A body fat scale can measure body fat percentage, muscle mass, bone density, and more. But they’re not always accurate. Here’s what to know about body fat scales and our top choices.
Share on PinterestQuick look at the best body fat scales
- Best app connectivity: Withings Body+ Scale | Skip to review
- Best value: RENPHO Body Fat Scale | Skip to review
- Best for small households: Omron Body Composition Monitor and Scale BCM-500 | Skip to review
- Best handheld: Omron HBF-306C Handheld Body Fat Loss Monitor | Skip to review
- Best for unlimited users: FITINDEX Bluetooth Body Fat Scale | Skip to review
- Best without an app: Triomph Precision Body Fat Scale | Skip to review
- Easiest to set up: YUNMAI Premium Smart Scale | Skip to review
- Best for large households: Eufy Smart Scale C1 | Skip to review
- Best budget-friendly: Greater Goods Body Composition Scale | Skip to review
A body fat scale can be a useful tool to better understand your overall body composition. Depending on the style you choose, it might consider metrics including body fat percentage, muscle mass, bone mass, body water percentage, and more. The result is a more comprehensive picture of yourbody than weight alone.
But these scales aren’t always accurate. Read on for our recommendations and to learn more about how body fat scales work and what to look for.
A note on price
Body fat scales can range from around $20 to $150. The prices of our picks are shown by the following code:
- $ = under $25
- $$ = $25 to $50
- $$$ = over $50
Healthline’s picks for body fat scales
Best app connectivity
Withings Body+ Scale
4.5 (32.1k+) from Amazon- Measurements: weight, body fat percentage, body water percentage, muscle mass, bone mass
- App connectivity: Apple Health, Fitbit, Google Fit, MyFitnessPal, Lose It!, MapMyFitness, Lifesum, Runtastic, MyNetDiary, Withings Health Mate, and more
- Price: $$$
Healthline's review
The Withings Body+ Scale allows you to track your weight, body fat, and water percentage, and muscle and bone mass. This high tech scale is a great option for those looking to monitor multiple health metrics.
Plus, with convenient Wi-Fi connectivity, the scale syncs to more than 100 health and fitness apps, earning our pick for the body fat scale with the best app connectivity.
It also allows up to eight users and includes features for everyone in the family, including baby mode and athlete mode.
Pros & cons
- easy-to-read display
- syncs to more than 100 health and fitness apps
- good quality for the price
- connectivity issues
- reportedly poor customer service
- doesn’t work on carpet, according to many reviewers
- easy-to-read display
- syncs to more than 100 health and fitness apps
- good quality for the price
- connectivity issues
- reportedly poor customer service
- doesn’t work on carpet, according to many reviewers
Product details
- Weight capacity: 396 lb (180 kg)
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Power source: AAA batteries
- Maximum number of users: 8
- Returns: within 30 days
- Shipping: free shipping over $35 in contiguous US
- Weight capacity: 396 lb (180 kg)
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Power source: AAA batteries
- Maximum number of users: 8
- Returns: within 30 days
- Shipping: free shipping over $35 in contiguous US
Best value
RENPHO Body Fat Scale
4.5 (283.6k+) from Amazon- Measurements: weight, BMI, body fat percentage, body water percentage, bone mass, muscle mass, visceral fat, basal metabolic rate, metabolic age, subcutaneous fat, protein, fat-free body weight
- App connectivity: Apple Health, Google Fit, MyFitnessPal, Samsung Health
- Price: $$
Healthline's review
For those looking to get an in-depth snapshot of their body composition, the RENPHO Body Fat Scale is a great choice.
While the scale itself displays only body weight, the RENPHO app tracks 13 measures of body composition, including body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage.
The app also connects to other health and fitness apps and makes it easy to set goals and track your progress.
Plus, it’s a good midrange option and provides a great value for the price.
