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Withings Body Composition Wi-Fi Scale $98 Was $189.99 @ Harvey Norman

970

Have the WS-30 model (weight only) and have been looking for this model to drop for a while. Thanks to PriceHipster.

Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to a healthy lifestyle. Keep track of yours with the Withings Body Composition WiFi Scale. Featuring wireless sync technology, this electronic scale automatically uploads statistics over WiFi or through a Bluetooth-enabled smart device.

Key Features

With its patented Position Control technology, the Withings Body Composition WIFi Scale measures your weight and BMI accurately.
To help you maintain an optimal body composition, the Withings WIFi Scale tracks total body fat, water percentage, and bone and muscle mass.
Integrated with an on-screen local weather forecast, this body composition scale lets you plan your activities and wardrobe ahead.
When paired with its Health Mate app tracking feature or the Withings activity tracker, this body composition weighing scale provides on-screen counts of the steps you've taken from the previous day.
For multi-user convenience, the Withings Body Composition Scale has an independent sync feature which recognises and records stats from up to 8 users.

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Harvey Norman
Harvey Norman

closed Comments

  • +7

    Maximum weight is crucial information for Ozbargainers.

    • That'll rule me out regardless.

    • +3

      Damn kfc deals. Had kfc for lunch yesterday after checking for bargains on ozbargain

    • +1

      lol .. 180kg btw

      • This belongs in the description title.

      • What a waste of time. :/

  • Is the white one for children, looks smaller than the black one? 😁

    • Its the same size.

    • Is the white one for children

      No, midgets.

  • -6

    I really can't justify spending 100 bucks on a scale. Bmi is a bullshit way to measure your health. Go to your doctor and get a blood test.

    • +13

      Every day?

      • +1

        Yeah, it's not about a one-off test. The idea is to improve your weight/fat-vs-muscle stats, on a weekly basis.

    • +2

      20 buck one from Kmart does the job

    • +6

      Actually BMI and waist to hip ratio are very important indicators of health. In fact much better indicators than any single blood test.

    • +4

      Bmi is a bullshit way to measure your health. Go to your doctor and get a blood test.

      BMI is a perfectly fine scale for measuring overweight and obese people. A blood test is unnecessary when you are loading your joints and heart with excess weight. Unless you somehow think that is healthy.

      • -2

        BMI was never intended for that purpose; it was designed for comparing averages between populations, not people within a population.

        http://the-f-word.org/blog/index.php/2009/07/22/the-history-…

        • +3

          Averages of what between populations? Shin length? I think its a range of their tissue mass (muscle, fat, and bone) in an individual. If you're trying to argue is accuracy, of course its not accurate, its a range. 18.5 to 25 is a considerable amount of kilos of weight. You don't wake up the next morning suddenly traversing this range without losing limbs.

        • -3

          @philmarcracken: It's an average. It compares the person (when used incorrectly) against the national average. As the population get fatter over time the average trend upwards and the BMI becomes less and less accurate. Which is one of the main reasons it's not a good indicator.

        • +3

          Not sure what browser you're using, but when I visit that site in Chrome Chrome blocks the site from opening and on a big red page has the following text:

          The site ahead contains malware

          Attackers currently on www. blogskinny .com might attempt to install dangerous programs on your Mac that steal or delete your information (for example, photos, passwords, messages, and credit cards). >> Google Safe Browsing recently detected malware onthe-f-word .org. Websites that are normally safe are sometimes infected with malware. The malicious content comes fromwww. blogskinny .com`, a known malware distributor.

          If you understand the risks to your security, you may visit this unsafe site before the dangerous programs have been removed.

        • +1

          @oz-stef: That's a worry; I was using the Lastpass browser for Android and didn't get any security warnings.

          Thanks for the heads up.

      • -1

        Except that it seems to turn out that people with a BMI of around 25-27 (which is considered overweight) have the lowest mortality from cardiovascular diseases.

        There's a couple of studies coming to that conclusion, i.e.
        http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2520627

        And problems with joints don't purely depend on bmi, you can compensate for that easily by being fit. You get joint problems if you are fat AND lazy, which bmi doesn't reflect.

        That's why I think it's perfectly reasonable to say BMI is a bad measurement.

        • +1

          So I take it you keep your BMI around 25-27?

