The MHW-3BOMBER Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 is one of the best coffee scales if you’re trying to cut down on costs. While it functions perfectly well, its sole “unique” feature doesn’t make my life as easy as it claims to.
Let me explain. The Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 has a “Smart Mode”, which is supposed to automatically time your brew and then present you with a ratio and some brewing stats when your coffee is done. However, I never found myself using this feature as it’s a little counterintuitive.
Still, the Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 performs as you’d expect for a coffee scale: it weighs, it times, it tares, it… well, that’s it. For just $39, it’s also one of the best-value scales I’ve reviewed to date. Find out the full story in this MHW-3BOMBER Cube Coffee Scale review.
MHW-3BOMBER Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 review: Cheat sheet
- Who is it for? It’s a basic coffee scale, perfect for the everyday barista
- What does it cost? $39 / £39
- What does it do well? It does everything you’d expect a coffee scale to do
- What do we wish it did better? It’s not a major misfire, but I wish the “Smart Mode” was, well, smarter
MHW-3BOMBER Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 review: Specs
Price |
|
Weight |
11.5 ounces |
Dimensions |
4.9 x 4.9 x 0.9 inches |
Max weight |
0.3g |
Min weight |
2000g |
Accuracy |
0.1g |
Materials |
Aluminum alloy, stainless steel, ABS, silicone |
Color |
Black, white |
Battery |
USB-C rechargeable |
Bluetooth |
No |
Standby time |
30 minutes |
Waterproof |
Dial surface, yes |
Timer |
Yes |
Accessories |
Heatproof mat |
MHW-3BOMBER Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 review: Price & availability
The MHW-3BOMBER Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 is $39 from Amazon U.S. and £39 from Amazon U.K.. This is one of the most affordable coffee scales I’ve ever tested — other models start at around $50. Yes, for a glorified digital scale. The coffee world is a landmine of overpriced accessories, I know.
As it’s got a deliciously low price, I’d recommend this scale over premium alternatives. Although the Fellow Tally Pro, Felicita Arc, and Acaia Pearl S are lovely scales, each possessing a huge variety of functions, you just don’t need to spend over $100 on a coffee scale when they all do essentially the same thing.
The Cube Coffee Scale has a plethora of functions: Smart Mode that automatically measures flow rate, a bright, responsive LED display, a long battery life. The only thing you’re missing from the Acaia models is “teaching” mode (where the scale walks you through how to brew different methods) and the Felicita and Acaia Lunar’s Bluetooth phone app compatibility.
But be honest — do you ever want to use those features? I use a coffee scale every single day, and never do. I think $39 for a coffee scale of this caliber is very, very reasonable.
MHW-3BOMBER Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 review: Design & functions
The MHW-3BOMBER Cube Coffee Scale is considerably larger than espresso-focused scales like the Wacaco Exagram Pro, Maestri House Mini Coffee Scale, and Acaia Lunar. I’d say this is sized more like a pour-over scale: think the Timemore Black Mirror Basic 2, Hario V60 Drip Scale, or Fellow Tally Pro.
At 5 x 5 inches, the Cube Coffee Scale fits a Hario V60, Kalita Wave, and Chemex 6-cup perfectly. It also slots onto espresso machine drip trays with a mug on top. I never struggled to read the LED screen during use.
The dial surface is pretty much identical to that of the Timemore Black Mirror Basic 2’s: it doesn’t have any physical buttons and instead uses touch controls. These controls are very responsive — almost too responsive in parts — and easy to learn.
There is one button on the side: the power slider, which is what you use to turn on the scale. Not the power button on the bottom right of the dial surface. A little confusing, but once you’re used to it, it’s no problem.
The "T" button controls the measurement unit (grams or ounces) and the timer. The power button controls power, obviously, and also toggles Smart Mode on and off. I’ll talk about Smart Mode thoroughly in the ‘Performance’ section below, but it’s basically an automatic timer.
There’s one more great feature: a “Gravity Sensor”. This is designed to turn on the scale when it recognizes a portafilter, and it’s so intelligent that it actually doesn’t switch on when you place anything other than a portafilter. I tried it out with a huge array of random stuff: my water bottle, my phone, an empty mug, a full mug, a bowl full of coffee beans. The scale only switched on for the portafilter, which is pretty cool.
MHW-3BOMBER Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 review: Performance
As with all the scales I test, I put the MHW-3BOMBER Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 through a series of accuracy tests. I weighed out a set amount of coffee and then measured the weight on three different coffee scales. Here are my results. Everything is in grams, as that’s the conventional unit of measurement for coffee, even in the U.S..
Scale |
Test 1 |
Test 2 |
Test 3 |
Test 4 |
Test 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MHW-3BOMBER Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 |
114.3 |
62.1 |
15.0 |
265.5 |
459.1 |
Wacaco Exagram Pro |
114.3 |
62.0 |
15.0 |
265.4 |
459.0 |
Timemore Black Mirror Basic 2 |
114.4 |
62.7 |
15.1 |
265.4 |
459.0 |
As you can see, the Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 performed fantastically. Every measurement is either identical to another scale or within 0.1g. This proves that the Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 weighs reliably.
Now I’ll discuss using the Cube Coffee Scale in real-world brewing. First, I’ll discuss pour-over, then I’ll discuss espresso.
I tested the Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 with Hario V60 and a 6-cup Chemex. As I mentioned in the ‘Design’ section above, the scale is 5 x 5 inches, which makes it ideal for pour-over. I was able to fit a mug on top with ample room to adjust brewing modes.