Pros & cons
- accurate, consistent measurements
- excellent value for the price
- easy to set up and use
- may stop working after a few months
- a few customer complaints that the scale shattered
- some reports that the app has privacy concerns
- accurate, consistent measurements
- excellent value for the price
- easy to set up and use
- may stop working after a few months
- a few customer complaints that the scale shattered
- some reports that the app has privacy concerns
Product details
- Weight capacity: 400 lb (181 kg)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Power source: AAA batteries
- Maximum number of users: unlimited
- Returns: free returns for Prime members
- Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
- Weight capacity: 400 lb (181 kg)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Power source: AAA batteries
- Maximum number of users: unlimited
- Returns: free returns for Prime members
- Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
Best for small households
Omron Body Composition Monitor and Scale BCM-500
4 (596+) from Amazon- Measurements: weight, bone mass, muscle mass, BMI, body fat percentage, and resting metabolism
- App connectivity: none
- Price: $$$
Healthline's review
This sleek and stylish scale offers Bluetooth connectivity and syncs to the Omron HeartAdvisor app on your smart devices for easy tracking.
It monitors six metrics of body composition: weight, body fat percentage, visceral fat, skeletal muscle percentage, BMI, and resting metabolism, which is the number of calories your body burns at rest.
It also allows you to create four individual profiles and offers unlimited storage on the app or up to 30 readings per user on the scale.
Pros & cons
- accurate, consistent measurements
- provides comprehensive data
- helps you set goals and track progress
- no backlit display
- complicated to set up for some
- some reports of syncing and connectivity issues
- accurate, consistent measurements
- provides comprehensive data
- helps you set goals and track progress
- no backlit display
- complicated to set up for some
- some reports of syncing and connectivity issues
Product details
- Weight capacity: 330 lb (150 kg)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Power source: AAA batteries
- Maximum number of users: 4
- Returns: free returns for Prime members
- Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
- Weight capacity: 330 lb (150 kg)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Power source: AAA batteries
- Maximum number of users: 4
- Returns: free returns for Prime members
- Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
Best handheld
Omron HBF-306C Handheld Body Fat Loss Monitor
4.5 (4.5k+) from- Measurements: body fat percentage, Body mass index
- App connectivity: none
- Price: $$$
Healthline's review
This handheld fat loss monitor uses bioelectrical impedance to measure your BMI and body fat percentage.
It includes a standard and athlete mode to help provide more accurate results and enables you to store data for up to nine users.
Note that you need to input your height and weight manually for it to work.
According to the company, it might also not be as accurate for certain groups, including children, older adults, professional athletes, people who are pregnant, those undergoing dialysis, and people who are post-menopausal.
Pros & cons
- portable
- includes standard and athlete modes
- allows up to nine users
- expensive
- may be less accurate for certain groups
- requires you to input height and weight manually
- tracks fewer metrics than other scales
- might be more sensitive to water weight
- portable
- includes standard and athlete modes
- allows up to nine users
- expensive
- may be less accurate for certain groups
- requires you to input height and weight manually
- tracks fewer metrics than other scales
- might be more sensitive to water weight
Product details
- Weight capacity: n/a
- Connectivity: none
- Power source: AAA batteries
- Maximum number of users: 9
- Returns: free returns for Prime members
- Shipping: feee shipping for Prime members
- Weight capacity: n/a
- Connectivity: none
- Power source: AAA batteries
- Maximum number of users: 9
- Returns: free returns for Prime members
- Shipping: feee shipping for Prime members
Best for unlimited users
FITINDEX Bluetooth Body Fat Scale
4.5 (86.7k+) from Amazon- Measurements: weight, body fat percentage, BMI, muscle mass, bone mass, body water percentage, protein, basal metabolic rate, skeletal muscle, fat-free body weight, visceral fat, metabolic age, subcutaneous fat
- App connectivity: Apple Health, Fitbit, Google Fit, Samsung Health
- Price: $
Healthline's review
The FITINDEX Bluetooth Body Fat Scale measures 13 metrics of body composition, including weight, body fat, BMI, and muscle and bone mass.
You can easily access this information using the FITINDEX app, which can also connect to other fitness apps to help you monitor your health. It also allows unlimited users to track their body composition using one scale, which may be especially convenient for families.
The Arboleaf Digital Scale is an alternative to consider as well if unlimited users is important to you. It tracks 14 measures of body composition, including weight, BMI, and body fat percentage. However, some users have reported privacy concerns and issues with the long-term functionality of the Arboleaf scale, which is why we didn’t include it on our main list.
