Digital scales
by On Balance
The On Balance Phantom mini scale is a pocket-sized digital scale that delivers 0.01g precision in a body smaller than most smartphones. Measuring just 9.4 x 7.4 x 1.6cm and weighing 110.3g with batteries, it genuinely disappears into a jacket pocket — something we can't say about most scales in this price bracket. If you need accurate, portable weighing without the bulk, this is the one we reach for behind the counter.
Most mini scales make you choose: either you get decent capacity and lose portability, or you get something truly pocket-sized that maxes out at 100g. The Phantom sidesteps that trade-off entirely. Two hundred grams of capacity in a footprint under 10cm on each side — that's genuinely unusual. And it reads in 0.01g increments, which matters when you're weighing anything where a tenth of a gram counts.
Pick it up and you'll notice the weight immediately — or rather, the lack of it. At 110.3g with batteries installed, it feels almost hollow. The matte finish doesn't attract fingerprints the way glossy scales do, and the backlit LCD is bright enough to read in dim rooms without being blinding. On Balance have been making scales for years, and you can feel the engineering in the hinge mechanism and the way the lid clicks shut.
The one honest limitation: the 7 x 7cm platform is compact. It handles most weighing trays and small containers without issue, but if you're working with bulky, lightweight materials that spill over the edges, you'll want to use the included tray. Speaking of which — that tray doubles as the carrying case, which is a clever bit of design we wish more brands would copy.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Phantom Mini Scale | 200g x 0.01g |
| Weighing tray / carrying case | Doubles as protective cover |
| Batteries | Included, ready to use |
| Warranty | 10 years from On Balance |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 200g |
| Readability | 0.01g |
| Net weight (with batteries) | 110.3g |
| Scale dimensions | 9.4 x 7.4 x 1.6cm |
| Platform size | 7 x 7cm |
| Display | Backlit LCD |
| Brand | On Balance |
| SKU | HS1605 |
Complete your setup with a set of calibration weights to keep your Phantom reading true over time. A small stainless steel weighing boat also pairs well if you're measuring fine powders or loose herbs that might slide off the 7cm platform.
We've been selling scales since 1999, and the single most common mistake we see is people eyeballing quantities. Whether you're measuring herbs for tea blends, portioning supplements, or weighing jewellery components, guessing gets you inconsistent results every time. A 0.5g error doesn't sound like much until you realise it's a 10% deviation on a 5g measurement.
Cheap kitchen scales read in 1g steps. That's fine for flour. It's useless for anything where precision matters. The Phantom's 0.01g readability gives you 100 times the resolution, and the 200g capacity means you're not constantly splitting larger amounts into multiple weighings. We'd pick this over any kitchen scale for small-quantity work — it's not even close.
The portability angle is real, too. We've handled scales that claim to be "mini" but still need their own bag. The Phantom, with its tray-as-case design, genuinely fits in a coat pocket. At 1.6cm thick, it sits flat and doesn't create an awkward bulge. If you travel for work or need to weigh things outside the house, this is the form factor that actually works.
A quick note on calibration: every digital scale drifts slightly over time. If you're relying on 0.01g accuracy for anything that matters, pick up a calibration weight and check your Phantom every few weeks. It takes 10 seconds and saves you from slowly creeping measurements. We've seen customers blame the scale when the real issue was months without recalibration.
Compared to the On Balance DX series, the Phantom trades a slightly larger platform for a dramatically thinner profile. If bench space isn't an issue and you never need to take your scale anywhere, the DX gives you more room to work. But if portability is even slightly on your radar, the Phantom wins. It's the scale we toss in a bag without thinking twice.
It reads in 0.01g increments across its full 200g range. Out of the box, accuracy is solid. For ongoing precision, calibrate with a known weight every few weeks — drift is normal for any digital scale at this resolution.
Yes. Batteries are included and pre-installed, so you can start weighing straight out of the box. On Balance also backs it with a 10-year warranty, which is unusually generous for a pocket scale.
For most small-quantity work, absolutely. If you're weighing fine powders or loose material, use the included tray to keep everything contained. The platform only becomes limiting with physically bulky items that overhang the edges.
That's exactly what it's designed for. Place the tray on the platform, tare it to zero, and add your material. When you're done, it flips back into a protective case. Clever dual-purpose design.
The Phantom is thinner (1.6cm) and lighter (110.3g) than most On Balance models, making it the best choice for genuine portability. If you need a larger platform and don't care about carrying it around, the DX series gives you more workspace at the cost of bulk.
Place a known calibration weight on the platform and follow the calibration mode in the manual (usually a long-press of the mode button). The whole process takes under 30 seconds. Do it monthly for best results.
Yes. The backlit LCD is bright enough to read clearly in dim conditions. It's one of the small details that separates On Balance from cheaper no-name scales that leave you squinting.
Last updated: April 2026
