Best Bathroom Scales

Top-rated digital scales

Overall, experts prefer digital scales for home use because repeated comparison testing has shown that they are more accurate and easier to read than traditional analog (mechanical) scales. Digital scales come with a variety of features, including weight tracking and multiuser memories, but we found the best reviews for basic scales that display weight and little else.

The Taylor Electronic Scale 7506 (*Est. $40) is the top scorer in one independent test, and owner reviews are mostly positive. More than 300 owners contribute to an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 on Amazon.com, while the scale earns 5 stars out of 5 in more than 180 reviews at Walmart.com. It has a weight capacity of 400 pounds in 0.2-pound increments, and it features a 1.5-inch LCD display and a stylish glass platform. This scale is backed by a lifetime warranty. One organization rates this scale as excellent for accuracy and consistency, and owners praise the long-lasting lithium battery and consistent weight readings. This scale works automatically when it's stepped on, so there's no need to tap first, a feature most owners appreciate. The large display is easy to read, but a few owners say they wish it were backlit. There are also a few reports that these scales stop working or the display malfunctions after a few months or years.

Another standout, the Omega Ultra Slim Digital Bathroom Scale (*Est. $40) is recommended in a roundup at Bestcovery.com and is also a top-rated bathroom scale on Amazon.com, where it earns an overall rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 in more than 200 owner reviews. This scale is also sold as the Escali Sleek Bath Scale. The Omega scale is not included in any professional tests, but it sets itself apart from the competition thanks to its user-friendly features. This black plastic and aluminum-finished scale has a weight capacity of 400 pounds, measured in .2-pound increments. There's no need to tap on this scale first to turn it on. In addition, the Omega scale holds its readout for 10 seconds, and it has an extra-large display for easy reading. Owners praise this scale's appearance and ease of use, but there are a smattering of complaints about inconsistent readings. Owners also point out that shifting your weight while standing on the scale tends to alter the readout slightly.

The Tanita Solar Digital Scale HS-302 (*Est. $70) receives excellent ratings for accuracy and consistency from a major consumer testing organization. Not only is this scale solar-powered (it's powered by the sun or interior lighting and doesn't require batteries), but it's also made from plastic constructed with biodegradable resins that will break down in a landfill. Both The Independent (U.K.) and The Huntsville (Ala.) Times newspapers pick the Tanita Solar Digital Scale, which has a 330-pound weight capacity, as one of the best bathroom scales. According to editors of The Independent, the Tanita scale provides "accurate readings." About 35 owners contribute to an average rating of 3.5 stars out of 5 on Amazon.com, where the biggest complaint is insufficient lighting. Several owners say the solar panel requires more light than most bathrooms offer, so they have a tough time using this scale. If you have a dim bathroom or prefer to keep your scale in a closet, this might not be the model for you.

Another Tanita scale, the Tanita Digital Weight Scale HD-357 (*Est. $65), also performs well in tests at Good Housekeeping and at a respected consumer testing organization. The scale displays weight only, and it can accommodate up to 330 pounds, calculated in 0.2-pound increments. Experts say they are impressed with the scale's accuracy, and it earns an excellent rating for consistency and accuracy in one test. This thin and stylish digital scale is available only in red and has a built-in handle; editors at Good Housekeeping note that the handle and slim, half–inch thick platform make it "the most portable scale we tested." Only a handful of reviews have been posted to Amazon.com, where the Tanita scale has an average rating of 4 stars out of 5; the majority like the slim, easy-to-store design and say this scale is accurate.

