RoundupThe best coffee scales in the UK (2026)
Five 0.1 g coffee scales compared on size, power and owner fault reports, and which ones fit a Sage Bambino or De'Longhi Dedica drip tray.
Coffee accessories
The small kit that makes a good shot repeatable, starting with a scale that weighs to 0.1 g.
- Roundup
Which accessory should you buy first?
Buy a 0.1 g scale first. Espresso recipes are written in grams, such as 18 g of coffee in and 36 g out. A kitchen scale that counts in whole grams can be 1 g out on an 18 g dose, which is more than 5% of it.
Do you need a scale with a timer?
Yes for espresso, because shot time is the second number you adjust. A timer that starts by itself when the first drops land saves a hand. For filter coffee, any timer works.
Will it fit on your drip tray?
Measure the drip tray before you buy. Full-size coffee scales are about 15 to 19 cm long, and mini espresso scales are about 8 to 11 cm. De'Longhi Dedica owners on r/espresso report that a 15 cm scale does not fit its tray, and they suggest mini scales.
Do you need a milk frother?
Only if your machine has no steam wand, or you drink pods, moka pot coffee or instant. A battery wand such as the Aerolatte froths milk you have already heated. A heated jug such as the Dualit 84140 warms and froths up to 225 ml in one go, according to Dualit.