Pros & cons
- inexpensive
- compact, sleek design
- connects to the FITINDEX app
- too small for some people
- some reports of inaccurate and inconsistent measurements
- must enable Location Services to sync to app
- inexpensive
- compact, sleek design
- connects to the FITINDEX app
- too small for some people
- some reports of inaccurate and inconsistent measurements
- must enable Location Services to sync to app
Product details
- Weight capacity: 400 lb (181 kg)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Power source: AAA batteries
- Maximum number of users: unlimited
- Returns: free returns for Prime members
- Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
- Weight capacity: 400 lb (181 kg)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Power source: AAA batteries
- Maximum number of users: unlimited
- Returns: free returns for Prime members
- Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
Best without an app
Triomph Precision Body Fat Scale
4.3 (2.2k+) from Amazon- Measurements: weight, BMI, body fat percentage, body water percentage, muscle mass, bone mass, estimated calorie needs
- App connectivity: none
- Price: $
Healthline's review
With seven measures of body composition, this smart scale can help you keep tabs on your body weight, body fat percentage, muscle mass, bone mass, and more.
It also features a large, easy-to-read LCD screen and can store data for up to 10 users.
It’s a good option for those who might not be as tech savvy, as many of the features are available without using the app, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi.
Additionally, the Triomph Precision Body Fat Scale is relatively inexpensive.
Pros & cons
- affordable
- doesn’t require Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
- sleek, compact design
- complicated to switch between users
- some inaccurate and inconsistent measurements, according to reviewers
- too small for some
- affordable
- doesn’t require Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
- sleek, compact design
- complicated to switch between users
- some inaccurate and inconsistent measurements, according to reviewers
- too small for some
Product details
- Weight capacity: 400 lb (181 kg)
- Connectivity: none
- Power source: AAA batteries
- Maximum number of users: 10
- Returns: free returns for Prime members
- Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
- Weight capacity: 400 lb (181 kg)
- Connectivity: none
- Power source: AAA batteries
- Maximum number of users: 10
- Returns: free returns for Prime members
- Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
Easiest to set up
YUNMAI Premium Smart Scale
4.5 (4.1k+) from Amazon- Measurements: weight, body fat percentage, bone mass, BMI, muscle mass, body water percentage, visceral fat, basal metabolic rate, body age, protein
- App connectivity: Apple Health, Google Fit, Fitbit
- Price: $$$
Healthline's review
This YUNMAI scale is simple to set up and syncs directly with the corresponding app on your phone, allowing you to measure 10 metrics of body composition, including your weight, body fat, bone mass, BMI, muscle mass, body water percentage, and more.
The YUNMAI app can connect with other health apps and store data for up to 16 users.
The scale is available in two colors and is easy to set up — simply download the app, choose a user profile, and step on.
Pros & cons
- easy to use
- lightweight, sleek design
- large display readings
- separate data tracking for multiple users
- some inaccurate body fat readings
- poor customer service
- app privacy concerns from users
- easy to use
- lightweight, sleek design
- large display readings
- separate data tracking for multiple users
- some inaccurate body fat readings
- poor customer service
- app privacy concerns from users
Product details
- Weight capacity: 396 lb (180 kg)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Power source: AAA batteries
- Maximum number of users: 16
- Returns: free returns for Prime members
- Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
- Weight capacity: 396 lb (180 kg)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Power source: AAA batteries
- Maximum number of users: 16
- Returns: free returns for Prime members
- Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
Best for large households
Eufy Smart Scale C1
4.6 (15.6k+) from Amazon- Measurements: weight, body fat percentage, BMI, body water percentage, basal metabolic rate, visceral fat, body fat mass, lean body mass, bone, bone mass, muscle, muscle mass
- App connectivity: Apple Health, Google Fit, Fitbit
- Price: $$
Healthline's review
Allowing up to 16 users on a single account, the Eufy Smart Scale C1 is perfect for families or large households hoping to track their health.
It monitors 12 unique measurements of body composition, including weight, bone mass, muscle mass, BMI, and body fat percentage.
You can also track your measurements by syncing your scale with your favorite third-party health apps.
