Withings Scale vs Garmin: which smart scale tracks your health better?
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Smart scales have made a big difference for users with helpful insights like body mass index, body fat and water percentages, and muscle mass measurements. Having been in the field of smart gadgets for nearly a decade, I had to dig a bit deeper, and two contenders for the throne of the best smart scale manufacturer turned out to be Withings and Garmin.
They each have specific key traits, with Withings offering an entire lineup of smart scales. Still, Garmin doesn’t fall behind by much, especially with the new Index S2.
So, hoping to finally solve the Withings vs Garmin scale debate, I consulted my team of experts over at Cybernews. Together, we did a detailed head-to-head guide to help you compare Withings scales to the Garmin S2 and make an educated decision.
Final verdict: After extensive research, I’ve found the Withings Smart Scan to be the best choice for athletes and family use overall, with up to 8 users and a 440lbs max weight. On the other hand, I’d recommend the Garmin S2 to those in need of an affordable solution with advanced body weight metrics.
Withings Scale vs Garmin overview
Before I go into any more details, I wanted to give you a brief overview of these two smart scale brands:
| Brand | Withings | Garmin |
| Rating | 4.8 | 4.5 |
| Size | 12.8" x 12.8" x 1.1" (Body Scan) | 12.6" x 12.2" x 1.1" (Garmin S2) |
| Weight | 9.7lbs | 4.4lbs |
| Android/iOS compatibility | Android (10.0 and higher), iOS (15.0 and higher) | Connects with Android and iOS using the Garmin app |
| Max users | Up to 8 users | 16 users |
| Stats | Bioelectrical impedance analysis, nerve health assessment, vascular age monitoring | Body fat percentage, skeletal muscle mass, body mass, body water percentage, body mass index, weight trends |
| Max weight | 440lbs | 400lbs |
| Supported fitness apps | Withings Plus App | Garmin Connect app |
| Batteries and battery life | Up to 1 year | Up to 9 months |
| Price | $499.95 | $199.99 |
Our team of in-house researchers, writers and editors reviews and analyzes health tech products using a research-driven approach. We gather data from multiple sources, fact-check all information, and conduct our research based on peer-reviewed studies, expert opinions, consumer ratings, and regulatory approvals.
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How we test smart scales
If you’re wondering how we test health-related tech devices like the Withings and Garmin smart scales, I’ll share a few key rating categories below:
- Measurement accuracy (35%). The first thing I looked at in this Garmin scale vs Withings comparison was how precise they are and whether you should account for some discrepancies in readings. As I found out, both rank pretty decently here, with the Garmin S2 having a few more negative remarks and user feedback.
- App & ecosystem integration (25%):.I also wanted to see if these can be used with other products of their brands, as well as how easy it is to connect them to the main app. As I found out, the Withings scales work great with the rest of the brand’s lineup, but you’d have to pay for an app subscription to use the body scale to its fullest.
- Ease of use & setup (15%). Up next, I wanted to see how easy it is for newbies to get started using both, and my thoughts are that the Withings might be a bit simpler to set up.
- Design & build quality (15%). I also checked the design quality of both these scales, comparing their materials, weight, and overall design.
- Customer feedback (10%). I considered customer reviews on forum threads, social media, and platforms like YouTube to check the user feedback.
About Withings scale
Since Body Smart has a fairly limited number of trackers and it’s way below the price of S2, I immediately jumped to Body Comp, which is the next in line of Withings’ smart scales.
It’s the closest one to the Garmin S2 in terms of price, and features like the claimed standing heart rate, vascular age, and advanced body composition metrics already make it a superb option. It also comes with a 3-month free trial of the Withings Plus app.
On the other hand, Body Scan is a lot more expensive than S2, with a hefty price tag that’s not easily justified. Still, the manufacturer asserts it does a great job of providing advanced at-home analytics and readings like electrodermal activity score, ECG measurements, and cardio checkups.
About Garmin smart scale
Next, I put the Garmin Index S2 to the test. It’s the successor to the brand’s initial Index smart scale, which didn’t really capture the sympathies of all fitness enthusiasts. Most notably, it was reported to have a lot of inconsistent trackers, so I hoped that was the first thing they’d improve.
The Garmin S2 features some remarkably advanced health-related metrics, such as the 30-day weight trend measurement. In other words, it's supposed to tell you if and how your weight has changed in the previous month.
The app is also free to use for the most part, as you’ll get all the basic features without a subscription, a major improvement compared to the Withings scales. On the flip side, the Garmin S2 requires multiple daily weigh-ins for accurate measurements.
Withings scale vs. Garmin: cost and value
The Garmin Index S2 scale starts at $199.99. If purchased via the brand’s website, you can also get it with Affirm’s interest-free payments, and for that price, you receive quite a lot.
You can have it in four different colors, and the package includes the Index S2 smart scale, 4 AAA batteries, and 4 carpet feet. I have to say I was amazed by the scale’s versatility, especially given the features like the weight trend and body mass index measurements.
Moving on, the Withings scales start at $129.95 for Body Smart, but Body Comp is a far better pick for a duel, starting at $229.95. For that price, you get quite a bit, starting with vascular age measurements and the electrodermal activity score.
Still, I’d say that Body Scan is the real deal, though it commands a rather hefty price of $499.95. You do get some advanced features like 6-lead ECG with supposed AFib detection and cardio checkups with it, along with 3 months of Withings Plus for free.
Garmin vs Withings scale: design and display
Measuring at 12.6" x 12.2" x 1.1", the Garmin S2 is more of a compact option. It also comes with a remarkable lightweight design at just 4.4lbs.
