Garmin Index S2 vs Withings Body Scan - Clinical Comparison

Name: Withings Body Scan
Brand: Withings
Price: 499 USD
Rating: 89

Compare Garmin Index S2 and Withings Body Scan side-by-side with clinical performance scores, FDA status, pricing, and expert recommendations

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Garmin Index S2

84 /100

Withings Body Scan

89 /100

+6% higher overall score

Garmin Index S2

Garmin

Score

Price

$150

Evidence

Moderate

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Top Rated

Withings Body Scan

Withings

Score

Price

$499

Evidence

Moderate

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Performance Metrics

Garmin Index S2

Withings Body Scan

Performance Metrics

Garmin Index S2

Withings Body Scan

Accuracy

Accuracy measures how closely the scale's readings match gold-standard methods such as DEXA.

Weight accuracy was ±0.2 kg, but body-fat deviation averaged 8.2 % and muscle-mass 13 %, lowering the composite accuracy score.

Combines a highly accurate FDA-cleared ECG and precise weight measurement. While its BIA body composition can show inconsistencies for athletic users, the overall portfolio of reliable health metrics is robust.

+15% better accuracy

Accuracy

Accuracy measures how closely the scale's readings match gold-standard methods such as DEXA.

+15% better

Hardware Quality

Hardware Quality assesses build, materials, reliability, and durability of the physical device.

Tempered-glass platform, stainless-steel electrodes, and stable four-point feet delivered consistent readings with no hardware failures in testing.

A benchmark in consumer health hardware. The premium tempered glass platform, integrated handlebar, and vibrant screen are top-tier, though the retractable handle mechanism could be a long-term durability concern.

+4% better hardware quality

Hardware Quality

Hardware Quality assesses build, materials, reliability, and durability of the physical device.

+4% better

Display

Display evaluates readability, layout, and usefulness of on-device information.

High-contrast color OLED remains visible under bright light and cycles through metrics clearly within 5 seconds.

A polished display interface with insightful metrics and quick charts.

+6% better display

Display

Display evaluates readability, layout, and usefulness of on-device information.

+6% better

App

App rates the companion application's stability, user experience, and depth of insights.

Garmin Connect auto-syncs via Wi-Fi, offers trend graphs and goal tracking, but lacks advanced composition correction or clinician-grade export formats.

Features a polished and insightful app with a vast range of metrics that are unlocked with a paid subscription plan.

+5% better app

App

App rates the companion application's stability, user experience, and depth of insights.

+5% better

Overall Value

Overall Value balances performance against price, features, and long-term utility.

At $150, the S2 is competitively priced for smart scales with Wi-Fi, though more accurate composition models exist at similar cost.

+3% better overall value

The very high price is a major hurdle. While packed with features, the concerns around core measurement accuracy and battery life prevent it from being a clear value, even at the premium end of the market.

Overall Value

Overall Value balances performance against price, features, and long-term utility.

+3% better

Clinical Efficacy

Garmin Index S2

Withings Body Scan

Clinical Efficacy

Garmin Index S2

Withings Body Scan

Weight Accuracy

Weight Accuracy measures the deviation of scale weight from a calibrated medical standard.

Mean absolute error 0.18 kg across 210 paired measurements versus Class III scale.

Weight measurements are highly precise and consistent, falling within +/- 0.1 lbs of calibrated clinical scales.

+7% better weight accuracy

Weight Accuracy

Weight Accuracy measures the deviation of scale weight from a calibrated medical standard.

+7% better

Body Fat % Accuracy

Body Fat % Accuracy measures how closely impedance-based estimates align with DEXA-derived body-fat percentage.

Overall 8.2 % deviation; female subgroup deviation 11.5 % indicated sex-specific impedance bias.

Consistently measures within a 15-20% deviation from DEXA scan results for users with 15% or higher body fat. Deviation increases to 20-30% with users with lower body fat.

+14% better body fat % accuracy

Body Fat % Accuracy

Body Fat % Accuracy measures how closely impedance-based estimates align with DEXA-derived body-fat percentage.

+14% better

Muscle Mass Accuracy

Muscle Mass Accuracy evaluates the precision of skeletal-muscle estimates compared to DEXA lean-mass values.

Average deviation 13 % with greater overestimation in participants >25 % body-fat.

Consistently measures within a 15-20% deviation from DEXA scan results for users with 15% or higher body fat. Deviation increases to 20-35% with users with lower body fat.

+22% better muscle mass accuracy

Muscle Mass Accuracy

Muscle Mass Accuracy evaluates the precision of skeletal-muscle estimates compared to DEXA lean-mass values.

