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Smart scales can offer deep health insights, but which aren't junk?

With the right smart scale, you can track your muscle mass, water weight, and BMI to better understand your physical health. ZDNET's expert pick for the best smart scale is the Withings Body+ Scale. It's reliable and accurate. But here's how it compares to some other top-notch bathroom scales, all of which are trusted and worth your money.
Written by Lena Borrelli, Contributing Writer and  Taylor Clemons, Staff Writer
Reviewed by Emery Wright
Withings Body+ Scale | Best smart scale overall
Person's feet standing on a black scale
Withings Body+ Scale
Best smart scale overall
View now View at Amazon
Eufy Smart Scale P1 | Best smart scale for families
A top and bottom comparison image of a man and woman using an Eufy by Anker smart scale in their home gym.
Eufy Smart Scale P1
Best smart scale for families
View now View at Eufy
FITINDEX Bluetooth Body Fat Scale | Best feature-rich smart scale
Person's feet stepping onto a white scale on hardwood floor
FITINDEX Bluetooth Body Fat Scale
Best feature-rich smart scale
View now View at Amazon
QardioBase 2 | Best smart scale splurge
Person's feet stepping onto a black scale that's on top of hardwood floor
QardioBase 2
Best smart scale splurge
View now View at Amazon
Wyze Scale | Best budget smart scale
Wyze Scale
Wyze Scale
Best budget smart scale
View now View at Amazon

Smart scales can do more than tell you how much weight you've gained or lost this week. When connected to different apps like Apple Health or FitBit, you can keep an eye on things like water weight percentages, bone and muscle mass, and even BMI changes. You can also better track changes over time to spot issues you may need to talk to your doctor about or adjust your diet and exercise plans to avoid weight plateaus. 

Some smart scales let you set up multiple user profiles so you and your spouse or roommate can separately track your health without interfering with each other's information. To help you choose the best smart scale for you and your needs, I've created a list of the best smart scales on the market right now. I've broken down their features and price points to help you find the right fit for your health journey as well as your budget.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Simple to operate
  • Wi-Fi capable
  • Multiple modes
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Limited number of profiles
More Details

Features: Two color options | Battery life of 18 months | Free app

Packed with features, the Withings Body+ Scale has an affordable price compared to similar models. The scale is Wi-Fi compatible and syncs with more than 100 different health and fitness apps, like Fitbit and Google Fit. If you have an Apple Watch, it syncs with that, too, using Apple Health for tracking. Reporting is fantastic, and the scale offers several measurements for body fat, body mass index (BMI), water percentage, as well as muscle and bone mass. 

Athletes are sure to enjoy Athlete Mode, a specialized bonus feature for those who like to stay fit. The scale also includes a built-in Pregnancy Tracker for users who are expecting, plus a baby mode to help after your new bundle of joy arrives. With its exclusive Health Mate, the scale focuses on full body composition, studying your body and movements to provide tailored health insights. It also offers what it calls real-world impact, which immediately shows results when you make changes to your daily routine. 

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Easy to use
  • Gives specific measurements
  • Multiple user profiles
Cons
  • No Wi-Fi
  • No athlete mode
More Details

Features: Measures up to 396 pounds | Bio-impedance analysis | Bluetooth 4.2

The Eufy Smart Scale P1 is the scale I purchased during a serious fitness kick. Introduced by Anker Innovations in 2016, this digital scale has a large LED display and wireless capability. It tracks 14 total measurements, including body fat, weight, BMI, muscle mass, and bone mass.

The Bluetooth-enabled body fat scale performs a body composition analysis to help you pinpoint areas for improvement. With two pairs of G-shaped sensors, the scale is capable of more accurate measurements, helping you track the nuances of your weight gain and loss. For better tracking, the scale also integrates with other apps like Apple Health, Google Fit, and Fitbit. You can pair your Smart Scale to the EufyHome app for easy results and tracking. Plus, this app is an excellent fit for large groups, allowing up to 16 users on a single account. However, it is not suitable for pregnant women.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Exclusive athlete tools
  • Affordable
  • Compatible with multiple apps
Cons
  • Slightly small
  • May be confusing to some users
More Details

Features: Two color options | Baby mode | Progress tracking

With the FITINDEX Bluetooth Body Fat Scale, there is easy step-on technology that activates four high precision sensors and four electrodes. It is compatible with several different apps after you down the Fitindex app, including Apple Health, Google Fit, and Samsung Health. It also works with your Fitbit and Apple Watch. The scale offers 13 total body composition measurements, including body fat, water percentage, muscle mass, bone mass, and body age

Unlike other smart scales, this scale allows for unlimited user profiles so the whole family can get involved. Together, you can create goals and monitor each other's progress when you use the companion app. Plus, parents will likely appreciate the baby mode that helps you track your baby's development.  

