A weight scale is only as useful as its ability to track your progress over time. Without accurate and consistent measurements, you might as well just look in the mirror and guess. A few simple tests will help you tell the accurate scales from the inaccurate when you are shopping in stores. Since you cannot perform these tests on weight scales purchased online, you may have to depend on reviews from other customers when making out-of-store purchases--or conduct your tests when you receive the scale and be prepared to send it back if it does not pass.
Step 1
Check the weight limit on the scale. If it is not sturdy enough to hold your weight--or your best estimate of your weight, if you are not sure of it--there is no point in even considering it. There is also a low end to the weight range on some scales, so very light people may also need to eliminate some scales from consideration.
Step 2
Turn the scale on and off several times. Check to make sure that it always reads "zero" when first turned on (and with nothing on the weight platform).
Step 3
Step on and off the scale several times. Do this without resetting the scale (turning it off) between uses. Try turning the scale off between attempts. The scale should give you the same reading each time you step on.
Step 4
Ask a friend or salesperson to step on and off the scale several times, too, to make sure it reads their weight consistently as well. Alternating another person's weight with yours is also a good way to check scale accuracy; some scales are good at repeating the last weight accurately, but it may not be as consistent when subjected to different weights. Look for a reading that never varies for more than 1 lb. for any given subject.
Step 5
Check for other features that may be important to you. These subjective preferences may include a backlight or large-print readout; a low battery indicator; the ability to speak the readings aloud or store them in memory; multiple-user memory; and body mass index or body fat calculations.
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