        • -3

          @philmarcracken: Hey Phil, since you're on a mission, here's some more evidence for you to ignore;

          "Then, in 1972, physiology professor and obesity researcher Ancel Keys published his "Indices of Relative Weight and Obesity," a landmark study of more than 7,400 men in five countries. Keys examined which of the height-weight formulas matched up best with each subject's body-fat percentage, as measured more directly. It turned out that the best predictor came from Quetelet: weight divided by height squared. Keys renamed this number the body mass index.

          The new measure caught on among researchers who had previously relied on slower and more expensive measures of body fat or on the broad categories (underweight, ideal weight, and overweight) identified by the insurance companies. The cheap and easy BMI test allowed them to plan and execute ambitious new studies involving hundreds of thousands of participants and to go back through troves of historical height and weight data and estimate levels of obesity in previous decades.

          Gradually, though, the popularity of BMI spread from epidemiologists who used it for studies of population health to doctors who wanted a quick way to measure body fat in individual patients. By 1985, the NIH started defining obesity according to body mass index, on the theory that official cutoffs could be used by doctors to warn patients who were at especially high risk for obesity-related illness. At first, the thresholds were established at the 85th percentile of BMI for each sex: 27.8 for men and 27.3 for women. (Those numbers now represent something more like the 50th percentile for Americans.) Then, in 1998, the NIH changed the rules: They consolidated the threshold for men and women, even though the relationship between BMI and body fat is different for each sex, and added another category, "overweight." The new cutoffs—25 for overweight, 30 for obesity—were nice, round numbers that could be easily remembered by doctors and patients.

          Keys had never intended for the BMI to be used in this way. His original paper warned against using the body mass index for individual diagnoses, since the equation ignores variables like a patient's gender or age, which affect how BMI relates to health. It's one thing to estimate the average percent body fat for large groups with diverse builds, Keys argued, but quite another to slap a number and label on someone without regard for these factors.

          Now Keys' misgivings are gaining traction across the world of medicine: BMI simply doesn't work when it comes to individual measurements. Whether that's a problem worth worrying about is another question. "

          http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/200…

        • +1

          @kale chips suck:

          BMI simply doesn't work when it comes to individual measurements.

          Thanks I think I will ignore that, and stay within my healthy BMI range. :)

  • Great scale. I've had mine for almost 2 years.

  • How often do you have to charge the eneloops?

    • +2

      With the WS-30, it's … no idea, it's infrequent enough that I can't remember. Maybe … twice a year?

  • +2

    I'll have to find a way to live without this product. Sooo tempted.

    • ditto..

  • bought 1 … good for weekly body fat

  • +1

    Anyone know if it is compatible with Apple HealthKit?

    • +3

      They are. Have a more basic Withings scale and you'll sync with the Withings app which Health in turn can use as a data source for weight, BMI etc.

  • very tempted, can anyone that already owns this scale vouch for its body fat % accuracy?

    • it would be hard to vouch for the accuracy … to be sure you'd need to get a DEXA scan to compare it to (something that is known to be highly accurate).
      http://www.dealsextra.com.au/business/Body-Measure-DEXA-Scan…

      Good old fashion tape measurements and pinch tests would give a better indication imo

    • +14

      I had been using one for more than 2 years now. I participated in a research project for a friend where she used the clinical gold standard body fat measurement (a pod where I have to sit in basically naked, and the body fat is measured by the air my body push out of the pod). I compared the body fat measurement between the two method, and the withings scale was reasonably accurate. I don't think I can put a table here so just bare with the weird formatting:

      • Date Bobpod Withings
      • 4/19 15.8 15.23
      • 4/14 17.5 16.41
      • 4/12 17.4 16.06
      • 4/07 17.5 17.07
      • 4/05 18.5 N/A
      • 3/31 17.0 16.03
      • 3/29 17.8 16.66
      • 3/24 18.3 16.51
      • 3/22 17.8 15.76
      • +1

        Nice #science

      • thanks a lot :) i trust bodpod measurements (i've done it before too) and the Withings numbers arent too far off.
        Bought one just then

      • +7

        Here you go:

        Date Bobpod Withings
        4/19 15.8 15.23
        4/14 17.5 16.41
        4/12 17.4 16.06
        4/07 17.5 17.07
        4/05 18.5 N/A
        3/31 17.0 16.03
        3/29 17.8 16.66
        3/24 18.3 16.51
        3/22 17.8 15.76

        (Formatting info here)

      • +1

        Dexa is the gold standard and more accurate than a bob pod. Bob pods can be off by over 10%

        • I'm curious, why are they called "bob pods"?

