What scales should I buy (UK)

LernRach

I currently have electric bathroom scales, and I'm almost sure they are inaccurate... first of all my weight varies by about 5 lbs, depending where the scales are in the bathroom (I realise that may be due to floor not being perfectly flat, although it appears to be) second, it just doesn't seem to be accurate at all, and this is not because I am being delusional about my size!!

I feel the need to buy new ones...

Can anyone recommend a set of electronic bathroom scales? Is it worth paying more for scales that tell me body fat %? are more expensive scales worth it?

(I do think that as long as scales are consistently inaccurate it doesn't really matter. However, I think the ones I have are completely off kilter, one day I can literally weight 5 lbs more or less than the day before...)

yarwell

The BF % scales aren't super accurate but do show trends that may or may not motivate you. I would look for the type that has four load cells rather than one with a lever arrangement. http://www.johnlewis.com/store/salter-slimline-9074-digital-bathroom-scale/p1997463?navAction=jump gets a couple of good reviews.

dammitjanet0161

I am a fan of the Salter glass body fat analyser scale (although I don't bother with the analyser bit, just use it as a normal scale). It looks nice and most importantly it seems really consistent. You can often find it on offer for £15 in Morrisons or Argos when its normal price is £25-30.

PinkPixiexox

I bought the Weight Watchers electronic glass scale - I think it was around £30 :]

Fursian

There was a thread around here not too long ago (can't locate it to credit the person, apologies!), but in their thread they mentioned testing their scale with a 5lb -10lb weight and/or heavier, which I thought was a pretty good idea. Can be anything really, just as long as it has a weight that'll register on the scales, and you know the weight of.

I did this with my bathroom scales and they did register the weight correctly.

Having said all that, my scales are cheap, and far from ideal. Depending on where you stand (middle, front, back) you can get different readings, so you have to be sure you're standing right in the middle every time. Not the best. Would like some bathroom scales which didn't care where you stand.

TrickyDisco

Got some Salter scales for about £20 at least 10 years ago, they're still accurate, weigh in lb or kg - I check them now and then by getting on them with/without a weight.

amyr271

Honestly, any old pair of scales will do as long as you use them in the same spot. I just got mine for £15 from Asda

dammitjanet0161

amyr271 wrote: »

Honestly, any old pair of scales will do as long as you use them in the same spot. I just got mine for £15 from Asda

Not quite sure I agree 100% with this as before I was using an older digital but non-glass scale at my other half's house and it was laughable how much it varied - I could step on and off it 3 or 4 times and it would give me a different reading each time without moving it to a different spot on the floor! I think that was probably due to how you stood on the scale itself, as mentioned above.

Since getting the glass scale I haven't had the same issue, as I think glass scales are balanced differently so are more consistent. I do agree though that you don't need to spend a lot on deluxe models.

LernRach

amyr271 wrote: »

Honestly, any old pair of scales will do as long as you use them in the same spot. I just got mine for £15 from Asda

You would think that wouldn't you? But alas, these scales have a mind of their own....

I am not sure whether its "my floors fault" or the scales fault... but will definitely do a 5lb weight test and see what happens...