Digital (person) scale recommendations?

kiela64
kiela64 Posts: 1,447 Member
edited 10:16AM in Health and Weight Loss
Tried searching this but really only ended up finding info on food scales, which I suppose I should get as well, but this is where the gap was.

I've never owned a scale, but when my Mom learned I was over 200lbs she completely changed her perspective and I am finally allowed to purchase a scale.

I just really have no idea what's accurate, decent, etc. I don't need anything fancy, no body fat % estimate, phone-syncing capabilities, etc. Just lbs, maybe it would be nice if it did 2 decimal points, but that might be asking too much idk. I also don't want to spend a ton (currently jobless).

The only thing I can think of that might be a problem is our floors aren't completely level. They slant a bit everywhere, so there's no getting around that.

Any recommendations would be appreciated. You can add food scale recs if you want too, although the search did find a few already :tongue:

Replies

  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    I got an Innotech a month ago and it’s consistent & easy to read. You don’t need a scale that reads out in hundredths of a pound! 0.1 lb is only about 1.5 ounces and that’s plenty to track your progress.
  • kiela64
    kiela64 Posts: 1,447 Member
    lorrpb wrote: »
    I got an Innotech a month ago and it’s consistent & easy to read. You don’t need a scale that reads out in hundredths of a pound! 0.1 lb is only about 1.5 ounces and that’s plenty to track your progress.

    True, yes, that sounds good! Thanks! Consistent & easy to read sound like good things :)
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    I got a weight watchers digital from Walmart and it works well.
  • HilTri
    HilTri Posts: 378 Member
    I asked the same question not too long ago and the OXO scale was recommended. I bought it and really like it. No frills, easy to read and seems to be accurate. I bought mine on Amazon.
  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    Mine is pretty fancy and syncs my weight to various websites without having to type anything in, but it's way overkill (found it in a clearance bin).

    Just one thing on some of the scales. I had a weight watchers one (still have it) and if your weight doesn't change by much (I think mine was 3/4 of a lb or so), it will show the previous weight. It annoyed me, but I would turn it on, step on it with one foot, get a reading then stand on it normally to get the "true" weight for that day. If I lost half a lb I wanted to see it, dammit.
  • DX2JX2
    DX2JX2 Posts: 1,921 Member
    Mine is pretty fancy and syncs my weight to various websites without having to type anything in, but it's way overkill (found it in a clearance bin).

    Just one thing on some of the scales. I had a weight watchers one (still have it) and if your weight doesn't change by much (I think mine was 3/4 of a lb or so), it will show the previous weight. It annoyed me, but I would turn it on, step on it with one foot, get a reading then stand on it normally to get the "true" weight for that day. If I lost half a lb I wanted to see it, dammit.

    What's the logic with a scale that won't show you what you really weigh? Why does that 'feature' exist?
  • kiela64
    kiela64 Posts: 1,447 Member
    DX2JX2 wrote: »
    Mine is pretty fancy and syncs my weight to various websites without having to type anything in, but it's way overkill (found it in a clearance bin).

    Just one thing on some of the scales. I had a weight watchers one (still have it) and if your weight doesn't change by much (I think mine was 3/4 of a lb or so), it will show the previous weight. It annoyed me, but I would turn it on, step on it with one foot, get a reading then stand on it normally to get the "true" weight for that day. If I lost half a lb I wanted to see it, dammit.

    What's the logic with a scale that won't show you what you really weigh? Why does that 'feature' exist?

    Wow, that's awful! I really really do not want a scale that does that :anguished: I'll avoid anything WW related. A classmate of mine back in grade 6 was in WW and it seemed like a strange program.
  • kiela64
    kiela64 Posts: 1,447 Member
    HilTri wrote: »
    I asked the same question not too long ago and the OXO scale was recommended. I bought it and really like it. No frills, easy to read and seems to be accurate. I bought mine on Amazon.

    In my searches OXO appears to only make food scales. Thank you though!
  • tegtmeyerd
    tegtmeyerd Posts: 66 Member
    I've had the fitbit aria scale for a few years and have no problems with it. Like that it automatically syncs with my apps.
  • kiela64
    kiela64 Posts: 1,447 Member
    tegtmeyerd wrote: »
    I've had the fitbit aria scale for a few years and have no problems with it. Like that it automatically syncs with my apps.

