Apparel & Accessories Fitness Trackers & Accessories The 10 Best Body Fat Monitors of 2023 The Withings Body+ Scale is a top pick for reaching your fitness goals By Alena Hall Alena Hall LinkedIn Alena Hall is a writer specializing in health, wellness, and fitness. Alena worked as a fitness trainer for two years. She also has experience in private yoga training. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 30, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and nutrition and exercise healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Tyra Tennyson Francis, MD Medically reviewed by Tyra Tennyson Francis, MD LinkedIn Tyra Tennyson Francis, MD, is a board-certified family medicine physician and currently serves as the medical director of an outpatient clinic. Learn about our Medical Review Board Fact checked Verywell Fit content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Emily Swaim Fact checked by Emily Swaim LinkedIn Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Verywell Fit / Chloe Jeong Body fat monitors are tools that can provide data to support a healthy lifestyle. Monitors can be scales, handheld devices, or calipers that calculate your percentage of body fat versus lean body mass and can help track change or progression over time. Most body fat monitors measure body composition through bioelectrical impedance or skinfold measurements. “When choosing a body fat monitor, it’s important that you choose one that fits your lifestyle,” says Kim Mahony, RD, LDN, corporate manager of nutritional services at Lutheran Life Communities. Scales are good for home and don't require any training to use while calipers are portable but may require assistance from a friend or trainer to use properly. Mahony notes that while all body fat monitors have some accuracy limitations, measuring using the same method every time gives you helpful info. When shopping for a body fat monitor, consider if you need to be able to toss it in your gym bag or if it can sit in your bathroom at home. If multiple people will be using it, you may need a style that stores multiple profiles or links to an app. We evaluated our picks based on what style they are, the types of measurements they take, and data memory and other smart features. A family physician from our Review Board reviewed this article to ensure accuracy surrounding the pros and cons of each type of device and the optimal body fat percentage based on age. Body Mass Index (BMI) is a dated, biased measure that doesn’t account for several factors, such as body composition, ethnicity, race, gender, and age. Despite being a flawed measure, BMI is widely used today in the medical community because it is an inexpensive and quick method for analyzing potential health status and outcomes. Here, the best body fat monitors on the market. Our Top Picks Withings Body + Body Composition Wi-Fi Scale at Amazon Jump to Review EatSmart Digital Body Fat Scale at Amazon Jump to Review Accu-Measure Body Fat Caliper at Amazon Jump to Review Yunmai Premium Smart Scale at Amazon Jump to Review FitIndex Bluetooth Scale at Amazon Jump to Review Tanita BF-679 Body Fat/Body Water Scale at Amazon Jump to Review Zinnor Digital Body Fat Analyzer at Amazon Jump to Review Lightstuff Precision Skinfold Caliper at Amazon Jump to Review Qiorange Digital Display Body Fat Caliper at Amazon Jump to Review Qardio Base2 at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look for in a Body Fat Monitor FAQ Why Trust Verywell Fit? Withings Body + Body Composition Wi-Fi Scale 4.6 Amazon View On Amazon View On Best Buy 5 Pros Accurate readings Auto user recognition User-friendly Cons Expensive App needs improvement Withings Body+ Body Composition Wi-Fi Scale—Track Your Progress With Ease This body fat monitoring scale is our top overall choice and an excellent option for the tech-savvy user who is looking for both goal-setting assistance and a sense of accountability. It uses bioelectric impedance to analyze your full body composition, stores data for up to eight people, and automatically recognizes those people when they step on the scale. It syncs with the Health Mate app, which tracks all wellness data points over time so you don’t have to record anything manually. Testing Notes: “The scale’s ability to connect to your phone takes it a step above the scales of yesteryear. After the initial setup, the scale automatically sends all measurements to your phone within a few minutes of weigh-in. The ability to track your fitness progress without any manual charts or extra work allows you to focus completely on getting the results you’re after.” Connecting to the app and setting up the scale is simple and easy, and the app hosts a slew of special features for anyone interested in really digging into the many aspects of their health. Price at time of publication: $100 Key Specs:Style: Scale | Data Memory: Up to eight users—data points stored in app | Smart Features: Syncs with health apps via WiFi Verywell Fit / Joline Buscemi EatSmart Digital Body Fat Scale with Auto Recognition Technology Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Thetwistergroup.com Pros Precise measurements Displays English and metric units 400-pound weight capacity Cons Doesn't store data points Doesn't measure BMI EatSmart Precision GetFit Digital Body Fat Bathroom Scale Review This scale uses bioelectric impedance