Withings Body Smart vs Withings Body Scan - Clinical Comparison

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

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

Select First Device

Select Second Device

Withings Body Smart

80 /100

Withings Body Scan

89 /100

+11% higher overall score

Withings Body Smart

Withings

Score

Price

$130

Evidence

Moderate

Buy Now Full Review

Top Rated

Withings Body Scan

Withings

Score

Price

$499

Evidence

Moderate

Buy Now Full Review

Performance Metrics

Withings Body Smart

Withings Body Scan

Performance Metrics

Withings Body Smart

Withings Body Scan

Accuracy

How closely the device's measurements match validated reference standards.

Weight error ≤0.2 lb, but body-fat deviation averaged 10.5 % vs DEXA and repeat tests varied ±4 %.

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.

+18% better accuracy

Accuracy

How closely the device's measurements match validated reference standards.

+18% better

Hardware Quality

Build durability, materials, and overall engineering of the physical device.

Tempered-glass platform, stainless electrodes, no looseness after 100-cycle stress test.

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.

+8% better hardware quality

Hardware Quality

Build durability, materials, and overall engineering of the physical device.

+8% better

Display

Legibility, size, brightness, and ease of reading on-device screen.

2.8-inch LCD is crisp but small; seniors reported difficulty at normal standing distance.

A polished display interface with insightful metrics and quick charts.

+27% better display

Display

Legibility, size, brightness, and ease of reading on-device screen.

+27% better

App

Quality, stability, and depth of the companion mobile application.

Fast sync, robust trend charts, Apple Health & Google Fit integration; minus points for paywalled metrics ($9.99/mo).

+5% better app

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

App

Quality, stability, and depth of the companion mobile application.

+5% better

Overall Value

Balance of performance, features, and costs compared with category peers.

Competitive $129.95 price and premium app UX offset by subscription upsell and moderate composition accuracy.

+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

Balance of performance, features, and costs compared with category peers.

+3% better

Clinical Efficacy

Withings Body Smart

Withings Body Scan

Clinical Efficacy

Withings Body Smart

Withings Body Scan

Weight Accuracy

Precision and trueness of weight measurements versus calibrated scales.

Mean absolute error 0.18 lb across 280 weigh-ins compared with Class III clinical scale.

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

+7% better weight accuracy

Weight Accuracy

Precision and trueness of weight measurements versus calibrated scales.

+7% better

Body Fat % Accuracy

Agreement of body-fat percentage with DEXA or equivalent reference.

Average 10.5 % deviation; wider variance among participants >30 % BF.

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.

+31% better body fat % accuracy

Body Fat % Accuracy

Agreement of body-fat percentage with DEXA or equivalent reference.

+31% better

Muscle Mass Accuracy

Validity of muscle-mass estimates compared with imaging or multi-frequency BIA.

Systematic under-estimation ≥8 % in athletes; repeatability CV 5.2 %.

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.

+37% better muscle mass accuracy

Muscle Mass Accuracy

Validity of muscle-mass estimates compared with imaging or multi-frequency BIA.

+37% better

Segmental Analysis

Ability to provide limb- or trunk-specific composition data.

No true segmental output; algorithm provides estimated visceral fat 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

Ability to provide limb- or trunk-specific composition data.

+54% better

Specifications

Specification	Withings Body Smart	Withings Body Scan
Price	$130	$499
FDA Status	Not FDA Regulated	Not FDA Regulated
Clinical Evidence	Moderate Clinical Evidence	Moderate Clinical Evidence
Clinical Recommendation	Worth Considering	Recommended
Connectivity	bluetooth wifi	bluetooth wifi

Value for Money

80 score / $130

61.6

value score

245% better value

89 score / $499

17.8

value score

Value score = Performance score ÷ Price × 100

Withings Body Smart

Strengths

✓ Accurate weight tracking with minimal drift
✓ Seamless Wi-Fi/Bluetooth sync and cloud backup
✓ Broad third-party data integrations
✓ Multi-user recognition for family use
✓ Affordable upfront cost

Limitations

× Body-fat and muscle metrics deviate from DEXA
× Key insights gated behind $9.99/month Health+ plan
× Small display may be hard to read for seniors

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

Withings Body Smart

Worth Considering

"A well-connected smart scale with strong weight accuracy, though body-composition readings can deviate noticeably from gold-standard methods."

Our 6-week evaluation found Withings Body Smart delivers reliable weight tracking and seamless Wi-Fi/Bluetooth syncing to the Withings App. However, body-composition metrics showed a mean 10.5 % deviation from DEXA, with higher fluctuation in muscle-mass and body-fat figures during repeat measurements. The Health+ subscription unlocks granular insights but lowers value for users who prefer free access. Build quality is solid, yet the 2.8-inch display may be difficult for older adults or anyone with impaired vision.

Moderate Clinical Evidence

Read Full Review

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

Read Full Review

Where to Buy

Verified purchase options and current availability

Withings Body Smart

$130 MSRP

Withings Store

$129.95

Standard shipping 3-5 business days Free returns within 30 days

Shop

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.

Shop

Best Buy

$499.95

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

Shop

Manufacturer Site

HSA/FSA: Eligibility Varies

Important Purchase Considerations

• Prices shown are current as of the last update and may vary. Always verify pricing at the retailer's website.
• Some medical devices may require a prescription. Check with your healthcare provider before purchasing.
• Check with your HSA/FSA administrator for potential reimbursement eligibility and documentation requirements.
• Look for authorized retailers to ensure product authenticity and warranty validity.