Contents
Quick verdict
The Basic 2 is an all-round coffee scale: 2 kg capacity, 0.1 g resolution, an auto-timer, a flow-rate display and USB-C charging. In Tom's Guide's comparison against five scales, its readings matched within 0.1 g. The reviewer found the touch buttons easy to trigger by accident and the flow rate changing too fast to be useful. At 5.9 in square, it suits pour-over and larger drip trays, not the smallest espresso machines.
Buy it if
- You want one scale for pour-over and espresso with a timer.
- USB-C charging matters to you.
Skip it if
- Your espresso machine's drip tray is small; see the Nano.
- You need a stated water-resistance rating.
- Best for
- Pour-over and espresso on a general coffee scale with a timer.
- Main compromise
- Tom's Guide found touch buttons easy to trigger and the flow readout hard to use.
- Capacity
- 2 kg
- Resolution
- 0.1 g; within 0.1 g of reference in Tom's Guide comparison
- Timer
- Auto timer and flow-rate display
Specifications
| Spec | Detail and source |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 2 kgIndependent test: Tom's Guide |
| Resolution | 0.1 g; within 0.1 g of reference in Tom's Guide comparisonIndependent test: Tom's Guide |
| Timer | Auto timer and flow-rate displayIndependent test: Tom's Guide |
| Power | USB-C rechargeableIndependent test: Tom's Guide |
| Water resistance | No IP rating stated (Tom's Guide)Independent test: Tom's Guide |
| Dimensions | 5.9 × 5.9 × 1.5 inIndependent test: Tom's Guide |
What independent testing found
Erin Bashford's Tom's Guide review (November 22, 2024) compared weight readings with five other scales (Tom's Guide). The Timemore matched them, apart from one 0.1 g difference (14.9 g against an expected 15 g). She also brewed pour-over on it. Her criticisms were over-sensitive touch controls that caused accidental tares, a flow-rate readout she couldn't follow in real time, and no IP rating to back up claims about water resistance.
Strengths and limitations
What stands out
- Consistent readings in Tom's Guide's comparison.
- Auto-timer and USB-C.
Limitations
- Sensitive touch buttons.
- Flow-rate readout hard to use, per Tom's Guide.
- No IP rating.
Will it fit?
Our recommendation
I'd recommend the Basic 2 as a general coffee scale for pour-over and roomy espresso setups.
Amazon listing: Black Mirror Basic 2 (TM0056)
Sources
- Timemore Black Mirror Basic 2 review — Tom's Guide. Independent review. Erin Bashford, 2024-11-22. Accessed September 26, 2026.