to estimate your body fat percentage, muscle mass, bone mass, and total body water, in addition to measuring body weight in 0.2-pound and 0.1-kilogram increments. It can support up to eight user profiles, but it does not store any scale data for those users. After you set up your profile with the scale—providing your height, age, gender, activity level, and an initial weigh-in—it automatically recognizes you when you step on in the future. Testing Notes: “Besides telling you your weight in units of 0.2 pounds or 0.1 kilograms, this scale also uses a small electric current to measure body fat, water, muscle, and bone mass. Up to eight users can store their profiles on the scale and the scale will automatically recognize which person is using it. The scale performed well, but I found myself missing having it display a body mass index.” For ideal results, stand on the scale in bare, dry feet whenever you want a new reading. And remember that people with pacemakers should not use bioelectrical impedance body fat monitors due to the (otherwise harmless) electric current they require to take a measurement. Price at time of publication: $30 Key Specs:Style: Scale | Data Memory: Up to eight users, but no data points | Smart Features: User autorecognition Accu-Measure Body Fat Caliper Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros Affordable Lightweight Easy to use Cons Requires a second person for proper use Slightly uncomfortable If you have a friend, family member, or trainer who can help you measure your body fat percentage with skinfold calipers, go ahead and snag this very affordable wellness tool. Used by fitness professionals across the globe, skin calipers offer a simple way to measure subcutaneous fat. Think of this tool as a fat-specific measuring tape. These calipers are lightweight, easily portable, and very simple to use. They are also endorsed by the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation as the premiere fat caliper measuring tool on the market. What’s more, folks who are less than tech-savvy tend to prefer manual options such as this one. Price at time of publication: $15 Key Specs:Style: Calipers | Data Memory: None | Smart Features: None Yunmai Premium Smart Scale Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros 10 health measurements Maps data in a graph format Easy to use Cons Sync trouble between app and scale Can only measure weight without app Just because you’re curious about your body fat percentage doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself to this single wellness metric. The YUNMAI Premium Smart Scale provides 10 essential health measurements to help you keep close tabs on your physical fitness: weight, body fat percentage, muscle mass, water percentage, bone mass, visceral fat, body mass index, basal metabolic rate, protein, and body age. The scale syncs with a proprietary app (which also syncs with Apple Health, Fitbit, and Google Fit) to provide all of these metrics along with indications of where you fall in low, normal, and high ranges. Without the app, the scale will still tell you how much you weigh. The app can store the data of up to 16 users of a single scale, and it holds endless data points, tracking them in graph and list format for you over time. Price at time of publication: $70 Key Specs:Style: Scale | Data Memory: Up to 16 users—unlimited data points in app | Smart Features: Syncs with a proprietary app, which syncs with Apple Health, Fitbit, and Google Fit, via Bluetooth 10 Best Smart Scales, Tested and Recommended by Our Experts FitIndex ES-26M Bluetooth Body Fat Scale 4.2 Amazon View On Amazon View On Fit-index.com Pros 13 body measurements Compares to health benchmarks Data export available Cons Can only measure weight without the app Lacks durability Unlimited users and unlimited data points can be stored in the app for any given scale, and it even lets you select data from specified periods for comparison and export it in a CSV file for long-term storage. Without your phone, you can still see how much you weigh. It syncs with a proprietary app (which also syncs with Apple Health, Google Fit, and Samsung Health) to provide all of these metrics, along with indications of how your information compares to the average benchmarks of health. Take your fitness data to the next level with the FITINDEX Bluetooth Body Fat Scale. It offers 13 body composition measurements: weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, water percentage, skeletal muscle mass, fat-free body weight, subcutaneous fat, visceral fat, total muscle mass, bone mass, protein, basal metabolic rate, and body age. Price at time of publication: $21 Key Specs:Style: Scale | Data Memory: Unlimited users; unlimited data points in app | Smart Features: Syncs with a proprietary app, which syncs with Apple Health, Google Fit, and Samsung Health, via Bluetooth Tanita BF-679 Body Fat/Body Water Scale Amazon View On Amazon View On Thecompetitiveedge.com Pros Simplistic design Accurate measurements Compares to health benchmarks Cons Bulky design Temperamental with foot position Getting back to basics, the Tanita scale shows you the primary readings you need directly on the scale's display, so you can quickly check in on your fitness progress and then get on with the rest of your day. Using bioelectric impedance, the scale accurately calculates your body fat