Normcore Pocket Coffee Scale V3 Review: A Better Alternative to the Acaia Lunar?
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It’s not often a piece of coffee equipment impresses me. Like really impresses me. But the Normcore Pocket Coffee Scale V3 does. If you’re looking for a scale upgrade or just hunting for one that won’t be a waste of money, this is it — especially at its $60 price point.
I’d even recommend it for coffee carts and cafes based on its feature set.
Let’s break it down. And be sure to watch the video near the end.
Normcore Pocket Coffee Scale V3: Features and Benefits
Build Quality
Anodized aluminum makes this scale durable, lightweight, and sleek. No plastic here—it feels premium.
Size
At just under 4” x 4” and about 0.75” thick, it works for both espresso and most pour-over setups.
Battery
USB-C rechargeable battery that, according to Normcore, lasts multiple days on a single charge. It doesn’t come with a wall adapter, but you do get a USB-A to USB-C cable.
User Interface
The Pocket V3 is responsive, with no lag when weighing. Using the scale is intuitive and straightforward.
LED Display
Crisp, bright, and easy to read—especially appreciated on quiet pre-dawn mornings when making a pour-over.
Modes
This scale offers four modes:
Manual Mode
Espresso Auto-Time Mode
Pour-Over Auto-Time Mode
Pour-Over Brew Ratio Mode
Personally, I don’t use the pour-over modes, but you might. The manual and espresso modes are excellent.
Espresso mode is great for carts and cafes. It auto-tares when you place the cup, starts the timer when the first drip hits, and stops when extraction ends.
Switching modes is easy with the back dial—a charming little feature.
Silent Mode
Holding the power button enables silent mode, eliminating beeps. Useful if you have sleeping housemates—or if you just hate beeps (I don’t, for the record).
Carrying Case
It comes with a zippered carrying case, making it ideal for espresso carts and travel.
Silicone Pad
Like many other scales, it includes a silicone pad to shield against spills. Looks good, too.
One Drawback
If you’re using a double-spouted portafilter, you’ll need to flip the silicone pad over. It doesn’t sit quite right—at least not with my La Marzocco portafilter. Works fine, just a little awkward.
No issues with bottomless portafilters or dosing cups.
Better Than the Acaia Lunar?
For the price, yes. The Pocket V3 costs nearly $200 less than the Acaia Lunar. You don’t get flow rate tracking or a Bluetooth-connected app, but everything else is here—wrapped in a gorgeously designed package.
Final Verdict
I give the Normcore Pocket Coffee Scale V3 a 96 out of 100. If they fix the silicone pad issue with double-spouted portafilters, it’d be a perfect 100.
Regardless, for the money, it’s well worth it.
Until next time… Peace.
Buy the Normcore Pocket Coffee Scale V3
Looking for something a little cheaper but still good? Like less than $40. Check out the MHW-3Bomber Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 Mini review I wrote.
