QardioBase X smart scale review 

Promises plenty, but doesn’t quite hit the bullseye

Luxury
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Released in 2022, the QardioBase X smart scales are a premium device offering up to 12 different health metrics, to help users track their body composition. They mark the third smart scales offering from Qardio, following on from the original QardioBase and the QardioBase 2. 

With an RRP of £109.45, these are slightly cheaper than the likes of the Garmin Index S2 (RRP 129.99), and Withings Body Cardio (RRP £149.95) smart scales. But they are considerably more expensive than the likes of the Eufy Smart Scale P2 Pro (RRP £54.99), which also offers similar body composition analysis. 

These are one element of a suite of health-focused products from Qardio, which includes thermometers, blood pressure monitors, and more. They also offer the companion Qardio app, which allows users to track their progress over time.   

Qardio seem to be positioning these as a premium device, while still trying to undercut rivals that are at a similar price point. They offer almost everything you’d expect from a body composition measuring device, without doing anything particularly ground-breaking.  

Qardio smart scales overheadCredit: Saga Exceptional
The QardioBase X smart scale

QardioBase X

Luxury

The QardioBase X scales are a good, but not great, set of body composition scales. They offer plenty of different health metrics, some of which will be more useful than others. At this price point, expectations are high, and there are better value options available.  

Design

Features

Performance

Value


Who’s this for?

The QardioBase X scales can be used by almost anyone. But they are perhaps best suited to those who already use other Qardio products, or some of the compatible third-party apps, such as Samsung Health, Apple Health, or Google Fit.

Our likes and dislikes

  • High quality, robust design
  • Lots of different health metrics measured
  • Very simple to set up
  • The Cardio app adds only limited additional insights
  • Some of the health metrics may be of limited value
  • Questions marks over the accuracy of some readings

Expect to pay

RRP: £109.45 Normally priced at £109.45, we’ve seen the QardioBase X on sale for £93, if you’re prepared to shop around and wait for an offer.

QardioBase X Review method

How we test

As with all our reviews, the only way to properly test smart scales is by using them. We had regular weigh-ins with the QardioBase X scales, assessing factors such as ease of use, how quickly they took readings, how accurate and consistent the readings were, and how effectively they transferred data to the Qardio app. 

We tested them alongside some of the best smart scales we’ve previously tried, notably the Withings Body Scan, to get a sense of how they compared to another device. 

Finally, we also made regular use of the Qardio app, to gauge how useful the information these provide actually is, and whether the app offers any additional insights that may be beneficial to users. 

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QardioBase X Setup

Straightforward to get started

QardioBase X smart scales set up processCredit: Exceptional
The QardioBase X scales are simple to set up

Setting up these scales was a simple and straightforward process. Install the Qardio app and register for an account. Enter some profile details, such as age, height and sex. Press the activation button on the side of the scales to turn them on, and the app then guides you through the process of pairing the scales to your phone. The scales are compatible with both Bluetooth and wi-fi. 

One you’ve activated and paired the scales, you can step onto them to record your measurements. All in all, it’s a painless process. The scales can work on hard or carpeted surfaces, and support up to eight different users. 

QardioBase X Design

Stylish and sleek

Qardio smart scales detailCredit: Saga Exceptional
The scales look sleek and smart, but can attract dust

Smart scales, a bit like smartwatches, tend to follow consistent design conventions. And these are no different in that respect. Available in black (which we tested) or white, the QardioBase X scales are a fairly standard square of tempered glass. While they look nice, it’s the usual story, that the black glass swiftly attracts dust, fingerprints, and other marks.  

They are quite weighty, at 3.0kg, but this also makes them feel solid. And given they are priced in the premium price bracket, you should expect this. Their weight, added to their overall dimensions makes them well balanced, and very unlikely to tip when you stand on them. 