I also used the Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 with my 6-cup Chemex. The Chemex fit perfectly on the dial surface and I could still access all the buttons. The weight increases gradually rather than in sporadic jumps, which means you can track the weight accurately during brewing.
I used the normal mode for my Chemex, and then “Smart Mode” for my Hario V60 testing. Smart Mode is… interesting.
I can’t lie — I was intrigued by Smart Mode: it basically automatically detects water, starts timing, and then shows you total coffee weight and your ratio after brewing. However, in practice, it was a little counterintuitive.
For starters, after entering Smart Mode, you then have to press "T" to start Smart Mode. If you don’t press "T", the scale won’t automatically detect water flowing, even though you’re in Smart Mode. Confusing, right? I wasted a few pour-overs while trying to figure this out.
I found it really bizarre that you have to press "T" to activate Smart Mode… even after activating Smart Mode with the power button. In normal use, the "T" button just corresponds to the timer, so it’s a little perplexing that this isn’t the case when you’re in "Smart Mode".
Anyway, after you finish brewing, the scale will present you with some stats: coffee:liquid ratio and then coffee weight. I did really like having this functionality, but it could do with some tweaks to make it more user-friendly.
The aforementioned ratio and coffee weight flashes on and off the screen for a few seconds, then vanishes forevermore. This was really annoying, as you have to remember to be quick and memorize the stats before they disappear. As a result, I found using normal mode and manually working out ratio much easier than relying on Smart Mode.
So, to surmise: Yes, Smart Mode works, but I found it hindered my flow more than helped me. This might be different for you, however, as functions are a personal preference. I’m more of a DIY/back-to-basics barista myself.
When I was using normal mode, I had a much easier time. The scale works just as you’d expect a decent coffee scale to: You place your mug, brewer, filter, and coffee, then tare. Then, you add ⅓ of your water, bloom, and let it seep through before topping up with more water.
As the dial surface is waterproof, I didn’t mind when I accidentally spilled a few drops of water on the scale. I’ve tested other similarly priced scales with no waterproofing (Maestri House Mini Scale) so this is a relief.
I was a little apprehensive about using the Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 with my Breville Bambino Plus, as I doubted that the 5 x 5 inch surface would fit nicely onto the drip tray.
However, the Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 slotted onto the drip tray even with the portafilter and mug on top. There was even enough room for my hand in between the mug and the portafilter. You probably won’t be able to fit the Cube and a mug under the portafilter of machines with oversized drip trays like the Diletta Mio — usually the machine’s fault, of course, but a lower-profile scale like the Felicita Arc will be your best bet if shot space is at a premium.
For use with my espresso machine, I kept the Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 on normal mode. It was beyond easy to use: I simply pressed "T" when I started pre-infusion and then stopped the timer once the espresso weight reached 36g.
Using the Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 is incredibly straightforward, reliable, and stress-free. It’s comparable to my $49 Wacaco Exagram Pro, or the $110 Felicita Arc (without the unnecessary app function). This scale will definitely level up your home coffee routine — just don’t bother with the Smart Mode.
MHW-3BOMBER Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 review: Storage & maintenance
The MHW-3BOMBER Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 is USB-C rechargeable and uses a 1500mAh battery. MHW-3BOMBER says the scale should last around 24 hours, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but if you’re using the scale for around five minutes a day, I’d expect this to last me almost 300 days.
MHW-3BOMBER offers a 1-year warranty, which is considerably lower than premium manufacturer Fellow’s 3-year warranty, but the same as Maestri House and Timemore.
In terms of storage, if you’ve got a small space, you’re in luck. The Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 is just 5 x 5 inches, so will slot nicely into your kitchen cupboards or drawers. I kept mine in my coffee counter drawer between uses, and it fit perfectly.
MHW-3BOMBER Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 review: How does it compare?
As far as affordable coffee scales go, the MHW-3BOMBER Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 is up there with the best of the best. Very few scales are priced below $40 (I know, it’s actually shocking), so the Cube gets an instant thumbs up from me due to its low cost.
Obviously it doesn’t have as many functions as a more premium scale, but I rarely find myself reaching for these premium functions. I never use my Wacaco Exagram Pro on any mode other than ‘Normal’ and I only really explored the Bluetooth features in the Acaia scales because I was curious. Once I’d used these connectivity features a few times, I seldom used them again.
The Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 is more basic than your Acaias or your Felicitas, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I actually feel like coffee scales should be basic — especially if you’re a beginner — and the MHW-3BOMBER model fills that need perfectly.
The only reason I’d recommend the Maestri House Mini over the MHW-3BOMBER version is if your espresso machine has a particularly minute drip tray. Always measure your drip tray before purchasing a scale, lest you accidentally buy an accessory that doesn’t fit.
MHW-3BOMBER Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 review: Verdict
The MHW-3BOMBER Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 is one of the most affordable coffee scales I’ve ever used. It’s incredible value: you get access to premium features like a gravity sensor for portafilters and an automatic ratio calculator for less than half the price of Felicita and Acaia scales.
True, I found “Smart Mode” a little counterintuitive, but that could be a personal thing. If you hate the idea of manually calculating your ratio and flow rate, then it could be ideal for your brewing. At the end of the day, the Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 does everything you’d expect a $39 coffee scale to do: weighs, times, and has a couple of features as the cherry on top.
Unless you’re in the market for a smaller scale — in which case, I’d recommend the Wacaco Exagram Pro — then MHW-3BOMBER Cube Coffee Scale 2.0 is the perfect beginner-friendly coffee scale.
