Included in this is a wide array of digital and smart scales that make weight-control more convenient, and much more beneficial. We’ve reviewed the best bathroom scales on the market, and the eufy Smart Scale C1 gets our highest recommendation. It offers an impressive 12 sets of data to help you understand your body composition, including BMI, body fat percentage, visceral fat, muscle mass and body water. All your data is transmitted via Bluetooth, and it’s a simple process to download the free EufyLife app and sync your device to the scales. Once you’re set up, you can access daily charts for your weight, muscle mass, body fat and BMI to easily track your progress at a glance. Whilst all of this data is great, the scales themselves will only show you your weight, and you’ll need to have your phone or tablet nearby for the Bluetooth connection to kick in. Once it does, though, data is transmitted almost instantly. In terms of design, the eufy Smart Scale C1 has an anti-slip glass surface and curved corners for added safety. It’s easy to read your weight on the large LED display and you can quickly switch between kilograms and pounds, although you’ll have to convert pounds to stone yourself if you’re so inclined. There’s the capability to track data for 16 unique profiles, which is a lot more than some of the other best smart scales around, but probably more than the average household would ever need. If you’re looking to track your body data alongside other health-related information like exercise and sleep, the EufyLife app can also be synced with three third-party applications – Google Fit, the Fitbit app and Apple Health. Users report excellent accuracy for weight, although other measurements can be off when compared to those taken on alternative machines. This is common with many smart scales and if you work by your EufyLife data alone, you’ll still get a good overview of changes to your body composition. Of course, it goes without saying that if you have any serious health issues that require regular body data analysis, the measurements should be taken by a professional. All in all, it’s hard to fault the eufy Smart Scale C1 in terms of functionality. Some of the other best smart scales reviewed here offer a few added perks, but for its £37.99 price tag, we think it is a great buy. They both rank highly for overall weight accuracy, and each provides an in-depth analysis of body composition through a range of stats. There are questions around the accuracy of additional measurements like body fat percentage but, as previously mentioned, this is quite common. Keep in mind that most smart scales aren’t built for professional use; they’re there to give you guidance on your progress. If you stick to the readings taken from just these scales alone, changes to your body can still be easily tracked. Just as with the eufy Smart Scale C1, the KAMTRON Smart Body Fat Scale comes with a free proprietary app, known as Feelfit, which displays all your data in graph format. KAMTRON has a slight edge in that it supports unlimited users, but for home use, that’s really an unnecessary feature. The Feelfit app can also be synced with Google Fit, Apple Health and the Fitbit app if you want to compile various data from additional sources. The scales work via Bluetooth so, again, you’ll need your device close by for the data to be sent. You’ll also need to have your Feelfit app open, predominantly so that the scales send the right information to the right profile. When it comes to design, the KAMTRON scales have anti-slip silicone pads on the base for security, a sleek tempered glass surface and rounded corners. The digital display is red on black, as opposed to the white on black display of the eufy scales. Both are clearly visible so it’s really down to personal preference. An upgrade on the original Aria Air, the Fitbit Aria 2 smart scale comes with the stylish design and enhanced functionality you’d expect from the brand. Once synced with the Fitbit app, it will allow you to track your weight, BMI, lean mass and body fat percentage, displaying data in a graph format. For a quick indicator of your progress, your weight and body fat percentage are also displayed on the scale itself. You can assign up to eight individual users, we loved that the technology is intuitive enough to recognise each user when they step on the scale. You’ll also be assigned your own icon which acts as an identifier, so you can be sure the right details are tracked to the right person. All information is kept private to the individual user. One of the major selling points of the Fitbit Aria 2 scale is that it works via your home WiFi, as opposed to the Bluetooth connectivity of the other smart scales we’ve reviewed. This means you don’t have to have your phone nearby to transmit data. This does result in a slight delay in transmission, but it’s typically a matter of seconds, so no real inconvenience. The other great feature of this scale is its compatibility with Fitbit wearables and trackers. There’s no need to sync with third-party apps for a comprehensive health overview since everything goes straight to your Fitbit dashboard. This provides real insight into how different lifestyle elements impact each other and can be a great motivator to help you achieve your goals. The one downside to the Fitbit Aria 2 scale is the price tag. However, it is a great investment for those who already use Fitbit technology and want to keep regular track of their overall lifestyle, not just their weight.
Why Invest in a Good Set of Bathroom Scales?
Weight is a major contributing factor to our overall health. Being overweight is linked to increased risk of illnesses including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and even some forms of cancer; whilst being underweight can lead to issues such as vitamin deficiencies, anaemia or problems with the immune system. It is, therefore, no surprise that maintaining a healthy weight is a priority for many people. However, weight (or, more importantly, a healthy weight) is about much more than a single measurement. Whilst mechanical scales give you a stand-alone figure in kilogrammes or pounds, they do little to help you understand what your weight is made up of, and how this affects your body composition. That’s where digital and smart scales come in handy. They consider your gender, height and age, and give far greater insight into whether or not your weight is a healthy one by measuring things like body fat percentage and BMI. Understanding these things can do a lot to help you stay on top of your health and fitness. A good set of bathroom scales isn’t just useful for those looking to lose or gain weight. You might be trying to build muscle mass as part of a training regime; a set of bog-standard mechanical scales would be of little use here. You might just be looking for a convenient way to monitor your weight. The best bathroom scales we’ve reviewed here allow you to do that, most of them storing your data in an app. Whatever your goals, a good set of bathroom scales can help you achieve them. It’s important to remember, though, that they’re only part of the process. Good health comes from a combination of weight control, exercise, regular sleep patterns, stress avoidance and a balanced diet.
What Are Smart Scales?
