Digital scales
by On Balance
The On Balance SBS is a digital precision scale with silicone bowl that doubles as its own carrying case — the collapsible silicone bowl that comes with it folds down to protect the scale, then pops open when you need to weigh larger batches of herbs or concentrates. Available in two variants (200g x 0.01g and 1000g x 0.1g), it covers everything from micro-measurements to bulk weighing without needing two separate scales.
This comes down to what you're weighing and how precise you need to be. The two variants serve genuinely different purposes.
| Variant | Capacity | Precision | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBS-200 | 200g | 0.01g | Concentrates, small herbs, anything where 0.1g isn't fine enough |
| SBS-1000 | 1000g | 0.1g | Larger batches, bulk herbs, harvest weighing |
If you're weighing sticky concentrates or small quantities where every hundredth of a gram matters, go with the 200 x 0.01g. If you're weighing bigger harvests or dried herb in volume, the 1000 x 0.1g gives you a full kilogram of capacity. We'd lean towards the 200 x 0.01g for most smartshop use — the finer precision is more useful day-to-day than the extra capacity.
A precision scale with silicone bowl eliminates the two biggest annoyances of pocket scales: spillage and sticky residue. Most pocket scales ship with a tiny metal tray that's useless the moment you're weighing anything with volume. Dried herbs spill over the edges. Concentrates stick to steel. You end up improvising with plastic cups or rolling papers, which throws off your reading because you're constantly taring random containers.
The On Balance SBS solves this with a proper silicone bowl — blue, flexible, and large enough to actually hold a meaningful amount of material. Silicone doesn't stick, so waxy concentrates peel right off. When you're done, the bowl collapses flat over the scale and becomes a protective case. No separate pouch needed, no rattling around in a drawer. The whole unit stays compact and protected.
We've seen plenty of scales come back to shops with cracked screens or drifting calibration because they've been bouncing around loose in a bag. The SBS design genuinely addresses that — the collapsed bowl absorbs bumps that would otherwise land directly on the weighing platform or display. It's a small thing, but it's the difference between a scale that stays accurate for years and one that reads 0.3g off after six months.
The On Balance SBS ships in two variants, both powered by 2 AAA batteries (included) with a backlit LCD and one-touch calibration.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | On Balance |
| Model | SBS-200 / SBS-1000 |
| Capacity (SBS-200) | 200g |
| Precision (SBS-200) | 0.01g |
| Capacity (SBS-1000) | 1000g |
| Precision (SBS-1000) | 0.1g |
| Display | Extra-large LCD with white backlight |
| Calibration | One-touch calibration |
| Functions | Tare/zero, piece counting, auto-off (3 minutes) |
| Overload protection | Built-in |
| Power | 2x AAA batteries (included) |
| Bowl material | Collapsible silicone with lid |
| Bowl colour | Blue |
Complete your setup: if you're working with dried herbs, a quality grinder ensures consistent particle size before weighing. Pair the SBS with a herb grinder from the On Balance or SLX range for more uniform results. If you're storing weighed-out portions, airtight stash jars like the Infinity Jar or TightVac keep everything fresh between sessions. Browse our full scales and measuring tools category for calibration weights and accessories.
Accurate weighing is the single most effective way to get consistent, repeatable results with any potent botanical material. Eyeballing quantities is how people get inconsistent results — whether you're preparing herbal teas, portioning supplements, or measuring out growing nutrients. A 0.5g difference might not look like much in your hand, but it can be the gap between a mild cup and an overpowering one.
According to the EMCDDA's harm reduction guidelines, accurate weighing is one of the most basic safety steps when working with any potent substance. The first step in precise dosing is always a reliable scale — not a kitchen spoon, not a "pinch," not guesswork. Clinical studies on medication tapering, for instance, rely on scales accurate to 0.01g to ensure patients reduce dosage by precise 10% increments. That same precision matters for anyone working with concentrated plant materials.
The honest limitation of any precision scale with silicone bowl in this price range: they drift over time if you don't calibrate them. The SBS makes this easy with one-touch calibration, but you do need to actually do it — once a week if you're using the scale daily, once a month for occasional use. A calibration weight isn't included, so pick one up separately if you don't already have one. That's the one thing we'd flag: budget for a 200g calibration weight alongside the SBS-200, or a 1000g weight for the SBS-1000.
Setting up takes under a minute — remove the bowl, power on, tare, and weigh.
We've stocked this precision scale with silicone bowl at our Amsterdam shop since On Balance first released it, and the SBS is one of those designs that makes you wonder why nobody thought of it sooner. The silicone bowl feels surprisingly sturdy — thick enough to hold its shape when expanded, flexible enough to fold completely flat. It has a slightly rubbery grip to it, which actually helps when you're scooping material out. No residue sticks to it, even with oily or resinous herbs.
The backlit screen is genuinely large for a pocket scale — easy to read even in dim light. The buttons have a satisfying click rather than the mushy feel you get on cheaper models. Weight readings stabilise within about 2 seconds, which is quick enough that you're not standing there waiting. The whole unit weighs next to nothing, even with the bowl attached. Slips into a jacket pocket without any bulk.
Compared to the On Balance DX series (another popular pocket scale we carry), the SBS trades a slimmer profile for that silicone bowl — and honestly, the bowl is worth it. The DX is sleeker if all you need is a flat scale, but the SBS is more practical for actual daily use with herbs. If you want to order a scale that genuinely earns its spot on your desk rather than ending up in a junk drawer, get the SBS — it's the one we recommend most often to customers who walk into our shop looking for something portable and reliable.
The SBS-200 variant reads to 0.01g, which is accurate enough for nearly any herb or concentrate weighing. The SBS-1000 reads to 0.1g — still precise, but designed for larger quantities where hundredths of a gram aren't critical. Calibrate regularly for best results.
Yes — that's one of its main advantages. Silicone is non-stick, so waxes, resins, and sticky extracts peel off cleanly. No scraping, no lost material stuck to the weighing surface. Just tare the bowl first and you're set.
No. You'll need to buy a calibration weight separately — 200g for the SBS-200 or 1000g for the SBS-1000. One-touch calibration makes the process quick, but you do need the correct weight to do it.
With the auto-off feature (activates after 3 minutes of inactivity), two AAA batteries typically last several months of regular use. Heavy daily use will drain them faster — keep a spare set handy. Batteries are included in the box.
Silicone is generally heat-resistant and dishwasher-compatible, but we'd recommend hand-washing with warm soapy water to be safe. It takes about 10 seconds to clean — the non-stick surface means residue wipes off easily.
The SBS-200 at 0.01g precision is well suited for weighing supplement powders. For context, clinical tapering protocols reference scales accurate to 0.01g for precise 10% dosage reductions. Tare the bowl, add your powder, and read the exact weight on the backlit display.
Place a known number of identical items (say, 10 capsules) on the scale, tell it the count, and it calculates the average weight per piece. Then pour on a larger batch and the scale tells you how many pieces are there. Handy for counting capsules or seeds.
Last updated: April 2026
