It has been almost 2 years since I first began exploring pour-over coffee. Over that time, I have replaced very little equipment; one exception was my coffee scale.
For a scale, I value simplicity and practicality. I do not need an app or extensive data reports. When I brew each day, I do not want the whole process to become complicated; I simply want to make good coffee and enjoy every cup. I do not want each brew to feel like a laboratory experiment with constant measurements and reports. Unless I am working to improve a technique or preparing for a competition, too much data only adds pressure after a good cup is already brewed. The next coffee may be the last one you ever make for yourself.
Coffee scales with apps: are they really necessary?
Rather than relying on reports from different apps, I pay closer attention to what is happening during the brew: how the grounds are distributed, the size of the dripper, and how the first pour from the kettle disturbs the coffee bed and changes water distribution. What you see may be the most useful report. I believe few things leave a deeper impression than seeing the process yourself.
Are these app functions unnecessary, or simply part of a retailer's marketing? I remain unconvinced.
So when friends ask whether I would switch to more advanced equipment or use another app to share results, I think... I still prefer the simple, direct tools I already have.
Fellow Tally Pro brew-ratio function: why it is my favourite feature
Now, back to the subject. Let me begin with the conclusion: after roughly two months of use, if you do not need specialised analysis reports, I would recommend this scale for the following reasons.
Since buying the scale, the feature that interests me most has been its brew-ratio mode. After grinding coffee, anyone as particular as I am may try to dose exactly 20 grams. Yet retention can leave an output such as 19.6 grams. Retention varies between grinders and can sometimes amount to 1–3 grams, which can already upset the planned ratio and change the final result. I doubt most people calculate the ratio again during every pour-over, so displaying it directly while brewing is genuinely useful.
If you always aim for your idea of a “perfect coffee”, you will probably want to calculate the ideal coffee-to-water ratio every time. For detail-oriented users like me, this function is particularly useful.
Laboratory-grade accuracy: is this scale fast, responsive and precise?
Because I also work with ceramics, I bought a laboratory-style scale before becoming serious about coffee. It responded slowly, but measured weight to five decimal places. It remains the most accurate scale I have used, based on tests with calibration weights. I once compared three or four scales in an Instagram post; among coffee scales, I found this one the fastest to display, the most precise and the most sensitive.
What do those three strengths mean in practice? During pulse pouring or when ending a pour, the reading can appear accurately within a second, almost like the response expected by an esports player. It gives you time to anticipate whether to stop or continue pouring. In my experience, it achieves that goal. The performance surprised me, and it is one reason this scale appears in so many of my posts and Stories.
Three drawbacks of the Fellow Tally Pro
We have covered the strengths, so it is time to discuss the drawbacks. There are relatively few, and each has a possible workaround; some may simply be minor complaints.
First, why does a scale costing more than a thousand dollars not include a non-slip mat? A glass server has little friction, and a freshly washed one could slide when placed on the scale. A non-slip mat would make me feel more secure.
Second, friends have asked whether the brew ratio can be adjusted for pulse pouring. I have not found this function. Since the scale has a Type-C port, perhaps an update could add it, but we will need to wait for an official announcement.
Third, the question I receive most often is whether it fits under an espresso machine, or whether its size could interfere with the display. With a machine such as the Flair 58, the scale dimensions may be difficult to accommodate. A somewhat larger machine like mine should work, provided that water is not allowed to drip inside the scale. I cannot think of any other major drawbacks for now.
A durable coffee scale for home use
The product positioning is already clear in the advertising, so I will not repeat it. For deeper technical detail, I recommend consulting other Instagram or YouTube reviews.
From a purely domestic perspective, this scale has made a strong impression and should remain useful for years. I would only upgrade if a genuinely innovative function appeared; I may not even want an app. Within its category, this could be one of the best coffee scales released in recent years.
The display is also excellent. I do not want a new product released in 2023 to keep using an old-style pixel display. Automatic weight sensing and automatic timing also make the scale very convenient in daily use.
Two-month summary of the Fellow Tally Pro coffee scale
After nearly two years of pour-over experience, I have come to prefer coffee equipment that is simple and practical. The Fellow Tally Pro suits that preference. Although many coffee scales now come with app functions, direct observation and feel matter more to me during brewing. Its brew-ratio function is the most compelling feature for anyone seeking precise proportions, while its fast response, accuracy and sensitivity are further strengths.
There are minor drawbacks: no non-slip mat, no visible pulse-pour ratio adjustment, and possible fit issues beneath certain espresso machines. Overall, however, it is a durable, high-performing choice for home use, with an excellent display and useful automatic functions.
PS: Based on currently available information, it does not include Wi-Fi or app functions.
Fellow Tally Pro product information:
Fellow Tally Pro highlights
- Exceptional accuracy and response speed
- Brew Assist™ mode
- Weight and timer functions
- Illuminated OLED display
Top-tier precision Accurate to 0.1 grams, with rapid response. Tally offers outstanding speed and precision, settles quickly, and counts every drop in your pour-over.
Distinctive Brew Assist™ mode Choose your preferred coffee-to-water ratio and Tally's distinctive Brew Assist™ mode guides you towards the target. Two additional modes provide further versatility.
A considered approach to scale design Tally is built from high-quality studio-grade materials, with a glass base, clear OLED display and satisfying metal controls. There is no awkward silicone mat and no complicated touchscreen.
Three Fellow Tally Pro modes
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Brew Assist™ mode: Choose your coffee-to-water ratio and this original mode guides you to the target brew weight.
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Timer mode: Designed for experienced brewers, this mode displays elapsed time and weight together, supporting an uninterrupted brew.
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Weight mode: Beyond coffee, this mode measures small objects in grams, ounces, pounds and millilitres.
Fellow Tally Pro detailed specifications
- Dimensions (L × W × H): 177 mm × 150 mm × 33 mm
- Weight: 553.5 g
- Maximum capacity: 2,500 g
- Readability: 0.1 g
- Units: grams, ounces, pounds, millilitres
- Cable length: 1 m
- Power: 5 V, 1 A, USB-C compatible, rechargeable lithium-ion battery
- Materials: silicone, glass, metal paddle, anodised aluminium, plastic
- Warning: CA Prop 65
Care and use
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Charging: Tally's rechargeable battery is designed for 13 hours of continuous use. For a typical user, that means charging once every 1–2 months. When the battery is low, Tally flashes the remaining charge during power-on or power-off. Tally includes a USB-C to USB-A cable compatible with a standard USB-A charging block. A full charge takes 1–2 hours.
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Cleaning: Clean with a damp, non-abrasive cloth or sponge and mild detergent or warm water. For deeper cleaning, remove the weighing pan and wipe beneath it. Do not place any part of the scale in a dishwasher or immerse it in water or another liquid. Tally Pro is water-resistant, not waterproof.
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Transport: To travel with Tally, twist off the weighing pan, replace the spacers supplied in the original packaging, reinstall the pan, and carefully return the scale to its box. The spacers are essential for transport, so do not discard them.
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Use: Tally's maximum load is 2,500 g or 5.5 lbs. Exceeding it may damage the device.
Fellow Tally Pro recommended retail price:HK$1,590.00