    Thank you but wow that thing is nearly $200 D:
  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    DX2JX2 wrote: »
    Mine is pretty fancy and syncs my weight to various websites without having to type anything in, but it's way overkill (found it in a clearance bin).

    Just one thing on some of the scales. I had a weight watchers one (still have it) and if your weight doesn't change by much (I think mine was 3/4 of a lb or so), it will show the previous weight. It annoyed me, but I would turn it on, step on it with one foot, get a reading then stand on it normally to get the "true" weight for that day. If I lost half a lb I wanted to see it, dammit.

    What's the logic with a scale that won't show you what you really weigh? Why does that 'feature' exist?

    Guess it is just there for folks who get stressed over every little tenth of a lb. But it seems a relatively common feature.
  • kiela64
    kiela64 Posts: 1,447 Member
    The ones I'm finding in the around $25 range are:
    • Ozeri: a $25 scale with Tare (I'd like to know what the value/use of this feature is in practice, if any of you have it), measures to 0.1lb, OR a $20 scale without Tare that measures to 0.2lb
    • Accuweight: a $20 scale, measures to 0.2lb, has 4 sensors
    • BalanceFrom: a $14 scale that measures to 0.2lb, 4 sensors
    • Etekcity: $26, measures to 0.2lb but claims to be extra reliable bc of 4 sensors and an "CE/RoHS approval" (I have no idea what that means). OR $24, without any significant differences just in a different material. OR $28 that seems the same but claims "ultra accuracy".
    • EatSmart Precision: $29, no tare, measures to 0.2lb. I found it on a list of "best scales" but I don't really know why? It seems very similar to everything else, and I'm not sure what it has to recommend it over the $14 scale?
    • Dr Health: $18, no tare, to 0.2lb
    • Triomph: $19, to 0.2lb (no tare)

    I don't know if that's a decent price point to look in, or if it should be higher, if I'm even paying attention to the correct things? Maybe I'm overthinking it a bit. I just don't want to get something that is terrible, inaccurate, that has that weird feature mentioned above, etc.
  • DX2JX2
    DX2JX2 Posts: 1,921 Member
    edited May 2018
    kiela64 wrote: »
    The ones I'm finding in the around $25 range are:

    [*] Ozeri: a $25 scale with Tare (I'd like to know what the value/use of this feature is in practice, if any of you have it), measures to 0.1lb,

    In body scales, tare allows for you to zero out your weight so you can only see the weight of something that you're carrying/holding. Tends to be helpful to weigh babies.

    0.2 of a pound is fine precision-wise. That's 3 ounces...not something you would generally get concerned about (unless you're weighing a newborn baby).

    CE/ROHS has nothing to do with accuracy and is a certification that a product has passed safety standards and/or doesn't contain high levels of mercury, etc. Not the most critical thing to have for a scale.

    For a basic scale with no other functions, $25 or less is fine.
  • kiela64
    kiela64 Posts: 1,447 Member
    edited May 2018
    DX2JX2 wrote: »
    kiela64 wrote: »
    The ones I'm finding in the around $25 range are:

    [*] Ozeri: a $25 scale with Tare (I'd like to know what the value/use of this feature is in practice, if any of you have it), measures to 0.1lb,

    In body scales, tare allows for you to zero out your weight so you can only see the weight of something that you're carrying/holding. Tends to be helpful to weigh babies.

    0.2 of a pound is fine precision-wise. That's 3 ounces...not something you would generally get concerned about (unless you're weighing a newborn baby).

    CE/ROHS has nothing to do with accuracy and is a certification that a product has passed safety standards and/or doesn't contain high levels of mercury, etc. Not the most critical thing to have for a scale.

    For a basic scale with no other functions, $25 or less is fine.

    Thank you for your feedback. The $14 scale is looking attractive in that case - it seems to have all the same functions as literally everything else, aside from the Tare or the 0.1lb accuracy of the Ozeri.

    Both scales have mostly positive Amazon reviews but with a good number claiming it does not weigh accurately and it was terrible. So I don't really see any benefit in paying the extra if it's a gamble either way, as well....
  • MishMashMisha
    MishMashMisha Posts: 39 Member
    Just one thing on some of the scales. I had a weight watchers one (still have it) and if your weight doesn't change by much (I think mine was 3/4 of a lb or so), it will show the previous weight. It annoyed me, but I would turn it on, step on it with one foot, get a reading then stand on it normally to get the "true" weight for that day. If I lost half a lb I wanted to see it, dammit.

