Acaia Pyxis Black — Competition Scale with 0.001 g Resolution, Limited Edition
The tamper goes down beside the machine. The scale is there — square, black, 6.5 by 6.5 centimeters, barely bigger than a matchbox. Tare it, place the cup on top. Three drops of espresso fall, the OLED display shows 1.247 g. Not 1.2. Not 1.25. **1.247.** In real time, you see the evaporation, and you see the Flow-Rate as a small curve next to the weight reading. This is the Pyxis Black. A competition scale that makes visible the variables other scales don't even capture.
The Pyxis Black is the answer to the question of how far precision in the cup can go. It was developed together with competition baristas — Yasuo Ishii used it at the Japan Brewers Cup and achieved the highest score in the Open Service Round. This isn't a home tool for everyone. This is the platform for someone who wants to understand the last 0.005 g between a good cup and a brilliant one.
We at Coffee Coaching Club are the selected Swiss importer for the Pyxis Black — as a Limited Edition, it's available exclusively in our showroom and online shop, in limited quantities per drop.
What 0.001 g Resolution Means — and What It Doesn't
Let's be honest: 0.001 g is a milligram. In a normal home espresso workflow, reproducibility at this level isn't a given. Air currents, table vibrations, even evaporation loss during the shot create fluctuations that become visible at this resolution. That's simultaneously the argument for the Pyxis Black and against it — depending on what you're looking for.
The added value shows up in three scenarios:
Competition and Cupping Research
At Brewers Cup, Cup Tasters, and competitive cuppings, 0.01 g is too coarse. Anyone who wants to compare, replicate, and submit profiles needs the next decimal place. The Pyxis Black is the platform for that.
Professional Settings with a Claim to Data
Specialty cafés, roasteries, and research labs that document and analyze shot data. This is where the Brew History mode becomes relevant: locally stored data on Total Brews, Total Coffee Consumption, and average Flow-Rate. Reproducibility over weeks and months.
Specialty Home Baristas with Real Standards
Anyone who maintains Pressure Profiling, Flow Profiling, and multiple bean profiles at home — and actually uses them, not just as a feature on the box. The Pyxis Black sees variables you'd otherwise have to guess at.
Anyone who doesn't need that will find the Acaia Lunar or the Pearl 2021 more than enough. 0.1 g resolution is enough for 95% of applications. The Pyxis Black is explicitly for the other 5%.
Magic Relay — The Invisible Extension
One of the innovations of the Pyxis-Black generation is Magic Relay. In concrete terms: the Pyxis Black can pair wirelessly with an Acaia Umbra (or Umbra Duo). The Umbra's data is shown on the Pyxis Black's OLED display. Tap on one of the paired scales, and the display switches automatically — no app, no button press, in real time.
Practical use: a professional setup with two Acaia scales — one for bean dosing, one for espresso output — and you see both values on one display. For professional shots, test setups, or competitive routines, that's a significant improvement over two separate Bluetooth connections.
Customizable Modes and Brew History
The Pyxis Black has three programmable presets. For each preset, you choose what's displayed:
- Timer on or off
- Auto-Tare when the cup is placed
- Auto-Start on the first drop
- Flow-Rate indicator as a small curve next to the weight reading
Each mode is tailored to a workflow — espresso shot, pour-over, cupping, or your own hybrid. The Brew History function runs in the background: Total Brews, Total Coffee Consumption, and average Flow-Rate are stored locally. After every shot, you decide whether the session is saved to the history or discarded. Completely without the cloud, without a required account.
At a Glance
| Resolution |
0.001 g |
| Accuracy at 0.001 g |
±0.002 g |
| Repeatability |
0.01 g / 0.05 g |
| Linearity |
0.01 g / 0.02 g |
| Measuring Range |
0.01 g to 500 g |
| Dimensions |
65 × 65 × 13 mm (2.55 × 2.55 × 0.51 in) |
| Weight |
75 g ± 5 g |
| Material |
Aluminum (anodized) and acrylic |
| Display |
OLED |
| Battery |
Lithium-ion 3.7 V 350 mAh |
| Battery Life |
7–8 hours |
| Charging |
USB-C, 5 V / 500 mA |
| Connectivity |
Bluetooth Low Energy 5.4, Magic Relay |
| Water Resistance |
Splash-resistant (not waterproof) |
| Modes |
3 customizable presets |
| Brew History |
Total Brews, Consumption, Flow Rate (local) |
| What's Included |
Pyxis Black Scale, Carrying Case, USB-C cable, 100 g calibration weight |
| Model |
APS001 |
Where the Pyxis Black Stands Next to the Acaia Lunar
| Scale |
Resolution |
Main Use |
Character |
| Acaia Lunar |
0.1 g |
Daily espresso workflow |
Heat-resistant (on the drip tray), brew-by-weight via machine integration, robust for professional cafés |
| Acaia Pearl 2021 |
0.1 g |
Pour-over and filter |
Larger platform, app integration, good all-around scale |
| Acaia Pyxis Black |
0.001 g |
Competition, research, professional detail work |
Limited Edition, ultra-precise, compact, Magic Relay |
The Pyxis Black doesn't replace the Lunar — it complements it. Anyone with both uses the Lunar for daily espresso shots (on the drip tray, heat-resistant) and the Pyxis Black for profile comparisons, cupping sessions, or competitive preparation. Anyone who wants just one scale and whose main use is espresso is better served by the Lunar — the Pyxis Black isn't designed for drip tray heat.
