Reddit reviews Brewista Smart Scale II for Espresso and Kitchen scale - 2000 grams (BSSRB2)

I got the Brewista Smart Scale II about a week ago and am loving it so far! It has 0.1g precision, is water resistant + has a removable silicone cover, a built-in timer, and a bunch of fancy auto-tare/time modes if that's your thing. I definitely wanted a built-in timer as using my phone stopwatch or whatever sounded like kind of a pain over a 5+ year period. Others might feel differently, and some choose not to time at all, but I'm a believer.

Like I said I'm only a week in so I can't really comment on longevity. However I am extremely happy with it and can't imagine I'll feel the need to upgrade to a Lunar anytime soon if ever.

Jennings - $27 :: 4000g x 0.5g

Hario - $42 :: 2000g x 0.1g + timer

Brewista - $88 :: 2000g x 0.1 + timer

*I have the Hario and I like it. The time it takes to register weight is a little slow, but I don't care. Also I've spilt water on it (not more than 1/5 cup, and some ended up below it, near the battery) and I immediately clean/wipe and have had no water damage

Edit: Links & Notes

Top pick: Brewista Smart Scale II

Budget pick: AWS SC-2KGA Digital

The Brewista includes quality of life features for coffee brewing including several auto modes (though I just use manual), a silicone drip mat, and an integrated count-up timer. It also has a faster responding load-sensor which means it will register and then update mass changes quicker on the display, making it less likely that you will overshoot your water mass targets when brewing pour-over. (You place your entire brew setup on the scale, and measure your water simultaneous with brewing.)

I have the first-gen scale which lacks the silicone drip mat and the rechargeable battery...and was also about $20 cheaper than the gen2 scale. Fortunately it has very long battery life and I can use rechargeable AAAs with it! I love the thing to death; definitely part of my essential coffee brewing kit along with my Kalita 155 pour-over, my Lido E-T manual burr grinder, and my gooseneck pouring kettle.

What's your budget? That's going to make a difference in what gets recommended. If you can only spend $100 vs $500 there are going to be some compromises that you'll have to make, especially when it comes to the grinder.

Scale:

• This basic scale does not include a timer, but you could just use your phone or something https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004C3CAB8
  
  
• This scale comes with a timer and some advanced features https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3U7RKH
  
  
• The Acaia scales are the top-notch pro-level deal which don't really add much compared to the Brewista scale, but people like them. https://www.amazon.com/s/ie=UTF8&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Acaia
  
  Burr Grinder:
  
  
• Most basic hand grinder that will give you the least amount of problems for the price: https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Skerton-Coffee-Grinder-Black/dp/B01MXJI90S
  
  
• Jump on up to the AerGrind, Feld2, Lido, Helor 101, Kinu M47, Commandante... these hand grinders are top-notch and a great value, giving the best quality grind until you hit the $500-600 price.
  
  
• If you want to go electric, don't get anything less than the Encore which you can get refurb for $100. It won't be as good of a grind as the better hand grinders, but it's a great grinder for the price.
  
  Pour over cone:
  
  
• I really can't recommend anything other than the V60. I don't see an advantage to the Wave or Chemex. They all make the same quality level of coffee, but the Wave filters can be annoying, the Chemex filters are extra thick and you may not care for it, and both Wave and Chemex are more expensive. Get the $5 plastic V60-02 and some white filters for $10 and you're set. Or you can get a fancier glass or metal one if you want. Get a server/carafe if you plan on making that much coffee but it can just sit on a mug. If you want to try the Chemex filters, they fit in the V60-02 or V60-03. If you want to try cloth or metal filters, there are options that fit in the V60's.
  
  Gooseneck Kettle
  
  
• Bonavita Variable Temp is perfectly fine but not amazing quality; mine has lasted a couple years just fine but I can't use my well water in it because it rusts it due to high sodium levels... also it tends to heat the water too much if I don't have at least a pint in it (I often don't). It's not too annoying though, just be aware it's not perfect but is good for the price https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-BV382510V-Variable-Temperature-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40
  
  
• The Oxo kettle would be the competitor at that price, which I haven't used but it's worth looking at reviews for it https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Adjustable-Temperature-Electric-Pour-Over/dp/B074KHPS7F/
  
  
• For a cheaper kettle option you'd have to go stovetop. Hario Buono is a good one for that.
  
  
• A desirable kettle if you can afford it is the Fellow Stagg EKG.
  
  
  Prioritize the grinder and make that the most expensive part of your setup. You can easily deal with a $10 scale, $5 pour over cone, $35 kettle, but a grinder that is $25 vs $50 vs $150 will make a huge difference in not just the taste quality of your coffee but the more expensive grinders will also reduce your frustration level by giving you less fines and more even grinds so it will be easier to hit the brew times, taste notes, and reduce the bitterness.

Brewista is also a solid choice https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3U7RKH/

I'm pretty set scale wise (Bonavita -- very happy) but this scale looks great. New one coming out in a few months too.

BrewGlobal Brewista Smart Scale II (BSSRB2)

I think it might be this one - https://www.amazon.com/BrewGlobal-Brewista-Smart-Scale-BSSRB2/dp/B01N3U7RKH/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491944985&sr=8-1

I like that it's covered in silicone to waterproof it! But that's expensive. :(
(I guess it's at the cafe he works at, not his)...

OP, what do you think of the scale?

This one is perfectly small enough (I have it), just wait for it to be on sale so you can nab it aorund 70 :) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brewista-BSSRB2-Smart-Scale-II/dp/B01N3U7RKH