    I have that scale (have actually had it for about 3 years now.) I only just recently realized that it does that. I have no idea why that "feature" exists.

  • kiela64
    kiela64 Posts: 1,447 Member
    Just one thing on some of the scales. I had a weight watchers one (still have it) and if your weight doesn't change by much (I think mine was 3/4 of a lb or so), it will show the previous weight. It annoyed me, but I would turn it on, step on it with one foot, get a reading then stand on it normally to get the "true" weight for that day. If I lost half a lb I wanted to see it, dammit.

    I have that scale (have actually had it for about 3 years now.) I only just recently realized that it does that. I have no idea why that "feature" exists.

    Any ideas on how to figure out what scales do this/don’t do this?
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    edited May 2018
    I have not had a problem with my WW scale. I can weigh myself before and after a workout and it gives me different readings, to 1/10 of a lb. Sometimes I do multiple weigh-ins just to check it, and then weigh a dumbbell. It seems accurate, even compared to the one at the nurse, the doctors office, and one a family member has.
  • kiela64
    kiela64 Posts: 1,447 Member
    kiela64 wrote: »
    The ones I'm finding in the around $25 range are:
    • Ozeri: a $25 scale with Tare (I'd like to know what the value/use of this feature is in practice, if any of you have it), measures to 0.1lb, OR a $20 scale without Tare that measures to 0.2lb
    • Accuweight: a $20 scale, measures to 0.2lb, has 4 sensors
    • BalanceFrom: a $14 scale that measures to 0.2lb, 4 sensors
    • Etekcity: $26, measures to 0.2lb but claims to be extra reliable bc of 4 sensors and an "CE/RoHS approval" (I have no idea what that means). OR $24, without any significant differences just in a different material. OR $28 that seems the same but claims "ultra accuracy".
    • EatSmart Precision: $29, no tare, measures to 0.2lb. I found it on a list of "best scales" but I don't really know why? It seems very similar to everything else, and I'm not sure what it has to recommend it over the $14 scale?
    • Dr Health: $18, no tare, to 0.2lb
    • Triomph: $19, to 0.2lb (no tare)

    I don't know if that's a decent price point to look in, or if it should be higher, if I'm even paying attention to the correct things? Maybe I'm overthinking it a bit. I just don't want to get something that is terrible, inaccurate, that has that weird feature mentioned above, etc.

    After reading your comments and approximately 50000 different reviews, articles, etc I think I'm going to go with the $14 scale because it has the same amount of positivity/negativity and accuracy/decent customer service as the others, and just does the basic of weighing. Thanks everyone!

    I still have no idea how to know if a scale is going to do the Thing people have talked about here of repeating the last reading, but someone in a review of a different scale mentioned that picking up a weight, weighing yourself with the weight, then putting the weight down and weighing yourself again should fix the issue. So at least I guess if it does happen it won't be the end of the world.

    I just hope my slanted/wonky floors aren't an issue. I'll also always have to move it in and out of view as well. Fingers crossed!
  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    kiela64 wrote: »
    I still have no idea how to know if a scale is going to do the Thing people have talked about here of repeating the last reading, but someone in a review of a different scale mentioned that picking up a weight, weighing yourself with the weight, then putting the weight down and weighing yourself again should fix the issue. So at least I guess if it does happen it won't be the end of the world.

    I guess if you have a weight hanging around, but it's much easier to put one foot on the scale, get a reading, then step on it normally. Does the reset just fine and deosn't need you to have and hold onto a weight.

  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    kiela64 wrote: »
    Just one thing on some of the scales. I had a weight watchers one (still have it) and if your weight doesn't change by much (I think mine was 3/4 of a lb or so), it will show the previous weight. It annoyed me, but I would turn it on, step on it with one foot, get a reading then stand on it normally to get the "true" weight for that day. If I lost half a lb I wanted to see it, dammit.

    I have that scale (have actually had it for about 3 years now.) I only just recently realized that it does that. I have no idea why that "feature" exists.

    Any ideas on how to figure out what scales do this/don’t do this?

