Are Smart Scales Worth it?

[ShoreGal68 36]

Anyone have a FitTrack or other smart scale to measure muscle and fat mass? Seems like it would be helpful info (and encouraging during the times you may not be losing weight, but gaining muscle!) but skeptical if it really works and if the additional data is actually worth the $100.

Any thoughts?

[SummerTimeGirl 582]

I've been using this scale and love it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078HW8BPY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[WishMeSmaller 1,274]

I have a renpho. Like $30 on Amazon. I like it. I know they are not perfect for body composition, but it is awesome for tracking trends.

[lizonaplane 1,613]

I have researched this a little bit and I have read that there is so much variation depending on hydration level and other factors that it's very hard to get an accurate reading from home "smart scales" that say that they measure body composition. Like, you may think you are getting leaner but then the next week it will show you as having higher body fat because you have a lower hydration level.

Whether you can still get trends over time, I couldn't tell, but I decided that I would want to know more accurately and more consistently than these were likely to provide, and that the numbers being all over the place would drive me bananas.

[LizzLosingIt 49]

3 hours ago, lizonaplane said:

I have researched this a little bit and I have read that there is so much variation depending on hydration level and other factors that it's very hard to get an accurate reading from home "smart scales" that say that they measure body composition.

This is true and important to keep in mind. I do have one though, and it's cool to see other victories outside of weight. Mine tells me my "body's age" on the accompanying app, and it's neat to see hydration levels and those other figures improve over time. It's also helpful because the app lets you track your weight and you can compare dates to see how your body has changed. It being just like $10-15 more than a standard scale made me just purchase it and have those cool extra features, so long as you know that it's not going to be 100% accurate.

Know yourself, though. If you think small inaccuracies or inconsistency could discourage you, then stick with something simpler.

[njlimmer 344]

I have the Renpho, and I don't really pay much attention to the other measurements. I love the way it has an app that it automatically connects to. I also bought the Renpho Smart measuring tape, and I love it! It takes measurements with a click of a button and reports it to the app.

[SummerTimeGirl 582]

8 minutes ago, njlimmer said:

I have the Renpho, and I don't really pay much attention to the other measurements. I love the way it has an app that it automatically connects to. I also bought the Renpho Smart measuring tape, and I love it! It takes measurements with a click of a button and reports it to the app.

Now THAT sounds interesting. But I just checked it out quick and it appears it only goes to 60 inches. I think my hips are 62. Or at least they were years ago when I last checked. LOL I could always get it and wait until I lose a few inches before I start to use it.

[lvidacovich 372]

On 5/5/2021 at 5:05 AM, lizonaplane said:

I have researched this a little bit and I have read that there is so much variation depending on hydration level and other factors that it's very hard to get an accurate reading from home "smart scales" that say that they measure body composition. Like, you may think you are getting leaner but then the next week it will show you as having higher body fat because you have a lower hydration level.

Whether you can still get trends over time, I couldn't tell, but I decided that I would want to know more accurately and more consistently than these were likely to provide, and that the numbers being all over the place would drive me bananas.

Mine tells me my Water weight percentage so, at least in my case, it accounts for those differences. I get trends over time and it's pretty awesome - weight, fat %, water %, muscle mass % and bone mass %. It also calculates my BMI.

It's matched up pretty well to the unit at my doctors office when I've compared the results.

[patingergen3 0]

I use regular bathroom scales, and they are enough for me since I calculate the rest of the information myself. I don't use smart scales because I don't trust what they display when I measure something other than weight. On the other hand, if you buy expensive smart scales tested by many buyers and reliable, this is really a worthwhile purchase. Still, unfortunately, I am not ready to overpay for additional calculations that I can easily make myself. If money is not a problem for you, it will be a worthwhile purchase.