The best body fat scales for effectively tracking your fitness journey

If you're embarking on a fitness journey, then getting your hands on a set of the best body fat scales may be a wise idea. Whereas standard scales will tell you your weight, body fat scales go that bit further—informing you of your body fat percentage, as well as measurements on things like muscle and bone mass. All of this provides a much more in-depth, holistic picture of health if sustainable fat loss is your goal.

While body fat scales might not be for everyone, for some people they can provide great workout motivation and, like workout apps like MyFitnessPal and fitness trackers, serve as a reminder to keep fuelling themselves with good nutrition. We've tried and tested options from some of the biggest brands—including RENPHO, Eufy, and Beurer—and considered everything from the range of features and design, to connectivity and price point. We also consulted health experts to determine which body fat scales are the most effective and how to use them to reach your fitness goals. So, if you're turning to the best workouts to get strong or leaner, then one of these devices could help give you some handy feedback on how you're doing.

How can body fat scales help you achieve your fitness goals?

"Body fat scales can help us become aware of many things—not just weight, but also our Body Mass Index (BMI), body fat percentage, visceral fat, body water, skeletal muscle, muscle mass, bone mass, and metabolic age, among other things," says Anette Grasmo, personal trainer at fitness platform Ponzu. "Having a vast amount of information about ourselves can help us understand how we're getting to desire goals and improving our overall health."

Rebecca Myers, personal trainer and founder of health and lifestyle app Live Happy, agrees, "They can be useful for checking if someone's body fat percentage is where it should be for their height, weight, and age—and also to track their progress if physical exercise and nutrition are being used to reduce that number if necessary." For example, you might be using walking for weight loss, but not be quite doing enough steps.

Similarly, fitness coach Hanna Kim reveals they can highlight something else going on. "Body fat scales are helpful to see if you are losing muscle mass, which we don’t want," she explains. "If you see a decline in muscle mass, it would likely indicate that you may have done too much cardio or not enough resistance exercise." Because strength training for women is vital for health.

What should you look out for when buying body fat scales?

"There are so many different kinds of body fat scales on the market that it can seem rather overwhelming," says Grasmo. "However, you don’t need to buy the most high-end ones to access the data that you want." The one you choose just needs to display things like your body fat percentage, weight and lean mass weight. 

Kim also suggests looking out for scales that are linked to an app. "Most of my clients love that fact that everything is being tracked, so they don’t have to remember to log details and they can see their progress at a glance," she explains. This is great if you're already used to using workout apps on your phone. What's more, some scales have the option of connecting directly to your fitness tracker.

There are also some key ways to use scales like these properly. Personal trainer Aimee Victoria Long of aimeevictorialong.co.uk encourages people to step on them a maximum of once a week, since jumping on them daily could be demotivating if the readings fluctuate. She also advises using them in the morning and while wearing nothing.

How we selected the best body fat scales

To save you the trouble, we have tried out the best body fat scales—so you can focus on looking after your body through an effective fitness routine and nourishing meals. This is how we selected the leading items for our round-up:

• Features—as well as providing a body fat percentage reading, our testers considered the range of other data collected at the same time, including measurements for BMI, muscle mass, and metabolic age. Within this, they also thought about the simplicity of the set-up, and how easy it was to function—including for multiple users.
• Tech—our testers also took into account whether the scales were linked to an app, which displayed data and progress in a digestible format, and also if it could sync with one a fitness tracker for even superior connectivity. 
• Design—this relates not only to how stylish the scales looked sitting in the bathroom but also how clearly they displayed data. Was it via a screen on the scales, which intermittently flashed up readings? Or through an app or fitness tracker?
• Price—the cost of scales varies greatly, and can be influenced by a number of factors. Our testers deliberated about whether those at the budget end of the spectrum were well-equipped enough for most people's needs, and also if more premium options were worth the investment.

