Updated on 30 January 2023
This comparison is certified 100% impartial and follows our selection process.
Beurer BF 400
With its interesting functionalities, it provides a complete analysis without necessarily having to worry about the connected aspect. Precise, responsive and equipped with a perfectly readable screen, it offers excellent value for money.
This solid and electronic bathroom scale can support up to 440 lb. Graduated to 100 g, it has proven to be fairly consistent and precise between our successive weighing. Its 8mm thick glass weighing pan is stable on the floor, easy to stock and has 4 brushed steel electrodes for more detailed body analysis (weight, body fat, bone mass, body water, muscle mass, calorie needs, exercise volume and BMI). Its backlit LCD screen displays large numbers in several units (kg, lb, st) and, when we tested it, we appreciated its excellent readability. We just complain about the information changing too quickly. Thanks to the very explicit instruction manual, we easily got to grips with and configured one of the 10 automatically detected user profiles. It also features various warnings (overload, low batteries) and an automatic shutdown, and runs on 3 AAA batteries supplied.
There are several types of bathroom scales: mechanical, digital and smart. Very popular, the digital bathroom scale is characterized by a digital display. Most models turn on automatically when stepped on. A compact model is easier to stock. The digital model is battery-operated, which implies a risk of failure. The display size and backlight make the screen visible in all environments. A smart bathroom scale collects the data calculated by the impedance meter on a mobile application.
Etekcity Digital
Although its functionalities are limited to the bare minimum (namely weight calculation), this bathroom scale focuses on good precision, ease of use and good overall ergonomics to satisfy its users.
This basic digital bathroom scale has high precision (to 50 g) and is consistent between successive weighing. It has a maximum load capacity of 180 kg and can be easily stocked under furniture thanks to its thinness (6 mm). When we tested it, we found it easy to use and we liked its backlit LCD screen and its large digits which ensure excellent readability in all environments. With the button on the back, it converts your weight into 3 possible units (kg, lb or st). When it comes to power, it runs on 2 AAA batteries supplied and has a low battery and overload indicator. There is also an automatic shutdown to save the batteries and a tape measure is included with the product. However, there is one weakness: the tempered glass surface is rather sensitive to footprints.
Omron Healthcare BF511
This model provides a wide range of functionalities, including precise body mass monitoring with its 8 sensors. Its removable screen makes it much easier to read the data, which can be checked while standing up.
Clinically validated, this innovative design bathroom scale has a removable screen which makes it more ergonomic. With its 8 sensors (instead of 4 on most models) placed on both feet and hands, it is ideal for calculating your body mass, but also your body fat, your BMI and especially visceral fat all over your body. It is suitable for people weighing up to 330 lb and who want to monitor their detailed weight curve. Small families will also appreciate it because it can record up to 4 people and 1 visitor. However, we would have hoped to get the measurement of bone mass and body water.
Terraillon TPro Plus
Although quite basic and bulky, this model offers good precision and its wide, anti-slip platform and general robustness enable it to support heavier bodies.
This mechanical bathroom scale graduated in kg is easy to use and suitable for semi-professional use. Each weighing seems precise and there is a roller to reset the scale to 0, but when we tested it, we never had to use it as the needle systematically returned to 0 each time we went down. Even though the platform is large enough for all feet, it is heavy (3,4 kg), bulky and thick, which makes it difficult to stock and move. We liked its anti-slip platform which prevents the feet from slipping, as well as its solidity (up to 350 lb of load capacity) and its stability on the ground. The lock makes it also practical to move. Even if the dial is not readable in the dark and there are some reflections, it is overall quite large. We regret however that the unit is only in kg.
Our selection
Our choice, Best mid-range Best budget Best high-end Mid-range alternative Beurer BF 400 Etekcity Digital Omron Healthcare BF511 Terraillon TPro Plus With its interesting functionalities, it provides a complete analysis without necessarily having to worry about the connected aspect. Precise, responsive and equipped with a perfectly readable screen, it offers excellent value for money. Although its functionalities are limited to the bare minimum (namely weight calculation), this bathroom scale focuses on good precision, ease of use and good overall ergonomics to satisfy its users. This model provides a wide range of functionalities, including precise body mass monitoring with its 8 sensors. Its removable screen makes it much easier to read the data, which can be checked while standing up. Although quite basic and bulky, this model offers good precision and its wide, anti-slip platform and general robustness enable it to support heavier bodies. £ 39.99 on Amazon £ 17.99 on Amazon £ 70.99 on Amazon £ 83.17 on Amazon
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How did we do the testing?
