Best Bathroom Scales

Top-rated analog and digital scales

We found the best reviews overall for Tanita brand bathroom scales, in particular the Tanita Body Fat/Body Water Monitor series. All of these scales, which differ mainly in looks and small features, are digital scales powered by four included AA batteries. The basic Tanita BF-679W (*Est. $60) measures body fat in 0.5-percent increments and has a two-user memory feature for tracking your weight and body-fat percentage measurements. This bathroom scale has a 300-pound weight limit. The Tanita BF-680W (*Est. $65) also has a 300-pound weight limit and two-user memory, but measures body fat in smaller 0.1-percent increments. It also includes child and adult modes, and an athlete mode which takes into consideration the increased fitness of those who exercise about 10 hours a week. The Tanita BF-681W (*Est. $60) measures body fat percentage in 0.1-percent increments, has a 330-pound user weight limit and a four-user memory, but no athlete mode. The newest model is the Tanita BF-683W (*Est. $80), which has three modes (adult, child and athlete) and keeps track of the last 10 weight and body fat measurements by date.

These Tanita bathroom scales top the charts for accuracy and consistency among digital scales. Reviews say these two facets matter most. Reviews also say the numbers on the readout are large enough for most people to read comfortably. These scales also come with a three-year warranty. The Tanita Body Fat/Body Water Monitor models also get good reviews among owners who say the weight feature is more consistent than the body-fat monitor (this is a universal complaint about this type of scale).

If you're a gadget person, you might appreciate the Tanita BC-554 Ironman Innerscan Body Composition Monitor Elite (*Est. $120). This pricey digital scale measures weight, body fat, body water, muscle mass, bone mass, metabolic age, visceral fat, physique rating and daily calorie intake. By the user's programming in age, gender, height, current weight and activity level, the Innerscan can calculate accurate measurements. The weight capacity is 330 pounds and the scale measures in pounds, kilograms and stone. The scale can store data for up to four people. The Innerscan also has a guest mode for visitors and an athlete mode for those on a rigorous fitness regimen. For most people this scale is probably overkill. Owner opinion is mixed, but mainly positive. A few owners complain that there really isn't a manual to show you how to use all the various features.

The HoMedics HealthStation Body Composition Scanner SC-540 (*Est. $60) is well liked by experts. In a review at Real Simple magazine, it was deemed the best advanced scale. Reviewers like the multitude of features and say that it is "a cinch to program". This sleek-looking scale measures weight in pounds or kilograms, and also can measure the percentage of body fat, body water, muscle mass and bone mass to 0.1 percent accuracy. The 2-inch display has a blue backlight and is bright and easy to read. It can save data for up to 12 users and has an athlete mode for lean and muscular body types. To help you manage your weight the scale predicts your daily calorie needs based on real and ideal weight. The Health Station operates on four AAA batteries, which are included. We found good user reviews for the HoMedics scale, which measures up to 400 pounds.

If you don't care about measuring body fat, we found generally good comments regarding the Weight Watchers Glass Electronic Scale WW43D (*Est. $65), also sold as the Conair WW43. This bathroom scale has a capacity of 380 pounds, with a backlit 1.5-inch display. Its circular glass surface is visually appealing, but some owners say that while it looks nice, their feet don't fit that well on it. This digital scale comes with a long-lasting lithium battery. User reviews are good overall, with a few complaints about inconsistent readings.

If you have a hard time reading the digits on bathroom scales, you might consider a talking scale, which can announce your weight. The My Weigh XL-550 Talking Scale (*Est. $60) has a weight capacity of 550 pounds. There is a large LCD screen, and the talking feature can be turned on and off. The scale announces weight in pounds or kilograms. The few reviews this model gets are mixed but users like the high weight capacity, and one reviewer claims that the weight announcements are loud and clear. This model uses 4 AA batteries.

We saw good reviews for the inexpensive Salter Electronic Glass Scale 9007 (*Est. $35). Experts at Real Simple magazine say that it performs "flawlessly" and is stylish, with a glass platform that is painted black underneath. Owner reviewers at Amazon.com claim that the scale is accurate but some say that you may have to wait a bit for the final reading to settle. Users like the instant-on feature, which automatically measures weight as soon as you step on the scale -- no tapping necessary. The Salter scale has a 400-pound capacity and operates on included lithium batteries. It has a 1.3-inch blue LED screen and a 15-year warranty. We considered this scale for inclusion in the ConsumerSearch Best Reviewed section, but it's currently hard to find in stores or online.

The Weight Watchers Precision Electronic Scale WW11D (*Est. $30) gets mixed reviews from more than 30 owners at Amazon.com. Many owners say this scale is a great value, but an almost equal number complain that it's not as consistent as more expensive bathroom scales. Several owners say that it's important to place the scale on a hard, flat, level floor. There is an easy to read 1.3-inch display, a long-lasting lithium battery, a "tap-on" scale activator, a large 12-square-inch platform and a wide carrying handle. The WW11D measures in both pounds and kilograms and has a weight capacity of 330 pounds. This simple digital scale measures weight only.

The Health o meter HDL820-18 (*Est. $25) costs even less and is generally praised by Amazon.com users, nearly 75 of whom give it above-average reviews. The 1.3-inch LCD screen is easy to read, and the scale reads up to 330 pounds or 150 kilograms in increments of 0.2 pounds. or 0.1 kilograms. A replaceable lithium battery is included. The overwhelming majority of owners say that this scale is accurate, but as with all digital bathroom scales, some owners complain that weight readings are inconsistent. One owner says that the base is too small for large feet.

If you prefer an analog scale, experts suggest the Seca Colorata 760 (*Est. $160). Reviewers like the oversized dial, the grippy rubber surface and the flashy colors. The scale is available in red, yellow, blue or white and has a 330-pound capacity. Testers say that it is stable and accurate but that it's pricey, especially for an analog scale.

There are plenty of inexpensive analog bathroom scales still out there, but we didn't find reviews for many of these. The Taylor 4830 Speedometer Dial Scale (*Est. $30) is a basic mechanical scale that measures your weight up to 300 pounds. A rotating arm indicates weight on a dial.

The Health o meter SAB998D-41 (*Est. $10) has a 300-pound capacity. It is compact and has an easy-to-read rotating dial. This scale is white with a black mat. Most of the 10 users who review it at Amazon.com say that it is accurate and a good value.