The best body fat scales, tested by health experts

These RENPHO Smart Body Fat Scales do a lot for their very reasonable price point—which is why our tester felt they were the best all-around option. They use Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis technology to tell you 13 different measurements, for things like BMI, visceral fat, metabolic age, and muscle mass. This data is then sent via Bluetooth to an app on your phone. It can also be shared with Apple Health, Google Fit, Samsung Health, MyFitnessPal, and Fitbit.

Our tester found the digestible way the information was presented on the app one of its major plus points—as opposed to having to squint down at a little screen on the scales—and also how it wove historical data into graphs so you can track your progress over time. They were also impressed by how easy it was to add the profiles of other users too—the number of which can be unlimited—and its sleek glass design went well with their bathroom. The only downside was that if you are trying to use your phone less in the mornings you can only view your weight, not your body fat percentage, on the screen of the actual scales.

If you are trying to cut down your phone use, or can't bear to download yet another app, these clever Brabantia Bathroom Scales might just be perfect for you. They measure your body fat and muscle percentage, as well as your weight and BMI—and display the data directly to you via a screen. The set-up is fairly simple, asking you to input details like your age, gender and body height. There's also the option to add a total of eight different users—and one of the niftiest features is that it can automatically detect which user has stepped on the scales, without them having to find their profile.

Our tester really embraced the straightforwardness of using these scales—the process was very self-explanatory, with everything clearly displayed on a large screen. The item itself is very good quality and robust when stepped on, and an in-built handle makes them easy to transport and store. However, if you prefer to view data via an app—all at a glance—then these scales might not be the best for you. Otherwise, they are a great easy-to-use option.

The Weight Watchers Ultra Slim Glass Body Analyser Scale is proof that you don't need to spend a lot of money to get information that can help you on your fitness journey. They measure everything from body weight and BMI to, of course, body fat percentage as well as bone and muscle mass. With the instructions, the set-up is very clear, and measurements are displayed clearly on a large 30mm screen. Their ultra-slim design means they are sleek and will go well with pretty much any bathroom design. 

While they may not be as high-tech as some, our tester found they do exactly what they claim—and, at their very reasonable price point, they can be an affordable additional tool in most people's fitness journeys. One downside is that there's no connected app for those who prefer to view data and progress at a glance. You also have to be watching the screen carefully, since the different measurements flash up on rotation quite fast. Another very small negative is that there is a maximum of four users, which may not be enough for all households—although fine if they're for individual use.

Another great value option is the Eufy Smart Scale C1. It provides 12 measurements—including body fat percentage, lean body mass, and muscle—which have been made more accurate thanks to highly sensitive G-shaped sensors. This data is then sent, in seconds, via Bluetooth to an app and you can see your progress presented in a really clear way. The measurements can also be shared with Apple Health, Google Fit, and Fitbit. Up to 16 users can have their data saved, and the scales instantly recognize which person is stepping on them.

Our tester found these scales really easy to set up and use, with fast syncing of information to their phone. They also liked how they felt to step on—they aren't slippy and felt really stable—and appreciated how they had been made with rounded, rather than sharp, corners to protect bare feet. The small downside is that if you prefer to view your weight in stone, this device will only present measurements in kilograms and pounds. Another teeny negative is that you can't see body fat on the scales themselves, only your weight.

While some body fat scales can feel a little flimsy, this Beurer BF 850 Diagnostic Bathroom Scale feels like a sleek, high-quality device beneath your feet. It is a little wider than many others, so they feel very stable, and measurements are beamed clearly from a blue-lit LCD screen. It provides data on body fat percentage, muscle, and weight, as well as your calorie requirement (AMR/BMR)—and there is space for up to eight users. This information is then automatically transferred via Bluetooth to its 'HealthManager' app.

Our tester really rated the premium design of the scales, and how the heavier construction felt nicer compared to some more budget models. What was also handy was how the scales immediately detected which user had stepped on them, so there was no time wasted trying to find the relevant profile. While some information is displayed on the screen of the scales, there's more detail on the app—which also compiles a graph to show your progress. The only slight downside is that they are a little on the pricier side—but this is a really great option if you are able to make the investment.