          /mental imagery of Spongebob Squarepants…

        • +1

          @44sunsets: it's actually "bodpod". You can probably guess why!

        • +1

          Bob pods can be off by over 10%

          For underweight people, yup. For normal and overweight people, it looks to be accurate enough.

          Direct results here.

        • @eug: look at the minimum and maximum recorded between the 2 and there is a significant difference.
          For overweight, max dexa was 54.9% and one bodpod method measured only 46.39 giving 8.5% less. The average is close but it appears that there is no consistent margin of error

        • @8azinga: The Siri equation looks to be closest to DEXA so we can just look at that. The difference between the min and max is within 1.1%. In any case, the reason we look at means and standard deviations (which is virtually the same between DEXA and Siri Bod Pod) is because there may be outliers.

          Another study of 70 participants directly compared bioelectrical impedance analysis with DEXA and concluded that it is a viable method of measurement.

          In any case, the value in these scales is being able to track change over time, rather than getting one accurate measurement. Using the same scale at the same time every day with similar body conditions (e.g. after waking up) would give the most consistent measurements.

  • +5

    These are outstanding scales - would recommend these to anyone.

    It's not the BMI measurement etc that makes it so good. It's the fact that over time you will automatically have a complete record of your weight. It makes it far more difficult to ignore (IMO). You will be able to compare your current weight to (eg) a year ago or 6 months ago in an instant.

    We have had ours for around 4 years. If they fail we will buy another immediately.

  • +3

    Withings WIFi Scale tracks total body fat, water percentage, and bone and muscle mass

    Last time I checked this wasn't doable by just standing on something. Even specialised equipment isn't accurate particularly for fat percentage. It probably needs to emit some sort of radiation to figure out bone mass…

    • +2

      Maybe you need to check again. :)

      The value is in the relative changes, not the absolute values.

      • +1

        Fair enough. I've seen a lot of comparisons and different machines give different readings…

        • +1

          That's why it's good to have your own which you use regularly. It's the tracking of relative changes that's useful.

  • Thanks for the heads up, HN also have the WBS-04 scales on sale for 40% off, i have been looking at grabbing one of those a few weeks back but held off due to the cost.

  • +1

    Given the number of Ozbargainers who completed the Tasy University Health course to get a free fitbit, we should all know the limitations of BMI-testing scales /nods
    Good price/deal for those that want one (or will buy one regardless), thanks Op

    • Indeed. My fellow "Tasy University Health course" is quite correct!

  • Seems like new model is due. This item has been discontinued by the manufacturer and is no longer available for sale.

    • +1

      This (and the Cardio model) was only announced last June. Surely they won't be replacing it so quickly?

    • +1

      Most probably as Nokia now own Withings and want their branding over everything.

  • +1

    Just a note - this is not the WS-50 (that measured heart rate and for an unknown reason air quality) but effectively the replacement/update of the WS-30 (which is what I have) or alternatively it's the WS-50 without the heart rate monitor. I find it great to automatically record and track trends over time. Don't really care how accurate it is, but the trend info is definitely useful to keep me on track…. Batteries in mine last around a year.

    • This model is the WBS05 for reference.

      Do I buy this or the body cardio which also tracks heart rate?

      • +1

        Dunno how useful heart rate would be on a bathroom scale.. shouldn't you be sitting down, relaxed, if you want a resting heart rate reading?

      • +1

        I wouldn't be bothered with the heart rate. If you want that then better off using something like a Garmin HR band that takes readings over the day so you can see resting heart rate etc….

  • This Scale is pointless because i am just going to put on weight when tomorrow someone posts a KFC deal of 9 pieces for 9.95. Any way, ill be getting the Scale and the KFC. Lets just hope i dont eat the scale and stand on the KFC.

    • Mate if you are eating these at $98 a pop and using chicken to wipe your feet, there are better meal deals on OB.

      The pointfulness(?) of scales is that you can check your weight over time rather than before/after meals. Stay positive!

  • +2

    Im struggling to work out the advantage over the Xiaomi, which is way cheaper, except wifi and ifttt integration

  • What's the accuracy of these like? I've tried several digital scales and the weight will often vary by as much as 5kg if I get on twice in a row.

    • +2

      My older model doesn't vary by more than 0.1-0.2kg if I get on twice in a row.

    • +2

      In three months of use, I have had just one episode of obvious inaccuracy, which was pretty easy to spot on the graph. The scale was within 0.2kg of the one in the doctor's office the day I visited. Otherwise variation with a minute or so between weighings is 0-0.2kg.