It also features an easy-to-read 1.2" color display protected by Gorilla Glass with a decent 240x240 resolution.
On the other hand, the Withings Body Scan weighs more than double the Garmin scale, coming at 9.7lbs. Besides, it’s a more bulky option with a 12.8" x 12.8" x 1.1" size and a 3.2" LCD display.
In terms of style and design, I’d say that S2 is more suitable for personal use. Its minimalist aesthetic is also a bit more subtle, and that also goes for the smaller display size.
Garmin vs Withings scale: accuracy of measurements
According to its manufacturer, Body Scan, as the top-tier Withings scale, uses 4 weight sensors in the feet area to perform bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). It also has 6 ECG sensors, ensuring fairly accurate ECG measurements at home.
Body Scan, in particular, is claimed to cover over 40 biomarkers, which is superior compared to around a dozen supported by the Garmin S2. However, I found more user feedback and reports claiming that S2 is more inconsistent with its readings, as opposed to the Withings scales.
Withings Scale vs Garmin: setup
The setup process of the Withings devices starts with the app installation. Make sure to get the Withings Plus app from your app store and pair your scale by holding the main button for 3 minutes.
From there, you can go through a quick guide and agree with the ECG measurement setup. The trick is that the device will send your scans and personal information to medical professionals, so you have to consent to that first.
You can then create a Withings Plus account, customize the readings, and step onto the scale.
The Garmin scale already comes with batteries, so take it out of the box, place the batteries in, and create your Garmin Connect app a
Withings Scale vs Garmin: app features
The Withings Plus app comes with a $9.95/month subscription. It’s one of the biggest drawbacks of this scale as a whole, in my opinion, although I’m aware you can’t get all these advanced measurements for free.
The app is compatible with Android and iOS devices, and supposedly, you can use it to track your heart rate metrics, check body fat and muscle mass by body part, and keep a log of your daily missions. It also includes insights related to your heart rate, sleep cycles, and other metrics.
The Garmin Connect app, on the other hand, comes free of charge. You can use it to track your daily activities through a convenient dashboard with daily insights. There’s also a neat At a Glance section, where you’ll find measurements like your blood pressure, weight, hydration percentage, and others.
Withings Scale vs Garmin: user reviews
While I wasn't able to find any specific Trustpilot rankings for individual Withings scales, the overall score for the brand’s products is by no means encouraging. Some consumers complained about the battery going out prematurely, while others stated unresponsive customer support.
One good thing is the lack of device-specific complaints, which are definitely present for the Garmin S2. The main problem with this one was inconsistent measurements, which can be seen as a common pattern across all platforms.
Garmin and Withings scale vs competitors
Besides the Garmin S2 and the Withings Body Scan, there are several other prominent smart scales on the market. I’ve compared these two with the Hume Body Pod and the Fitbit Aria Air, both of which are worthy contenders.
| Smart scale | Withings Body Scan | Garmin S2 | Hume Body Pod | Fitbit Aria Air |
| Metrics tracked | Weight, body composition, body fat percentage, muscle mass, bone mass, visceral fat | Body fat and water percentages, muscle and bone mass, weight trends | Detailed body composition insights, weight, muscle mass, BMI, bone mass, metabolic rate tracking | Weight, body mass index |
| Subscription requirements | $9.95/month for the Withings Plus app | None | $9.99/month for the Hume + subscription (free plan available) | None |
| Price tag | From $499.95 | From $199.99 | From $229.99 | From $49.99 |
| App experience | Excellent in-app measurement coverage of over a dozen key metrics | Basic app functionalities like daily overviews and measurements | Decent in-app experience for tracking the Pod’s measurements | Not very intuitive, no advanced readings or custom plans |
| Design and usability | Sleek, suitable for all spaces | Minimalist | Cutting-edge, with a pull-out rod | Plain, no extra functionalities |
Withings Scale vs Garmin: which one should you choose?
Overall, I’d say that the Withings smart scales are a better option with all the key measurements considered. However, the Garmin S2 also comes pretty close in some aspects.
In my opinion, the Withings scales are perfect for passionate fitness enthusiasts who want to gain comprehensive insight into all relevant health-related metrics.
On the other hand, the Garmin S2 is a bit more laid-back option, perfect for Garmin watch users and fitness enthusiasts who are not so heavily focused on the numbers. It’s perfect for tracking your performance with some useful details, but not nearly as comprehensive as the Withings Body Scan.
Other reviews you might be interested in:
Hume Health Body Pod vs Withings Body Scan: which smart scales are more accurate?
Withings Body Smart vs Body Comp: which smart scale is best for you?
Hume Health Body Pod vs InBody – which body composition analyzer is worth it?
FAQ
Do the Garmin and Withings smart scales work without a smartwatch?
Yes, both the Garmin S2 and the Withings smart scales work without a smartwatch. Still, the Garmin is best bundled with the watch due to the lack of overall individual features.
Can I share my Garmin or Withings scale with family?
Yes, you can share both these scales with your family. While the Withings Body Scan scale allows you to add 7 more users, you can have 15 more with Index S2.
Is the Withings Health Mate app better than Garmin Connect?
The Withings app is more focused on user-friendliness, while the Garmin Connect is best when used together with the smartwatch for detailed insights.
Which smart scale works best with third-party apps like Apple Health?
The Withings smart scales work best with Apple Health and similar apps due to smooth integration and easy synchronization of your weigh-ins.
