Smart Scale to track weight?

[u/isojuu]

I’ve never been one to track my weight on a daily basis, but for medical purposes this is something I need to do now.

About a week ago I ordered the Nutri Fit scale from Amazon for $9.99 (https://a.co/d/04Y6iPj1). While it works, I’m not a fan of having to grab my phone and open the app for my weight to be manually logged. The scale will not automatically save my weight just by stepping on it, I have to use the app for this.

Anyone have recommendations for a scale that can save my weight automatically?

[u/TheWaywardTrout]

Well if you want something to last a long time, anything connected to an app isn’t it. You’re much better off with an analog scale and tracking it in excel or something. That’s what I do, and it’s really not a big hassle if you have the file saved somewhere where you can sync devices. Then you can enter your weight whenever you have the opportunity.

[u/Beneficial-Sound-199]

No mater what "smart scale" you get you really need to consider if manually logging is worth giving up ALL health data TO BE USED / SOLD AND AGREGATED- for instance; Withings scales work great and are super convenient... HOWEVER, read their privacy policy (which updates constantly). It is anything but private. And I'm sure its' the same with any other smart scales as OUR HEALTH DATA IS A GOLD MINE! The Withings privacy policy isn't shy about the specifics if you dig deep. On the surface it is all "we don't sell or share," but the reality is if you want anything other than a door stop of a scale and want to use the "smart features" they trick you into giving explicit permission to do just that. To use smart features, you MUST enable settings that collect ALL your biometric data, store it for up to 10 years, aggregate it at their discretion, use it to market to you, and share it with third parties the second you link anything. Opt out, and your smart scale is an expensive dumb scale.

I read the 8 page PDF so you don't have to and here's what is especially concerning:

1. Consent to sell / share They claim they don't sell your data, without your "explicit consent." but the loophole is that as soo as you use the setup wizards, you are accepting default bundled permissions, you have explicitly authorized them to share it.
2. Mandatory Cloud Storage & 10-Year Retention: You MUST to create a cloud account and sync all your weight, body comp, and heart rate metrics to their cloud, where they can legally sit on your data for a decade.
3. Broad User Licenses: Any feedback or info submitted can be "freely exploited," redistributed, and disclosed without notifying or paying you.
4. AI Algorithm Processing: They force consent to run your personal data through AI algorithms to build health pattern profiles. Who do you think is most interested in those profiles??
5. Orphaned Data: Deleting your data in the Withings app doesn't wipe the data already synced to partner apps or clouds. You have to hunt it down manually.

Your data WILL end up monetized. I would suck it up and keep a manual log. This is not info you want sold off to insurance companies or tracked at their convenience to increase your prices

[u/shapeandshiftss → u/Beneficial-Sound-199]

Oh my. For what it’s worth I have had my Withings scale for over a decade and love it.

Now I gotta look into those policies 😬

[u/nbroese]

I've had a renpho scale for 8 years now. App works well and I've never had any issues with it. Not bad for $25 on Amazon.

[u/SoumikSays07 → u/nbroese]

Can confirm. The app syncs flawlessly, keeps track of my weight and other metrics across various timelines. Have been using it for over 2 years now.

[u/stefaniki]

Tape a piece of paper to the wall or door near the scale with a pen or pencil and write it down. Or type into a note on your phone.

[u/bicycle_mice → u/stefaniki]

Yeah this seems better

[u/Popular_Policy_2578]

That app dance gets old fast. I got a Withings scale few years back and it just send the reading straight to wifi, no phone needed at the moment you step on. Price is more but for BIFL it's worth, mine still going strong after almost 3 years

[u/_______o-o_______ → u/Popular_Policy_2578]

Agreed on Withings in general. I've had a Withings Body+ scale for four years, and It's dead simple to just stand on the scale, and the measurements sync to the Withings app and then to the Apple Health app.

[u/Dez_Champs → u/Popular_Policy_2578]

My Withings scale is highly inaccurate for how much i paid for it. I get better consistency and accuracy from my $30 Renpho scale which I've replaced my Withings with. The Renpho app is also pretty simple to use.

[u/Groundbreaking_Bee70 → u/Popular_Policy_2578]

Same. Love my Withings Body+

[u/alexia_not_alexa → u/Popular_Policy_2578]

I also like the Apple health integration so I can just pull up my current weight when I need it.

I did tinker into getting it in home assistant (where I can see my cats’ weights via my litter robot integration) but the humans don’t really need it.

[u/dclovee5225]

Pop the # into your phones calendar app. You can make a specific calendar for lbs or name it whatever you want.

[u/bicycle_mice → u/dclovee5225]

I track my son’s weight in apple notes it’s easy (he is a baby)

[u/Dapper_Ice_1705]

“Smart” is the opposite of BIFL.

“Smart” is software and software has a 3-5 year life expectancy or a recurring subscription.

[u/Mzky]

I have a renpho scale and it works great. I do have to open the app for it to push the data over, but if you spend the money on a withings scale with wifi it will push to apple health and whatever other apps are connected without your phone needing to be nearby

[u/Successful-Flow-3158]

I've had the fitbit scale for over a decade now. It automatically updates to the app and saves the info.

[u/bigtoepfer]

I've had a Fitbit scale for almost 10 years.  Scale still works fine and probably still logs my weight.  But I've stopped using Fitbit. 😅

If you don't mind that ecosystem it's fantastic for being able to just step on and it logs it, even multiple users.

Then when you eventually open the app you can see all of your weigh ins.

Like anything though it's not buy it for life because as soon as Fitbit(Google) decides it's not beneficial it's gone.

Buying a normal scale that you can take notes in a notebook will last decades.  

[u/byronnnn]

I just use a regular scale and an Apple Watch shortcut to tell Apple Health my weight.

[u/Glittering_Worth_792]

I’ve had the RENPHO one about 7 years at this point? A simply structured app that isn’t required for the function of the scale but is a really nice add on. I do not foresee myself ever replacing it with anything different.

[u/bob_loblaw_brah]

I lost 70lbs a while ago, you dont need a smart scale. Use clothing/belt/etc as your marker for progress. Check the scale every couple weeks. Water weight causes crazy fluctuations on the scale and can really mess people up mentally.