Best smart scale for athletes (Update: Out of stock)
Tracking health isn’t just about keeping track of your weight. Your weight scale should display more than just a number and help you get more insight, with other health metrics like body fat percentage, heart rate and more. While analog scales remain the most popular, smart scales are becoming increasingly common. The best smart scales also connect to your phone and sync up with fitness apps like Apple Health and Google Fit. This makes it easier for you to track your overall health data. That’s why getting a premium smart scale may be worth the investment if you’re trying to meet health and wellness goals and want to see data about progress beyond just weight.
One thing’s for sure: These scales keep getting smarter. To break down the best smart scales on the market, I first established a control weight, recorded at a recent doctor’s appointment, to compare against these scales. Then I tested them in my bathroom daily, weighing myself multiple times on each scale at the same time of day for two weeks. Taking into account each scale’s consistency, accuracy and measurements provided, I determined which are worth buying. Before purchasing, take a look at our top picks for smart scales below.
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QardioBase X is our top pick because of its customizable functions and ability to be used on different surfaces. Admittedly it’s large and heavy (weighing about 7 pounds), but the sleek design makes it an appealing piece of technology, even if it’s just a scale. It’s compatible with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, can be recharged with USB-C and it can read units in kilograms, stone and pounds. It has a weight capacity of up to 396 pounds. It’s suitable for up to eight users and has several modes to pick from, including one for athletes and one called “out of sight” if you don’t want the weight to appear on the scale. It also has modes for pregnant people and people with implanted devices, avoiding potential harm or interference by turning off the electrical currents used by most smart scales to read metrics aside from weight. It’s one of the few scales that functions well on any surface — even a carpet — which is always a plus.
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The Wyze Scale X is the most versatile scale on the list because it can weigh adults, babies, pets and even luggage. The face of the scale is made up of a smooth tempered glass and it’s conveniently lightweight and thin so it can be stored easily. It has a weight capacity of 400 pounds, so people of various sizes can comfortably use it. You can create up to eight profiles and customize them accordingly. This scale can read up to 13 body composition metrics, including body fat percentage, basal metabolic rate, metabolic age, muscle mass, body mass index and heart rate. This scale is battery-powered, so it’s not rechargeable.
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This scale from Renpho is the best option if you want a user-friendly smart scale app. The scale uses both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which is helpful since it means you can save your data in Wi-Fi mode and sync it up later via Bluetooth. This sleek, black design doesn’t look as fancy as the other high-end scales on the list, but it’s the right size to store in your bedroom or bathroom. The weight capacity is capped at 396 pounds, meaning various people can use it. It’s battery-powered, so if you want a rechargeable scale, this may not be the best choice for you. This scale provides unlimited user profiles and is suitable for weighing infants and adults alike. It’s important to note that, unlike most of the other scales on this list, this one does not have a mode for pregnant people or those with implanted devices.
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It may not seem like a big deal, but the way a scale shows a reading on its display screen can make or break your experience. This is especially true if you have vision issues or are tall and would like your scale to have larger fonts for easier reading. Etekcity’s HR Smart Fitness Scale has the best display screen because the high-resolution graphics make it easy to read your weight, and it depicts a custom set of key measurements on the screen (so you don’t have to go to the app every time).
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The Greater Goods Premium Wi-Fi scale fits the bill for a smart scale that can provide basic readings. It’s made up of a white tempered glass so it looks sleek and blends in with most bathroom settings. The design works well with the blue backlit LCD display screen. This scale can hold up to 400 pounds and uses four sensors to give you accurate results.
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The Withings Body Plus scale is a good option if you want the ability to sync up to over 100 third-party apps like Apple Health, Google Fit and MyFitnessPal to your scale. It’s a large, sleek mirrored glass scale that has four high-precision sensors to give you the most accurate readings. It can record eight user profiles and hold up to 396 pounds. It uses pounds, kilograms and stones measuring units so it works for various individuals. This may not be the ideal scale for pregnant people or those with implanted devices because it does not provide a specific mode that turns off electrical currents. This scale connects to both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and is easy to set up. The scale comes with carpet feet, which can be placed at the bottom of the scale on each corner. The carpet feet weren’t my favorite accessory because sometimes the scale wobbled on my tiled bathroom floor and I had to reposition it until the surface felt even.