    Took me a while to figure out mine did this, so no real way to tell from the packaging. Maybe reviews will tell you.
  • kiela64
    kiela64 Posts: 1,447 Member
    kiela64 wrote: »
    I still have no idea how to know if a scale is going to do the Thing people have talked about here of repeating the last reading, but someone in a review of a different scale mentioned that picking up a weight, weighing yourself with the weight, then putting the weight down and weighing yourself again should fix the issue. So at least I guess if it does happen it won't be the end of the world.

    I guess if you have a weight hanging around, but it's much easier to put one foot on the scale, get a reading, then step on it normally. Does the reset just fine and deosn't need you to have and hold onto a weight.

    thanks, noted!
  • fuzzylop72
    fuzzylop72 Posts: 651 Member
    edited May 2018
    I have a body+ from nokia which I really like, but given the fact that there's always rumors hinting that they might exit that business, it's hard to really recommend someone buy one. It's a little bit more than you said you wanted, anyways.
  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    fuzzylop72 wrote: »
    I have a body+ from nokia which I really like, but given the fact that there's always rumors hinting that they might exit that business, it's hard to really recommend someone buy one. It's a little bit more than you said you wanted, anyways.

    Same (except mine is Withings labelled). I love not having to type my weight into 3-4 different apps, but it's pricey and who knows how long it will be supported for.
  • jrochest
    jrochest Posts: 119 Member
    I think being able to tare a scale is important if you have to move it frequently; it helps to be able to 'reset' it before you weigh yourself.

    I really want to buy a 'visiting nurse' scale -- the kind of digital scales that Weight Watchers uses -- rather than a standard bathroom scale. But they're only sold by medical supply places and wholesale joints, and I'm not eligible to buy from either. There are places that sell them in the States, but most don't ship to Canada.
  • gdogshankmasta
    gdogshankmasta Posts: 3 Member
    I really like this taylor scale on amazon. Looks great, costs nothing, and is very accurate.

    https://www.amazon.com/Taylor-Chrome-Digital-Bathroom-Capacity/dp/B0000E2PEI
  • lizzyfit2
    lizzyfit2 Posts: 30 Member
    I weigh in every day right when I wake up, on my older digital scale..Nothing fancy, I then add that to my total diary. I know some people frown on daily weigh ins..For me, I enjoy logging it along with every thing I eat/drink (all weighed and measured). I started MFP mid February, and have dropped 13 pounds, still 12 left to get to my slim (stronger) self.
    I personally am enoying all it, the weighing (of me lol, and all my foods), the excercises that are making me stronger, etc. Its an education experience for me. Recording everything, to see the progress, and be able to look back and see days that there was "loss" and when there isnt loss....
    Never had lots to lose in my life before, so this new "awareness" is life changing for me. Never weighed or measured anything before, but its been an enlightening education!
    I dont mind having a regular old (cheap?) digital stand-on scale, it works fine daily to add my progress (or lack of) to my MFP diary...
    I think patience, honesty and committment to a healthy plan will bring more than just weight loss, it evolves into a healthier, stronger and lighter human being.
    Day by day, everyday..
    Keep up the good work!
  • DX2JX2
    DX2JX2 Posts: 1,921 Member
    lizzyfit2 wrote: »
    I weigh in every day right when I wake up, on my older digital scale..Nothing fancy, I then add that to my total diary. I know some people frown on daily weigh ins..For me, I enjoy logging it along with every thing I eat/drink (all weighed and measured).

    Note that daily weigh-ins are technically the best way to record your data. More data points make it easier to see developing trends. The only reason people recommend against daily weigh-ins is that many people get freaked out by normal day to day fluctuations in water weight, etc. If you can deal with that, then daily weigh-ins are the best way to go.
  • RachelElser
    RachelElser Posts: 1,049 Member
    I really like this weight watcher one. You can program it to different people

    https://www.amazon.com/Weight-Watchers-Conair-Tracker-Bathroom/dp/B0043W67TO?th=1
  • DX2JX2
    DX2JX2 Posts: 1,921 Member
    I really like this weight watcher one. You can program it to different people

    https://www.amazon.com/Weight-Watchers-Conair-Tracker-Bathroom/dp/B0043W67TO?th=1

    though beware if you have multiple users who are in the same weight range. The scale won't be able to differentiate between them.
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