What's New and Why Should You Upgrade?
In the ever-evolving world of health tech, staying on top of your body's vital statistics is easier than ever with smart scales. Withings, a leader in connected health devices, has offered impressive options for years. While the Withings Body+ has long been a trusted companion for many, the arrival of the Withings Body Smart brings a host of exciting advancements. So, what's changed, and is it time to upgrade? Let's break down the feature sets of both scales to highlight where the Body Smart truly shines:
Withings Body+
The Body+ has earned its reputation for its solid performance and fundamental health tracking. It provides essential insights to help you understand your body composition:
- Weight: Accurate weight measurement.
- BMI (Body Mass Index): A general indicator of healthy weight relative to height.
- Body Fat %: Percentage of your body composed of fat.
- Water %: Percentage of your body composed of water.
- Muscle Mass: The amount of muscle in your body.
- Bone Mass: The amount of bone in your body.
- Display: Clear black and white graphical display.
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth synchronization to the Withings app.
- Battery Life: Impressive battery life, typically up to 18 months.
- Modes: Athlete, Pregnancy, and Baby modes for tailored tracking.
Withings Body Smart (The Intelligent Evolution)
The Body Smart builds upon the Body+'s robust foundation, introducing several key enhancements that provide a richer, more detailed picture of your health. Think of it as your health dashboard, now with more high-definition metrics:
- All Body+ Metrics, Plus More! The Body Smart measures everything the Body+ does, but with enhanced precision thanks to Withings Precision Technology™ (50g precision).
- Visceral Fat Index (KEY DIFFERENCE): This crucial metric measures the fat surrounding your internal organs, which is a significant indicator of metabolic health. This insight is not available on the Body+.
- Standing Heart Rate (KEY DIFFERENCE): Get an on-the-spot measurement of your heart rate while you're on the scale, offering a quick snapshot of your cardiovascular health.
- High-Resolution Colour LCD Screen (KEY DIFFERENCE): Experience your data, trends, and even the daily weather forecast on a vibrant, larger, and more engaging color display.
- "Eyes Closed" Mode (UNIQUE FEATURE): For those who prefer to track progress without seeing the numbers directly on the scale, this innovative mode displays motivational messages while still recording your weight in the app.
- Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): Understand how many calories your body burns at rest, helping you manage your energy balance more effectively.
- Integration with Withings+: While both work with the app, the Body Smart is optimized to unlock deeper insights and personalized coaching when combined with the optional Withings+ subscription.
The Reasons to Upgrade: Beyond Just Numbers
So, why should you consider making the switch from your reliable Body+ to the newer Body Smart?
- Deeper Health Insights: The addition of Visceral Fat Index and Standing Heart Rate are game-changers. Visceral fat is a critical health indicator, and tracking it can empower you to make more informed lifestyle choices. Your standing heart rate offers another layer of insight into your overall cardiovascular well-being.
- Enhanced User Experience: The high-resolution colour display transforms the daily weigh-in from a mundane task into an engaging interaction. Seeing your trends, the weather, and even motivational messages in vibrant color makes the experience more enjoyable and informative.
- Future-Proofing Your Health Tracking: As Withings continues to innovate, newer models like the Body Smart are often at the forefront of receiving new software features and deeper integration with the Withings ecosystem. Investing in the Body Smart means you're more likely to benefit from future advancements.
- Motivation and Engagement: Features like the "Eyes Closed" mode cater to different user preferences, helping to keep you motivated and consistent with your tracking, even on days when the numbers aren't what you hoped for.
While the Withings Body+ remains an excellent smart scale for essential body composition tracking, the Withings Body Smart offers a compelling upgrade. Its expanded set of health metrics, superior display, and innovative features provide a more comprehensive, insightful, and engaging experience. If you're serious about gaining a deeper understanding of your body and leveraging the latest in health tech, the Body Smart is undoubtedly worth the investment.