To monitor your weight, you can obviously invest in a classic scale. But in 2023, technology offers us much more. With connected scales, it is now possible to measure fat mass, muscle mass, bone mass, and easily monitor changes.
If you want to lose weight, monitor it, or simply follow the results of your training, a connected scale is much more practical than a traditional model.
The latter indeed takes care of the most boring part of the weighing for you, by carrying out an automatic follow-up, generally consultable via an app. In addition to weight, most models offer a more detailed analysis of your body composition: bone mass, muscle mass, fat mass… and many other things.
However, take this data with a grain of salt, it does not claim to be extremely reliable or precise. On the other hand, they are very useful for drawing long-term trends.
A little advice for better monitoring: weigh yourself at a fixed time, at regular intervals, by placing the scale in the same place on hard ground. Doing it in the morning on an empty stomach is the most obvious option. This avoids certain variables such as food and drink that can strongly change the results. Also be careful not to focus on daily variations, rather look at the evolution of the curve over a longer period to detect the real changes. In women, the weight itself can also vary depending on the moment of the cycle.
We have made for you a comparison of the best connected scalesat all price levels.
If you want to track your sporting progress, don’t hesitate to take a look at our selection of connected bracelets for sport. Our selection of the best running apps may also be of interest to you, as will the best headphones for sports.
Withings Body Cardio: the connected scale for your body and your heart
The Body Cardio is a very complete connected scale that measures your weight, of course, but also does much more. In reality, the scale measures almost your entire body: weight, bone mass, fat mass, water mass and finally muscle mass. These measurements are relatively common on most higher end scales. Where the Body Cardio stands out is on its cardiac part.
The scale is also capable of measuring your heart rate as well as pulse wave velocity (PWV). Unknown to the general public, PWV makes it possible to measure arterial stiffness, which is itself a factor in arterial hypertension. Prosaically, it is an additional way of detecting anomalies. It is always good to take. More recently, it introduced an estimate of your cardiovascular age based on pulse wave measurement.
Of course, the scale is integrated into the manufacturer’s ecosystem, so you will find the data in the Health Mate application, which is rather well put together and pleasantly designed. If you already own a Withings product like a smartwatch, this is a natural choice. It connects via Wi-Fi and has the very good idea of recharging via USB rather than running on a battery. The brand promises up to 12 months of autonomy.
The Withings Body Cardio in a nutshell
- All your body composition
- And also cardiovascular measures
- The Withings ecosystem
Withings Body+: good value for money
If you have a little less budget, you can ignore the heart measurements to focus on the other points with the Withings Body+. On the other hand, you find the weight and the bone, fat, water and muscle masses. It is more than enough on a daily basis.
The composition is always measured using the bioelectrical impedance technique which requires the scale to be used barefoot (and dry) to function properly. It also has a pregnancy mode, then a baby mode to follow the growth of the infant by simply carrying it in your arms.
Unlike its big sister, the scale also ignores the battery, in favor of batteries this time. It will take four and the company expects 18 months of autonomy with these. You will of course find the Health Mate application.
The Withings Body+ in brief
- Your weight and body composition
- But also some additional features
- The pleasant Withings ecosystem
The Withings Body+ is generally offered at less than 100 euros.
Tanita BC-401: simple and reliable
While many new players have recently landed on the scale market, Tanita is what we would call an ancestor, having launched in 1944 in Japan. The brand has a long history of offering precision scales and body impedance meters, but it was a latecomer to the market for connected bathroom scales.
This BC-401 adopts a… dated look. That said, the build quality is impeccable and the large screen very readable. Its format is also particularly shallow; we will therefore have the feet that protrude during the weighing. This is a bit surprising, but in return the connected scale is less bulky and easier to store. We especially appreciate the precision of the measurements and the fact that they are very complete.
Data synchronization is done via Bluetooth to the app (Android and iOS). The latter focuses mainly on your measurements and does not try to shower you with advice like some of its competitors. The BC-401 does not revolutionize the market, far from it, but it offers good performance and impeccable manufacturing quality.
The Tanita BC-401 in brief
- Very good build quality and 3 year warranty
- Precise measurements
- A bit expensive for a Bluetooth scale…
Eufy P1: the economical option
Eufy is a subsidiary of Anker that is best known for its external batteries. With its P1, the brand that specializes in “quantified selfmanages to offer a very attractive connected scale at a low price. As with its more upscale competitors, all the usual measurements are present.
On the other hand, it ignores Wi-Fi. Connectivity is via Bluetooth, which in use is a little less practical since you will have to remember to activate it on your phone so that it records the weight. of the day. It’s a little more restrictive and you will probably “lose” a few measures because of it.
The app is relatively clear and easy on the eyes, and you can also use Google Fit or the iOS Health app if you prefer. The scale itself has the merit of being a little more compact than its competitors and will fit easily into most interiors. It works with 3 AAA batteries.
The Eufy P1 in brief
- All the classic features…
- … but it connects via Bluetooth
- Less than 40 euro!
The low-cost alternative: the Xiaomi scale
At an even lower price (under 30 euros), because often on promotion, you can turn to a Xiaomi product, the Mi Body Composition Scale 2 Bluetooth scale. Small and discreet, it will be used in conjunction with the Mi Fit app , all for only 35 euro .
Tefal Body Partner+: for additional measures
Rather known for its kitchen accessories, Tefal also offers several models of connected scales. The Partner+ offers on paper a selection of very classic sensors with an impedance meter capable of measuring the rate of fat mass and hydration. However, we regret that it only works in Bluetooth, but we appreciate the very readable screen.
However, the scale sets itself apart by offering a “silhouette sensor“. Behind this term hides in fact a good old tape measure, also connected via Bluetooth. Coupled with the application, it allows you to take measurements of six positions (chest, waist, hips, calf, thigh, biceps). Measurements that complement weight and fat mass rate in an interesting way to give a much more precise picture of our evolutions.
Note that while compatibility with Google and Apple health apps is assured, all measurements, including body measurements, are not taken into account. It will therefore be necessary to keep the Tefal app for complete monitoring. Too bad, however, that it is quite expensive.
The Tefal Body Partner + in brief
- Very readable screen
- Really useful measurements
- bluetooth only
Choosing the right connected scale
How to use a connected scale?
Before being connected, connected scales are… scales. When it comes to simply measuring your weight, you can use it like any bathroom scale without any special precautions. However, to obtain additional values such as body fat, they use the so-called “bioelectrical impedance” technique which requires passing a slight current through the body. For this, it is mandatory to use it barefoot otherwise the electric current will not be able to pass, so it will be impossible to obtain a measurement. It is also important to have dry feet, as humidity can disrupt the signal.
Does electrical impedance pose a health risk, including during pregnancy?
If the idea of having a current flowing through your body at each weigh-in worries you, don’t worry. Bioelectrical impedance poses no risk. The current is very weak and no study has shown any impact on health. However, most scales offer to disable this feature out of an abundance of caution, especially during pregnancy.
Are connected scales accurate?
Measuring the weight of something is very simple. Even at low cost, finding accurate scales is not very complicated. Some more upscale, like the Withings Cardio from our selection of connected scales, also offer special mechanisms to make it even more precise.
For the other elements, it is less the case. Bioelectrical impedance has its limitations when it comes to consumer products. The fat mass rate in particular clearly lacks precision and it will be necessary to use dedicated devices to measure it. A connected scale will however be able to draw a trend, especially if you use it on a daily basis.
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