So, they look good, and feel solid, but one area which felt a little less in keeping was the ‘activation’ button. It’s a plastic stalk that sits in the middle of a keyhole shaped cut-out. While this isn’t a button you’d need to press on a regular basis, it still felt a little flimsier than a conventional button. It’s not a deal breaker, but for a device this expensive, it felt surprisingly cheap.  

Qardio smart scales side detailCredit: Saga Exceptional
The activation button felt surprisingly cheap

At first glance, there is no screen on these scales. But step on, and the screen lights up. It’s bright, with large numbers that are easy to read. The scales can display your weight, heart rate, and body fat percentage, with other measurements available in the Qardio app.  

Overall, these are a well-designed set of smart scales – minimalist, sleek and smart.  

QardioBase X Performance

Easy to use, but sometimes issues with synching

The scales are easy to use – simply step onto them, and wait for the readings to be taken. They were quick to display a weight measurement, but took a little longer (ten to 20 seconds or so) before displaying body fat percentage and heart rate measurements. 

Generally, the scales communicated with the app quickly. But we did note a few occasions where the app did not register that we had been on the scales. We had to get off the scales, open the app, and then step back on, before it would record. While this only takes a few seconds, it’s still an irritation that feels like it shouldn’t be happening. 

In terms of accuracy and consistency, these scales were consistently showing a reading that was higher than the Withings Body Scan scales we were comparing them with. Typically, they were around 0.2 (7oz) or 0.3kg (11oz) higher, but occasionally they were over 0.5kg (18oz) higher. And in terms of the body composition metrics, they were consistently 4-5% higher than the Body Scan were showing. 

Of course, we can’t say for certain what the correct numbers are, and which scales is more accurate. But in our Body Scan review, we were impressed by the consistency of the readings. The variability of the QardioBase X readings in comparison, was a slight concern, as it was showing much larger fluctuations in weight and body fat than the Body Scan. 

It’s difficult to say whether all the other metrics, such as metabolic age, visceral fat percentage and others are accurate. As we’ve said repeatedly in our smart scales reviews, these numbers are best used as a guideline, to track trends over time. Even if the numbers themselves aren’t entirely accurate, it’s highly likely that the trend you see over time will be correct. 

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QardioBase X Features

All the essentials are there

Compared to other smart scales in this price bracket, such as the Garmin Index S2 or the Withings Body Cardio scales, these offer all the essential metrics you would expect, but don’t go much further. The QardioBase X smart scales measure up to 12 different metrics: 

  • Muscle mass 
  • Body fat percentage 
  • Bone mass 
  • Water composition 
  • Metabolic age (which tells you if your body is younger or older than your actual age) 
  • Basal metabolic rate (how many calories you need per day for your body to function normally) 
  • Subcutaneous fat and visceral fat 
  • Skeletal muscle 
  • Protein levels 
  • Fat-free body weight 
  • Body mass index (BMI)

Some of these metrics are likely to be more valuable than others. Protein levels, for example, is one metric we haven’t seen on many other smart scales (the Eufy Smart Scale P2 Pro a notable exception). In the app, Qardio say that “lower protein mass has been linked to increased body fat”. Given that protein is a key element of muscle, that makes sense. But we’re not convinced that this gives you any information that your muscle mass measurements aren’t already telling you. 

We will draw attention to the fact that these scales do offer a visceral fat measurement. This is significant, because other scales at this price point often fail to include this. And arguably, when it comes to body composition, this is one of the most important metrics available to measure. 

Visceral fat is the fat that wraps around your internal organs and is associated with certain health risks. Subcutaneous fat is the fat you can feel under your skin. So knowing whether your fat is visceral or subcutaneous, may offer valuable insights to help prevent health problems. 

The scales also offer a variety of different measuring modes, depending on your needs. Athlete mode, for example, is for people who are active more than six hours a week, and have a resting heart rate of below 60 beats per minute. This then changes how the scales calculate your body composition.  

For anyone with an implanted device, such as a pacemaker, these scales offer a Weight Only Mode. The electrical signal used in bioelectrical impedance analysis (which is what’s used to calculate body composition) can sometimes interfere with implanted devices. This mode weighs you without offering a body composition measurement.  

