A digital pocket scale is the same as a regular scale you might weigh yourself on but much smaller. Although digital pocket scales all fundamentally do the same thing, they are by no means of equal durability, precision, or good-value-for-money.
With so many products on the market, it might seem like an impossible task to find the “best” one. However, if you follow our advice, we are confident you will find the best digital pocket scales available for your needs. Continue reading to find out more!
Why use a digital pocket scale?
There are several reasons one might use a pocket scale.
To weigh gold
A person buying gold jewelry, especially those in the pawn industry, will often take digital pocket scales. It is a great way to ascertain whether an item is fully gold or just gold plated. A pawnbroker may also have a digital pocket scale in their shop, as it takes up far less space than a regular counter scale.
To weigh parcels and letters.
Some companies like to weigh an item they are planning to post before taking it to the post office. This is a good way to make sure they are not overcharged either intentionally or accidentally. It also means that any cash taken from the office will be close to what is needed rather than excessive.
To weigh diamonds
The weight of a diamond affects its value. To make sure the diamond is bought for the right price, it is important to know its weight. Some digital pocket scales have an added feature that will perfectly hold the diamond so it will be weighed properly.
Weighing medicine
Medicine tablets can be weighed before they are packed into a bottle for customers of a pharmacy. This is much more efficient than counting the tablets individually if there are many tablets to be counted.
Things to consider when buying a digital pocket scale
Expansion lid
Some digital pocket scales come with an expansion lid for those times you need to weigh large objects.
Case
The carry case of your pocket digital scale needs to be strong and durable enough to keep your digital pocket scale scratch-free and in working order.
Low battery indicator
A low battery indicator will let you know when you have a low battery so you can keep it charged for when you know you will need the device.
Accuracy
Find a product that is the closest to 100% accurate as you can. This is the most important feature. Look for a device that measures in small increments such as 1/100th of a gram.
Size
You might want to find the smallest pocket scale you can find. However, unless it has an expansion lid, this will limit the size of the items you can weigh.
Maximum capacity
The amount of weight a digital pocket scale will weigh is not limitless. You may want to choose a device that weighs a large amount at the price of reducing accuracy. The choice is yours. Maybe you will be lucky enough to find a device that provides great accuracy and measures a large amount of weight.
Calibration
Look for a device that does not need to be regularly recalibrated and is accurately calibrated straight out of the box. To find out this information, you will need to look at customer reviews or FAQs for the product.
Durability
Look for a device that feels and looks durable. Whether the device is in a sturdy case or not, regular use and travel will cause wear and tear. So make sure you buy a device that doesn’t look flimsy. That is not a good sign.
Bubble level
The weight displayed on a digital pocket scale can be affected if placed on a flat surface. A useful feature is a built-in bubble level. This will tell you if your device is on a flat surface or not. Some devices also can tell you if it is on an uneven surface.
Accessories
Some digital pocket scales have accessories like bowls and pans you can place items in to weigh them. Some have tweezers so that you can place delicate items on the scale more easily. You may like to look for scales with a windshield if you know you will weigh items outdoors.
Automatic shut off
Automatic shut-off is a useful feature that will save your battery life for another day. This is a good feature to look for if you consider yourself to be forgetful.
Optional measuring units
You may be used to weighing something in one type of measuring unit, such as ounces, but some instructions for recipes, for example, might use grams as a measurement. As a result, you might wish to purchase a digital pocket scale that lets you weigh things in different measuring units.
Power Source
You may prefer a device that is powered by batteries. This way, you can use rechargeable batteries and keep some spares in your bag if the batteries in use run out. Another option is a USB chargeable digital pocket scale. These are quite rare, but there are some out there.
Display
Make sure the display is easy to read in varying light levels. Of course, it needs to be large enough and bright enough too.
Digital pocket scale price range
A digital pocket scale can cost from as little as $7 and as much as $60. Accuracy is worth the extra money if this device is anything to do with your profession.
FAQ
How can I tell if my digital pocket scale is accurate?
The best way to tell if your digital pocket scale is accurate is to put an item on it that has a definite weight. A device will usually come with a calibration weight because it is difficult to find an object with a definite weight that small. If you had a large scale, you could use something like a dumbbell.
Do digital scales lose accuracy?
Yes, digital scales do lose accuracy over time due to general use. In addition, new scales may become inaccurate due to extreme temperatures. A decent digital pocket scale should last several years before it needs replacing. However, it will need recalibrating whenever it is moved.
Why is my digital pocket scale not working?
There are several reasons why your digital pocket scale might not be working. First, it may be an issue with the battery supply, either because of the battery itself or the connection between your device and the battery. Second, you should check your scale is properly calibrated - instructions should be provided on calibrating your device specifically. Make sure your digital pocket scale is clean. Bits of grime can affect readings and prevent accurate calibration. Another issue you might have is that your package is too heavy. A digital pocket scale has a limit on what weight it can measure. If you cannot find this information, contact the manufacturer.