Withings Body Scan: One-minute reviewThe Withings Body Scan sets a new benchmark for the capabilities of modern smart scales. It’s both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, has a build quality and design that sets it apart from the pack, a clear and responsive display, and can provide more in-depth analysis of a user’s body composition and physical well-being than its major competitors like Eufy, Wyze, Fitbit and Garmin. When used with the Withings Health Mate app, the Withings Body Scan can
Nerve healthECGPulse Wave Velocity Heart RateVascular AgeAnd that’s before everything else you can integrate into the app! If you integrate your Apple Health, Google Fit, or most other fitness apps, your Withings Health Mate app can become a hub for everything from your vascular age to your sleep quality, you can keep all your data in one place and utilise it to better your daily routines, workouts, sleep, eating and long term health. When testing the Withings Body Scan, the only two of the many measurements above that we struggled with were Pulse Wave Velocity and Vascular Age. These measurements required a slightly more specific positioning on the scale which proved tricky to master, and the scale required five complete readings before it could start giving you data, which resulted in a greatly reduced amount of data compared to other areas.Getting all of this data is one thing, understanding it is another, and this is an area where, once again, Withings has hit the nail on the head through the Health Mate app. Through the app, not only are you able to turn on recommended zones and see average data and how you compare to the average in each measurement, but you can also find guides explaining what each measurement means, so if, say, you don’t understand what vascular age means, you can find a guide explaining everything you need to know about where it should be, and how it can be improved. If you are working with a trainer or health professional, you’re also in luck, as the app allows you to create a shareable report of your health that you can give to anyone who might benefit from it, a simple, but effective addition to the app.Features score: 4.5/5Withings Body Scan: Performance(Image credit: Rob Dunne)Simple and efficient setupEight different profiles full of detailExport data to/from Apple Health or Google FitStraight out of the box the simplicity and efficiency of Withings products is as present as ever. Setting up the device takes a matter of minutes through the Withings Health Mate app. If you are new to Withings and don’t have an account, the setup of an account plus getting your Withings Body Scan ready takes a maximum of 15 minutes. In that time, you’ll also be able to import health data from services such as Apple Health or Google Fit, as well as receive a full tutorial on how to properly use your new smart scale and set some goals in the app. There are a wide array of tutorials available on additional features within the app, some of which – the at-a-a-glance health improvement score and library of how-to workout/recipe/health management content – are unfortunately locked behind a Withings+ subscription. This costs $9.95 / £9.95 / around AU$18 per month, but none of it affects the usage of the scale in any way – still, it’d be nice to have after spending this much on a smart scale. Once your Withings Body Scan is set up, utilizing it for not only your own, but your family’s health is simple. The device can support up to eight profiles, which it can automatically detect. If however, a number of you are of similar weights, the device shows each profile as a list, which you scroll through by balancing on the foot of the direction you wish to scroll, so to go along the list, you simply need to put your weight on your right foot. The Withings Body Scan also has a black variant (Image credit: Daniel hessel)The process of attaining your measurements takes around a minute, most of which is taken up by one of the unique features of the Withings Body Scan, the 6-lead ECG (echocardiogram). The ECG takes 30 seconds to complete and is one of the key benefactors of the Body Scan’s unique handle. Each step of the measurement process is displayed for you on the 3.2-inch display, showing you the results of each test as they are collected, as well as some general daily info such as weather and air quality. You can customize the steps your Body Scan shows on the smart scale through the app, meaning if, understandably, you don’t want to know the weather when you’re weighing in, you can remove that from your slides. The display (and device) are noticeably responsive, and the bright LCD makes it easy to see everything you need as and when it comes up. Once you are finished, your results will already be waiting for you in your Withings Health Mate app, meaning it’s quick and simple to access the more in-depth data with no waiting around. Overall, using the Withings Body Scan is extremely simple, everything you want to know can be seen on the smart scale itself during your weigh-in, and more detailed information can be found in the app once you are finished. The accuracy of measurements taken is extremely high, with weight having an accuracy of up to 50g/0.1lbs thanks to the four weight sensors spread across the scale, as well as featuring patented position detection technology and ‘Position Control’ technology. The Body Scan’s segmental body composition capabilities are equally impressive thanks to the device’s BIA (bio-electrical impedance analysis) multifrequency technology, which during testing was able to provide consistent results across five different bodily segments. Performance Score: 4/5Withings Body Scan: ScorecardSwipe to scroll horizontallyCategoryComment ScoreValueOverpriced compared to the rest of the range, but still a good scale.3.5/5DesignSleek and sturdy with an intuitive app.4/5FeaturesStuffed with health and fitness tracking metrics.4.5/5PerformanceSimple, efficient and accurate. Can export data easliy.4/5Withings Body Scan: Should I buy?Buy it if…You want a full health assessment on your doorstep With the sheer number of measurements the Withings Body Scan is able to take, there are few (if any!) devices that will come close if you want a complete picture of your health and wellbeing. You want a long-term solution to improve your
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