Qardio says that Weight Only Mode must be enabled if you have an implantable device. 

Weight Only Mode might be beneficial for households where one user can’t use the body composition function, but another can. However, we didn’t find any way of automatically setting this up for different users, so you would need to be careful that you have the correct setting before stepping onto the scales.  

Qardio app

QardioBase Qardio appCredit: Qardio
The app offers lots of data, but isn’t the most intuitive

The scales themselves won’t display all the details of the measurements they record. For that, you’ll need to use the Qardio app, which syncs with the scales. 

Initially, we found the app a little bit hit and miss. Unlike the Withings Health Mate app, which automatically syncs with their smart scales, we found that the scales would sometimes only sync with the app while the app was open, and the scales were in use.  

When the data did sync, the dashboard in the app offered a quick snapshot of weight, BMI, fat percentage, muscle mass, and water percentage. You have to tap on the weight reading, and then a secondary tab on the next screen, to get the detailed breakdown of everything. It isn’t particularly difficult, but it also isn’t immediately obvious where to track down this information. Once you do find it, it’s clearly presented.

Each metric can be selected, and there’s a coloured bar at the top of the screen, indicating where you sit on a spectrum (for instance, ‘low’, ‘optimal’ or ‘high’). It’s a simple way to see how you’re doing, and you can quickly identify if there is anything you need to pay attention to. There’s also a little information icon that gives you a bit more detail about each metric, to explain what they are. 

What the app does not do, however, is offer much in the way of advice to help you reach any goals you might have set. It’s very much about tracking your data, but won’t shed a great deal of light on what you can do to reach those goals. 

It’s a fairly simple app, which for some people will be exactly what they want. But if you are looking for more advice and support, this will feel underwhelming. 

Battery

The QardioBase X scales come with an in-built, rechargeable battery that Qardio says can last for up to 12 months between charges, based on ‘frequent use’. Charging is done via a USB port located next to the power button.  

QardioBase X Value

Not the best value

While these do undercut some of the other premium devices on the market, they are still at the higher end of the spectrum. The equipment itself is well-designed, and certainly looks the part. But the app is a little disappointing, and overall, these scales don’t offer much more than the minimum we would expect for scales at this price point. 

There are other scales that offer similar metrics for less money, and some of the more expensive devices offer other, potentially more valuable data, more comprehensive apps, or both.  

QardioBase X Competition

You might also like…

There is plenty of competition for your attention, so if you aren’t totally sold on the QardioBase X scales, here are a few alternatives to look at:

Garmin Index S2

Garmin Index S2 smart scale close up of the screenCredit: Exceptional
Screen info on the Garmin Index S2 smart scales display

The only smart scales offering from Garmin, the Index S2 offer many of the same body composition metrics as the QardioBase X. They aren’t quite as comprehensive, as they don’t offer things like fat-free body weight and metabolic age. The app is also extremely basic, offering little more than basic data tracking and recording.

However, if you already own a Garmin smartwatch or fitness tracker and want all your data in the Garmin Connect app, these will do that job. They can also integrate data from third-party apps such as MyFitnessPal. They are slightly more expensive than the QardioBase X, at around £129.99.    

Withings Body Cardio

Withings Body Cardio scale on a wooden floor next to a snake plantCredit: Withings
The Withings Body Cardio

With an RRP of £149.99, these scales do cost more than the QardioBase X scales. While they don’t offer all the same metrics, they do offer some alternatives that may be of interest to users, with a particularly strong focus on heart health, measuring things like Pulse Wave Velocity and Vascular Age. The Health Mate app is far more comprehensive than the Qardio app, offering much greater levels of insight into what the data means, and why it matters. We also felt that it presents the data in a far more accessible way.  

Eufy Smart Scale P2 Pro

Eufy Smart Scale P2 ProCredit: Exceptional
The Eufy Smart Scale P2 Pro is smaller than the QardioBase X, but also cheaper.

