Bathroom scales have been a critical part of the weight loss journey for over a century now. They allow you to track your progress and see whether a new exercise regime or diet is working or not. They truly are a must-have for anyone with body shape goals.
Unfortunately, “Should you buy a bathroom scale?” is an easy question to answer; yes, you should. The difficult part is deciding which one.
The weight loss and personal fitness industry is growing rapidly, with new brands entering the market on a regular basis. Today, there are hundreds of bathroom scales available on Amazon, each claiming to be the best one. All this innovation and choice should make the decision easier, at least in theory, but it ends up having the opposite effect.
Luckily, you can find the perfect bathroom scale easily if you take things one step at a time.
These are the factors that you need to consider in order to find the best bathroom scale for yourself.
Weight Limit
The first factor to consider is your approximate weight. This is because almost all bathroom scales have a maximum weight limit. This limit ranges from 150 pounds, all the way to 400 or even more pounds. Make sure you clearly read a specific scale’s limit before making a purchase.
One thing to keep in mind is that these limits are not a cutting-off point. The accuracy of a scale gets worse the closer you get to its limits. So, if you weigh 145 pounds, a 150-pound limit is not going to cut it. Instead, you should look for a scale that goes up to 200 pounds at the very least.
Digital Vs. Analog
Almost all of the modern bathroom scales can be categorized as either digital or analog.
Analog
Analog bathroom scales are the ones with a rotating needle. These scales are often cheaper than the digital ones, and they require zero electricity to work. A complete lack of electronics means that the best analog bathroom scales also last a lot longer than digital ones.
They are, however, a relic of the past without any modern features. They only measure your raw weight, and that’s it. Additionally, getting a precise and accurate reading from the needle is difficult, even on the best analog scales.
Digital
Compared to analog, digital bathroom scales are a lot more accurate. They often have a light-up LCD display that you can read easily while standing. Modern digital scales also offer tons of advanced features like internet connectivity, smartphone apps, and body fat analysis. Lastly, they fit a lot better in a modern tech-filled home.
The biggest downside to digital scales, however, is that they require power to function. Some operate on disposable batteries, others have rechargeable batteries, while a few work directly from the wall. Having to recharge your bathroom scale’s battery or replace the empty disposable ones is a hassle, to say the least, especially when you don’t have time for such things.
Surface Materials
The best bathroom scales come with a wide variety of surface materials. Plastic scales are inexpensive and provide adequate grip. But they look cheap and don’t fit with tiled bathrooms.
Glass top scales look futuristic and fancy. However, they tend to be slippery, especially with wet feet. They also carry the risk of shattering.
Lastly, metal and rubber top scales look a bit industrial. But, as far as functionality and practicality are concerned, these are the best. The metal provides structural integrity, while the rubber ensures that you will not slip, even with wet feet.
Should You Buy A Scale with Body Fat Measurement Capabilities?
Body fat measurement is a relatively new feature in digital bathroom scales. It gives you an estimated body fat percentage for your body.
These scales work by passing a small current through your legs. There are usually sensors underneath both of your feet. One sensor launches this current that gets picked up by a sensor underneath the second foot.
The scale measures the amount of resistance in your legs and uses intelligent algorithms in combination with your overall weight to display a body fat percentage.
Unfortunately, the usefulness of this feature is severely limited by its limitations.
First, it only calculates your body fat percentage from your legs. It has no way of knowing what the upper half of your body looks like.
Secondly, it is not a very precise method. The readings are not accurate enough for any meaningful conclusions.
However, body fat measurement scales are still an excellent tool for tracking your progress over time. The percentage might be a bit inaccurate, but you can compare your past numbers with the new ones to see your progression.
One thing to keep in mind when choosing body fat measuring scales is that they are usually more expensive than regular digital bathroom scales.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are body fat measuring scales safe?
Yes, they are completely safe for most people as the current used by them is minuscule. However, they are not recommended for pregnant women and small children.
Can a bathroom scale connect to WIFI?
Yes, most modern digital scales can connect to either WIFI or Bluetooth. They then use this connectivity in conjunction with a smartphone app to display your measurements right on your phone. These smart scales also keep a digital record of your progress for future use.
Do bathroom scales lose accuracy over time?
Yes, most digital and analog scales will lose accuracy over time simply due to wear and tear. How soon or how much is dependent on a lot of factors like surrounding temperature, moisture levels, and the manufacturer.
Luckily, the best bathroom scales allow you to easily recalibrate them on your own, so you can regain some of that lost accuracy.
What is the correct way to use a bathroom scale?
The ideal way of using a bathroom scale is to step on it gently with bare feet. Make sure that your feet are dry and you have as little clothing as possible.