When you're shopping for lab balances and scales, the first question isn't just capacity or readability-it's whether you're buying a working balance or a repair project. A $100.05 price spread separates these two options, but the condition gap is larger than the price gap. At the top of the spread is the Acculab ALC-210.4 analytical balance, listed as used. At the bottom is the METTLER TOLEDO MS4002TS/00 precision balance, listed for parts or not working. That difference should shape which one belongs on your bench.
Quick verdict
Unless you're specifically hunting for a repair candidate, spare parts, or a donor unit, the Acculab ALC-210.4 is the balance to choose. It pairs a 210 g capacity with 0.1 mg readability, and its listing describes it as a high-precision instrument for research, medical testing, and industrial use. The METTLER TOLEDO, by contrast, is the more economical listing but comes with a clear warning: it powers on but doesn't load its application. For most lab jobs, a non-functional scale isn't a scale at all.
Comparison table
| METTLER TOLEDO MS4002TS/00 | Acculab ALC-210.4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 | $300.00 |
| Condition | For parts or not working | Used |
| Scale/Balance Type | Precision Balance | Analytical Balance |
| Capacity / Readability | 4,200 g capacity | 210 g capacity, 0.1 mg readability |
| Model | MS4002TS/00 | ALC-210.4 |
Where each product wins
- METTLER TOLEDO MS4002TS/00 wins on price. It sits at the lower end of the $100.05 spread, and if you're comfortable with a non-working unit, that lower entry point gives you room to invest in repairs or to salvage components.
- Acculab ALC-210.4 wins on readiness. It's listed as used rather than for parts, and its analytical balance type makes it the more sensible pick for precise weighing in a lab setting.
Product notes
METTLER TOLEDO MS4002TS/00 Precision Balance 4,200g
If your budget is tight and your tolerance for troubleshooting is high, this is the option that makes the lower end of the price spread worthwhile. The MS4002TS/00 is a precision balance with a 4,200 g capacity, which gives it a sizeable weighing range on paper. But the listing is upfront about its limitations: the condition is "for parts or not working," the scale powers on but doesn't load its application, and the cosmetic notes mention a cracked ring around the weigh pan and a chipped rear foot. That means you're buying a project, not a plug-and-play instrument. Choose it if you want a METTLER TOLEDO unit at a lower price and you have the skills, time, and parts access to bring it back to life. If you need reliable measurements today, this isn't the one.
Acculab ALC-210.4 Analytical Balance Scale 210 g x 0.1 mg
This is the balance for shoppers who need to get weighing work done rather than repair work. For the upper end of the price spread, the Acculab ALC-210.4 offers a 210 g capacity with 0.1 mg readability-the kind of fine resolution you'd expect from an analytical balance. The listing is described as used, rather than for parts or not working, and the description points to scientific research, medical testing, and industrial applications that require accurate measurement. Its main limitation is capacity: at 210 g, it won't handle large samples the way the Mettler's 4,200 g range might, but the Mettler's capacity only matters if you can get the unit working. If you want a balance that's ready to contribute to precise work, this is the safer choice.
Final choice by use case
- For immediate analytical weighing: Choose the Acculab ALC-210.4. It's the used, working candidate and gives you 0.1 mg readability.
- For a repair or parts project: Choose the METTLER TOLEDO MS4002TS/00 if you want a 4,200 g precision balance platform at the lower price.
- For high-capacity weighing with a tolerance for risk: The Mettler's 4,200 g capacity is the bigger number, but only buy for that reason if you're prepared to fix a non-functional scale.