      The wi-fi connection has been flawless and the Healthmate app will offload the data to Google Fit very easily, which was important to me. In general, my research suggested the interoperability was better than other models.

      I have paid no attention to any of the non-weight readings - except for, oddly, the weather (more useful than I expected, as I weigh myself just before getting dressed).

      As far as I can tell, you are actually getting something for the price premium.

      And for me at least, having daily feedback and a months-long record of my weight has been key to losing some of that weight.

      Recommended, and a bargain at A$98.

      • Thanks for the detailed response. Just picked one up.

  • Sometimes I lose a bit of weight, after I drop he kids off in the morning

  • Thanks, OP. I never knew I needed scales, let alone wifi equipped scales until I read your post :)

  • +1

    Why is everybody saying that this is the best??
    It is making me guilty for not having bought it yet.

    How does it compare to the Xiaomi?

    The pressure is building on me to click the add to cart button.

    • I want to know this.

      I have a yunmai mini and even this integrates with Google fit and has electrode sensors. However it's getting pretty ratty looking for from moisture in bathroom. Tempted to buy buy can't see the benefits over the Xiaomi (and I'm a Xiaomi fanboy).

      • Wifi vs bluetooth

        • @oz-stef:

          I mentioned both those as the only differences I can see

          Reviews seem to show the Xiaomi is more.consistent than the within

          Also in terms of wifi, the new Yunmai (which is backed by Xiaomi) which is due out very soon, has wifi.

        • @sambutler9876: I don't see wifi as part of the specs, also priced at US$140 (~AU$189), I also don't see any mention of Xiaomi

          https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/yunmai2-smart-scale-track…

        • @oz-stef:

          It clearly says wifi on that page

          The Yunmai 2 was funded via Xiaomi crowdfunding platform. Products on there Xiaomi have equity in. Very few of Xiaomi equity investment ts are branded with Xiaomi (the main exceptions been Yi and Yeelight - even 1more which are stocked in Xiaomi stores in China, are not branded Xiaomi - not to mention high profile investments such as Ofo bike sharing)

    • "The absolute best scale, with smarts" according to The Sweet home: http://thesweethome.com/reviews/the-best-bathroom-scales/

      • Well… just got to get it now :)

  • Anyone want to group buy (up to 4) - Melbourne eastern suburbs. Would work out to be 87.50 per scale with my Amex $50 credit offer. Just putting it out there. 😃

    • yes im keen!

      • Cool pm me

    • Ordered black ones due to FOMO, if anyone else is keen let me know.

    • I have one left if anyone is interested pm me.

      • still available?

      • All gone now. Cheers.

  • Is this better than the fitbit aria?

    • Probably, yes. More interoperable with more systems e.g. Google Fit, and from Amazon reviews etc it seems to be better-made as well.

    • I got fitbit aria and I am happy with it.

      Would imagine it tracks relative changes in BFP similar to this one

    • I had a fitbit aria, I find it inaccurate, weight would fluctuate right after a measure.

  • Weigh yourself and then stand naked in front of the mirror, take a naked selfie and try on the same previous tight fitting shirt etc amd track your progress that way.

    Or Get a DEXA SCAN every couple of months.

    • take a naked selfie and try on the same previous tight fitting shirt etc amd track your progress that way.

      Or just stand on a scale in your bathroom every morning and have the results automatically plotted on a graph that you can view on your phone without any further interaction.

      Or Get a DEXA SCAN every couple of months.

      Is that more cost-effective than buying a $98 scale?

      • Or Get a DEXA SCAN every couple of months.

        Is that more cost-effective than buying a $98 scale?

        Well, the DEXA scan works, the scale doesn't. It's impossible for something to be cost-EFFECTIVE if it doesn't perform the required function. You can't just stand on a scale to get a breakdown of your body fat, lean muscle mass and bone mass.

        • For absolute readings, sure. But the point of being able to measure yourself every day is to get relative measurements which is more useful than two absolute readings you get from two DEXA scans a year.

          If you look at thedirtywest's comparison between his Withings scale and a Bod Pod, you'll see that they're pretty close.

          And if you look at this research paper that was published in PLOS One, you'll see that Bod Pods are very close to DEXA measurements for the normal and overweight tested groups.

          But once again, the value is in the relative change over time, rather than the absolute values.

  • Been waiting for the price to drop
    Thanks got one

  • You can't use it if you use a pacemaker because it sends a small electric current to measure body fat etc.

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