Who Buys the Pyxis Black?
We see three profiles in the showroom:
Competition baristas and Q-Graders. Anyone producing data on stage or in the cupping lab that decides between winning and losing has, with the Pyxis Black, a tool that works at that level. Yasuo Ishii's Brewers Cup routine is the proof: 0.001 g makes a difference in the score.
Research and lab applications. Roasteries that document profiles. Cafés that evaluate their shots scientifically. University coffee science programs. Here, reproducibility is the goal, and the Pyxis Black delivers at an industrial-grade level.
Specialty collectors and home baristas with high standards. Anyone who already knows Acaia, owns a Lunar, and is looking for the next level. The Limited Edition character also makes the Pyxis Black a collector's item — we recommend placing orders early, since drops ship in limited quantities.
Ordering, Delivery, and Advice
The Acaia Pyxis Black can be ordered online at Coffee Coaching Club, or picked up at the showroom in Zürich Oerlikon or Bern in person. Delivery Swiss-wide and to Liechtenstein in 2–4 business days, depending on drop availability.
Since the Pyxis Black is a Limited Edition with periodic drops, there can be waiting times. We notify our customers by email newsletter as soon as new stock arrives. For questions about availability or ordering: office@coffeecoachingclub.ch.
Maintenance and Care
Clean with a soft cloth and warm water — no cleaning agents, no chemicals, since the anodized aluminum coating can be damaged. Splashes are fine (e.g., espresso drips), submerging it is not. The Acaia Updater app delivers firmware updates whenever Acaia releases them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between the Pyxis and the Pyxis Black?
The original Pyxis has 0.01 g resolution. The Pyxis Black is the new generation with 0.001 g resolution, USB-C instead of Micro-USB, an OLED display, Magic Relay connectivity to the Umbra series, and a Brew History function. It's designed as a Limited Edition, while the original Pyxis is a standard product.
Do I really need 0.001 g resolution?
For everyday home espresso, probably not — 0.1 g (Lunar) is enough. The Pyxis Black is made for competition, research, professional cafés, and specialty home baristas who genuinely work at the next decimal place. Honestly: if you don't need that, there's no advantage in it for you.
What is Magic Relay?
A wireless display extension. The Pyxis Black pairs with an Acaia Umbra (or Umbra Duo). The Umbra's data is shown on the Pyxis Black's display — tap, view, no app needed. Practical for professional setups with two scales, for example bean dosing and espresso output.
Can I use the Pyxis Black on my espresso machine's drip tray?
Possible, but not recommended. The Pyxis Black isn't heat-resistant like the Lunar — hot water or a continuously warm drip tray can damage it. For daily espresso shots on the drip tray, we recommend the Acaia Lunar. The Pyxis Black is made for off-machine shots, cupping, and competition setups.
How long does the battery last?
7 to 8 hours of continuous use. Charging via USB-C takes under 2 hours. In standby, the scale lasts several days.
What's the delivery situation for the Pyxis Black?
Limited Edition with periodic drops. Acaia produces in limited batches that sell out quickly. We ship as soon as a batch arrives. If you're interested, we recommend placing your order early — if sold out, we add you to a waiting list and notify you automatically.
Does the Pyxis Black work with the Acaia app?
Yes, via Bluetooth Low Energy 5.4. With the Acaia Coffee app, you can visualize profiles, shots, and data on your smartphone. Standalone, though, the scale works completely without an app — all important functions are accessible directly on the OLED display.
Which beans do you recommend for Pyxis-Black sessions?
In cupping and profile comparison sessions, it's about perceiving differences. Light single origins show finer distinctions than dark blends. To practice with the Pyxis Black: Wild Peach for fruity clarity, Cozy Chocolate as a comparison baseline for dense espresso profiles.
Do you offer Swiss warranty and support?
Yes. Coffee Coaching Club is the Swiss Acaia partner. 2 years of warranty as from the manufacturer, plus Swiss service on-site. For questions, configuration, or service: office@coffeecoachingclub.ch.
Roastery Tip
If you've picked up a Pyxis Black, it's not worth using it on every shot. My suggestion from roastery practice: use it deliberately for three cases. First — weekly profile comparison of a single bean over ten shots, to make fluctuations visible. Second — cupping sessions with Wild Peach or other light single origins, where the fruity aromas can only be judged cleanly when the dose is truly identical. Third — when switching to a new bean, to document the first three to five shots with full data density and build a baseline profile. The Pyxis Black is a tool for deliberate, documented work — not a daily driver. That's my view from the roastery, one of many.
