This is a review of the Acaia Pearl scale.
If you haven’t heard about Acaia and Acaia Pearl, it’s our pick for the best overall coffee scale—so we wanted to dive into it deeper.
I’ve owned my Acacia Pearl for 4 years now and have used it more times than I could ever count. As a professional barista and proud coffee geek, it was actually the first piece of high-end gear I bought. I’d seen it debut at the SCAA and saved for a long time to buy it.
I’m proud to say I’ve learned the ins and outs of the Acaia Pearl and I’m excited to share them with you.
So in this article, I’m going to give an in-depth review of the Acaia Pearl, covering its features, benefits, and drawbacks.
Keep reading to learn if it’s the right coffee scale for you based on my own firsthand experience.
What is the Acaia Pearl Scale?
Founded in 2013 in the USA, Acaia is the company that manufactures the Acaia Pearl coffee scale. They launched their scale a year after going into business, and it won 2014’s Best New Product Award at the SCAA Expo.
Acaia’s slogan is really badass: OUR WEIGH TO BREW—isn’t that cool?
Acaia was founded with a mission to combine design and technology in the specialty coffee industry.
They are making really good scales for the specialty coffee industry and are one of the best from my experience.
If you visit ten coffee shops, you will find an Acaia scale in nine of them—even here in Romania. And that says a lot about their professionalism and quality.
So, Acaia Pearl is a professional-grade scale—but what makes it that professional?
Well, Acaia Pearl is a professional scale but what makes it that professional? I will talk about my experience as a barista with Acaia Pearl.
The first thing that comes to my mind is that it is very, very precise—like even with 0,0 precise.
When I am working with recipes, the Pearl’s precision helps me get a better consistency. This is really important for developing and perfecting recipes.
The second thing is its durability. We’ve all held our breath when accidentally dropping an expensive piece of equipment like the Pearl. Obviously, it’s better to try to avoid those types of accidents. But this scale is very durable and resistant to shocks.
When it comes to working with a scale as a barista, you need to be careful with the water or the espresso coming from the group.
I have damaged many scales because they got soaked in water, or water was underneath and it goes into the scale.
But with Acaia Pearl, you don’t have to worry because it is water resistant. The scale does a great job, many times the water was underneath the Acaia pearl or it was dripping on the scale and it worked with no problems.
What I love the most about Acaia are the modes that it has. Acaia’s modes help you with espresso extraction and even with coffee brewing, but we will talk later in this article about the modes.
Truth is, the Acaia Pearl is packed with features that make it stand out from other coffee scales on the market. Let’s dive into them and why they’re so great.
Precision
The Acaia Pearl is a classic choice for coffee lovers. It has a capacity of 2 kilograms and a precision of 0.1 grams, making it ideal for pour-over coffee and espresso.
It will help you achieve maximum extraction in manual brewing or measure your espresso dose precisely or even with brewing coffee because it is very precise.
The precise measurements offered by the Acaia Pearl ensure that coffee enthusiasts can achieve results every time.
The Acaia Pearl is known for its exceptional performance and accuracy. It’s equipped with high-quality sensors that ensure precise weight readings every time. The scale also has a fast response time, which means that it can quickly adjust to changes in weight as coffee is added or removed from the brewing vessel.
This level of accuracy and responsiveness makes it easier for coffee lovers to achieve consistent and accurate brewing every time.
Design
The Pearl features a sleek and minimalist design, with a white LED display that shows weight readings to the nearest 0.1g.
It’s built with high-quality materials that make the scale durable and long-lasting.
Size and Materials
The scale is made out of anodized aluminum and which makes it very durable and compact.
The battery is USB rechargeable and I don’t have any problems with it years later, although the LED display is marginally dimmer now.
It is also water resistant, making it easier to clean.
Apps and Bluetooth
The Pearl is also equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to track your brewing data using the Acaia app. It’s easy for users to track their brewing progress and share it with others, creating a sense of community among coffee enthusiasts.
Plus, Acaia offers several free apps that facilitate greater control over and engagement with your coffee scale.
Customizability
The customizable modes provided by the scale allow users to tailor their brewing experience to their specific preferences and needs, making it an ideal choice for professionals.
Acaia Pearl Components
- Acaia Pearl scale
- Heat-resistant pad
- Micro USB cable
Let’s Talk About Modes
This scale offers customizable modes, including a timer mode, auto-tare mode, and auto-start mode, which allow users to tailor their brewing experience to their specific needs.
To enter modes, you just need to long press the power button.
Mode One: Weighting
in the weighting mode, the scale will only weigh everything that you are putting on it. The Acaia Pearl coffee scale also shows weight in either grams or ounces.
To change the measurement units, just long-press the T.
Mode Two: Espresso
In espresso mode, you will have the timer and weighting settings which will help you to weigh and time the espresso extraction.
Mode Three: Timer
In the timer mode, the scale displays the weighting alongside the timer with minutes and seconds. This mode will help you with brewing coffee recipes.
Mode Four: Auto Start
This will help you with the brew, you need to place your brew on the scale and press the tare mode.
And when you start pouring, the timer will start by itself.
Mode Five: Beverage
To perfect your pour-over coffee and extraction measurements, simply follow the display instructions to position your carafe/cup, filter, and coffee beans (remember to tare after each step). Once the first flow of water is detected, the timer will automatically start.
You can stop the timer by either tapping the power button or removing the items (dripper). The flashing number on the screen indicates the final weight of your beverage after subtracting all the items used.
This mode is awesome you when you are brewing coffee since it helps you with being able to see the time and the beverage weight in the server. It also shows you the brew’s ratio of water to coffee.
The Acaia Pearl S 2021 model even shows you the flow rate indicator.
Mode Six: Auto Tare
The scale will automatically tare the objects that you are putting over the scale.
Acaia Pearl Scale Pros and Cons
- Long-lasting battery.
- Beautiful and clean design.
- Water-resistant.
- Very precise.
- Super durable and compact.
- A little bit expensive.
- You need a flat surface because it is super sensitive.
- Many options and modes may be intimidating at first.
Alternatives to the Acaia Pearl Scale
If you’re considering other options, check out our roundup review of the best coffee scales out there for different needs, like budget, size, and more.
You may also want to take a look at other scales in the Acaia line.
Acaia Lunar
The Acaia Lunar is specifically designed for espresso brewing. Its compact size and water-resistant body make it perfect for use in busy cafes and home espresso setups.
The Lunar has a capacity of 2 kilograms and a precision of 0.1 grams, making it highly accurate. Its built-in timer and auto-tare function streamline the espresso brewing process.
Our Verdict
If you are a home barista, you may not need all of the professional-grade benefits the Acaia Pearl coffee scale offers.
But in my opinion, after personally using the scale for years, the Acaia Pearl coffee scale is extraordinary. While not perfect, it’s still a super scale with high sensitivity that gives you room to grow as a home barista interested in finessing your skills.
And in the coffee world, it’s a brand you’re proud to own. I’ll always buy Acaia scales.
