Fitbit Aria Air smart scales review 

We reviewed the Fitbit Aria Air smart scales by regularly weighing ourselves under similar conditions over a period of a couple of weeks. They were tested alongside a number of other smart scales, notably the Withings Body Scan and QardioBase X, to see how they compared in terms of weight readings, and how accurate and consistent they seem to be. 

We also made regular use of the Fitbit app to see how well the data syncs, and to explore the additional support and features the app offers alongside using the scales. 

It was very simple to set up these smart scales. Start by downloading the Fitbit app and creating an account (unless you have an account already). You’ll be asked to confirm certain details such as age, height, weight and gender, to enable the app to try and more accurately measure your vital statistics.  

Once you’ve got your account up and running, you remove the plastic tab from the battery compartment to turn the scales on. Once the scales are awake, step onto them to weigh yourself and pair them with your phone. You can also choose your preferred units of measurement by pressing the button on the underside of the scales. It’s a very straightforward process, and quick to complete.

The Aria Air smart scales have a very clean design that will probably blend into almost any bathroom. Available in black or white, they have the usual tempered glass finish we expect from modern smart scales and should be large enough for almost anyone to use comfortably.

We tested the black version and can confirm that they attract dust and fingerprints (as do all the other black smart scales we’ve tried). They weigh a little under two kilograms (around 4lb) which is very much middleweight in the smart scales world, but they feel sturdy and robust as a result. 

The display is a high contrast backlit LED panel, which makes the measurements very easy to read. They are responsive when you step onto them, and quickly record a reading. 

These scales connect to the Fitbit app via Bluetooth, and don’t offer any wi-fi support. This means that in order to successfully record a reading, you need to open the app before stepping onto the scales. This is mildly irritating rather than being an absolute deal breaker, but it’s notable that many other smart scales with wi-fi connectivity don’t require you to remember to do this. We can envisage this being a particular frustration if you’re pressed for time and then have to spend that extra few seconds weighing yourself.

We’ve already highlighted the potential issues around the fact you have to open the Fitbit app before using the scales. If you don’t do this, then any weight measurement won’t be recorded. The one benefit of this is that anyone with a Fitbit account can use the scales, so they aren’t limited in terms of the number of users they can support. 

Leaving that aside, the screen lights up almost instantly when you step onto the scales, and as long as you have the app open, it only takes a few seconds for the measurement to appear. It’s a quick and painless experience. 

We’d expect any smart scales to be able to measure your weight accurately, and the Aria Air scales were consistently in the same ballpark figure as the other smart scales we compared them with. They were usually within 0.1-0.2kg (4-7oz) of the Withings Body Scan, and 0.2-0.3kg (7-11oz) of the QardioBase X scales. These variations are relatively small, and for most people, they won’t matter. 

What’s more important is that the scales are consistent, so that they represent a true reflection of any trends that are happening in your body measurements over a period of time. Based on our testing, we are confident that these scales will do that job. So even if the weight measurements are a tiny bit over or under your actual weight, the trends you will see will be accurate.  

The one other measurement these scales offer is body mass index (BMI), which has been used for decades to estimate whether someone is a healthy weight or not. Lots of smart scales offer this feature, but it’s one we aren’t big fans of, as it does come with limitations. It won’t, for example, take into account your gender, age or muscle mass. If you’re very muscular, you could be classed as overweight, even if your body fat percentage is low. And inversely, if you have more fat than is ideal, and very low muscle mass, you may still be classed as a healthy weight.  

Also, there are studies that indicate BMI is even less helpful for non-white ethnic groups, who can be at higher risk of developing health conditions such as diabetes, even when their BMI is what is generally regarded as a ‘healthy’ level.   

BMI can be useful as a quick guide, but it’s important to bear in mind that it won’t always be accurate, and shouldn’t necessarily be relied upon as a guide to your overall health.

When it comes to features, the Fitbit Aria Air scales are about as basic as they come. These scales will record your weight, and then use it to calculate your BMI. They don’t offer any body composition measurements, such as body fat percentage or muscle mass. 

There is one benefit to the fact that they don’t use bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), which sends an electric current through your body to measure your body fat percentage. It means that these scales are suitable for anyone who has a pacemaker or other implants fitted, and who are generally advised not to use scales that offer BIA. But for anyone who is looking for body composition data, these scales are sorely lacking. 

Now, that’s not to say that there isn’t a place for smart scales that don’t have every function and feature on the market. But we’d have hoped to see more on offer here, especially at this price.  

