Bathroom scale buying guide

Different types of bathroom scales

Mechanical bathroom scales

The most traditional type of bathroom scale, these models have a dial to indicate weight and display increments of 500 g to 1 kg. As such, they are not recommended if you want very precise results.
They are, however, hard-wearing and easy to use.

Digital bathroom scales

Probably the most popular type of bathroom scale nowadays, digital scales display the weight on a screen.
They offer the advantage of greater precision (down to 100 g). However, digital scales do have a limited power as they rely on batteries.

Body fat scales

When it comes to accuracy, body fat scales offer the best technology on the market.
These devices allow you to calculate your overall weight as well as your body fat percentage and muscle mass.

Smart scales

The latest generation of bathroom scales, these devices communicate via a smartphone app. Connected to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, they let you check your all previous weight data at any time using a portable device (tablet, smartphone, laptop, etc.).

Bathroom scale functions

Measuring BMI, body fat and muscle mass

Some models of scales allow you to calculate your body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage and muscle mass.

User recognition

Some scales are able to automatically detect regular users which is very practical if everyone in the house is on a diet and there's a queue to get in the bathroom for the weekly weigh-in!

Memory function

Some models of scales have a memory function that records previous weight results as well as data such as the height, sex and age of the user(s).

Other features

Here are a few final points to consider when choosing your bathroom scales:

• readability of the figures displayed on the screen;
• stability and accuracy;
• size, shape, colour and design.

More information

To find out more about bathroom design, follow our editors' advice and check out their other guides: