Bathroom scales: Looking for easy to read, and accurate to the 0.1 kg

SomeGuyOnOzB on 15/10/2011 - 15:32
Last edited 24/10/2011 - 12:33

Does anyone know where there are bathroom scales (digital or large easy to read analog) that are accurate to 0.1 kg?

I've tried out a few now, that claimed to be accurate to 0.1 kg, and been disappointed.

$19 model from an eBay seller (actual post sales service was good). They claimed accuracy to 0.1 kg, but I could pick up to almost 0.5 kg before the scale displayed a different weight.

Propert $19 model (available at Coles, Big W and Kmart). Claimed accurate to 0.1 kg but I could pick up to 0.3 kg before the scale displayed a different weight.

Homemaker $29 model from Kmart. I've picked up weights to around 0.35 kg and still no change in what it thinks my weight is.

Perma $26 Lifestyle Basics model from Big W. After many readings of my weight alone, it fluctuates across a 600 gram range :S generally adding 100 or 200 grams is not detected. Adding more weight is sometimes detected with a 0.3 kg increase, but sometimes it believes I've lost 0.3 kg … :S

Weight Watchers basic unit by ConAir $37? from Big W. Ack! It comes with a 30 second memory. But when I waited out the memory, I found readings would fluctuate across a 400 gram range :S Which makes me wonder if people on the Weight Watchers diet programs bought this scale and I wonder if they know there can be so much variance in the readings :S

Find Me A Bargain

Comments

  • ohsnap on 16/10/2011 - 12:13
    +1

    I actually have a Homamaker one which I purchased at least 4 years ago. It is still in perfect working order and has been my most accurate one to date. It usually picks up 0.1kg (sometimes it doesn't, no idea why), but anything above that it definitely does. Very impressed since I didn't spend much on it.

    • SomeGuyOnOzB on 16/10/2011 - 16:27

      Perhaps there's a difference between the 4 years ago and the new one. I'm not sure

  • SomeGuyOnOzB on 22/10/2011 - 02:43

    Bumping this thread

  • SomeGuyOnOzB on 24/10/2011 - 12:34

    Still searching

  • Sammy2000 on 24/10/2011 - 19:39

    My Soehnle scales are accurate but they are analogue. I bought Soehnle kitchen digital scales last year from Myer that are 2g accurate. Reliable but far from a bargain.

    • leonheart1 on 24/10/2011 - 20:14
    • SomeGuyOnOzB on 25/10/2011 - 10:41

      Thanks Sammy2000. I'm looking for bathroom scales. Did you mean that Soehnle makes accurate, easy to read bathroom scales?

      • Sammy2000 on 25/10/2011 - 21:29

        Yes, that is what I meant to say, I have found Soehnle to be a decent brand for scales.
        I went with the same brand for the kitchen scales and they are spot on. For reliable results best to stick with analogue.

  • leonheart1 on 24/10/2011 - 20:19

    Upon reading this thread, I tested mine and it looks like mine's pretty shitty too. Not to mention it costed ~$50.

    • SomeGuyOnOzB on 25/10/2011 - 10:12

      Ah, thanks for confirming that for me.

      I was considering just trying another scale from BigW but I'll try researching again.

      • leonheart1 on 25/10/2011 - 10:34

        Please share your findings!

        I've realized that all this data I've collected over the past few months are now worthless thanks to my scales having this huge inaccuracy.

        I wouldn't mind paying more for something that actually worked. I also wonder if I can get a refund from big W…

        • SomeGuyOnOzB on 25/10/2011 - 10:51

          oh … what is the problem with yours :S ?

          I'm putting new results at the top.

        • leonheart1 on 28/10/2011 - 23:50

          I'm not sure but I don't think it can detect changes until it's 0.7 and over.
          1 shoe = 0kg
          2 shoes = 0.7kg.
          I don't have exact weights so I can't perform more accurate tests but this has disappointed me enough.

          Not to mention how much of a joke the 'fat measuring' is. I've plotted the weight vs fat content to find out that it's pretty much a straight line.

  • SomeGuyOnOzB on 25/10/2011 - 10:37

    Testing notes

    From what I can tell, a good test for a set of bathroom scales.

    Consistent weight

    Since this is the time for returning if the scales fail, probably 5 - 7 weigh ins would be good.

    Watch out for the scales having memory. (I allow 30-60 seconds between weighings so it will give an actual new reading instead of what it remembers from the first time)

    If the weighings fluctuate, notice how far they fluctuate. I'd be prepared to keep scales that fluctuate back and forth across a 0.1 kg . Wider fluctuations can confuse what the body is actually doing, between weigh ins.

    Though, I might let the 1st weighing be off a bit more (but it should be able to consistently read after; there's a reason for this but it would take to long to get into)

    Differentiating

    If the scales can give a consistent reading, then it should be able to pick up small differences in weight. I'll pick up 100 grams and see if it realizes that my weight has changed. Then 200 grams and 300 grams.

    If the scale claims to be accurate or measuring in the 0.1 kg, it should be able to show all those different weights. Unfortunately, those tested are not picking up on weight changes till I get to 300 or higher grams, which again means that the scale is less accurate than claimed and will give me a false impression of how I'm going with a change in diet.

    Reviews

    I'm still looking. I've come across a handful of reviews. What I've found, though, reads as paid for adverts, talking about how great are the features etc and not how the scales do in tests (such as above). So I haven't found reviews that seem at all reliable.

  • ZondaR on 25/10/2011 - 23:10
    +2

    I actually got mine from ALDI a while ago for ~$20, and its electronic. Consistency wise it's very good. And i think it's fairly accurate

    • SomeGuyOnOzB on 25/10/2011 - 23:15

      ahhhh doh :P I hope Aldi have it come back soon or that I could somehow get a hold of the stock from them :P

    • Garlic on 26/10/2011 - 09:54
      +1

      I got the same one and it works great…

  • [Deactivated] on 13/11/2011 - 18:27

    I purchased the Aldi ones quite a few months ago. I couldn't work out why my weight varied with vast difference from scale to scale. Yesterday, I weighed myself, got off and waited until it was zero again and hopped on and my weight was 500 grams heavier. So I tried again and this time I was 200 grams lighter. I came to conclusion that if you don't stand in exactly the same position on the scale each weigh in, then you will get irregular readings.
    I am off the opinion that the digital scales just aren't reliable. If the battery is low in power, this could affect the reading. But I'm unsure. I'm tempted though to go buy SoeHnle scales this time..just undecided at this moment whether it'll be analogue or digital.

  • SomeGuyOnOzB on 14/11/2011 - 01:01

    When we first step onto the scale, our muscles are still adjusting as we try to balance on the new surface. This can last a little while. As our muscles flex, we cause the pressure in the springs of the scale to move, causing the believed weight to swing up and down until we are finally still.

    On some digital scales, they try to lock in a reading too quckly after we step on them. It looks impressive to get a reading that quickly, but the result is a sizable amount of error (for someone trying to watch their weight).

    For better results, digital scales should wait until the reading has stopped fluctuating for a couple seconds, before locking the numbers.

    Thanks for the tip about checking Soehnle too.

    • damion on 18/02/2015 - 11:17

      Did you end up finding any brands/models that met your requirements?
      I need a new set and would also like 100g accuracy and precision.

      • SomeGuyOnOzB on 20/02/2015 - 09:19

        Unfortunately, no.

        Also note, I didn't end up checking the SoeHnle so that might be worth looking into.

        • BlazinPast on 09/04/2016 - 04:45

          Not sure if you're interested anymore. I was doing some research and think this could be a good product. Tanita is a very good brand name. It's less than $50 at the moment. I may get one if I'm bothered to go drive and pick one a several suburbs away.

      • BlazinPast on 09/04/2016 - 04:47

        I'll repost the same message to you just in case you are also still interested:

        Not sure if you're interested anymore. I was doing some research and think this could be a good product. Tanita is a very good brand name. It's less than $50 at the moment. I may get one if I'm bothered to go drive and pick one a several suburbs away.

  • b-radicool on 22/04/2016 - 10:01

    The biggest issue I have with most bathroom scales is the battery type.

    Most of them use CR2032s, which most people don't have a ready supply of (compared to AA and AAAs).

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