Acaia Lunar vs Timemore Black Mirror Nano Scale

Both read to 0.1 g and fit under a portafilter. The Acaia Lunar is the community standard, with the fastest response and Bluetooth shot logging, for baristas who track every dial-in. The Timemore Black Mirror Nano costs under a third as much and is the most recommended first scale, accurate but slightly slower at shot end with no logging.

At a glance

Spec	Acaia Lunar Scale Check price on Amazon	Timemore Black Mirror Nano Scale Check price on Amazon
Price	$210–$230	$50–$70
Our rating	4.8 / 5	4.5 / 5
Best for	Intermediate to advanced home baristas who track shots seriously and want the scale the professional community uses.	Beginners and budget-conscious baristas who want accurate weight-based pulling without the Acaia price tag.
Response speed	Sub-0.5 second	Slightly slower at shot end
Shot logging	Bluetooth app logging	None, manual tracking
Charging	Proprietary charger	Built-in timer, no app

The two options in depth

4.8 Amazon

Acaia Lunar Scale

The community standard for espresso scales. 0.1 g resolution, sub-0.5 second response time, integrated shot timer, Bluetooth logging, and a low-profile design that fits under a double spout portafilter.

Best for Intermediate to advanced home baristas who track shots seriously and want the scale the professional community uses.

0.1 g resolution with fast enough response to track a live shot in real timeLow profile fits under most portafilters without hitting the drip tray wallBluetooth app logs every shot for tracking your dial-in progress Premium price is hard to justify when first starting out

$210–$230 Check price on Amazon

4.5 Amazon

Timemore Black Mirror Nano Scale

A 0.1 g espresso scale that fits under a portafilter, responds quickly enough for live shot tracking, and costs less than a third of the Acaia Lunar. The community-recommended budget path.

Best for Beginners and budget-conscious baristas who want accurate weight-based pulling without the Acaia price tag.

0.1 g resolution at a fraction of the Acaia priceLow enough profile to fit under a standard portafilterBuilt-in timer with a flow rate display on the Nano Plus version Response time is slightly slower than the Acaia Lunar, noticeable at shot end

$50–$70 Check price on Amazon

Which should you buy?

Buy the Timemore Black Mirror Nano if you are starting out or budget-conscious. It reads to 0.1 g, fits under a portafilter, and the accuracy-to-price ratio is genuinely strong; the slower response only shows at the very end of the shot. Buy the Acaia Lunar if you track shots seriously and want the fastest response plus Bluetooth logging to follow your dial-in over time. The Lunar is the professional standard, but the Nano covers the fundamentals for a fraction of the price.

Common questions

Is the Acaia Lunar worth more than triple the Nano's price?

Only if you track shots seriously. The Lunar adds a faster response and Bluetooth logging that records every shot for your dial-in. If you just want accurate weight-based pulling, the Nano delivers the same 0.1 g resolution for far less.

Does the slower response on the Nano matter?

Mostly at the very end of the shot, where the reading lags slightly behind the live pour. For dosing in and watching yield it is fine. If you stop shots by chasing a precise yield to the gram, the Lunar's faster response helps.

Will both fit under my portafilter?

Both have a low enough profile to sit under most portafilters without hitting the drip tray wall. On machines with very tight clearance, measure first, since clearance varies by machine rather than by scale alone.