Friday, November 22, 2024
Withings WiFi Body Scale Review
Best Feature:
Transmits/stores measurements on personal tracking website
Worst Feature:
Expensive and a short warranty
Best Uses:
Helping your family easily monitor their health
Pricing:
$159 (1-year warranty)
Overview
Founded in June 2008, Withings is a French consumer electronics company, and the WiFi Body Scale was the first product they released. The WiFi Body Scale has been getting excellent reviews by customers and positive press from the tech community, including one online publication calling it the "distant cousin of the iPad". Even a small comparison to the tech behemoth Apple is an amazing compliment and a great leap forward for the once-boring bathroom scale. The scale tracks multiple fitness indicators: body weight, fat mass, lean mass and BMI. Withlings uses Bioelectrical Impedance (BI) technology in their scale, which is considered to be one of the most accurate and accessible methods of screening body fat. The WiFi Body Scale can store profiles for up to 8 people and instantly recognize each individual user when they step onto the scale based on their weight and body composition. Results are available in seconds and are also automatically transferred to a private, personal webpage where you can monitor your body's transformation. The WiFi Body Scale is pricey ($159), but it is perfect for the health-conscious and tech-savvy consumer.
Product Report Card Grade
We give Withings’ WiFi Body Scale an A- because it is an amazing, high-tech scale that your entire family will love to use to track their fitness levels and overall health. It’s like the iPhone is to the old flip phone – there is no comparison. While we know it won’t deter the Apple fans, we had to deduct a few points because of its high price tag and short warranty.
Date Reviewed
January 2012
January 2012
January 2012
Pros
complete and accurate assessment of current fitness level; after the initial set-up, the scale is very easy to use; instantly recognizes up to 8 different users as soon as they step on scale; automatic wireless data transmission to online tracking website; ability to set personal goals and share data through online tracking website; ability to measure fat mass vs. lean mass; low profile is especially ideal for older people concerned with falling down
complete and accurate assessment of current fitness level; storage of up to 4 personal profiles; easy to read screen; visual characterization of BMI makes it easy to read/understand
accurate body weight readings; easy to use and read; good warranty; environmentally-friendly; large platform can accommodate a wide variety of food sizes
Cons
pricey; cannot upload any historical data to online tracking website; accuracy of body fat percentages can vary unless instruction manual is closely followed; should not use if you have a cardiac pacemaker or other medical devices that could be impacted by electrical current; some complaints about spotty customer service
only stores most recent measurement in your personal profile; accuracy of body fat percentages can vary unless instruction manual is closely followed; short warranty; should not use if you have a cardiac pacemaker or other medical devices that could be impacted by electrical current
needs enough light to run (artificial light has to be a certain wattage and no more than 8ft away from the scale); does not calculate body fat percentage or BMI; does not store weight measurement records
Warranty
1-year limited warranty
1-year limited warranty
3-year limited warranty
Dimensions
Measures 12.6" x 12.6" x 0.9" (L x W x H) and weighs 5.1 lbs.
Measures 12.2" x 11.8" x 2.1" (L x W x H) and weighs 4.7 lbs
Measures 12" x 13" x 1.9" (L x W x H) and weighs 5.1 lbs.
Fitness Indicator Measurements
Measures body weight, fat mass and BMI.
Measures body weight, fat mass and BMI.
Only measures body weight.
Measurement Accuracy
Weight is measured in .2 lb (.1 kg) increments.
Weight is measured in .2 lb (.1 kg) increments. Body fat percentage is measured from 5 - 60% in .1% increments. BMI is rated from 7.0 to 90.0 in .1 increments.
Weight is measured in .2 lb (.1 kg) increments under 200 lbs (100 kg) and in .5 lb (.2 kg) increments between 200 - 330 lbs (100 - 150 kg).
Multiple User Profiles
Can keep track of up to 8 users and can automatically differentiate between individual users once they step on the scale.
Stores up to 4 user profiles and will display previous measurements for comparison. It also has "guest" setting that allows others to use the scale without storing their information.
No
Power Source
Powered by 4 "AAA" batteries. Battery life varies depending on use (~6 months to a year)
Powered by 4 "AA" batteries. Battery life is approximately 1 year when used 4 times a day.
Features built-in solar cell that can draw power from ordinary household light in addition to sunlight.
Product Design
The scale has an Apple-esque design. It comes in white or black and has a glass top.
The scale comes in chrome/silver with a large LCD screen and has a sleek, modern look.
The scale is white and has a rectangular shape. There is a small black circle around the 1.2" LCD display screen.
ProductReportCard Editors' In-Depth Review
Pros And Cons
Pros
- After the initial set-up, the scale is very easy to use
- Automatic wireless data transmission to online tracking website
- Can measure fat mass vs. lean mass, so you can see the results of your exercise
- Ability to set personal goals and share data through online tracking website
- Software upgrades to the scale are automatically prompted from your webpage
- Can set athletic version for body fat which gives more accurate reading
- Detailed instruction manual
- The scale is also integrated with over 40 e-health & e-fitness services such as Runkeeper or Weightbot.
- Low profile is especially ideal for older people concerned with falling down
Cons
- Pricey ($159)
- Cannot upload historical data to online charts if you were tracking these fitness indicator prior to purchasing the WiFi Body Scale
- Need to be diligent in following instruction manual, as accuracy of the measurements can vary in certain situations where you have changes in hydration or blood circulation
- Forbidden for people who wear electronic implants such as a pacemaker because the scale sends out an extremely weak electrical current when taking a measurement to determine fat tissue which may compromise the device
- Some complaints about spotty customer service
Key Features
Product Size
The WiFi Body Scale is 12.6" x 12.6" x 0.9" (L x W x H) and weighs 5.1 lbs.
Accuracy
Weight is measured in .2 lb increments using 4 sensors.
Measures Multiple Fitness Indicators
The Wifi Body Scale measures body weight, fat mass, lean mass and BMI.
Multiple User Profiles
The WiFi Body Scale can track up to 8 users and can automatically differentiate between individual users once they step on the scale.
Tracking Progress Online
Measurements are sent automatically to a private, password-protected website that has all your data and relevant charts to help track how your weight and body composition changes over time. The site can be accessed on your computer or from your mobile device using free iPhone, iPad and Android applications.
Data Sharing
Ability to keep data private or share with other users through access to your webpage or publishing direct to online medical records, coaching programs, Twitter, Facebook, etc.
Product Design
The scale comes in white or black and has a glass top that makes it look like it came from Apple.
Screen Display
The screen is large 2.4" x 1.6" and uses white, high contrast lighting
Battery Operated
Uses 4 AAA batteries. Battery life varies depending on use (6 months to a year), but is generally reported to be shorter than scales with fewer features.
Wireless
The WiFI Body Scale is compatible with the WiFi IEEE 802.11 b/g standard and support WEP, WPA and WPA2 personal security modes.
Reputation
Withings has created a high-tech, user-friendly device that makes tracking/reaching health and fitness goals easy and fun. If you love Apple and can stomach $159 for a scale, it sounds like you will love this product.
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