour-over (V60, Chemex) or espresso who want precision without paying premium-brand prices. It's also great for gongfu tea brewers who need accurate small measurements, and for home cooks who want 0.1g precision for spices and baking ingredients. If you're currently eyeing an Acaia but can't justify the cost, this is the scale reviewers keep recommending as the smart alternative.

If you're seeing inconsistent readings, it's usually an environmental issue — uneven surfaces, vibrations, or air currents can all affect precision scales. The BAGAIL BASICS is praised for good repeatability by reviewers, so if you're getting inconsistent readings, try placing it on a hard, level surface away from drafts. A couple of users did report weight drift (the number slowly creeping) during extended measurements, which can happen with any load-cell scale. A quick re-tare usually solves it.

For coffee and tea purposes, you want a scale with 0.1g resolution — that's what the BAGAIL BASICS offers. Reviewers confirm its accuracy is reliable, with good repeatability (the same item weighs the same each time, which is crucial for dialing in recipes). Some users even found it more accurate on light weights than their larger kitchen scales, making it great for small measurements like spices, yeast, or individual tea portions. Lab-grade scales go to 0.01g, but 0.1g is the sweet spot for home brewing.

Look for 0.1g precision (essential for espresso dosing), a built-in timer (saves juggling a phone timer), and a tare function. The BAGAIL BASICS checks all three. Beyond that, consider your setup: this scale is 1.1 inches tall, which fits under most espresso machines but a few reviewers note it may not fit under very low-profile setups without removing the drip tray. Its 6.6 lb / 3 kg max capacity handles everything from a single espresso cup to a full Chemex. USB-C rechargeable is a nice bonus — no hunting for coin cell batteries.

The key features to prioritize: precision (0.1g minimum for coffee work), a timer, fast response time (no lag when pouring), and reliable tare. The BAGAIL BASICS nails all of these according to reviewers. Other nice-to-haves include multiple measurement units (this one does grams, ml, oz, lb, and fl oz), a removable silicone mat for easy cleaning, and rechargeable batteries so you're not constantly replacing them. Build quality matters too — reviewers describe this scale as solid and durable.