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Multiple body measurements
  • Pregnancy mode
  • One year battery life
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Measurements are publicly viewable
More Details

Features: Up to eight users | Pregnancy mode | Charges via USB cable 

The QardioBase 2 is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, so you can access the app from Android and iOS, or with your Kindle or Apple Watch. You can also sync with popular fitness apps, like Google Fit, Samsung Health, and MyFitnessPal. This smart scale stores and tracks your data, so it's available to share at any time. 

Set and track goals with guided weekly targets to help you on your health journey. It includes several different measurements, including BMI, body fat and muscle percentages, water weight, and bone mass. There is also a pregnancy mode for expecting moms that syncs to QardioBase for progress tracking. It requires recharging after one year and includes an auto-start feature with recognition for up to eight users.

Wyze Scale
https://www.wyze.com/products/wyze-scale
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 12 different measurements
  • Affordable
  • Multiple user profiles
Cons
  • Requires Bluetooth for operation
  • Restricted features
More Details

Features: Tracks heart rate | Up to eight users | Syncs automatically 

With a bright LED display, the Wyze Scale keeps it simple. The Wyze app provides detailed metrics, while only your weight and body fat are displayed on the actual scale. However, you can easily adjust settings so the app immediately syncs with your scale's latest information. The scale provides 12 different body metrics, including body fat, lean body mass, and heart rate.

Up to eight users can use the scale, which is average for smart scales. With unlimited sharing, you caj share your results with family and friends. It's easy to see trends over time, so you can see what lifestyle changes are working (or not) for your health. When you step on, the scale comes to life and uses four sensors to measure your weight to the 10th of a pound. 

What is the best smart scale?

The Withings Body+ Scale is ZDNET's choice for best smart scale due to its Wi-Fi capability, multiple modes, and affordable price tag. However, our list of best smart scales includes various options so you can find one that fits your goals and budget.

Smart scale 

Cost

Wi-Fi

Special Modes

Withings Body+ Scale

$79

Yes

Athlete, baby, pregnancy

Eufy Smart Scale P1

$45

No

Baby, pregnancy

FITINDEX Bluetooth Body Fat Scale

$21

Yes

Pregnancy

QardioBase 2

$149

Yes

Pregnancy

Wyze Scale

$35.98

Yes

Athlete, baby, pregnancy

Which is the right smart scale for you?

To help you find the best smart scale for your family, consider our expert recommendations for each scale.

Choose this smart scale...

If you want...

Withings Body+ Scale

The best overall option

Eufy Smart Scale P1

A family-friendly scale

FITINDEX Bluetooth Body Fat Scale

A feature-rich smart scale

QardioBase 2

A stylish scale that's top in its class

Wyze Scale

An affordable, quality scale

How did we choose these smart scales?

In searching for the best smart scales, we considered several factors:

  • Compatibility: Several smart scales link to different apps. If you plan on using a fitness app or tracker like Apple Health, FitBit, or MyFitnessPal, it is important that your bathroom scale is compatible with each app.
  • Connectivity: If you plan to sync with these apps, you'll need a smart scale that is either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi compatible. Most of the best smart scales offer Wi-Fi connectivity for convenient tracking and faster updates.
  • Measurements: Each smart scale may use different metrics to track your progress, such as body mass index (BMI), muscle mass, and body water percentage. Consider which measurements are most important to you and check to see if these are included in your new smart scale.  
  • Special modes: Some smart scales have exclusive settings designed for particular circumstances, such as people who are pregnant or caring for a newborn. Other scales have special modes for athletes, adding custom features and metrics specifically designed for the active user. 
  • Cost: Budget is usually a concern for most consumers, so we compare price tags to find the most competitively priced smart scales with the best technology features. 

What is a smart scale?

A smart scale works similarly to other fitness trackers like smartwatches, fitness rings, and armbands. These electronic scales provide far more data than just your weight, offering invaluable insights into your past and present health. These smart scales use special technology known as bioelectrical impedance analysis to collect data about your body.

Is a smart scale worth it?

A smart scale can be an invaluable tool to help you lose weight and track health patterns. It can also provide targeted information for special goals, like prenatal care or athletic regimens. However, you should always consult your doctor and continue to receive regular health exams. 

Are there alternative smart scales worth considering?

While searching for the best smart scales, these are some of the picks that almost made our list.

While you're shopping for health-related products, check out ZDNET's recommendations for best fitness trackers, best smartwatch, and best sports watch to complete your fitness needs.

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