Fitness monitoring with the Xiaomi Mi Scale 1 for $43.99

After the Xiaomi Mi Scale, Xiaomi has already launched the second smart scale, the Xiaomi Mi Scale 1. It promises some new features and should complete the Xiaomi fitness monitoring package, from fitness trackers / smartwatches and more recently also smart shoes. Let’s see if the scale represents a useful supplement to Mi Band 2 and if it fulfills its purpose.

• Xiaomi Mi Scale 1
  • at AliExpress for $43.99 | Amazon for $74.99

The first impression: delivery, packaging and material

The white, 2.2kg heavy, Mi typical package, with dimensions of 45 x 55 x 6.1cm, includes the promised SmartScale and a Chinese short guide only. This means that the batteries have to be provided by yourself which is not a problem with the required 4xAAA batteries. The battery compartment is located as expected on the bottom. In addition, it does not play a big role that no comprehensible instructions is attached, because the MiFit app takes this job – but more about that later.

MiFit App & Functionality

Getting Started

Now to the most important part of the Smart scale, the app. Because without a functioning app the promised functions are completely gone and you would end up with only a nice but expensive digital scale there. The Mi Fit app which is also available for other fitness products from Xiaomi, is fortunately available for both Android (4.4+) and iOS (8.0+).

Now simply follow the app’s instructions to put itself on the balance and the connection is created by itself. The measurement starts immediately: the weight is displayed immediately on the app as well as on the LED display. The remaining values ​​take about 5 seconds until they are available on the smartphone. It is also interesting for families and flat-sharing community vecause you can create up to 16 profiles in the app on which the data are stored separately.

How smart is the scale? The “10 in 1 Test” function

At the beginning of the test I asked myself: What do I expect from a smart scale? And what can I do with the collected data? The Xiaomi SmartScale promises all the important, through a so-called 10 in 1 test function, and a few more, to measure, calculate and analyze data to your body!

• The 10 in 1 test includes
  • Weight | BMI | Body Score | Body fat content | Muscle mass | Figure | Water content | Basic metabolism | Visceral fat level | Bone mass

After the first weigh, actually all ten promised data can be read off in their own status. Under the weight, the nine remaining details are neatly listed, and the first evaluations are already made. For example, the app may show you an “inadequate” with some values ​​or evaluate your figure with “Brawny”.

My personal highlight of the app: If you look at your status in the status overview and you are not sure what exactly your visceral fat level or your bone masses says about you: you do not have to inform yourself externally! Because the app provides you with more information on the individual values. And not only what the value says about your physical condition, but also about how you can improve the value.

• The smartphone does not always have to be present, up to 800 results can be stored on the scale and then the next time it synchronized with the smartphone. Attention: The new measurement results are always assigned to the current profile when it synchronized.

Xiaomi Mi Scale vs. Xiaomi Mi Scale 1

The big question is whether the surcharge is worthwhile compared to the simpler predecessor model. Ultimately, this depends mainly on the accuracy of the measured values ​​- because ultimately, the neatly traced values ​​do not make much if they are inaccurate.

Where does the values come from ​​& how reliable is the measurement

First of all, you have to be aware of how the scale is trying to calculate the body fat percentage. The whole thing works by means of a so-called bioimpedance method: Through electrodes in the scale, a small, not perceptible, current pulse is transmitted through the body during the measurement. Because muscles and fat flow, due to their different water content, lead differently, the scale can now calculate the body fat percentage using the remaining data (weight, gender, age, size).

But now the big problem with this kind of measuring method. Because the electrodes come into contact exclusively with the feet, the current does not flow through the whole body. Mostly only through the legs and groin. This often results in very inaccurate results, whereby data such as water content, bone mass and, and above all, the body fat content can be enjoyed with caution.

How can I improve my measurement results?

Although the measured body fat percentage will always be wrong, you can use the values ​​to evaluate your personal development. For this purpose, it is important to provide the same initial conditions for each measurement. So the measurements should in any case barefoot and as easily clothed as possible. Also, you should make sure your skin is dry and the bladder is emptied. This is because any water influences the conductivity of your body. It is recommended to carry out the measurement every morning, after the toilet operation.

Is the new model worth it at all?

If you consider that you pay the extra charge of the newer scale, mainly, for the bioimpedance measurement, it is in the normal case not worthwhile to buy the more expensive model. The Xiaomi Mi Scale is significantly cheaper, and it is also possible to reliably determine the weight and the BMI. It should be remembered, however, that these problems are not specific problems of this scale. The same measurement problems have all scales that use the same method. That is, if you want to buy such a kind of scale, the Xiaomi variant is not a bad alternative. Especially from the design and the processing, in combination with the MiFit app.