percentage and body water levels, in addition to your total body weight. It also includes a weight-only feature for those who prefer it. The scale can remember data from two users, which load with the press of either of the two buttons on the side panel, instantly comparing their readings to healthy ranges based on user-reported age and gender. It also features a guest mode, which allows anyone to use the scale without impacting the information already assigned to the personal keys. Price at time of publication: $70 Key Specs:Style: Scale | Data Memory: Up to two users—unlimited data points | Smart Features: None The 14 Best Bathroom Scales of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Zinnor Digital Body Fat Analyzer Amazon View On Amazon Pros Simple design Easy to control Budget-friendly Cons Not as accurate as some other handheld devices Looking for a budget-friendly handheld body fat monitor? Try this pick from Zinnor. At a value price, it still does a solid job of reporting your body mass index, body fat percentage, and basal metabolic rate. Similar to the Omron device, it uses bioelectric impedance in the handgrips to analyze these health factors after accounting for your height, age, weight, and gender. With only five buttons, it’s simple in design and easy to control. It can also store up to nine user profiles and displays new readings in a matter of seconds. It’s a relatively new product with few reviews, but for the price, it’s worth a try. Price at time of publication: $35 Key Specs:Style: Handheld device | Data Memory: Up to nine users—unlimited data points | Smart Features: None Lightstuff Precision Skinfold Caliper Amazon View On Amazon Pros Includes quick-start guide Properly calibrated 100% money-back guarantee Cons Requires a second person for proper use Slightly uncomfortable Similar to the calipers from Accu-Measure, this manual tool helps you gain a clear picture of your body fat levels so you can create and tackle appropriate health and wellness goals. But since many people are not familiar or comfortable with the skinfold assessment method, this particular tool comes with a quick-start guide to help set up even the most novice of beginners for success. You can also trust that the spring-loaded mechanism is properly calibrated to apply consistent pressure measurement after measurement, giving you accurate readings every time you use it. This caliper tool comes with a 100% money-back guarantee, so there is very little risk in giving it a try. Price at time of publication: $22 Key Specs:Style: Calipers | Data Memory: None | Smart Features: None The 6 Best Heart Rate Monitors of 2020 Qiorange Digital Display LCD Body Fat Caliper Skin Fold Analyzer Amazon View On Amazon Pros Best for measuring body fat around the stomach Easy to read and understand Cons Slightly uncomfortable Want to combine the skinfold assessment method with an easy-to-read digital display? Check out these Qiorange calipers. They are primarily designed to provide a body fat percentage reading by measuring subcutaneous fat specifically around the stomach, but you can still physically measure the other areas of your body typically included in comprehensive skinfold assessments. For ultimate accuracy, some users recommend measuring the same area with the same technique three times and taking an average of the reported results. These make skinfold assessments more accessible to folks who don’t have a person available to help them use traditional calipers. In addition, the LED display is large enough for easy reading. Price at time of publication: $14 Key Specs:Style: Calipers | Data Memory: None | Smart Features: None Qardio Base2 WiFi Smart Scale and Body Analyzer Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Bed Bath & Beyond Pros Sleek, modern design Accurate measurements Rechargeable via USB Cons Expensive Buggy internal software The super-sleek Qardio Base2 WiFi Smart Scale provides all the details you need all while looking elegant on your bathroom floor. It accurately calculates weight, BMI, and full body composition, including body fat percentage, muscle mass, water, and bone mass, alerting you with gentle vibrations when your measurements are complete. The disk-shaped scale is rechargeable with the help of a USB cable, so you never have to worry about replacing batteries. Meanwhile, it syncs all data with the Qardio app via Bluetooth or WiFi, and that app easily syncs with Apple Health, Samsung Health, My Fitness Pal, and Google Fit. It automatically recognizes up to eight users, and it features four specialty modes—normal, weight only for individuals with pacemakers, smart feedback, and pregnancy mode. Price at time of publication: $149 Key Specs:Style: Scale | Data Memory: Up to eight users—unlimited data points in app | Smart Features: Syncs with a proprietary app, which syncs with Apple Health, Samsung Health, My Fitness Pal, and Google Fit, via Bluetooth or WiFi; user autorecognition; four specialty use modes Final Verdict If you're looking for a smart and reliable scale, you can't go wrong with the Withings Body + Body Composition WiFi Scale (view at Amazon). It provides all of the accurate data you need to stay on top of your health goals, and you can review your progress with a simple swipe of your smartphone screen. If calipers are more your style, keep it simple with Accu-Measure Body Fat