Garmin Index S2 smart scales review 

We tested the Garmin Index S2 smart scales over a period of a few weeks, regularly weighing in to gauge the consistency of the measurements. We compared these measurements against other smart scales (the Withings Body Comp smart scales and the Omron BF511), to get a feel for their accuracy. 

Alongside the Index S2, we tested the Garmin connect app to see how well the data was transferred, how clearly it was presented, and how effectively the app works to complement the scales. 

The scales were straightforward to set up: install the four AAA batteries, open the Garmin Connect app and pair the device.

If you already have a Garmin device connected to the app, simply go to Garmin Devices, and select Add Device. If this is your first device, just follow the on-screen instructions. You’ll be asked to enter details such as gender, age and height, to help the scales calculate your body composition. 

You can also connect it with your wi-fi network, to make data transfer as easy as possible between the scales and the app. 

There was a software update that took several minutes to complete. But once this was done, the scales were ready to use. 

These scales can support up to 16 different users, although each user needs a separate Garmin Connect account. They automatically identify which user is standing on them, based on weight and frequency of use. It’s unlikely your measurements will get confused with someone else’s. 

These are an attractive, well-built set of scales. The tempered glass black top is very sleek, although – as seems to be the case with all the black glass scales we’ve seen – they attract dust and fingerprints very easily. These scales also come in white. 

They are light at 2.0kg (4.4 lbs), easy to carry, and can be used on hard floors or carpet. Garmin provides a set of risers that are recommended if you plan to use these on carpet. On the underside, as well as the feet are a pair of buttons, one to reset the scale, the other to switch between metric and imperial units. This is also where you’ll find the battery slot. Garmin says the batteries will last for up to nine months. 

These scales are notably taller than other scales that we’ve tested. On a couple of occasions when stepping on to the scales, if we were too far over to one side, the scales tipped. The obvious problem is that it could cause an injury, if the user loses their balance, or rolls their ankle, for example. There are lines on the scale to indicate where you should stand, and in our case, we simply missed the mark. But tipping isn’t an issue we’ve experienced with other scales. 

The screen is bright and clear, and one of the best we’ve seen, particularly as it has a colour display. However, it is also very busy, with a lot going on while you weigh in. All the additional information on display (such as battery level, date and time, and wi-fi signal) distract from the main reason you’re there.

For a premium device, the Index S2 smart scales were surprisingly fiddly to use. With many smart scales, simply standing on them is enough for them to wake up and record a measurement. With these, you need to tap them, wait for them to switch on, and then step on. 

On most occasions when we tapped them, we didn’t get any response. It usually wasn’t until we physically lifted the scales and put them down again before they started working. This isn’t the sort of smooth, seamless experience we would hope for.  

Once the scales were up and running, your weight is shown quickly, but it takes a little while before all the other measurements become visible. 

Accuracy can be difficult to judge, as smart scales manufacturers have their individual algorithms for calculating body composition. But there are some general observations we can make. 

In terms of weight measurement, these scales were consistently 0.1kg (3.5oz) above those on the Withings and Omron scales. The closeness of these numbers across three different brands points to a high degree of accuracy. 

When it came to body composition, however, these scales were notably different to the others that we were comparing them with. Typically, body fat readings were around 3% higher than on any of the other scales we tested.  

It’s hard to say which scales were giving the most accurate reading, but the Garmin scales were significantly higher than the others. They were, however, consistent with themselves, and readings were very much in line with what these scales had previously recorded.  

Fluctuations in body composition mirrored what other scales were showing us. A 0.1% fluctuation in body fat percentage as measured by the Withings scales, for example, was reflected by a similar 0.1% increase in the measurement provided by the Index S2. As always, it’s best to use these numbers as a guideline. It’s likely that they will accurately reflect any trends over time, even if the specific numbers aren’t completely accurate. 

