Health, Reviews, Smart Home

Weigh-in: The Top 3 Smart Scales 2017

Ways to track your health have come a long way from a few years back. Now, with wearable technology, countless health apps, and virtual nutritionist, it has never been a better time to make sure you’re healthy. The one essential piece of this puzzle that ties so many other health tracking services together is a smart scale. A smart scale can track a variety of metrics like your weight, your BMI, heart, and even more and report that information to apps, so you have a view of your overall health every weighs in. Furthermore, these scales have integrated more features to allow you to make it a part of an overall wellness ecosystem.

Smart scales can measure a number of fitness features

A smart scale can track a variety of metrics like your weight, BMI, and heart.

However, not all smart scales are made equally. There are some fantastic ones on the market, but not all of them meet this requirement. Some lack certain vital metrics, are limited in the number of people that can use them, or may not even be compatible with your phone in the first place. So we did the heavy lifting for you (pun intended) and found out the best smart scales on the market.

We judged the scales in a few different areas. We were looking first how the scales are able to connect to your phone and what mobile operating systems they were compatible with. Also, we wanted to see what the metrics that each of the scales tracked and how many users each scale supported. Additionally, scales won extra points for stand out features that others didn’t (like a pregnancy mode or giving you the weather report).

With all that in mind, let’s look at the best smart scales on the market.

The Best Smart Scales

Withings Smart Body Analyzer WS-50 – $149.95


If I had to pick out a smart scale in the next 5 minutes, it would be the Withings Smart Body Analyzer WS-50. While this scale doesn’t include some very specific features of the others on this list, it is a fantastic all rounder with honors served. This scale measures just about everything you need it to measure comes with more connectivity options, and even includes a couple of neat features.

1. Measurement of BMI, heart rate, and fat percentage

Withings scale measure BMI, heart rate, and fat percentage

All of these measurements report back to the app that was developed for the scale in conjunction with MyFitnessPal

First off, the scale measure BMI, heart rate, and fat percentage and reports back to the app. There are really the three main components essential to a smart scale and the WS-50 grabs these measurements quickly and accurately. In addition, the design of the product actually pushes the user to stand on the scale correctly. The scale will give inconsistent output if the user is rocking on their heels or standing on their toes to swing the numbers.

All of these measurements report back to the app that was developed for the scale in conjunction with MyFitnessPal. Unlike many others, the app available for iOS and Android so there should be no compatibility issues there. It’s actually surprising how many smart scales out there only have an app developed for one mobile operating system. With that being said, it’s a huge plus that this one can be installed on either of the two devices.

2. Built for the whole family

Withings Smart body is made for the whole family

Withings can hold data for up to 8 different users

The app isn’t for a single user either. The Withings WS-50 is built for the whole family, holding data for up to 8 different users. You can create user profiles for each person who uses the scale and set unique goals so that you can reach what you want to. Even better, these profiles are switched automatically with the scale detecting the user who is using it when they step up.

3. Syncs with app via WiFi or Bluetooth

Withings Smart Body syncs with WiFi and Bluetooth

Withing doesn’t support connectivity via ANT+ but it syncs with WiFi and Bluetooth

The scale syncs with the app via WiFi or Bluetooth. No, it doesn’t support connectivity via ANT+ like some other scales, but wifi and Bluetooth cover pretty much every possible need for a scale. The inclusion of Bluetooth is huge for me. I usually bring my phone into the bathroom anyway so the NFC isn’t an issue, and if you’re like me and the wifi antenna on your phone doesn’t play nice with your router, Bluetooth is an excellent alternative.

4. Air quality and weather report

Withings smart body measures air quality

The scale will give you a weather report each morning when you step on it.

While not an internal health measurement, the Withings WS-50 does measure the air quality around the scale. This isn’t just when you step on the scale either. The WS-50 is constantly monitoring the air quality, so make sure you a health all the way to what you breathe in.

On the side, the WS-50 wins a few extra points as well. While not necessary by any means, the scale will give you a weather report each morning when you step on it. This is super useful for people (like me) who live in the Midwest with the weather fluctuating day-to-day when you are strapped for time.

Overall, the WS-50 doesn’t contain everything that some other smart scales have, but it covers the essentials. Bluetooth and wifi capabilities, Android and iOS support, 8 members, and all the essential measurements make this a great all around smart scale. If you’re looking for something quick and convenient, the WS-50 is hard to beat.

Garmin Index Smart Scale – 149.99


Garmin has created just about every kind of tech gadget under the sun and created them well. So it should come as no surprise that their only smart scale makes the list. The Garmin Index has some of the most advanced features in smart scales. Advanced metrics, a large user count, and fantastic mobile support make this one the most full-featured and versatile smart scales on the market.

1. Measurement of weight, body fat, BMI

Garmin Index scale measures weight, body fat, BMI, and more

Not only essentials, but this scale also measures skeletal muscle mass and bone mass.

The Garmin Index covers all the main bases with its measurements. The scale measures weight, body fat, BMI, and more. However, it doesn’t feature the accurate design of the Wellings. The scale itself is accurate, but it doesn’t fumble with the design of spitting out crazy readings if you’re standing on it incorrectly. However, this smart scale goes further. Not only does it track the essentials, but it also tracks things like skeletal muscle mass and bone mass. These measurements are essential for everyone, but for those who like to very in tune with what is going on in their body, they are imperative.