Calipers (view at Amazon). They are incredibly affordable and plenty accurate if you know how to use them correctly. (We recommend recruiting the help of a second person when using the caliper method.) What to Look for in a Body Fat Monitor Style There are three main styles of body fat monitors on the market today—scales, handheld devices, and skinfold calipers. Each style is used differently (and provides varying levels of accuracy) to give you a snapshot of your current body fat percentage, so consider which works best for your lifestyle, preferences, and goals before making a purchase. Scales are home-friendly, handheld devices are ideal for your gym bag, and calipers generally don't require an app or batteries to use. Measurement Handheld monitors and scales often use bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to measure body composition by sending weak electric currents through the body. While these devices make measuring body fat at home easier and more affordable, Lauren Hubert, MS, RD, says they come with limitations. “Not only is BIA impacted by your hydration, but it also tends to overestimate body fatness in lean and athletic individuals and underestimate body fat in obese individuals,” she says. Because of this, Hubert says it’s best to use these devices as a tool to monitor change over time. Skinfold calipers require self-measurements instead of automatic measurements. Hubert warns that they can be difficult to use if you’re not clinically trained to use them, so your measurements can come with inaccuracies. Data Memory Most digital body fat measurement devices can store a certain amount of data entries and organize them per user, but this capacity varies dramatically from tool to tool. Such data memory helps users analyze potential trends in body fat percentage changes, further supporting new wellness and lifestyle goals. But if you plan on sharing the device with another person, be sure it offers memory storage for at least two users to keep all data organized and separate. Smart Features “If a scale or body composition machine comes with smart features like Bluetooth connection, I think that is a fantastic tool to track your readings,” says Hubert. Luckily, most modern body fat monitors on the market today have the ability to sync with your phone via either Bluetooth or WiFi, making it easier to keep track of your health goals no matter where you are. If you’re really into data, review the specific technical capabilities of a body fat monitor you’re considering before you buy it. “Having the ability to track your readings as months go by is an amazing way to keep track of your progress and statistics,” notes Hubert. However, she advises against recording your body composition daily since the smart features are designed to track changes over longer periods of time. Frequently Asked Questions What is the optimal body fat percentage for my age? While all bodies are different and body fat percentage may vary depending on several factors, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition determined optimal body fat percentage ranges at a given age.WomenAge 20-39: 21%-32%Age 40-59: 23%-33%Age 60-79: 24%-35%MenAge 20-39: 8%-19%Age 40-59: 11%-21%Age 60-79: 13%-24% What does a body fat measurement tell you? Body fat measurement can tell what percentage of your body weight is made up of fat relative to other lean tissues such as bone, muscle, water, and organs. Body fat percentage is a clearer measurement of your health and fitness than weight or BMI. What measures should I consider in addition to body fat for optimal health? While body fat percentage can give you insight into your health and fitness, there are several other factors to consider to measure your health. Vitals such as heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar are good measurements of your overall health. Additionally, you'll want to look at your nutrition and physical activity. Sleep habits can certainly play a role in overall health and fitness as well. Why Trust Verywell Fit? As a seasoned health writer, Alena Hall understands how important it is to know exactly what you’re getting in a wellness product. Over the years, she has reviewed dozens of products, from athletic recovery aids to homeopathic essential oils to ever-trendy CBD topicals, to help readers like you discover products that can help you live your best life. She also worked as a personal trainer in New York City for several years, using several tools on this list to help her clients measure their progress and success accurately. 4 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Khalil SF, Mohktar MS, Ibrahim F. The theory and fundamentals of bioimpedance analysis in clinical status monitoring and diagnosis of diseases. Sensors (Basel). 2014;14(6):10895-10928. doi:10.3390/s140610895 Eaton-Evans J. Nutritional Assessment: Anthropometry. Encyclopedia of Human Nutrition. 3rd. 2013;227-232. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-375083-9.00197-5 Gallagher D, Heymsfield SB, Heo M, Jebb SA, Murgatroyd PR, Sakamoto Y. Healthy percentage body fat ranges: an approach for developing guidelines based on body mass index. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000;72(3):694-701. doi:10.1093/ajcn/72.3.694 Winchester Hospital. Your body fat percentage: What does it mean?. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit