Fellow make some of our favorite coffee brewing equipment. From the fantastic Ode grinder for filter coffee to the Stagg gooseneck kettle, their gear is the perfect blend of style and substance.
As a result, we were excited to get our hands on the Fellow Tally coffee scale. The Tally is not only visually appealing but also boasts some functional innovations. In this article we’ll give our insights after testing it for several months. We will examine its design and build quality, price comparison, commercial use, and cleaning.
Most importantly, we’ll let you know whether this coffee scale is worth the money.
Summary: The Fellow Tally Scales
- Designed with a glass top and metal platter, clearly superior to plastic competitors.
- Positioned as a top-tier product, reflecting its superior build quality.
- Brew Assist mode sets industry standard for guided, precise brewing.
- Offers best-in-class response time with a 70-millisecond OLED display.
- The definitive choice for quality, aesthetics, and innovative functionality in coffee scales.
Design and Build Quality
The Tally follows the same finishing standard as the new studio line of Stag EKG kettles, with a glass top surface and a metal weighing platter. Although the dials on the Tally feel wobbly and cheap, the fit and finish of the Tally is still head and shoulders above the 100% plastic build of it’s main competitor the Acaia Pearl. The Tally is designed for commercial use, so you can expect the internal parts to match the same quality as the outside.
Price Comparison
The Tally is a premium product and is one of the most expensive coffee scales on the market. It is more expensive than the Acaia Pearl, but it is also more solid and has a better build quality. Although some might prefer the Pearl’s simple looks, the Tally is undoubtedly the more premium option.
But how much does the Fellow Tally cost? The current price on Amazon is $185.00.
Commercial Use
The Tally is suited to both home and commercial settings. It has a maximum capacity of 2.5 kilograms, making it suitable for larger batches. The Tally’s Brew assist mode is one of the best assisted brewing integrations, as it unobtrusively walks you through your normal brewing workflow while allowing you to use exact brewing ratios.
Cleaning
The Tally has more little nooks and crannies for dust and debris to collect in, making it harder to clean. This was our main gripe when using the scales. When we tested the Acaia Pearl, it was clean after just one wipe across the surface. Although it may seem like a small thing, it is something to consider if you dislike cleaning.
User Experience
When it comes to using the Fellow Tally and Acaia Pearl scales, their functionalities are largely the same, with each having one or two smart features. Both scales are USBC chargeable, both have an accuracy of 0.1 grams, and both have simple weight and weight plus timed modes. Neither is suitable for espresso use due to their sheer size and the lack of water sealing. The maximum capacity is slightly higher on the Tally at 2.5 kilograms versus the 2 kilograms on the Pearl.
Functionalities
Modes on the Tally are selected using a dedicated mode button, which cycles between weight only, weight plus time, and the smart Brew assist mode, which gives Tally its mathematically themed name.
Modes
When in brew assist mode, the Fellow Tally will automatically convert the detected weight into the required water volume based on the brew ratio you select using the dial. Once you have your dose in the brewer, you can then confirm by pressing the timer button, which tears the scale and then waits for you to start pouring.
Once you do, the timer automatically starts, and the scale starts counting up towards your calculated target weight. Once you reach the weight, the display turns white, which has actually saved me from overpouring a few times when I simply wasn’t paying attention to the brew.
Brew Assist Mode
Overall, I find this to be one of the best assisted Brewing Integrations I’ve seen to date on a scale. It doesn’t require an app nor any fussy inputs. It just unobtrusively walks you through your normal workflow while also allowing you to use exact brewing ratios without a second thought.
That mode had better be good because it’s really the only feature on the Tally. It doesn’t have any Bluetooth connectivity, and it doesn’t have flow rate analysis. But to be honest, those two features are ones that I never really found myself using. Needing to pull out an app is way beyond my desired level of interactions, and my recipes simply aren’t to the point where I’m worrying about milliliter perfect flow rates. The brew assist, on the other hand, I not only tried but I genuinely kept using every day since getting it.
Performance
Reaction Time
One of the most important aspects of a scale is its reaction time, and the Fellow Tally excels in this area. The OLED display on the Tally not only looks fantastic but is also fast to respond. We tested both the Tally and the Acaia Pearl using a camera at 120 frames per second and found that the Tally was actually responding as fast as the display could physically refresh, which was around 70 milliseconds. In comparison, the Pearl was taking almost twice as long at 125 milliseconds.
We were thrilled that our results backed up what we were subjectively noticing, which was that the Tally is a super snappy and responsive scale. This fast reaction time is particularly useful when using the brew assist mode.
Final Verdict
Overall, the Tally is a super responsive and snappy scale that fits perfectly with all the other Fellow gear. In fact, the Fellow Tally scale might just be our favorite coffee scale we have used to date.
After testing the Fellow Tally and comparing it to the Acaia Pearl, we can confidently say that the Tally is the best choice for those who value build quality and aesthetics in their daily coffee routine. While it may be expensive, it is designed for commercial use and has an impressive fit and finish that is head and shoulders above the Pearl’s 100% plastic build.
The Tally stands out with its brew assist mode. This feature is one of the best-assisted brewing integrations we’ve seen to date on a scale and doesn’t require an app or fussy inputs.
Additionally, the Tally’s OLED display is not only beautiful but also super responsive, with a response time of around 70 milliseconds.
Overall, we highly recommend the Fellow Tally for those who want a premium smart scale that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. While it may be pricey, its build quality, stylish looks and excellent functionality make it a worthwhile investment for coffee enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Coffee expert and industry insider, I’ve dedicated years to mastering the art and science of coffee making. From scrutinizing particle fineness to evaluating burr shapes, I delve into the minutiae that elevate coffee from good to exceptional. Whether it’s a complex pour-over or a robust espresso, my insights cater to those who don’t just drink coffee, but experience it.
