Hario Polaris Coffee Scale Review

We recently got our hands on the Hario Polaris Coffee Scale, and I’ve been putting it through its paces to see if it lives up to the hype. If you’ve been eyeing this scale and wondering if it’s worth the investment, this review will cover everything from my personal experience, discussing the Polaris's standout features, and potential drawbacks.

First Impressions

Straight out of the box, the Hario Polaris scale is sleek and compact. Its minimalist design is in line with what you’d expect from Hario: clean, functional, and stylish without any unnecessary frills.
The overall build quality feels solid despite being made from lightweight plastic materials like ABS resin and acrylic. It’s portable enough to brew with behind the bar at a cafe and sturdy enough to hold up to daily home brewing.

One of the first things I noticed is the intuitive layout. The buttons are responsive, and the display is clear and easy to read. If you’ve used Hario’s scales before, it won't feel too foreign.

Key Features and Performance

Automatic Water Calculation

One of the biggest selling points of the Polaris is its ability to automatically calculate the amount of water needed based on your selected brew ratio. This feature is particularly useful for those who struggle with dialling in precise recipes or want to remove some of the manual guesswork from brewing.
I found this feature especially handy for pour over brewing when trying to maintain consistency between brews or dialling in a new coffee.

Percentage Display for Precision Brewing

Another unique feature is the percentage display, which visually tracks how much water you’ve poured in relation to your target. This feature is incredibly useful for recipe replication. I’ve used this feature to fine tune my brews, and it helps ensure you don’t overshoot or undershoot your target brew weight. If you’re used to manually keeping an eye on your pour, this could be a game changer for you.

User-Friendly Interface

Hario keeps things simple with a minimalistic interface. The buttons are flush with the surface, and the scale responds quickly to inputs.
There’s no complicated setup, Just power it on, and you’re ready to go. However, one thing to keep in mind is that the scale runs on 3x AA batteries rather than being USB rechargeable, which might be a downside for some users.

Accuracy and Responsiveness

With a measurement range of 0.1g to 2000g, the Polaris is precise enough for espresso dosing and robust enough for larger pour-over brews. I tested it against my other coffee scales, and the accuracy was spot on, even for micro-adjustments in dosing. However, the 9-minute, 59-second max timer might be a limitation for those who prefer longer brewing sessions.

Timemore Polaris Vs Other Coffee Scales:

Should You Upgrade to the Hario Polaris If You Already Own a Coffee Scale?

If you already own a coffee scale, the big question is: Is the Hario Polaris a worthwhile upgrade? The answer depends on what you're looking for in a scale and what you currently own.

Consider Upgrading If:

✅ You struggle with manual water-to-coffee ratio calculations – The Polaris' automatic water calculation simplifies brewing by telling you exactly how much water to pour. This feature is rare in coffee scales.
✅ You want a more precise brewing experience – The percentage display helps with consistency and fine-tuning your pour-over technique. If your current scale lacks precision tools like this, the Polaris could be a valuable upgrade.
✅ You want something compact and easy to use – The Polaris is lightweight, has a clear and responsive display, and doesn’t require app integration like some high-end scales.

You May Not Need to Upgrade If:

❌ You already own a premium coffee scale like the Acaia Pearl – If your scale is high-end and has features like USB charging, fast refresh rates, and built-in brewing modes, you might not gain much from switching.
❌ You prefer rechargeable devices – The Polaris runs on 3x AA batteries, which might be inconvenient for those who prefer USB-C rechargeable scales like the Timemore Black Mirror scale or Acaia Pearl.
❌ You primarily brew espresso – While the Polaris is accurate, it may not be as fast at refreshing weight changes as dedicated espresso scales.

Who Is the Hario Polaris Coffee Scale For?

Perfect for:

• Home brewers who want an easy-to-use scale with smart features.
• Those looking for consistent and repeatable pour-over brewing.
• Anyone who struggles with water-to-coffee ratio calculations and wants a built-in guide.

Not Ideal for:

• People who prefer USB-rechargeable scales (since this one requires AA batteries).
• Those who regularly brew longer than 9 minutes and 59 seconds.
• Baristas who need ultra-fast refresh rates for espresso extractions (though it’s still accurate enough for manual brewing).

Final Verdict

The Hario Polaris Coffee Scale brings something fresh to the table with its automatic water calculation and percentage display. These features genuinely help with brewing consistency and make it easier to follow recipes with precision. While the lack of a rechargeable battery and the timer limit might be drawbacks for some, the scale overall is a solid investment for pour over enthusiasts who want more accuracy in their brewing.

If you’re in the market for a coffee scale that removes guesswork and simplifies your workflow, the Hario Polaris is well worth considering.