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Roger Fingas / Android Authority
A smart scale is a device that measures your weight and other body metrics and sends the data to a matching phone app using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. This allows you to track your progress over time and sync data with other health and fitness platforms. Smart scales have become increasingly popular due to their affordability and the wide range of metrics they can measure.
One of the most popular smart scales on the market is the Withings Advanced Body Composition (Body Comp) Wi-Fi Scale. This high-end scale offers a range of advanced metrics, including artery health and sweat gland activity, in addition to the standard weight and body fat measurements. The scale also comes bundled with a 12-month subscription to Health Plus, which offers daily feedback and coaching in areas like sleep and nutrition.
Another popular smart scale is the more affordable Wyze Scale, which also offers a range of metrics, including water, heart rate, and muscle and bone mass. While it doesn’t offer the advanced metrics of the Withings Body Comp, it is still a great option for those on a budget.
Smart scales can be a great tool for improving your health and fitness, but it’s important to remember that they are just one part of a larger picture. A science-based plan that includes exercise and a healthy diet is still the most effective way to improve your overall health and well-being.
So if you’re looking to improve your health and fitness, consider investing in a smart scale and using it in conjunction with other health and fitness tools. With the right plan and the right tools, you can achieve your health and fitness goals and live a happier, healthier life.
expertise in body composition would be the best source for accurate measurements. Smart scales can provide a general idea of trends, but they should not be relied upon for precise measurements.
Conclusion
Smart scales are a convenient tool for tracking weight and other health metrics, but their accuracy varies depending on the specific device and the metric being measured. While they can provide useful information for improving overall health and fitness, it is important to keep in mind their limitations and not rely solely on their measurements for medical diagnoses or treatment. With proper use and understanding, smart scales can be a valuable addition to a healthy lifestyle.
At Tech Leaks, we strive to provide our readers with the latest news and information on technology, including smart scales and other health and fitness devices. Stay tuned for more updates and reviews!
Why Consumer Fat Scales Are Inaccurate
The Cedars-Sinai Diabetes and Obesity Research Institute has recently argued that no consumer fat scale can provide accurate measurements. While these scales may be convenient for home use, they simply cannot match the precision of machines used in clinical settings, such as MRI scanners and air displacement chambers.
Top Smart Scales for Health Enthusiasts
Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority
For those who are serious about their health and fitness, there are several smart scales on the market that offer a range of metrics and high accuracy. Here are some of the best:
Garmin Index S2 ($150): This scale is targeted towards athletes and fitness enthusiasts who take their health seriously. It tracks a wide range of metrics, including Wi-Fi sync and a high-resolution color display.
Sportneer Smart Scale ($70): With more electrodes than most, this scale analyzes 14 metrics, including distinct fat and muscle mass figures for your arms, legs, and torso.
Fitbit Aria Air ($50): This Bluetooth-based scale tracks weight and body fat and syncs directly with the Fitbit app and associated platforms.
Wyze Scale ($28.78 at Amazon): Despite its budget price, this scale covers 12 metrics, including body fat, water weight, and heart rate.
Withings Body Comp ($209.95 at Withings): This scale syncs to the cloud via Wi-Fi and measures not just common body composition metrics but factors like vascular health and sweat gland activity.
QardioBase X ($95): This scale keeps track of 12 metrics, including multiple fat- and bone-related stats. It also uses a rechargeable battery and syncs directly with Samsung Health, Apple Health, and Google Fit.
Wyze Scale Review
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, the Wyze Scale is a great choice. While it sacrifices some frills, it’s a good option for those who want to track their weight over time.
What’s Good?
The Wyze Scale offers a lot of features at a budget price, making it a great option for those who want to track their weight over time. It’s easy to use and syncs with the Wyze app, making it easy to keep track of your progress.
While consumer fat scales may be convenient for home use, they simply cannot match the precision of machines used in clinical settings. For those who are serious about their health and fitness, investing in a smart scale may be a worthwhile investment.
Wyze Scale Review: Is It Worth the Hype?
The Wyze Scale is a budget-friendly smart scale that tracks weight and several other body metrics, such as body fat, muscle mass, water, protein, lean body mass, bone mass, visceral fat, heart rate, basal metabolic rate (BMR), and “metabolic age.” But is it worth the hype? Let’s find out.
Setup and Ease of Use
One of the best things about the Wyze Scale is its straightforward and easy setup process. Once you load the batteries and add the Scale to the Wyze app, you simply enter basic personal information (age, height, etc.) and pair via Bluetooth. You can also enable Athlete Mode, which adjusts measurements for people who exercise over 10 hours per week and have unusually low numbers for body fat and resting heart rate.
While you do need to have the app open on your phone to sync data, the scale is relatively quick to measure, and the app provides a well-organized view of all the metrics/trends it tracks. Plus, the Wyze app syncs straight to Fitbit, Apple Health, and Google Fit, making it a superior option given the money you’re saving.
Accuracy
While weight measurements are consistent with other scales, accuracy for anything beyond weight and heart rate is suspect. Body composition metrics can fluctuate more than expected and may potentially be far off base. Switching from the Wyze Scale to the Withings Body Comp saw a significant difference in body fat percentage, which suggests a technological difference.
While the Wyze Scale is a great option for tracking weight and basic metrics, it may not be the best choice for those looking for highly accurate body composition measurements.