These scales almost feel as if they’re made to add a bit more to the Fitbit app, rather than be used as a standalone product. And the app itself is very good. The graph at the top of the screen clearly shows how your weight is changing over time, and can be broken down into weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly, and all-time displays. You can set weight and body fat percentage goals, as well as view changes in your BMI, body fat percentage, and lean mass vs fat mass (if you have a different set of scales linked to the app that can measure these metrics). 

The app offers a comprehensive experience, which can also track steps, calorie burn, and exercise, and you can even log your meals if you want to. Adding the scales means that you can then see how your actions are influencing your weight. 

However, this only really works if you are already using other Fitbit devices, such as their smartwatches and fitness trackers. Otherwise, the app doesn’t actually give you that much additional value specifically related to the scales themselves. It does allow you to pair them with some other smart scales that do offer body composition measurements, such as the Eufy P2 Pro. It seems somewhat strange that the app offers more with non-Fitbit smart scales than it does with the Aria Air itself. 

There are also limitations around the amount of additional advice and support offered by the app. It doesn’t give you very much unless you’re prepared to sign up for Fitbit Premium, at a cost of £7.99 a month, or £79.99 if you pay for a year upfront. You do get a 90-day free trial of the service, which gives you access to a wide range of additional guides, such as Understand Calories, Mindful Eating and others. There are also workouts and mindfulness courses available, the vast majority of which are only available via a premium subscription.  

It’s disappointing to see so much useful content only available for an additional cost, especially if you’ve already paid for the likes of these scales, and maybe a fitness tracker as well.

The Aria Air scales take three AAA batteries, which are supplied in the box. Fitbit doesn’t say how long they are expected to last. Other smart scales using disposable batteries typically offer battery life of between six and 12 months. We’d be surprised if these didn’t last at least six months, but this will be influenced by how often the scales are used.

These scales have been around since 2019, and there are now a significant number of other smart scales offering many more features. They are well built, and for Fitbit fans, they may have some appeal. But ultimately, asking around £50 for scales that only measure body weight is extremely poor value, especially when compared to other devices that are currently available. 

When you add on the ongoing cost of a Fitbit Premium subscription, suddenly these scales begin to look extremely expensive indeed. 

If you aren’t convinced by the Aria Air scales, then here are a few alternatives for you to consider: 

Eufy’s P2 Pro smart scales are only a little bit more expensive than the Aria Air scales, with an RRP of £59.99. But for the extra tenner, you get full body composition metrics, including body fat percentage, muscle mass, and visceral fat readings. They are also compatible with the Fitbit app, if you already use it. The EufyLife app is simple to use and presents your data clearly, although not the most comprehensive in terms of insights and support.  

They are notably smaller than a lot of other smart scales, so if you have particularly large feet, these may not be the most comfortable to use. But at this price point, they offer a lot. 

If you’re willing to spend more, the QardioBase X scales offer another comprehensive set of body composition metrics, and an even more premium build quality. These are larger and heavier than the Aria Air, but also easy to set up and use. Once again, the app is relatively simple to use, and presents your data in a clear fashion. They are also compatible with third party fitness apps such as Apple Health, Samsung Health, and Google Fit. The price (RRP £109.45) means they won’t be for everyone, as they definitely move into that more premium price bracket.    

An ultra-premium option are the Withings Body Comp scales, among the most expensive smart scales currently available, with an RRP of £199.95. For that price, you are getting one of the best all-round smart scale experiences available, and if you want as many health insights as possible, these are worth considering.

As well as the usual body composition metrics, including visceral fat, these also offer heart health measurements such as pulse wave velocity and vascular age. And one further addition is nerve health score, which can potentially identify health problems such as peripheral neuropathy. These scales are undoubtedly a luxury item, but the Health Mate app is superb, and overall, these are among the very best scales currently available. 

The Fitbit Aria Air smart scales are a good-looking, responsive set of scales that integrate well with the Fitbit ecosystem – and if you’re already well embedded in that world, then it’s easy to see why these might appeal. 

But for us, these scales offer a lot less than they should at this price point. Other smart scales that provide more comprehensive body composition measurements also integrate with the Fitbit app, if you already use it. If you don’t already use Fitbit, the app offers very little to justify buying this particular set of scales.

And while having to open the app in order to record weight readings automatically isn’t the hardest task in the world, it is annoying, especially as so many other smart scales don’t need you to do this. 

These are very limited smart scales, and there are plenty of alternatives that offer more. They are overpriced for what they provide, making it very difficult to recommend these to anyone.    

• You have a pacemaker or other implanted device: these scales don’t use bioelectrical impedance analysis, so they will be safe to use
• You already own a Fitbit device and want to have everything in the same app 

• You want a comprehensive suite of body composition measurements 
• You don’t already own or use Fitbit products 
• You’re looking for good value for money. These are very expensive considering how little they offer