Conair makes a few bathroom scales under the Weight Watchers name that get some attention in reviews, including the Weight Watchers Glass Memory Precision Scale WW43D (*Est. $45) and the Weight Watchers Digital Glass Scale WW39 (*Est. $30).  The Weight Watchers WW39 earns excellent ratings for accuracy and consistency in one professional roundup. It has a sleek glass and chrome design, a 1.5-inch digital display (displaying weight in 0.1-pound increments) and a capacity of 400 pounds. More than 150 owners contribute to an average rating of 3.5 stars out of 5 at Amazon.com; most agree that the scale looks stylish and provides accurate and consistent readings. However, detractors cite malfunctioning units that are dead on arrival or stop working in a few months. A few also say that the Weight Watchers scale is very heavy. Feedback is similarly mixed at Buzzillions.com, where users note the same pros and cons. The Weight Watchers Digital Glass Scale WW39 comes with a 10-year limited warranty.

The more expensive Weight Watchers Glass Memory Precision Scale WW43D has a similar design, but it has a lower weight capacity of 380 pounds measured in 0.1-pound increments. It also tracks current and goal weights for four separate users. The Weight Watchers Glass Memory Precision Scale WW43D is recommended by Good Housekeeping, but testers say the scale takes a while to display a reading and becomes less accurate when it nears its 380-pound weight capacity. Even so, the magazine says the scale is "great for a family on a diet." Women's Health magazine also picks the Weight Watchers scale as one of the "best for weight loss," because it tracks your goal weight and won't take a weight reading until you are stable on the scale.

The Weight Watchers Glass Memory Precision Scale WW43D earns mostly positive reviews from owners posting to Amazon.com, where the scale has a 4-star rating in about 120 reviews. Reviewers say the scale is attractive and gives accurate readings that correspond to the weights they get at a doctor's office or the gym. The weight-tracking feature is motivating to many reviewers, but a number of users report that they never get the same reading twice, even if they weigh themselves again just seconds later. A few owners mention that programming this scale is more complex than necessary, and some reviewers point out that the round design takes up more floor space than a traditional square bathroom scale.

Wi-Fi scales for high-tech tracking

One of the latest trends in bathroom scales is Wi-Fi connectivity, which allows scales to wirelessly transmit your weight information to a computer or mobile phone. One scale that is receiving a lot of buzz is the Withings Wi-Fi Body Scale (*Est. $160). This slim scale transmits weight and body-mass index (BMI) for up to eight users to a free web-based software program, which is available online or as an application for the iPhone, Android device, iPad or computer. Data is presented in graph form, and the software is integrated with Twitter so you can automatically tweet your weight (if you want to), or share it on your blog or your Facebook page (if you choose). The Withings Wi-Fi Body Scale has a maximum weight capacity of 396 pounds, measured in 0.2-pound increments. Printable graphs help users easily share their weight, body mass and height with physicians; trainers and nutritional consultants can also access data online if you choose.

User reviews at Amazon.com are impressive, giving the Withings Wi-Fi Body Scale an overall rating of 4.5 stars in more than 250 individual reviews. Users say the Wi-Fi connectivity works well and provides extra motivation for their weight-loss efforts. Several owners note that the Withings Wi-Fi Scale can be integrated with numerous weight-tracking websites and applications, including Weightbot and Runkeeper. Most owners say the scale is pretty accurate at detecting which user is on the scale (based on weight history), but if two weights are similar, it will ask for manual confirmation of the correct profile. The Withings Wi-Fi Scale can be used by pregnant women (although the company says the body-fat measurement will not be accurate) but not by anyone with a pacemaker. On the downside, there are a few users who say the body fat reading is inaccurate, based on a comparison to hydrostatic measurement. Another downside is the high initial cost.

Talking scales and high-capacity bathroom scales offer accessibility

Standard bathroom scales can pose difficulties for individuals with poor vision or those who require a weight capacity above 350 pounds. Digital talking scales, which announce your weight in addition to flashing it on a display, are helpful for those who have difficulty reading a typical display. My Weigh is one manufacturer that specializes in talking scales, and the My Weigh Phoenix Talking Scale (*Est. $40) receives high marks from The Independent (U.K.), which names it one of the top 10 bathroom scales. It has a weight capacity of 330 pounds measured in 0.2-pound increments, and its talking feature can be turned off. The few user opinions available on this scale are scattered across the board; more than 10 owners posting to Amazon.com contribute to an average rating of 3.5 stars out of 5. Some praise its accuracy, ease of use and loud, easy to understand voice, while others complain of malfunctioning units.

