Fitbit Aria Wi-Fi Smart Scale

I bought the Fitbit Aria to track my weight and keep my progress updated easily. It seemed like the ideal choice as I already use the wonderful Fitbit tracker.

Out of the box, the scale looks terrific. It's very attractive and has a clear display.

I followed the instructions and began to setup the scale, sadly this is where I had some problems. Using my Mac, setup repeatedly failed to complete. Fortunately, I had my phone handy and was able to complete the setup from there (as suggested in another review). Setup then completed successfully and I was all set.

At this point I hit problem number two, the results. The scale appeared to be wildly inaccurate with the displayed weight changing +/- 8lbs each time I tried it. Convinced it was faulty, I was about to give up and return it.

Then I noticed my Aria displaying a message saying it was updating, so I waited.

Over the next day or two I noticed the Aria update itself several times, so I patiently kept waiting until it was finished.

What a difference the updates made!

Now the scale is consistent, accurate (only 2lbs different than the one at slimming class, and always the same difference), and has better BMI detection.

After the updates the scale becomes a brilliant product with loads of functionality, stylish looks and is consistent and accurate, though they still need to fix the setup problems.

In summary, a 5 star product which is let down a bit by some niggles.

**UPDATE** - I have now updated my rating to five stars. Late last year FitBit significantly improved the setup procedure making it much simpler; the niggles are gone and this is now a five star product :)
It's also helped me lose 5st since purchasing it :) x

Really like my Fitbit Ultra, so when I heard about the Aria Scales, I ordered them straight away. Took about 2 months to arrive, but meanwhile reduced in price by £20!

Still quite expensive at around £100, (hope my wife doesn't read this!)

Quality is good, and attractive appearance.

It is very important to use these scales on a hard base, I have used a large ceramic tile. If you use direct on carpet you will get very erratic readings (in common with many other scales) The instructions do cover this. Once you have settled on a position, keep in same place.

From the WiFI point of view, the setup was easy, scales are in a bedroom and it found my router which is downstairs in a room on the side of the house, so a good test. Easily set up my wife as a second user,(you do this via the software on the computer to add a user) because she is much lighter than me recognises her straight away. For users of similar weights it suggests likely initials and you select the correct one. Computer does not even need to be on, as it all links through your router. Mine is latest Virgin one.

Have found the readings to be generally very consistent, did have a period of around 5 days when Body Fat reading lowered quite substantially, then it reverted to normal thereafter. At best this is only an estimate anyway.

Weight readings occasionally record 0.1 of a pound lighter in Fitbit than the reading on the dispay - hardly a major problem! Syncing is very consistent, perhaps only one in 25 fails to sync, but always goes second time. You need to stay on the scales until syncing has confirmed to get best results.

I have certainly not had large fluctuations in weight like some people report, I think some of them were probably not using on a firm base. Generally if I repeat the weighing I get exactly the same result. For consistent results day by day, always weigh yourself at around the same time, and bear in mind any retained body fluids etcetera can cause quite a variation in reading!

In common with other Fitbit products there are no printed instructions. You have to go on line to read them. This has the advantage that it is easier to keep them up to date, but some people will find this irksome.

Love the way it all integrates into your Fitbit account, and also any other apps you may have linked to your Fitbit.

I think perhaps they sould be around £25 cheaper, this may come with further sales, but also will be influenced by similar products (e.g. Withings)

Pros: beautifully packaged, beautifully designed product. Compliments the bathroom. Simple to setup. Simple to use every day - just stand on, wait a few seconds, stand off.

Cons: I've read this in many places now and the same happens for us - if you get on, take a measurement, then get off and back on and take another measurement, the numbers are wildly different. Wife tried it four times and got four different numbers. Will be writing to Fitbit for answers!