Coffee scales for espresso: Acaia Lunar vs Timemore vs Felicita

This guide is the head-to-head of espresso scales available on the Australian market, covering everything from $30 phone-replacement scales through to the $400 Acaia Lunar. The article opens by explaining why scales matter for espresso (the dose-in and yield-out measurements are what separate consistent espresso from espresso lottery) and what features actually matter — auto-tare, auto-timer, response speed, drip-tray fit, water resistance. The comparison covers Brewista and MHW at the budget end (~$50), Felicita and Timemore Black Mirror in the mid tier (~$120-180 — the sweet spot for most home users), the Acaia Lunar at $400+ (the genuine premium choice with the best auto-tare and the iOS integration that some users genuinely use), and the Acaia Pyxis as the slightly smaller premium option. The guide also covers the new Subminimal Subscale — a digital dosing cup with built-in scale and a hidden LED display that's specifically designed for the grind workflow rather than the shot workflow, and which won SCA Best New Product 2025. Verdict: the Felicita or Timemore Black Mirror at $120-180 is the right purchase for most home users, with the Acaia Lunar making sense for enthusiasts who'll genuinely use the timer and app features. Cross-sells cover all the named scales plus the Subminimal range.