This is really more of a question of how much you want to spend if you are referring to digital. In the 25-50 dollar range, they are all pretty much using the same cheap chineseum load cells(probably even from the same factory). They won't be stunningly accurate, and they are prone to breaking(cheap for a reason), as you have learned. As you move into the 100 dollar range, the load cells in them are going to get better, but still not the greatest of quality, and they will still probably have some drift. If you are willing to spend a few hundred dollars, get yourself a lab grade balance(A&D, Sartorius, Mettler Toledo, etc) and they will typically last far longer and be much more accurate. Another option if you are wanting higher quality at a budget price is to look for a used analytical balance on ebay. Sometimes, you can pick up very high quality ones for very cheap. My mettler toledo AE-163 was 80 bucks(look for typos, such as Metter Toledo or Metler Toledo), and could read down to 0.00001g, or 0.00016 grains, but I typically ran it in the mode that only weighed down to 0.0001g, or 0.0016 grains. It wasn't the prettiest girl at the dance, but it also wasn't the one pushing me to bankruptcy. The downside was it was old, and you had to convert grams to grains. That said, it served me faithfully for 6 years before I decided I wanted something newer. I still keep it around just to double check everything from time to time.
Personally, I think the best option is to consider spending the extra cash, getting something like the A&D FX-120 if you can find it for a decent price, and calling it good. If not, look for a Sartorius 0.001g balance. They are going to cost more up front, but they are built to last. Big benefit to the A&D and some Sartorius models is that you can add an autotrickler to it later if you so desire. Buy once, cry once.
old will indeed
