8 Best Smart Bathrooms Scales That Do More Than Just Weigh
The latest models measure much more now, including bone mass, heart rate, muscle mass and BMI
Not all bathroom scales are equal. Those ones you remember from your childhood, with dials that swung crazily around as you stepped on and off, with springs whizzing and clunking, well, they still exist, but now you can have accuracy, extra features and silence.
The latest bathroom scales are connected, saving your weight to a website (that only you can access) or phone app.
Scales measure much more now, such as fat content, heart rate, water content, muscle mass, BMI (body mass index, which tells you if your weight is healthy or not) and more.
Some of these are achieved by putting an electrical current through you as you stand on the scales. This is called bioelectrical impedance analysis.
Don’t worry, you can’t feel this, but it means that you have to stand on the scales barefoot and, more importantly, are not recommended for use by anyone who is pregnant or uses a pacemaker or defibrillator, for instance.
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Withings is the healthcare gadgets company of the moment, excelling with wearable tech, blood pressure monitors, sleep trackers and, above all, smart scales. Step on and you’ll read your weight, and while it calculates the next metrics, it shows how that weight compares to your last five measures. As well as weight it tells you your body fat percentage, muscle mass, bone mass, body water and BMI. Stay on the scales and it’ll report on your heart rate and pulse wave velocity, a statistic referring to heart health. All that, plus today’s weather. It’ll even wish you happy birthday on your special day. None of which would mean much if it wasn’t accurate and easy to use. Fortunately, it’s both and it looks good, too (choose from black or white finishes). Your stats are recorded to an elegant-looking smartphone app so you can see how your weight has changed over time – measurements are stored automatically and for years. These are the best smart scales by a country mile: if there’s a fault it’s that if they get especially wet, they can stop working. Plugging the scales into the mains to charge the built-in battery usually solves this.
The display on these scales is sharp and easy to read. It covers weight, body fat, water, muscle mass, bone mass, BMI and BMR. The last one is basal metabolic rate, the calories you burn when you’re at rest. The data is saved to the Salter MiBody app which is colourful but not as in-depth as some here. Eight users can store their measurements. There are also child and athlete settings for more carefully tailored results.
Fitbit isn’t just about smart wristbands, though these scales talk to the same smartphone app. The scales have a slick design and a clear, easily-legible screen. As well as weight and body fat percentage, it’ll also tell you your BMI and lean mass. Since it works with Fitbit’s trackers it can help inform you about how your activity affects what you weigh. The scales are quick and reliable, and can recognise up to eight users.
These scales offer especially detailed results, thanks to the eight electrodes used to make measurements. A handset with electrodes in it pulls out on a retractable cord for some of the results. This design also makes it especially easy to read. It’s designed to give separate readings for different parts of the body: right arm, left arm, trunk and so on. That can help if you’re trying to ensure you build up both arms equally, say, or are rehabilitating one part of your body. It’s solid and easy to use – once you’ve mastered all the different readings. Four people can use the scales and it measures body fat, water and muscle mass as well as weight
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