2. Tracking sleep and calorie count

Garmin Vivo smart HR that can track all of your activity and report it back to the app

You can input goals, track your sleep, maintain calorie counts, and input your activity

The app for the scale, Garmin Connect, can track even more. Within the app, you can input goals, track your sleep, maintain calorie counts, and input your activity. Now, to clarify, most of the other smart scale apps on the market let you do that as well.
What sets the Garmin Index aside is the ecosystem that has been built around the app. The smart scale gathers measurements and reports it, but it can go even further with wearables like the Garmin Vivo smart HR that can track all of your activity and report it back to the app as well. If you’re looking for complete coverage, this system of software and hardware is hard to match.

3. Connectivity

Garmin Index support WiFi and Bluetooth, but it also supports ANT+

The Garmin Index can support a whopping 16 users due to the ANT+ connectivity

Connectivity is just as full featured as the measurements too. Not only does the Garmin Index support WiFi and Bluetooth, but it also supports ANT+. This connectivity allows the ecosystem to work properly. Without going into too much detail, ANT+ supports interconnected networks of multiple streams of data being sent. If you want to learn more, go here. Thankfully, the app supports iOS and Android as well, so Garmin has you covered there.

The Garmin Index can support a whopping 16 users due to the ANT+ connectivity. Thus a huge number and only a few smart scales on the market can actually support this high of a number. I start thinking, though; Who would need 16 profiles? Sure, some families are big, but if you have 16 people living under one roof, a smart scale is probably the last concern. I digress, though. While maybe a bit overkill, it is a neat feature to see that the scale supports this many profiles.

This scale goes above and beyond what is expected of it. The Garmin Index reports very detailed and advanced measurements, has great support with the Garmin ecosystem and covers all the bases in terms of connectivity. It may be a bit too much for those who are just looking to track simple things with their body, but it is fantastic for those who want to get in depth.

QardioBase Smart Scale
QardioBase smart scale has a set of unique features

QardioBase measures a little more in depth and has a unique feature set.

The QardioBase comes out of the gate setting itself apart from the crowd. The circular design is pleasing change, and the readout covering the base of the scale is just a satisfying thing to see. The QardioBase strikes a good balance between the aforementioned smart scales, measuring a little more in depth and having a unique feature set.

1. Fitness

Qardiobase scale can track weight, BMI, and fat percentage

The app itself features things like goals, and charts to make sure you know where you are at with your goal

Starting out, the scale can track weight, BMI, and fat percentage. Nothing surprising there. But it goes further, incorporating a few elements from the prior scale like bone mass and water percentage. These measurements are just enough to give you what you want without overwhelming you. In addition, the scale sports a weight only mode so you can just track that as well.

These measurements integrate perfectly into an ecosystem as well. While QardioBase works perfectly in a system with cardio products, the scale has been optimized to work well with other products as well. This is due to integration with Apple Health, Google Fit, and Samsung S Health. The app itself features things like goals, charts, and more to make sure you know where you’re at with your goal and where you want to be.

2. Feedback

QardioBase has a smart feedback feasture

Instead of displaying numbers, the displays will show either a happy face, a straight face, or a frowny face depending on your progress

After all the tracking, the scale, even provides Smart Feedback, a fantastic feature that sets the QardioBase apart from other smart scales. Instead of displaying numbers, the displays will show either a happy face, a straight face, or a frowny face depending on your progress towards or away from your goal. While you only get the general ideas of where you’re out, the app is recording all of the details to make sure you know where you’re at specifically later on.

While Smart Feedback sets this scale apart, what really sets it apart is the inclusion of a pregnancy mode. This mode can be switched on inside of the app and allows you to make sure you’re on track with pregnancy weight goals. As far as health for pregnant women, this is huge. With so many things to track, it can be hard to measure your weight and keep it on track for a healthy pregnancy. The QardioBase cover this for you so you can stay confident if you’re on track or report it to your doctor if there’s a problem.

3. Connectivity

QardioBase offers versatile connectivity

QardioBase connects via WiFi or Bluetooth to either an Android or iOS

Of course, the app connects via WiFi or Bluetooth to either an Android or iOS, giving you great versatility. The scale doesn’t have the 16 user support of scales like the Garmin Index, but it can store and track information for up to 8 users which are often more than enough.

The QardioBase sits in an interesting spot in the market, being different than most smart scales on the market, while still giving enough information to feel familiar. Things like the inclusion of a pregnancy mode and Smart Feedback can make this scale a winner depending on your needs.

Wrapping it Up

Each of the smart scales depends on your need

Overall, there is an insane amount of options on the market. More importantly, each of these options has done a whole lot to set themselves apart. The main thing to pay attention to is how the scale connects, the ecosystem it lives it, the maximum number of users, and the support for your mobile device.

Ultimately, each of these smart scales depends on your needs. If you need to track your muscle mass and bone mass and want to get down to the very specifics of your body and how it operates, then a smart scale like the Garmin Index may be the right choice for you. However, if you are pregnant or expecting to be pregnant, the QardioBase sets itself aside with being the only scale on this list to feature a pregnancy mode. Things like a weather mode, while not completely necessary, can really set scales like the Withings WS-50 aside from the competition.

Evaluate your needs, check over specifications, and the right fit will come to you. Your health is such a personal thing, so the scale that tracks it should be too.