Withings

Withings Body Scan

The Withings Body Scan is a premium connected smart scale that combines body composition analysis with cardiovascular health metrics, positioning it at the high end of the home health-monitoring category.

## Withings Body Scan — Connected Health Station

**Brand:** Withings | **Price:** ~$399.95 (USD) | **Available in:** Black or White

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## Overview

The Withings Body Scan goes well beyond a standard smart scale, offering high-precision segmental body composition monitoring alongside in-depth cardiovascular and electrodermal assessments. It sits somewhere between a fitness tool and a medical device, having obtained FDA clearance in the U.S. The result is a full health check-up at home, completed in roughly 90 seconds.

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## Standout Features

- **Segmental Body Composition:** The scale's standout feature is segmental body composition analysis, made possible by a retractable handle with metal plates. When standing on the scale and holding the handle with both hands, the device sends an imperceptible electrical current through your body and analyzes fat and muscle mass across your torso, arms, and legs individually.

- **6-Lead ECG:** The retractable handle also features a 6-lead ECG that, like Apple Watch, can detect AFib — the most common cardiac rhythm disturbance that can cause stroke and heart failure.

- **Vascular Age & Pulse Wave Velocity:** Arterial stiffness is measured by tracking how long it takes for a wave created in the blood as the heart beats to arrive at the foot — a measure Withings calls Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV), which forms the basis of the Vascular Age metric.

- **Electrodermal Activity (EDA) Score:** The U.S. version includes an Electrodermal Activity (EDA) Score, which measures and assesses the activity of the sweat glands in the soles of your feet. According to Withings, the EDA score can provide insight into a patient's stress levels, diet, and overall health.

- **Comprehensive Body Metrics:** Tracked units include body fat %, total body water %, muscle mass, bone mass, Visceral Fat Index, and Basal Metabolic Rate.

- **Multi-User Support:** The scale recognizes and tracks up to 8 users independently. Various modes are available, including Athlete, Pregnancy, Baby, and Eyes Closed.

- **Wi-Fi & Bluetooth Sync:** Connecting via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, the scale feeds all data into the Withings Health Mate app, which connects to Apple Health or Google Fit.

- **Battery Life & Display:** The Body Scan features a 12-month battery life and a high-resolution color screen. The display is a 3.2-inch color LCD, and the scale measures 12.8 inches in both length and width.

- **FSA/HSA Eligible:** Withings accepts FSA/HSA funds for qualifying purchases.

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## Who It's For

This scale is best suited for those who are deeply invested in fitness and health, or who are at risk of cardiovascular or diabetes complications. Casual users may find it overkill. It would be particularly well-suited for someone advised to monitor their heart health by a cardiologist, or a serious athlete looking to optimize performance. Its ability to provide detailed insights into various health aspects makes it especially appealing to health enthusiasts and anyone closely monitoring specific health conditions.

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## Important Considerations

- **Price:** At $400 in the U.S., the Withings Body Scan is firmly at the higher end of the market for a smart scale. Prices may vary by retailer — Best Buy lists it at $499.95.

- **Optional Subscription:** The optional Withings+ subscription ($10/month) unlocks additional programs and workouts, but this subscription is not mandatory to use the Body Scan health station.

- **Measurement Accuracy Caveats:** User reviews suggest the device's measurements are fairly accurate, though not on the level of professional medical equipment — useful for daily checks and consultations with a doctor, but not a clinical replacement. Some users have also reported that the segmental body composition feature isn't always accurate.

- **Not a Medical Device:** While it provides useful health insights, it is not intended to diagnose or monitor medical conditions, and does not act as a substitute for medical advice or professional diagnosis.

- **Regional Feature Differences:** Due to differing clinical regulatory requirements by region, there are differences between the Body Scan sold in the United States and models available in the EU.

- **Size & Flooring:** Measuring approximately 12.5 x 14 inches, it's larger and heavier than most smart scales, and it lacks non-slip feet on the base, so it may not be suited to super-smooth flooring.

- **App Account Required:** Use of the Withings App and creation of a Withings account are required. The app is available on iOS 15 and higher, and Android 10.0 and higher.

Key features

• Body composition analysis
• ECG
• vascular age
• WiFi sync

Few bathroom scales attempt to measure your heart as well as your weight — the Body Scan is one of them.