Bathroom Scale Buying Guide

Updated November 1, 2022

Today’s bathroom scales do more than just tell you what you weigh. Many now determine the percentage of your weight that comes from fat. Some also calculate your body mass index, or BMI, which measures your weight in relation to your height. And some smart scales allow you to upload all that information to your smartphone or computer, so you can track changes in those body measurements over time and, if you choose, share the measurements with friends.

To help guide your shopping, you can consult our bathroom scales ratings, which we determine according to Consumer Reports’ testing across accuracy, consistency, balance, and ease of use. You might notice that we rate only digital scales. That’s because we no longer test analog or mechanical scales.

“Digital scales are more accurate and repeatable than most inexpensive mechanical scales,” says Bernie Deitrick, who led CR’s scales testing. “The last time we tested mechanical scales, they scored low on those tests.”

To determine some of the best bathroom scales, we tested models that can handle at least 330 pounds (and some that can handle as much as 400 pounds) and that are equipped with lithium or AAA batteries. Some come with a low-battery indicator, while some automatically turn off—and some scales require a tap of the foot to start up. We tested models from AmazonBasics, Fitbit, Taylor, Weight Watchers, and more.

What Our Tests Revealed

The most accurate bathroom scales in our testing measured within one-half of a percentage point of the weight we used in each test. All scales were very good at repeating the weight they’d measured.

None of the scales we tested were accurate at determining body fat percentage. However, they may offer other features you like, such as sending your measurements to your computer or smartphone so that you can keep track of your weight.

How We Rate Scales

In our labs, we put bathroom scales through a number of tests on hard surfaces, like tiles, and measure each according to its accuracy, consistency, balance, and ease of use.

Accuracy

We have a calibrated scale that displays the correct weight to the hundredth of a pound. We use stackable weights to mimic individuals weighing 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, and 325 pounds. (According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average weight of an adult male is 200 pounds, while the average adult female weighs 171 pounds.) We compare the readings from each bathroom scale with those of the lab scale to determine the accuracy of each model.

Consistency

We take multiple readings of each weight on each scale to determine a model’s consistency rating.

Balance

Our tester stands in different positions on each scale to see whether the readings change—most don’t change, but you’d be surprised how much the display can vary based on how you shift your stance.

Ease of Use

We assess how large the numbers on the display are, how simple it is to adjust the scale to your preferences, and whether you can read the scale without needing to turn on a light.