Maestri House Mini Coffee Scale with Timer

Reviewers report months of use on a single USB-C charge, which is impressive. It also has a physical on/off switch and auto power-off to conserve battery, so you're not draining it by accidentally leaving it on. When it does need charging, USB-C means you can use the same cable as your phone — no hunting for proprietary chargers or buying disposable batteries.

The auto-timer mode detects when liquid hits the scale and starts counting automatically, which is genuinely useful during espresso extraction when both hands are busy. However, a few reviewers note that it doesn't start on the very first drop — there's a slight delay before it triggers. For casual home espresso, this is barely noticeable. If you want frame-perfect timing, you can use the manual timer mode instead and start it yourself right when you hit the brew button.

Here's the workflow: Flip the physical on/off switch to power it on. Place your portafilter or dosing cup on the scale and hit tare to zero it out (the tare function is quick, which reviewers appreciate for workflow speed). Weigh your coffee dose — most espresso recipes call for 18–20g. Remove the portafilter, place your cup on the scale, tare again, and start your shot. If you're using auto-timer mode, the timer starts automatically when it detects liquid hitting the cup. If you prefer manual control, you can start the timer yourself. Watch your yield — typically 36–40g for a double shot — and stop when you hit your target.

It's an excellent entry point. Reviewers who are beginners highlight the simple, intuitive interface with clear icons, easy-to-follow instructions, and the auto-timer that eliminates one variable while you're still learning your workflow. The 0.1g precision lets you practice proper dosing from day one without developing bad habits on a less accurate scale. And at this price point, you're not making a huge investment while you figure out if you want to go deeper into espresso. Several experienced users also mention it holds up well as you advance — it's not something you'll immediately outgrow.

The touchscreen works well overall, but a few reviewers mention it can be overly sensitive — occasionally causing accidental tares when you're trying to do something else. It's not a dealbreaker, just something to be aware of as you learn the button placement. On the positive side, the tare function responds quickly, which keeps your brewing workflow smooth. The physical on/off switch is a nice complement, giving you a reliable hard control that won't trigger by accident.

The bright LED display shows weight in grams with one decimal place (e.g., 18.2g) and the timer in minutes and seconds. Reviewers consistently praise the display as easy to read with clear, bright numbers. One minor thing to watch for: depending on your cup or mug size, it can partially block the display in certain positions. A couple of reviewers mention this, so placing your cup toward the back of the scale helps keep the numbers visible.

This is one of the more common minor complaints — five reviewers mention that the silicone pad tends to slide around and doesn't grip the scale surface well. It's not a functional problem for accuracy, but it can be a minor annoyance during your workflow. Some users solve this by just removing the pad entirely and placing cups directly on the glass surface, which is easy to clean anyway.

Reviewers mention it comes with a carrying case, a calibration weight, a USB-C charging cable, and a silicone pad. That's a generous accessory bundle for the price — especially the calibration weight, which lets you verify accuracy anytime, and the case, which most competitors charge extra for or don't offer at all.

Place the scale on your counter, set your pour-over dripper and cup on top, and tare to zero. Add your ground coffee, note the weight, then tare again before pouring. The auto-timer is great here — it starts when water first hits the grounds, so you can focus on your pour technique. One thing to know: this scale is compact (designed for espresso), so full-size brewers like a large Chemex may overhang the edges. For single-cup pour-over with a V60 or small Kalita Wave, it works perfectly. Several reviewers use it specifically for consistent pour-over brewing.

Absolutely — reviewers specifically mention Aeropress as a great use case for this scale. The compact size means it fits perfectly under an Aeropress, the 0.1g precision lets you measure your coffee dose accurately, and the timer helps you nail your steep time. Since the Aeropress is itself a travel-friendly brewer, pairing it with this scale (which comes with a carrying case) makes for a solid portable setup.

Yes, it's a solid travel companion. The compact size, rechargeable USB-C battery (no hunting for batteries on the road), and included carrying case make it travel-ready out of the box. Reviewers who use it for travel coffee setups give it high marks. The one caveat is that the glass surface can break if dropped, so the carrying case is essential — don't toss it loose in a bag.

Probably not well. The scale is deliberately compact for espresso use, and a few reviewers specifically call out that large pour-over brewers like a full-size Chemex overhang the platform. A 3-cup Chemex might work, but for the 6-cup or 8-cup models, you'd want a larger scale. For single-cup brewers like a V60 or small Kalita Wave, it fits perfectly.

While it's designed for coffee, multiple reviewers use it as a general kitchen scale too. It handles up to 2kg (4.4 lbs), which covers most single-portion food measurements. The glass surface wipes clean easily — a detail several users appreciate. It's especially good for small, precise measurements like spices, herbs, and saffron, where 0.1g accuracy actually matters. For bulk food weighing you'd want a larger scale, but for portion control and recipe precision, it does the job well.

For coffee brewing, you want a scale with 0.1g precision (essential for espresso), a built-in timer, and a compact footprint that fits under your machine's drip tray. The Maestri House checks all three boxes — it measures to 0.1g, has both manual and auto timer modes, and its mini size is specifically designed to slide under espresso portafilters. Other things to consider: rechargeable vs. battery-powered (this one uses USB-C and lasts months per charge), and whether you need it for travel (it comes with a carrying case).

The essentials are accuracy, timer functionality, size, and power source. The Maestri House nails accuracy at 0.1g — reviewers consistently confirm it gives repeatable measurements, which is what you need for dialing in espresso. The built-in timer eliminates fumbling with your phone mid-brew. At 2kg max capacity, it handles any single-cup brewing method comfortably. One honest caveat: there's a slight delay in the weight display (about 0.5–3 seconds), which is worth knowing if you're used to instant response from premium scales. That said, many reviewers note that even expensive competitors have similar lag.

If you're seeing inconsistent readings, it could be a few things: an unstable surface, air currents, or a scale that needs calibration. The Maestri House comes with a calibration weight so you can recalibrate anytime. Reviewers specifically praise this scale for giving repeatable measurements, so if yours is fluctuating, try recalibrating first. Also make sure you're on a flat, stable surface — the silicone pad can slide around on some countertops, which a few users have noted. Letting the scale settle for a second after placing items helps too, since there's a slight display delay built into the readings.

Yes, and the 0.1g precision actually makes it better than most kitchen scales for calorie tracking, where small differences in portion size matter. It reads up to 2kg (4.4 lbs), which covers individual meal portions. The quick tare function lets you weigh ingredients one at a time into the same bowl. Just keep in mind it's compact — large plates might overhang the platform. Several reviewers mention using it for general kitchen tasks beyond coffee, and the easy-clean glass surface is a nice bonus when you're working with food.

For espresso, you need a scale that reads to at least 0.1g — anything less and you can't meaningfully dial in your shots. The Maestri House hits that 0.1g threshold, and reviewers confirm the readings are accurate and repeatable. True lab-grade scales go to 0.01g, but that's overkill for coffee. The more important factor is consistency, and this scale delivers there. Just be aware that the display has a slight lag, so for real-time flow profiling during a shot, a higher-end scale might edge it out — but for dosing and timing, it's more than sufficient.