Best Bathroom Scales

Top-rated digital sales are discussed

The EatSmart Precision Plus Digital Bathroom Scale (*Est. $50) has a large capacity of 440 pounds and a wide, 15-inch platform, making it practical for a broad range of users. It doesn't measure any metrics other than total body mass, which it measures in 0.2-pound increments. It offers accurate measurements compared with professional scales, and readings are consistent over time. Its capabilities are packaged in a sleek, modern-looking, chrome-toned base that users love.

Ease of use is also a plus, as the EatSmart Precision Plus Digital Bathroom Scale features a large, backlit display that's readable even in dim lighting conditions. Professional testing organizations have found that it performs well even in conditions of high humidity, a common environment in bathrooms. Durability is excellent with owners reporting they've owned this scale for years. The platform is slim, so it can be easily stored vertically when not in use or tucked under furniture.

EatSmart has received some flak, but also a great deal of praise, for its customer service practices. Users who initially post a negative review to sites like Amazon.com are contacted by the company and offered a free replacement in exchange for an upgraded review. Some say this is suspicious and falsely inflates this scale's ratings, while others say it's simply great service. Many of these users have updated their reviews to report that their replacement scale performs flawlessly and has done so for several years.

Another EatSmart model, with slightly less positive feedback, the EatSmart Precision Digital Bathroom Scale (*Est. $40), has a lower weight capacity of 400 pounds, a smaller display and a smaller platform at 13 inches wide. Like the EatSmart Precision Plus, it offers accurate readings which are consistent over time. However, there seem to be more users who complain that they initially received a malfunctioning unit.

Another top performer and last year's best reviewed model is the Taylor 7506 Glass Lithium Digital Scale (*Est. $40). 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. There have also been complaints that it doesn't register minute changes in weight.

The Tanita Solar Digital Scale HS-302 (*Est. $55) 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.