Most bathroom scales have a weight capacity of between 250 and 400 pounds, although a few scales go up to 450 pounds. High-capacity bathroom scales, which can accommodate more than 450 pounds, can be quite expensive. Most of the high-capacity scales we found cost at least a few hundred dollars, and many exceed $1,000. High-capacity bathroom scales aren't covered as frequently in professional reviews, but we did find a few affordable standouts. My Weigh, for example, makes a high-capacity scale with a talking feature.

The My Weigh Precision High Capacity Talking Scale XL-550 (*Est. $50) has a 550-pound weight capacity measured in 0.2-pound increments. Editors at Women's Health magazine recommend the My Weigh Precision High Capacity Talking Scale XL-550. Their testers say its out-loud feature increases weight loss motivation. The My Weigh scale has an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 in more than 70 reviews on Amazon.com. Although many owners praise its larger-than-average weighing platform, others say it's not large enough because very heavy people may have a hard time standing with their feet close together for the few seconds it takes to calculate a weight.  

If you need a weight capacity greater than 550 pounds, the Siltec WS-1000L High Capacity Scale (*Est. $260) is more expensive but accommodates up to 1,000 pounds. This scale isn't included in any professional reviews, but it maintains a 4.5-star rating (out of 5) in nearly 15 reviews on Amazon.com. Owners say this scale allows them to monitor their weight at home, when they'd otherwise have to visit a hospital or clinic to be weighed. It measures in 1-pound increments and has a large 15-by-15-inch platform.

Mechanical scales

Comparison testing suggests analog scales (designed for home use) are not as accurate as digital scales. While reviewers don't specify why these scales are less accurate in their tests, experts note that analog scales contain more intricate internal pieces like springs and levers that can break and wear more quickly with time. In addition, analog scales typically evaluate weight in larger increments (between 1 and 2 pounds) than digital scales, which usually measure weight in increments of 0.1 or 0.2 pounds. Analog scales are also harder to read than digital scales, which often have oversized displays.

Among analog scales that do get good reviews, the Seca Colorata 760 (*Est. $140) is recommended by The Independent (U.K.). This scale includes a more-readable oversized dial and a grippy rubber surface, and it comes in several bright colors. It's also sold as the Seca Classic Big Dial Floor Scale. The Seca Colorata 760 has a 330-pound capacity in 2-pound increments. There are few owner reviews available, but a handful of owners posting to Amazon.com say it's attractive, does not require frequent calibration and is accurate. Prevention magazine testers rate it "good" for accuracy and praise the comfortable rubber foot mat. That said, the Seca scale, which has a three-year warranty, is expensive.

If you want the most accurate scale available, experts suggest professional mechanical scales, which are more accurate thanks to their heavy-duty balance beams. However, while professional scales also have higher weight capacities, they can cost several hundred dollars and take up more space than most bathroom scales.

Because these scales are typically marketed for professional use -- like doctors' offices and fitness centers -- few attract many individual user reviews. However, the Health o meter Professional Upright Scale 402KL (*Est. $200) earns very good ratings in about 150 reviews at Amazon.com. The scale has a heavy steel base and uses a balance beam to display weight readings. It has a maximum weight capacity of 450 pounds, which is measured in 0.25-pound increments.

Reviewers at Amazon.com praise the scale for accurately displaying their weight in a consistent manner. The Health o meter Professional Upright Scale 402KL requires some assembly, but most users say assembly is simple. Readings are precise and accurate, according to reviews, although a few owners say they wish the scale had sturdier construction. The most common complaint relates to scales that arrive damaged, although most reviewers agree that obtaining a replacement product is easy. We did see a few complaints about unresponsive customer service, however.