For each type of bathroom scale, we first evaluated the precision by performing successive weighing. Then we looked at the dimensions to make sure that the platform is big enough for all feet but also to determine how easy it is to stock. Through the surface, we also checked the stability of the feet.
As far as ergonomics are concerned, we paid particular attention to the quality of the display of the analogue dial or the digital screen (size of the characters, backlight, etc.), the ease of use, the unit displayed and the responsiveness. Of course, we took into account the functionalities and options as well as the robustness (especially with the maximum load capacity) and the power supply mode.
How to choose your bathroom scale?
Whether we are on a specific diet or are simply curious, most of us are interested in the possibility of monitoring the evolution of our weight using a bathroom scale. With an increasing number and variety of bathroom scales on the market, choosing which one to buy can often be difficult.
This is why we have gathered for you the information you need to know in order to choose the model that will suit you the best.
First of all, there are two types of bathroom scales that need to be differentiated:
- The mechanical or analog bathroom scale: it may be very retro, but it is not yet outdated. This type of model indicates the weight via a dial with a needle. Generally, it does not require batteries, so there is no risk of failure. Although it is typically less precise than a digital scale, many consider it more reliable due to its mechanical and adjustable features.
- The digital bathroom scale: it features a digital display. Generally, it measures the weight to an accuracy of 100 g. It is often compact, making it easy to stock and handle. However, it requires batteries and its electronic system is more likely to fail. It remains nevertheless the most popular type of bathroom scale today.
Knowing this, digital bathroom scales have often very interesting functionalities:
- Automatic on/off: most models turn on automatically when stepped on and turn off after a few seconds of non-use. Useful for forgetful people, it is also a way to save the battery.
- Backlight: while the size of the display is important, it is sometimes complemented by a backlight system, which provides better contrast and the possibility to weigh yourself in the dark.
- The impedance meter: it is becoming increasingly popular and is used to calculate body mass. This usually involves body fat, body water and protein levels. It is useful for monitoring the evolution of your weight, especially on a diet or in case of intense sport activity. However, it is important to note that, regardless of the model chosen, these data are frequently criticized by users because of their lack of precision. They should be consulted for information purposes only.
- The connection: the smart bathroom scale has convinced many customers in recent years. Using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, it sends the data calculated by the impedance meter to a mobile application. This allows you to track your progress easily. If you are interested in this type of model, we invite you to consult our dedicated comparison, in which we discuss it in more details.
Other bathroom scales we recommend
Terraillon Tracker (£29,47 when published): an impedance meter scale. It is overall reliable according to our observations. When we tested it, we easily configurated it with the instruction manual. With its small and thin glass design, it is easy to stock but its surface is a little bit too short for large feet. The LCD screen provides multiple measurements (st, lb, kg) but it is not backlit and some characters are a little bit small and therefore not easily readable when standing. Given its reasonable price, it offers a convincing body composition analysis (BMI, muscle mass, body fat and body water) and saves up to 12 user profiles.
My Weigh XL700 (£91.90 when published): an option for heavier people and the visually impaired. This digital bathroom scale has the advantage of being straightforward. It is suitable for a more specific range of people, such as the visually impaired or people with back problems, thanks to its voice function. Its greater width and the non-slip platform also contribute to its comfort of use. It is also aimed at heavier people, with a maximum load capacity of 705 lb.
Other bathroom scales we tested
Amazon Basics (£9.67 when published): This simple, minimalist digital model is easy to stock and its backlit display is easily readable. However, we found it badly lacking in precision and its platform is a little too small for large feet.
Amazon Basics GBS-1319 (£14.99 when published): This digital bathroom scale is easy to stock and features intelligent sensors. It also calculates BMI and tracks changes in body mass. However, we criticise its lack of accuracy and consistence.
Beurer MS 50 (£73.15 when published): This mechanical option does not systematically reset to 0 after weighing and requires recurrent readjustments via the roller. It is also heavy and bulky, indicates only the weight in kg and supports a maximum load capacity of only 297 lb.
Translated by Laura Wautier