+22% better

Segmental Analysis

Segmental Analysis measures the device's ability to assess regional composition (e.g., arms, legs, trunk).

Device does not perform segmental impedance; provides whole-body estimates only.

Consistently measures within a 15-20% deviation from DEXA scan results for users with 15% or higher body fat. Deviation increases to 20-35% with users with lower body fat.

+54% better segmental analysis

Segmental Analysis

Segmental Analysis measures the device's ability to assess regional composition (e.g., arms, legs, trunk).

+54% better

Specifications

Specification	Garmin Index S2	Withings Body Scan
Price	$150	$499
FDA Status	Not FDA Regulated	Not FDA Regulated
Clinical Evidence	Moderate Clinical Evidence	Moderate Clinical Evidence
Clinical Recommendation	Recommended	Recommended
Connectivity	bluetooth wifi	bluetooth wifi

Value for Money

84 score / $150

56.0

value score

214% better value

89 score / $499

17.8

value score

Value score = Performance score ÷ Price × 100

Garmin Index S2

Strengths

✓ Excellent weight precision with minimal drift.
✓ Quick Wi-Fi syncing to Garmin Connect and third-party apps.
✓ Bright, easy-to-read color OLED display.
✓ Robust glass and metal build rated to 181 kg (400 lb).
✓ Supports multiple user profiles with automatic recognition.

Limitations

× Body-fat and muscle-mass estimates less reliable, especially in women.
× No segmental or visceral-fat analysis.
× Requires Garmin account; limited export formats for clinicians.

Withings Body Scan

Strengths

✓ Extremely rich feature set (6-lead ECG, nerve health, vascular age).
✓ Best-in-class display, animations, and user interface.
✓ Polished, insightful, and comprehensive companion app (Health Mate).
✓ Premium, high-end build quality and design.
✓ Seamless integration with Apple Health and Google Fit.

Limitations

× Very high upfront cost (~$499).
× Questionable body composition accuracy, especially for lean individuals.
× Real-world battery life is much shorter than advertised (3-4 weeks vs. 12 months).
× Premium app content is gated behind an additional subscription (Health+).

Expert Review Summary

Our clinical assessment and verdict for each device

Garmin Index S2

Recommended

"Great for weight-focused users in the Garmin ecosystem, less so for precise body-composition tracking."

We evaluated the Garmin Index S2 over eight weeks with 42 participants (22 female, 20 male). Weight readings were benchmarked against a calibrated Class III medical scale; body-composition outputs were compared with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The S2 showed excellent weight precision (±0.2 kg) but an 8.2 % average deviation for total body-fat percentage, increasing to 11.5 % in women. Muscle-mass estimates were the least accurate, averaging a 13 % deviation. Hardware build quality, OLED display legibility, and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connectivity all ranked highly. However, the device lacks segmental analysis and offers minimal correction algorithms for sex-specific impedance differences. At $150, its value is good for Garmin Connect users but may disappoint athletes needing lab-grade body-composition metrics.

Moderate Clinical Evidence

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Withings Body Scan

Recommended

"An unparalleled home health station in features and design, but questionable accuracy and a high price make it a luxury with compromises."

The Withings Body Scan pushes the definition of a 'smart scale' into 'home health station' territory, combining segmental body composition with a 6-lead ECG, nerve health assessment, and vascular age. Its hardware is premium, featuring a tempered glass body and a brilliant color LCD. The companion Health Mate app is best-in-class, offering a rich, intuitive user experience. However, these strengths are significantly undermined by its core function: body composition accuracy is questionable, with many lean and athletic users reporting significant overestimation of body fat compared to DEXA scans. Combined with a very high price tag and disappointing real-world battery life, the Body Scan is an ambitious device that doesn't quite justify its cost.

Moderate Clinical Evidence

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Where to Buy

Verified purchase options and current availability

Garmin Index S2

$150 MSRP

Amazon

$149.99

Usually ships within 1-2 days (Prime eligible) FSA/HSA eligible; 30-day returns

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Target

$199.99

Standard shipping 3-5 days; free returns within 30 days HSA/FSA eligible; Target Circle rewards

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Garmin

$149.99

Ships in 3-5 business days FSA/HSA eligible at checkout

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Manufacturer Site

HSA/FSA: Not Typically Eligible

Withings Body Scan

Top Choice

$499 MSRP

Withings Official Site

$499.95

Free delivery, ships in 1-3 business days FSA- and HSA-eligible, Includes 1-month free trial of Withings+ subscription.

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Best Buy

$499.95

In-stock, 1-day delivery or in-store pickup available 12-Month financing options available

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Manufacturer Site

HSA/FSA: Eligibility Varies

Important Purchase Considerations

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