Smart scales are the ultimate at-home weighing device. They make use of innovative technology to help you get to know your body and keep it in good condition. Most smart scales provide data on your overall weight, body fat percentage and BMI as a minimum. Some go even further, offering insight into things like body water percentage, muscle mass and visceral fat. They do this through bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). When you step on the scales, a very weak (and safe) electrical current is sent through your body. The rate at which it travels allows the scales to estimate your fat-free mass and, in combination with other data such as overall weight and height, provide calculations on your body composition. Many digital scales provide similar stats but smart scales go one step further by adding convenience to the mix. They connect to other devices via Bluetooth or WiFi to transmit data to an app. These apps then store your information in easy-to-read charts and graphs that help you identify trends, monitor your weight and work toward specific goals.
Things to Consider When Choosing Bathroom Scales
There’s a huge price variance in the range of digital and smart scales available, so it’s important to think about what it is you’re looking for. If you’re after a basic set of scales to keep an eye on your overall weight, it’s likely a budget digital model will suffice. If you’re looking for more, keep the following things in mind to find the best bathroom scales for you:
Accuracy
Scales that are inaccurate or inconsistent with measurements are no use to anyone. You want reliable readings that help you track your weight with precision. The scales reviewed here all rank well for accuracy but, for added insurance, you should read customer reviews yourself to get a decent overview of the user experience. As we’ve mentioned a couple of times, scales made for use in the home can provide different measurements for things like muscle mass, body water and body fat percentage than those taken on other machines. As it’s a common issue, this shouldn’t be a deal-breaker when choosing a set of scales. The key is to work with one set of measurements only to avoid confusion around your progress.
Available Measurements
We all have our own unique weight goals, so consider what measurements are relevant to yours before you fork out on a new set of scales. In all honesty, we doubt many people will look into all the 12 measurements offered by our top pick, but if there’s something you’re particularly keen to track, muscle mass for example, then make sure the scales you buy allow you to do so. You may also want to keep in mind how many user profiles are supported.
Convenience
This is the deciding factor on whether you opt for a set of digital scales or a set of smart scales. If you don’t mind writing down your stats every time you weigh yourself then a set of digital scales will likely work perfectly well for you. If you want the added convenience of having your data automatically transferred and stored in an app, as well as the bonus of seeing your progress in chart form, then a set of smart scales is the better option. However, smart scales typically come with a higher price tag.
The App
If you’re buying a set of smart scales, it’s not just the product itself you need to think about. You also need to consider the app, what features it includes and how user friendly is it. Again, the best way to do this is to read customer reviews concerning the app itself. Or, if the brand offers a free app (most of the best smart scales do), you could always download it and have a play yourself. Of course, you won’t have any data to look through, but it should give you a good idea of whether the user experience works for you. If you want to keep track of your weight alongside data around physical activity and diet, make sure the featured app can be synced with any other applications you use.
Product Guarantee
This is particularly important if you’re investing a lot of money in a set like the Fitbit Aria 2 scale. You want peace of mind that you’re covered should anything go wrong, so check the length of the manufacturer guarantee. This is also worth checking as it’s an indicator of how much confidence a brand has in its products.
Other Considerations
You’ll also want a design that fits well with your bathroom décor and a display panel that’s easy to read, but there’s very little difference across the board here so we don’t consider it a major consideration. You may also want to check the maximum weight capacity of the scales, but most can take up to 180 kg as a minimum which is typically enough for most users.
Other Bathroom Scales We Reviewed
As well as our top three best bathroom scales, here are a few more that come highly recommended: The proprietary Active Era app syncs well with Google Fit, Apple Health and Fitbit, and there’s unlimited user capability. There’s also the nice addition of a baby mode to track the weight of newborns, though the accuracy of this should be approached with caution. Though not as highly rated as our top three picks, this scale still ranks well for accuracy and ease of use and comes with a very reasonable price tag. If you’re not one for smart technology and want to monitor your body composition without referring to an app, Salter’s Ultimate Accuracy Digital Analyser Scale might work for you. You can track metrics for up to 12 users by using the buttons on the scale itself to set up individual profiles. Simply select your profile and step on the scale to see readings for your overall weight, body fat percentage, muscle mass, body water, Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and BMI in turn. Since this is a digital scale and not a smart scale, there’s no transferring of data so you’ll have to note down readings yourself. This is more time consuming but, especially if you’re not a fan of having your data stored in an app, this scale is a great choice owing to its level of accuracy. It is an entry-level product at an affordable price, rated very highly for its precision. Just like the mid to high-end digital and smart scales, it uses four precision sensors for accurate readings, which are displayed clearly on a large backlit LCD screen. On the underside of the scale, you’ll find the switch to select your preferred unit of measurement. You can choose from pounds, stone and kilograms, and the scale can take a maximum weight of 180 kg. There are no additional measurements or fancy features offered with this scale but, as mentioned, users rate it highly in terms of accuracy, which is really all you need from a budget option. This is a great feature if you want the added convenience of asking Alexa to update you on your current measurements. Of course, if you don’t have an Alexa you can still see your data in the accompanying Health Mate app. If you want to keep track of your heart rate as well as your body composition, this clinically tested scale is a good investment. It does come at a cost, but that’s justifiable when you consider its premium functionality. As an added bonus, you’ll get a local weather forecast every time you step on the scales. Not only do they make weight control that little bit easier, but they can also be a great source of motivation, particularly if you opt for a smart scale that shows your daily progress in chart form. It’s much more inspiring to see your hard work paying off than it is to look at a long list of numbers on a page. They can also be incredibly insightful. Many of us know roughly what we weigh but we’re not as familiar with our body composition as a whole. Understanding how much of your weight is in muscle, how much is in fat and, most importantly, how much is in bad fats, can help you make better-informed decisions on other aspects of your life, such as diet and exercise.