Dependence on Bluetooth
A minor complaint about the Wyze Scale is its dependence on Bluetooth. The need to refresh a nearby phone to sync data might seem trivial, but that does mean you end up using your phone during a weigh-in whether you like it or not, and might be a deterrent over time for people who aren’t seriously committed to tracking their weight.
Coaching and Goal Setting
While the Wyze app does let you set weight goals, it doesn’t suggest how to meet them. The best you get apart from trends is tapping on a metric, which shows a textbook definition plus a slider showing whether or not you’re doing well. Don’t expect anything in the way of coaching.
Conclusion
The Wyze Scale is a budget-friendly option for those looking to track weight and basic body metrics. While it may not be the best choice for highly accurate body composition measurements, it’s a great option for those on a budget. Its easy setup and syncing with Fitbit, Apple Health, and Google Fit make it a superior option to more expensive smart scales.
Low-cost • Syncs with Apple Health, Google Fit, etc. • Attractive design
Wyze aims to deliver smart scale essentials on a budget.
Wyze’s Bluetooth-based smart scale tracks weight and several other body metrics, such as water, body fat, and heart rate. It supports up to 8 users, and data can be synced with third-party platforms like Apple Health and Google Fit.
Withings Body Comp
If you want a scale that comes reasonably close to providing a total health picture and is convenient to boot, Withings’ Body Comp fits the bill. You will, however, want to drop the bundled Health Plus subscription before renewal time comes around.
Withings Body Comp Review: Is it Worth the Price?
If you’re looking for a comprehensive smart scale, the Withings Body Comp might be worth considering. In tandem with the Health Mate app, this scale monitors weight, body fat, heart rate, water, muscle mass, bone mass, and visceral fat. It even includes vascular age to help prevent heart problems. The app syncs with platforms like Strava, Apple Health, Google Fit, MyFitnessPal, and Runkeeper, and there’s an Athlete Mode for serious fitness enthusiasts.
One of the standout features of the Body Comp is its trend charts for every data point, not just a handful of them. It even pulls in stats like walking, workouts, and floor climbing from other app sources, so you can check out some of that info without having to leave Health Mate. Plus, the scale’s monochrome LCD cycles through various readouts and graphs, giving you a sense of how you’re doing without even touching your phone.
However, the Body Comp comes with a hefty price tag of $174, which may not be worth it for everyone. While it’s more accurate than budget options and includes features like Wi-Fi sync and in-depth data, it’s not clear if it’s worth the extra cost compared to other smart scales on the market. Additionally, the auto-renewing subscription to Health Plus may be ethically sketchy, and the value of the service is limited for those with more experience in fitness.
On a technical level, setup can be a little confusing, and some things require on-scale, foot-based control. However, once you get past the initial setup, the Body Comp is a powerful and advanced smart scale that closely assesses users’ critical biomarkers.
Pros:
Comprehensive monitoring of weight, body fat, heart rate, water, muscle mass, bone mass, and visceral fat
Trend charts for every data point
Syncs with platforms like Strava, Apple Health, Google Fit, MyFitnessPal, and Runkeeper
Athlete Mode for serious fitness enthusiasts
Cons:
Expensive compared to other smart scales
Auto-renewing subscription to Health Plus may be ethically sketchy
Value of Health Plus is limited for those with more experience in fitness
Setup can be confusing and require foot-based control
If you’re willing to invest in a high-end smart scale, the Withings Body Comp is a solid choice. However, if you’re on a budget or don’t need all the features it offers, there are more affordable options available.
Is a Smart Scale Worth It?
If you’re curious about your weight, a smart scale is definitely worth it. Even a low-cost option like the Wyze Scale can effectively track weight trends. By syncing with platforms like Google Fit and adding an advanced tracker from Polar, Fitbit, or Garmin, you can gain a comprehensive view of your health and activity, including heart rate, blood oxygen, and sleep. While accuracy should always be taken with a grain of salt, the data provided is sufficient enough to act on.
However, any features beyond weight are considered a luxury. Body composition data is not always accurate, making high-end models like the Withings Body Comp a tough sell, especially when considering the added cost of an online subscription service.
Despite this, newcomers may benefit from direct coaching and goal-setting, while amateur athletes can use semi-accurate composition data as a relative measure. While 20% body fat may not be entirely accurate, if the percentage shifts over a few weeks and persists, there is likely authentic change happening.
FAQs
Does Apple have a smart scale?
No, at the moment, Apple’s only health and fitness hardware is the Apple Watch. However, many scales and apps can sync with Apple Health.
What is the price range for smart scales?
Smart scales can range from less than $50 to three or four times that amount. Spending more typically results in better features and accuracy.
Do smart scales require any setup by users?
No, smart scales can zero themselves as long as they are kept on a stable surface. Users only need to enter height data and decide whether to enable precision options like Athlete Mode.
Can smart scales support multiple profiles?
Yes, it is increasingly common for smart scales to support multiple profiles. The Garmin Index S2, for example, supports up to 16 people. However, how scales handle multiple profiles can vary. Some models require separate email accounts, while others like the Withings Body Comp can handle several people under the same account, as long as their approximate weights are known.
A smart scale can be genuinely useful for monitoring weight trends. Other features are just a bonus.