Pros & cons
- fantastic value
- intuitive, well designed app
- bright, easy-to-read display
- some inaccurate and inconsistent measurements, according to reviewers
- a few reports of customers receiving a broken product
- can sync only the primary user’s data to an app
- fantastic value
- intuitive, well designed app
- bright, easy-to-read display
- some inaccurate and inconsistent measurements, according to reviewers
- a few reports of customers receiving a broken product
- can sync only the primary user’s data to an app
Product details
- Weight capacity: 400 lb (181 kg)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Power source: AAA batteries
- Maximum number of users: 16
- Returns: free returns for Prime members
- Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
- Weight capacity: 400 lb (181 kg)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Power source: AAA batteries
- Maximum number of users: 16
- Returns: free returns for Prime members
- Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
Best budget-friendly
Greater Goods Body Composition Scale
4 (440+) from Amazon- Measurements: weight, body fat percentage, BMI, muscle mass, body water percentage, bone mass
- App connectivity: Apple Health, Google Fit, Fitbit
- Price: $
Healthline's review
This high tech scale offers Wi-Fi connectivity for easy integration with your favorite health and fitness apps. It has a weight capacity of 400 pounds (lb), or about 181 kilograms (kg), to support a wide variety of users.
The scale also allows you to sync your information to the corresponding app so that your data is transferred automatically after weighing in, even without using your phone.
In addition to measuring your weight, it tracks your body fat, BMI, muscle mass, water weight, and bone mass.
Pros & cons
- easy to use
- stylish, modern design
- allows you to set weight loss goals
- some inaccurate and inconsistent measurements
- frequent connectivity issues
- complicated setup process
- easy to use
- stylish, modern design
- allows you to set weight loss goals
- some inaccurate and inconsistent measurements
- frequent connectivity issues
- complicated setup process
Product details
- Weight capacity: 400 lb (181 kg)
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- Power source: AAA batteries
- Maximum number of users: 8
- Returns: free returns for Prime members
- Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
- Weight capacity: 400 lb (181 kg)
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- Power source: AAA batteries
- Maximum number of users: 8
- Returns: free returns for Prime members
- Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
The best body fat scales compared
Price MeasurementsWeight capacityWithings Body+ Scale$$$• body fat and water percentages• bone and muscle mass
• body weight396 lb (180 kg) RENPHO Body Fat Scale$$• BMI
• BMR
• body weight
• body fat and water percentages
• bone and muscle mass
• fat-free body weight
• metabolic age
• protein
• skeletal muscle
• subcutaneous fat
• visceral fat400 lb (181 kg)Omron Body Composition Monitor and Scale BCM-500$$$• BMI
• bone and muscle mass
• body fat percentage
• resting metabolism
• body weight330 lb (150 kg)Omron HBF-306C Handheld Body Fat Loss Monitor$$$• BMI
• body fat percentageN/AFITINDEX Bluetooth Body Fat Scale$$• BMI
• basal metabolic rate (BMR)
• body fat and water percentages
• body weight
• bone and muscle mass
• body age
• fat-free body weight
• protein
• skeletal muscle
• subcutaneous fat
• visceral fat400 lb (181 kg) Triomph Precision Body Fat Scale$• BMI
• body fat and water percentages
• bone and muscle mass
• estimated calorie needs
• body weight400 lb (181 kg)YUNMAI Premium Smart Scale$$$• BMI
• BMR
• body fat
• bone and muscle mass
• body water percentage
• body age
• protein
• body weight
• visceral fat396 lb (180 kg)Eufy Smart Scale C1$$• BMI
• BMR
• body fat mass
• body fat and water percentages
• bone and muscle mass
• lean body mass
• visceral fat
• body weight400 lb (181 kg)Greater Goods Body Composition Scale$• BMI
• body fat
• bone mass
• muscle mass
• water weight
• body weight400 lb (181 kg)
All the above use AAA batteries as a power source.
How we chose these scales
With so many products on the market, finding a high quality body fat scale that’s accurate can be tricky. We used the following criteria to select the products in this article:
- Available measurements: All the scales provide additional measurements, such as muscle mass, bone mass, and body water percentage. These are often available in an app that interprets, tracks, and stores your data. You can use this information to monitor your health and fitness level.
- Weight capacity: All scales can read up to 400 lb, except for Withings, which reads up to 396 lb.
- Connectivity: Several scales offer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. You can connect the scale to your smartphone or another device. Some models allow multiple users to set up profiles.
- Additional features: Some scales offer features such as a large display screen and compact design. Other models provide features, such as weather information and pregnancy tracking. Many scales can transfer data to health and fitness apps.
- Price: We included body fat scales at several price points to suit different budgets.
