Bathroom Scales: Reviews

Updated January 2012
Bathroom scales are quickly becoming as high tech as the latest introductions from major computer manufacturers. Some new models communicate weight loss to your iPhone via WiFi and have voice commands that speak your weight. Our findings? Digital scales outperform analog models by far, and fancy features like body fat index calculators might not be worth it. For details on which scales really work best, read our report.
 

Best bathroom scale

Taylor Electronic Glass/Chrome Scale 7506 *Est. $40 Compare Prices

ConsumerReports.org: Consumers Union evaluates 11 bathroom scales for accuracy and consistency.

Amazon.com: More than 315 owners offer feedback on the Taylor Electronic Glass/Chrome Scale 7506, contributing to an overall average rating of 4 stars out of 5.

Walmart.com: About 185 owners rate the Taylor Electronic Glass/Chrome Scale 7506, which earns a near-perfect average rating.

Best body-fat scale

Omron Body Fat Monitor and Scale HBF-400 *Est. $45 Compare Prices

Amazon.com: About 550 owners contribute to an average rating of 4 stars out of 5, but reviews here include feedback on both the Omron Body Fat Monitor and Scale HBF-400 and the discontinued HBF-500.

Choice magazine: Australian-based Choice magazine (similar to ConsumerReports.org) includes the Omron Body Fat Monitor and Scale HBF-400 in its most recent bathroom-scale roundup.

About.com: About.com names the six best body fat monitors, including the Omron Body Fat Monitor and Scale HBF 400.

The New York Times: Registered dietician Joy Bauer tests four body-fat scales against underwater-weight measurements obtained at a hospital.

Viewpoints.com: A handful of owners contribute to an average rating of 4 stars out of 5.

High-capacity bathroom scale

My Weigh Precision High Capacity Talking Scale XL-550 *Est. $50 Compare Prices

Women's Health magazine: The My Weigh Precision High Capacity Talking Scale is one of five recommended bathroom scales in this review.

Amazon.com: More than 70 owners weigh in with feedback on the My Weigh Precision High Capacity Talking Scale, which has an average rating of 4 stars out of 5.

Viewpoints.com: A single owner reviews the MyWeigh Precision High Capacity Talking Scale XL-550, but the review is quite detailed and touches on an alternative use for this scale: weighing enormous pumpkins.

Professional scale

Health o meter Professional Upright Scale 402KL *Est. $200 Compare Prices

Amazon.com: This medical scale gets a 4.5-star rating in about 150 individual reviews at Amazon.com.

Viewpoints.com: The Health o meter scale has a handful of reviews at Viewpoints.com, but most are long and detailed.

High-tech body fat scale

Withings Wi-Fi Body Scale *Est. $160 Compare Prices

Amazon.com: Out of more than 260 user reviews at Amazon.com, more than 170 owners give the Withings WiFi scale a perfect rating.

The Globe and Mail: This review is a bit more philosophical than some of the reviews we read for the Withings Wi-Fi scale.

GadgetReview.com: This reviewer makes a point not noted in many other reviews; he had a hard time getting the scale to work properly on low-pile carpet, even though special carpet feet are included.

CrunchGear.com: "The obvious question here is whether or not you need a web-enabled scale" writes John Biggs, though he is clearly enthralled with the Withings scale.

Wired: "The Wi-Fi Scale from Withings isn't the only web-connected digital scale on the market, but for now, it's the best we've stepped on," writes Steven Leckart, who tests the scale with multiple users.

Gizmodo.com: This review's summary says it all, "Expensive but worth it." The author points out that spending $160 on a scale isn't unfathomable if it lasts for many years; most owners spend $20 to $40 on a scale several times throughout a lifespan.

Bathroom Scales Runners Up:

Tanita Solar Digital Scale HS-302 *Est. $70

3 picks including: Amazon.com, Onkyo TX-SR607…

Omega Ultra Slim Digital Bathroom Scale *Est. $40

2 picks including: Amazon.com, Drugstore.com…

     
 
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Tanita HS302 White Solar Powered Digital Bathroom Scale
In Stock.
Average Customer Review:  
 
 
 
 
     
   
 
 
 
     
   
 
 
 

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