The 4 Best Milligram Scales – Accurate, Cheap Scale Reviews 2024

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So why get a milligram scale? Well, whether you’re weighing out supplements or making pyrotechnics, there’s a lot to be said for keeping a milligram scale around. Unfortunately, there are a lot of bad products around and when you’re working in an area where every milligram counts, that can be disastrous. We’re here to make sure you get the right digital milligram scale, so let’s check them otu and then we’ll help you pick out what you need.

Below are our recommendations for 4 best milligram scales on the market:

WAOAW Digital Milligram Scale 50 X 0.001g Reloading Jewelry Scale

For a cheap little scale, you can get quite a bit out of the WAOAW. Whether you’re a jeweler or a chemist, you’ll find pretty much everything you need here. This scale comes with a pair of tweezers and a calibration weight as well, making it an extra bonus for how cheap it is.

When it comes down to it, the only real flaw is that it only weighs in grams(and ounces), so if you need precise grain or carat readings without conversions you’ll want to look elsewhere. It’s definitely more accurate above the 10mg range as well, and since you want a good accurate milligram scale, well, here it is.

American Weigh Scales GEMINI-20 Portable MilliGram Scale

When it comes down to it, the Gemini-20 is the milligram scale most people will recommend when you ask for something cheap and accurate. It’s got an upper range of 20g, comes with a weighing tray and calibration weights, and all easily fits into a good package which will last for a long time to come. The best part is it has virtually all relevant measurements included (see full specs).

Like most scales on the cheaper end of things, however, it has some trouble reading in under 10mg with any accuracy. On the other hand, it also has a draft shield, which is pretty cool since it keeps ambient air pressure from affecting things at the lower end of things. What a good, cheap milligram scale? This is it.

Review of AWS Gemini-20 Milligram Scale

200×0.001g 1mg Digital Analytical Balance Precision Scale for Laboratories

For those of us who really need to get the accuracy down when under 10mg this is going to be just about the only option. This is a lab grade scale, meaning it’s a very, very accurate milligram scale—i.e, made to make sure that your measurements are ultra-precise (see full specs). Unfortunately, of course, you’ll definitely see it in the price differential.

You’ll have to let it warm up a bit to make sure that you can take advantage of that superb accuracy however. If you’re willing to spend the money, though, the only thing you need to know is that this is the best that money can buy without short of spending thousands of dollars. And if you’re spending thousands of dollars, you don’t need advice from this article to fulfill all your evil scientist dreams. For the rest of us, however, this is among the best milligram scales regular mortals can buy.

Smart Weigh GEM20 Digital High Precision Digital Milligram Scale 20 x 0.001g

The Smart Weigh GEM20 is a budget knock-off of the Gemini-20. It has all of the same functions, which will allow you to make sure that you can get things nice and accurate. Again it comes with a draft shield, calibration weights, and a weighing tray to make sure you can get nice and accurate.

It’s pretty much interchangeable, and it may be the better option but if you’re only buying one you may want to go here. It’s among the best milligram scales for the money.

Using Your Digital Milligram Scale

Precise measurements can mean a lot of things to different people. To a reloader, for instance, the powder weight needs to be a precise measurement in grains in order to make sure that they don’t overstress the tolerances of a cartridge. For a jeweler, it can mean a ton of money based on the stone which is being weighed. For a chemist, it can mean a failed or successful reaction.

When it comes down to it, however, most people aren’t up on their scale etiquette.

Keep in mind one thing: no milligram scale that’s really cheap is going to be super accurate under 10mg. It’s just not feasible.

There are definitely different ways to make sure that you’ve got the best reading possible even with a cheaper scale however.

Always use a draft shield if you have one and you’re weighing under 100mg. It’ll make things a lot more accurate, as a milligram is an immensely small scale of measurement, and even a bit of a draft can mean differences.

Let the scale warm up. Most people don’t know it, but letting a scale “warm up” before using one for a few minutes will help to ensure accuracy. Some of the cheap ones turn off after only a minute or two, and if that’s the case with yours still give it thirty seconds.

For more accurate measurements, don’t use tare. Instead of using the tare feature, you can simply add from the weight of the cup or other container you’re using. A bit of quick subtraction will increase the accuracy of any scale.

Picking an Accurate Milligram Scale

First you’ll need to decide which range you need to be the most accurate in. Most people will be fine with a cheap scale to be honest. Sub-10mg measurements are used mostly for powerful supplements and precise lab reactions.

What is important to most people is not having to make the conversions themselves.

Ounces and grams are used on virtually all scales and for most measurements.

Carats are an important measurement for those who are into jewelry. Weighing stones and metals without having to make a conversion makes things go a lot more smoothly, whether you’re cataloging or making a transaction.

Grains are mostly used by reloaders. Getting an accurate powder measurement is important, but a couple of milligrams of difference is to be expected. Instead focus on making sure you have that measurement, unless you’re producing “match-grade” ammunition where the repeatability at distances over 300m is hyper-important.

Conclusion

Making sure you have the best milligram scale possible is important for a wide range of people, and there’s something out there for everyone. Give one of our picks a shot, depending on your needs, and you’ll be able to make those super accurate measurements that you’re looking for with little difficulty. Make your life a little more convenient. Good luck!

  • Founder of Mechanical Caveman, Beau is an unrepentant tool enthusiast and, sporting deadlift-callused hands and an incongruous beer belly, all-around macho guy. When he doesn’t know re tools, he consults with his handyman and car-repairman buds to give you well-reasoned and cutting-edge info.

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