- Vetting: The scales on our list have been vetted to ensure that they align with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. You can read more about our vetting process.
How do body fat scales work?
Unlike a typical bathroom scale, which just measures a physical load, most body fat scales use a method known as bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), which sends a weak electric current up your legs and into your body. The amount of resistance, or “impedance,” measured determines the estimated percentage of body fat.With this calculation, plus information like weight, height, age, and sex, the scales then generate other metrics of body composition, such as muscle mass, bone density, and body water percentage. These additional readings are the reason that BIA scales are popular among people hoping to build muscle or increase fat loss.
However, smart scales, as they’re sometimes called, are not foolproof. Research has found that while they accurately measure weight, the accuracy of body fat percentage may vary.
They aren’t recommended for children or pregnant people. If you want to use a body fat scale during pregnancy, many scales have specific pregnancy features that disable the body composition measurement.
Further, BIA may affect pacemakers. While some research shows that BIA is safe for people with pacemakers, it’s important to follow the directions for the specific device. If you have a pacemaker, talk with a healthcare professional before using a body fat scale.
What body fat scales measure
Share on PinterestWhat should my body fat percentage be?
Healthy body fat percentages depend on your sex and age:
Age range (years)Female healthy body fat %Male healthy body fat %20 to 3921% to 32%8% to 19%40 to 5923% to 33%11% to 21%60 to 7924% to 35%13% to 24%A body fat level that falls above or below these ranges may negatively affect your health. If you’re unsure whether your current body fat level is within a healthy range, consider speaking with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian.
They can answer any questions you may have about body composition and help you set up appropriate testing to measure your body fat.
What to look for in a body fat scale
Which body fat scale is best for you will depend on the body composition metrics you want to measure.
Some of the most common measures are:
- weight
- body fat percentage
- BMI
- bone mass
- muscle mass
- body water percentage
- estimated calorie needs
- resting metabolic rate
If you’re interested in syncing your scale to your favorite health app, you might look for one that connects to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Other key factors to consider are weight capacity, maximum number of users, and price.
Frequently asked questions
Do body fat scales really work?
Sort of. Home body fat scales measure body weight accurately, but they may not accurately measure body fat percentage (BFP).
A 2021 study tested the accuracy of three smart body fat scales and compared the results with values from dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), which is the gold standard for measuring body composition.
The results showed that body fat scales underestimated body fat, though they accurately measured body weight.
Body fat scales may give you a general idea of your BFP, and the results may be consistent even if they’re inaccurate. However, they should not replace an evaluation by a healthcare professional, especially if you want to monitor health concerns.
Sort of. Home body fat scales measure body weight accurately, but they may not accurately measure body fat percentage (BFP).
A 2021 study tested the accuracy of three smart body fat scales and compared the results with values from dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), which is the gold standard for measuring body composition.
The results showed that body fat scales underestimated body fat, though they accurately measured body weight.
Body fat scales may give you a general idea of your BFP, and the results may be consistent even if they’re inaccurate. However, they should not replace an evaluation by a healthcare professional, especially if you want to monitor health concerns.
Can I measure my body fat percentage?
Yes, you can measure your body fat percentage. Finding the most accurate measurement, however, can be tricky.
A body fat scale, like the ones discussed in this article, estimate body fat percentage. Using them with other tools, like calipers, or combining them with waist measurement, may be the best way to get the most accurate calculation.
The tools that offer the most accurate measurement of body fat percentage will be found in medical offices or some fitness centers and include:
- DEXA scan
- underwater weight test
- Bod Pod, a device that measures your body fat via air displacement plethysmography
Yes, you can measure your body fat percentage. Finding the most accurate measurement, however, can be tricky.
A body fat scale, like the ones discussed in this article, estimate body fat percentage. Using them with other tools, like calipers, or combining them with waist measurement, may be the best way to get the most accurate calculation.
The tools that offer the most accurate measurement of body fat percentage will be found in medical offices or some fitness centers and include:
- DEXA scan
- underwater weight test
- Bod Pod, a device that measures your body fat via air displacement plethysmography
The bottom line
Several body fat scales are available, each of which may measure different metrics of body composition.
Body fat scales also vary in price, connectivity, and weight capacity.
Be sure to consider all these factors, and use this guide as a starting point to find a body fat scale that suits your needs.