The Garmin Index S2 scales offer all the usual metrics you’d expect from a body composition scale: 

• Weight  
• Body mass index 
• Body fat percentage 
• Skeletal muscle mass 

• Bone mass 
• Body water percentage 

They also display your weight trend over the past 30 days, so you can see how your weight has changed over time. The Garmin Connect app can show you trends up to one year. If you wish, you can change the settings so the scales will only track your weight. Garmin also highlights the fact that you can weigh yourself multiple times in a day to see how your body composition fluctuates during the day. 

We struggle to think of many reasons why this might be helpful. For most people, weighing in multiple times a day is unnecessary, and could be counter-productive if it encourages obsessive behaviours. 

Finally, like many smart scales, they can also give you a weather forecast. Again, we didn’t find this to be particularly helpful, as you can get a far more comprehensive forecast from your phone or by watching the telly. 

As we mentioned earlier, the scales connect to the Garmin Connect app. We’re big fans of the app in general, and it works fantastically well with the brand’s smartwatches, as we mentioned in our Garmin Venu 2 review. When used alongside the Index S2 smart scales however, the results are underwhelming. 

The app offers little more than a log of your weigh-in history. Although it will go back further than the scales by themselves (you can get weekly, monthly, and yearly trend graphs) the app doesn’t offer any extra insight.  

Compare this with the Withings Health Mate app, which offers extra detail, tips and explanations of the different metrics being measured, and it makes for a very bland experience. We felt strongly that Garmin should have offered more here, especially given how comprehensive the app is in other ways. 

For some, this may be a plus, if you don’t want to use the app, and just want an overview of how you’re doing. But if you are interested in the details or want an app that can help you reach your goals, the Garmin Connect app is sorely lacking.

With an RRP of £129.99, this sits toward the premium end of the smart scale spectrum. And in our view, it doesn’t do quite enough to justify the price tag.

Garmin has a reputation for making excellent products – but these scales are quite clunky to use, the design isn’t perfect, and the information the app offers is thin, at best.  

Other scales offer similar amounts of information for a cheaper price, or more information for a similar spend. And many of them offer far more comprehensive app support. 

The Withings Body Cardio scales have an RRP of £149.95, which puts them in a similar price bracket to the Garmin Index S2, although we have seen them available for £119.95.

These scales offer some additional health metrics, including the likes of pulse wave velocity, which can help to monitor heart health. We really like the Health Mate app as well, which offers much more information than the Garmin Connect app, including tips to help you reach your health and fitness goals. 

Xiaomi’s Mi Smart Scale 2 doesn’t offer as many features as the Index S2, but with an RRP of £19.99, we wouldn’t expect it to. What it does offer is accurate weight measurements (they claim to within 0.5kg or 18oz), an ideal weight measurement function (based on your BMI) and a balance assessment. It can support up to sixteen users as well.

These may not be as feature-filled, but if you just want some basic smart scales, these are a solid choice. 

The Garmin Index S2 smart scales are a product that we’d like to love. They do everything you’d expect body composition scales to do, and they do it competently. It isn’t a terrible product. But it feels like almost everything could have been done better. And at this price point, we’d really hope to see more. 

They provide consistent measurements, and for anyone who already uses Garmin products, these could be a good addition to complete their health monitoring within the Garmin Connect app.

But they can’t help feeling a little bit like an afterthought on Garmin’s behalf. The app support for them is limited, and simply getting them to work was a frustrating experience. These could, perhaps should, be better than they are. 

As we’ve said before, there are other smart scales offering similar features for less, or more features at a similar price point – which makes it difficult to recommend these. If you’re a diehard Garmin fan, these might have a pull for you. But for everyone else, there are better options out there. 

• You already own a Garmin device and want all your data in the Garmin Connect app.
• You want a comprehensive set of body composition measurements. 

• You’re on a budget. There are plenty of other smart scales that cost less. 
• You want the smoothest and easiest weigh-in experience. We found these to be quite fiddly. 
• You want an app that will do more than just record what the scales say.