Watch yourself: 5 "smart" scales

Behind the unremarkable name of the Yunmai Mini 2 Smart Scale is the well-known company Xiaomi, under whose wing the model is produced at production facilities in the Middle Kingdom. The second generation of the “weight controller” retained its compact dimensions (260x260x26 mm), and a Wi-Fi module appeared in it from the cardinal innovations.

The wireless adapter on board the model is used to communicate with the Yunmai Cloud cloud service, where the scale sends all the measured characteristics of the user's body. The smart device collects data on weight, body fat, muscle percentage, water content, bone mass, visceral fat content, protein level, and is able to determine the biological age of a person. Moreover, the scales themselves show only the weight on the LED screen, and the rest of the parameters are displayed in the application.

With a smartphone, Yunmai Mini 2 Smart Scale keeps in touch via Bluetooth, transferring data to the Mi Home programme. The indicators are read by sensors located on the surface of the scales. To obtain reliable measurement results, it is necessary to stand on the device with bare feet so that an impulse imperceptible to the user passes through one leg and returns to the other, collecting all the necessary information. Due to the modest dimensions of the model, people with a foot size over the 44th scale may not be suitable.

Special stainless steel with anti-corrosion properties is found in the materials for manufacturing the body of the brainchild of Yunmai. Therefore, you can safely get wet feet on the scales. A 3000 mAh battery is installed inside the device, the tanks of which will need to be “refilled” approximately once every 10 days with two weighings on a daily basis. Remarkably, the built-in battery is charged via the USB-C port. The scales please with a pleasant combination of affordable cost, functionality and attractive appearance, and these, you see, are weighty pros in favor of the model.

Scales from Xiaomi do not just measure weight, but also make a number of measurements of body composition indicators to understand the correctness of the movement towards the goal. They will become a faithful companion for those who lead a healthy lifestyle, do fitness or work on weight loss.

The advanced component of the scales is given out by some elements in appearance, in particular, a quartet of stainless steel electrode plates on the contact pad. Electrical impulses are sent through them, through which the percentage of fat, water, muscle and bone tissue in the body is determined, as well as how much visceral fat is hidden inside you. In addition, the scale can calculate the body mass index and evaluate the general physical condition and physique of the user.

Basically, the model measures weight in the range from 5 to 150 kg in increments of 100 g. The data is immediately displayed on the scale screen and transferred to a smartphone paired via a Bluetooth network. Then the measured indicators are collected together in the Mi Fit application, which is well known to the owners of Mi Band fitness trackers from Xiaomi. It identifies up to 16 different users.

High-strength and durable ABS plastic predominates in the materials of the device, so that the front surface of the scale does not collect footprints. And in order to make them more comfortable to operate, the edges of the body of the “smart” device have characteristic roundings. To top it off, the scales can boast of a tasty price tag — you can hardly find an assistant similar in functionality for plus or minus the same money.

The main part of the assortment of the German company Beurer is occupied by professional and home health products. Among them are the BF 800 scales, but not simple ones, but with advanced smart functionality.

As usual, the main mission of the model is to measure the user's weight (in kilograms, pounds or stone, here it's more familiar to someone). Measurements in kg are made in increments of 100 g, and the maximum that the scale can withstand is 180 kg. In parallel , the Beurer BF800 registers a lot of related parameters: the proportion of fat, muscle and bone tissue in the body, water balance, and the weight system also calculates the number of calories needed on a daily basis in active or basic modes.

An informative two-line display with an eye-pleasing blue backlight serves to read the measured values. But scales wouldn't be "smart" if the data wasn't transmitted "over the air" to a connected smartphone with an active Bluetooth connection. The user only needs to install the Beurer HealthManager branded programme on the mobile gadget and enjoy all its benefits. For example, separate desktops in the application are dedicated to graphs and tables of the dynamics of weight changes with a clear designation of the time and date of measurements. The only “but” is that synchronization of scales with mobile devices sometimes does not always go smoothly.

The life-giving power of energy model is powered by three batteries "little finger" form factor. Separate flattering words in the assets of the scales are bothered by the function of automatic recognition of up to 8 users, "hammered" in advance in the device's memory. Accordingly, it is possible to track the weight difference from day to day for all members of a large family in one sitting.

The Finnish brand Polar is widely known in the circles of athletes and among adherents of an active lifestyle. However, the name of the company is famous not only for heart rate monitors and fitness trackers — Balance smart scales work in tandem with them for the benefit of keeping fit.

The model does not shine with a special variety of measurements. In fact, it successfully handles with the only serious task — determining the exact weight of the user. At the same time, against the background of classic bathroom scales, Polar Balance stands out with the Bluetooth module put into service. With it, the scale can connect not only with a smartphone, but also with Polar smartwatches. For what? More on that below.

Based on the results of body weight measurements in the Polar Flow mobile app, recommendations are made to achieve the specified weight norms. The programme defines daily activity goals for the user, upon fulfillment of which extra pounds “leave” and it is possible to achieve the desired weight faster. Moreover, tracking should not only activity, but also the diet — the application reminds you of the restriction on the use of certain products. And if you suddenly get better by half a kilo, the service immediately issues recommendations for accelerating calorie burning.

A few dry figures about the model: it is ready to take on board a user weighing up to 180 kg, the measurement scale division price is 100 g, and the device runs on three AAA batteries(when weighed four times a day, their charge is usually enough for a year). Up to 10 people can use the scales. First of all, owners of fitness trackers under the sign of the Finnish brand should recommend Polar Balance, because all the charms of these scales are revealed purely in conjunction with a personal trainer on the wrist, with which the model is closely integrated.

A dish called Tanita RD-953 is prepared according to a special recipe: the body of the scale is generously “stuffed” with advanced “hardware”, thanks to which the model not only measures weight, but also analyzes the indicators of human body composition with high accuracy.

The originality of the device in appearance is added by side carrying handles and a large informative display on which you can see all the measured indicators. The "chip" of the screen is colour coding: depending on the progress of the user in achieving the set goals, the results are highlighted in red, orange or green. Set the bar for yourself in the associated My Tanita Healthcare mobile app.

Libra can really do a lot. For example, they measure the level of water and fat in the body, basal metabolism, muscle mass and other indicators of body composition. To get the most reliable results, you need to specify the height, age and gender of the user. The scales start up automatically — just stand on their platform barefoot. This is due to the fact that the measurement of the composition of the body is carried out using the method of two-frequency bioelectrical impedance (by determining the resistance of tissues).

The scale supports obese users weighing up to 200 kg and stores data for four different people. The device is powered by a quartet of AA batteries, which the manufacturer carefully placed in the box with the product. On average, batteries will need to be replaced after a year of faithful service. The Tanita RD-953 is more expensive than its "smart" peers, however, in terms of the accuracy of the measurements made, it is practically impossible to find equal models.