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Many scales have a limited number of users on their platform, but the Eufy Smart Scale P2 Pro is the best that’s set up for unlimited profiles. The Renpho, Etekcity and Sportneer smart scales also allow unlimited users, but the Eufy smart scale has a better way of displaying each person’s results via its app interface. This scale has a 400-pound weight capacity and can also weigh pets and babies. Additionally, there’s a simple mode you can select if you’re pregnant or have an implanted device.
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I found the Sportneer Smart Scale has the most detailed metrics on this list — ideal for an athlete who wants specific fitness data on their progress. It uses both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and can save unlimited users weighing up to 396 pounds. This round-ish scale is made of tempered glass and includes four electrodes on the base and another four on the detachable measuring handle — included in the box — to give you the most accurate reading. If you are pregnant or have an implanted device, I would not recommend this scale since it doesn’t have a safe mode where you can turn off the electrical currents.
Other smart scales tested
FitTrack Dara BMI Smart Scale: I wanted to give this smart scale a chance because it had the most body composition measurements, but it never functioned properly when I weighed myself. The only data it provided was my weight, but it never seemed to capture the rest.
Omron Body Composition Monitor and Scale: I had a hard time setting this scale up. I tried troubleshooting and following the directions it came with, but to no avail.
How we tested the best smart scales
Ease of use: How easy it is to sync up the scale and app using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Additionally, how easy it is to interpret the weight and other data provided by the scale.
Design: If the scale is aesthetically pleasing and designed to blend into different rooms.
Consistency: Welooked atweight across the board for a period of two weeks and made sure it was consistent for multiple weigh-ins at the same time each day.
App measurements: We looked at the app interface and the measurements provided, as well as how detailed and easy it is to access and read.
Factors to consider
Consider how much you’re willing to spend on a scale. Just because a scale is expensive, doesn’t mean it’s the best option. There are inexpensive scales that can provide the same measurements.
Determine if you’re going to want various measurement modes such as for pregnancy, pets or children.
Understand that smart scales aren’t always accurate and the only way to get the most precise measurement is through a DEXA (or DXA) scan. Consult with a medical professional if you’re interested in this data.
If you wear a pacemaker or implanted medical device, make sure the scale offers an option to shut off electrical currents. Currents sent by scale are generally safe, but they can potentially interfere with the device and ruin it.
It’s important to consider the weight capacity on a scale since you want to make sure it can handle various weights.
If you struggle with body image or are recovering from an eating disorder, consider discussing with your doctor if owning a smart scale is the right choice for you. It’s also helpful to know that some scales don’t show you your weight or have a similar mode setting.
If you’d like to sync up the scale to shared apps, make sure your app of choice is compatible with the scale.
Smart scale FAQs
How does a smart scale work?
Smart scales rely on technology called bioelectrical impedance analysis. The scales send small electrical impulses through your body — up your leg, across your hips and down your other leg — measuring resistance and then using a mathematical formula to give you information about your body fat percentage, water weight, bone density and lean muscle mass, among other things. If you wear an implanted medical device or are pregnant, it’s important to check that the scale lets you use it in a weight-only mode or has the option to shut off electrical currents.
Are smart scales accurate?
While a smart scale’s information can give you some insight into your body composition, it’s not the most accurate technology. Dr. Hector Perez, a bariatric surgeon, suggests if you want a better idea of your body composition, it’s always best to consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional. “They may have you do a DEXA scan, measure you with skinfold calipers, or use other methods to get a more accurate reading,” he says. A DEXA scan is a full-body scan that provides the most accurate data on your body composition. It can read everything from your bone mineral density to your fat and lean tissue.
Is a smart scale worth it?
A smart scale can be a useful part of your wellness regimen if you’re looking for general insight into your body’s changes over time. But take the actual numbers with a grain of salt since they only tell you so much. If you need to track health metrics for specific reasons, consult with a doctor or health care provider about getting accurate numbers. However, we chose the smart scales on this list based on how consistent and user-friendly they are.
