A body fat scale is one of the popular bathroom scales on the market today. Whether you are looking to lose weight or simply keeping track of your physical health, this scale can be of great use. It can help you understand your composition regarding lean muscle and fat.
In this article, you will understand how body fat scales work. You will also find the top 7 models and a comprehensive guide to help you in the selection process. We have also reviewed the best bathroom scales you can buy.
Top 7 Body Fat Scales
1. Withings Body+ Smart Digital Scale
This is one of the highest-rated scales for weight watchers. It provides full body composition analysis to help you keep track of your progress.
Key Features
- Automatic synchronization
- Nutrition tracking
- Multi-user friendly
- Daily weather forecast
- Full body composition analysis
The device measures weight, fat percentage, and water. With the automatic synchronization, data from every weigh-in appears on your smartphone’s Health Mate app vis Wi-Fi. The best thing is that you can set a goal and manage your calorie intake for weight loss.
The scale is ideal for up to 8 users hence suitable for families. However, data such as bone mass is not transferred to the app.
2. RENPHO Smart Bluetooth Body Fat Scale
This smart scale is an ideal choice for tracking multiple body composition parameters.
Key Features
- Syncs with fitness apps
- 13 body composition analysis
- Rechargeable battery
- High-precision sensors
You can use this device to measure body weight BMI, body fat percentage, muscle mass, bone mass, body age, among others. It syncs the information directly to your phone app even when you do not have the phone nearby.
With the high-quality battery and the high-precision sensors, this device functions well for a long time. It is important to note, however, that it does not connect to Fitbit.
3. Mi Body Composition Scale
This simple yet functional scale is ideal for multiple weight watchers.
Key Features
- Up to 16 user profiles
- Automatic brightness adjustment
- Anti-slip finish
- Low-energy Bluetooth 4.0 technology
It is one of the body composition scales that work well for many people, thanks to the multiple user profiles. With Bluetooth connectivity, this device is easy to sync and transfer data to your smartphone. It only requires four AAA batteries hence a great portable option.
The anti-slip finish is safe and comfortable for everyone; however, it does not show all parameters.
4. ObboMed Compact Digital Body Fat Scale
The device measures body weight, hydration, BMI, muscle, and basal metabolic rate.
Key Features
- Ten user profiles
- Three different units; KG, LB, ST
- Tempered glass platform
- Compact and portable
The sleek design of this model makes it one of the easiest to use. It has a tempered glass platform that is easy to clean. Additionally, this scale stores data of up to 10 people, hence suitable for large families.
It is super easy to use, and you can carry it when you travel to keep track of your progress.
5. MC Xiaomi Smart Body Fat Scale
This Xiaomi model provides up to 10 precise data points. These can help track your health status as well as your fitness levels.
Key Features
- High-precision sensors
- Mi Fit app
- 16 user profiles
- Low energy Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity
The device syncs to your smartphone’s Mi Fit app via Bluetooth. This feature helps you to see all the parameters in one graph for easy monitoring. The device can store data of up to 16 people, hence ideal for families.
It is easy to use and only requires four AAA batteries. It has a weight limit of 150kg/330lbs.
6. SENSSUN Bluetooth Smart Scale
The device connects to a phone app where you can see different parameters.
Key Features
- High-precision measurements
- Sturdy and stable design
- Four high-precision sensors
- Two electrodes
- Quick synchronization
It is a suitable app to track weight, muscle mass, calories, bone mass percentages, etc. With the high-precision sensors and two electrodes, this device provides reliable results. It is sturdy, stable and can hold the weight of up to 400lbs/180kgs.
It is an ideal choice for up to 12 users; however, connecting to Google Fit can be challenging, especially for Android users.
7. YUNMAI Smart Scale
The device is easy to sync with different fitness apps such as Google Fit, Apple Health, and Fitbit.
Key Features
- Ten precision measurements
- Up to 16 user profiles
- Concealed LED display
- AAA batteries
- Bluetooth connectivity
You will love that this scale comes ready to use. You only need to download the app to your smartphone and connect to Bluetooth. Once you step on the scale, the device syncs to your phone and sends data within seconds.
The device measures weight, body fat, water, bone mass, BMI, age, among other parameters. It is easy to use and stores data of up to 16 people. It is one of the best body fat scales in Australia that you can buy.
Body Fat Scale Features
Display
The display of your body fat scale should be big enough to read at a glance. Also, it should be clear to see and show numbers in large font for easy reading. Some scales come with a wireless display that you can mount on the wall to see better.
Data
What your scale displays should be easy to understand. It should also stay on the screen long enough. Some models flash the data quickly, making it hard for you to follow. The ideal situation is, the data should be available without needing to weigh again.
Controls
The control buttons on the body fat scale should be simple to use and labelled clearly. Additionally, programming of the scale should be seamless and quick.
User Profiles
These are the saved sets of individual data for everyone that uses the scale regularly. Some advanced models feature a guest profile to include visitors’ data without storing it permanently.
Additional Parameters
Many models display other parameters in addition to the fat percentage. These show weight BMI, muscle mass, bone mass, water, etc. This information could be helpful if you are trying to lose weight and build up muscle. Some show goals based on your age, height, and sex.
How They Work
A body fat scale works by sending a small electrical current through your body from your feet up. It then measures the resistance to determine your body fat percentage. Muscle tissues hold a lot of water and provide low resistance. On the other hand, fat tissue has little water; hence, a higher resistance.
This resistance, together with personal information such as height, age, and gender, calculate the body fat percentage. This information can guide you on your weight loss progress following your fitness goals.
However, you should note that most body fat and weight scales are not 100 % accurate. They are useful as a guideline and not as an exact measure.
Who Should Not Use Body Fat Scales?
Most models of body fat bathroom scales indicate that they are not suitable for people with pacemakers. This is because the electric current could interfere with the pacemaker. Many designs also warn that the readings can undependable for children, bodybuilders, athletes, and people with metal plates in their bodies. Most also warn against using them on pregnant women.
FAQ
How Accurate Are Body Fat Scales?
Body fat bathroom scales are usually not 100% accurate. They only provide a rough estimate based on how much water is in the muscle and fat tissues.
What Is a Healthy Body Fat Range?
A healthy range differs based on your gender and age. For example, women between 20 and 39 should have a recommended body fat range between 21 to 33%. For men, the same age, the recommended healthy range is 8 to 20 %. The range increases slightly with age.
Which Is the Best Body Fat Scale?
The best body fat scale will depend on how you intend to use it and the budget at hand. How many people will use the scale? What are the features you need? Do you want the information sent to your smartphone? Answers to these questions will help you select based on the maximum weight capacity and extra features.
The Bottom Line
Like other bathroom scales, you need a body fat scale that is easy to set up and use. The above options are ideal, and you can select a suitable one based on your needs. With the features in mind, you can evaluate what will work best for you and other intended users.