The Eufy P2 Pro are the cheapest of the scales we’ve listed here, with an RRP of £54.99, but still offer measurements of up to 16 different metrics, which include body age, visceral fat, and cellular protein. They are significantly smaller and lighter than the QardioBase X, which may appeal to some users. But if you have feet larger than about size 9.5 UK (42 EU) , then these might not be the most comfortable to use.

The app also records and tracks your data, and does offer some limited additional insights into how to improve many of the metrics that have been recorded.  

QardioBase X Final Verdict

Slightly more style than substance

The QardioBase X scales are a solid if unspectacular offering, offering users a wide range of health metrics, in a stylish package. The build of these scales (with the activation button aside) is high quality, and they feel like a premium device. They look great, and feel extremely durable. 

The metrics themselves are interesting, although some will perhaps be more useful than others. But they do offer a comprehensive suite of measurements, for people to understand what’s going on internally. Visceral fat is a particular plus point, as some scales at this price point don’t offer this, and as we mentioned earlier, visceral fat has been linked to certain health risks.  

The app is a little underwhelming, with only limited additional insights into what your measurements mean. It is reasonably clearly presented, and easy enough to understand. We just felt that it lacked depth, or actionable insights to help people achieve their goals. 

Overall, these are a good, but not great, set of smart scales. They do everything you’d expect, but don’t offer much to make them stand out against the many alternatives out there. There are other options that offer a better all-round experience.  

Buy this if:

  • You want a wide range of body composition measurements, including visceral fat 
  • You’re looking for a relatively easy set-up and weighing-in process  
  • You don’t need the app to offer a lot of additional support and insight 

Don’t buy this if:

  • You are on a budget. You can find plenty of alternatives for less
  • You want a more comprehensive app 
  • You want the most accurate measurements available 

QardioBase X

Luxury

The QardioBase X scales are a good, but not great, set of body composition scales. They offer plenty of different health metrics, some of which will be more useful than others. At this price point, expectations are high, and there are better value options available.  

Design

Elegant design, unobtrusive screen, and quality feel

Features

Plenty of information, but a lack of insight to go with it

Performance

Responsive, but sometimes didn’t sync with the app. Question marks over accuracy.

Value

Good, but not great. At this price point, you can get a better overall experience.


Who’s this for?

The QardioBase X scales can be used by almost anyone. But they are perhaps best suited to those who already use other Qardio products, or some of the compatible third-party apps, such as Samsung Health, Apple Health, or Google Fit.

Our likes and dislikes

  • High quality, robust design
  • Lots of different health metrics measured
  • Very simple to set up
  • The Cardio app adds only limited additional insights
  • Some of the health metrics may be of limited value
  • Questions marks over the accuracy of some readings

Expect to pay

RRP: £109.45 Normally priced at £109.45, we’ve seen the QardioBase X on sale for £93, if you’re prepared to shop around and wait for an offer.

QardioBase X Specs

Weight 3 kg
Dimensions 320 x 320 x 20 mm
Battery life Up to 12 months
Bluetooth Yes
Wi-Fi Yes
Weight limit 180 kg
Measurements recorded 12 different metrics
Number of users supported 8
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Steven Shaw

Written by Steven Shaw he/him

Updated:

Steven Shaw has been a freelance writer for a variety of outlets, most notably TechRadar. His degree in Medieval History prepared him less adequately for his career than you might expect, but the years spent working in technology focused retail were much more helpful.

Outside of work, Steven is passionate about health and fitness, and particularly enjoys high-intensity interval training, weight training, and increasingly, spending time recovering. Steven loves reading, films and a wide variety of sports. A particular highlight was watching Viv Richards and Sachin Tendulkar batting together in an exhibition match.

He wishes he could travel more. He can also tell you a lot about the Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, and Carolingians. Most of his non-work time is spent with his young children, who are the living embodiment of high-intensity training.