Worth it for the committed Fitbit user
I've had and used a Fitbit One for two years now, and I love it, but I balked at spending money on the matching scale when I had a scale that already worked. Then the body fat percentage calculator, which had always been a little wonky, on my old scale died and I decided to take the Aria plunge.<br /><br />Pros:<br />- Reads quickly<br />- Accurate (reads the same as the mechanical scale at my hospital)<br />- Consistent (gives the same reading when re-checked in a short span of time)<br />- Attractive design<br />- Durable and easy to maintain<br />- Motivating and simple to use<br /><br />Cons:<br />- Price<br />- Does require some setup<br />- Privacy concern- will store readings for anyone who uses it, not just the programmed users<br /><br />I found the setup pretty straightforward, but it does require the user to be comfortable with using consumer electronics and following instructions. If you can order on Amazon, you can probably handle this setup, but, say, my 88-year-old grandma probably would find it confusing. Once setup, it's good to go, however- the user simply steps on the scale and the reading is displayed, then sent to the Fitbit account wirelessly.<br /><br />The scale will store readings for anyone who uses it. These are easy to delete from your Fitbit account, but guests and non-Fitbit family members may not be excited to find that using a scale in the privacy of the bathroom has broadcast their weight and body fat % to others.<br /><br />The quality of the product is excellent- we had a fairly high-end scale to begin with, but it didn't compare to the design or execution of the Aria. I also love that it's easy to wipe clean- it looks so much nicer on a daily basis than our old scale, which had rubber components, did. I also love that it's so straightforward to use- some scales I've owned required knowing which buttons to press to access different functions, or required the user to step on them lightly and then wait before stepping all the way on, or required the user to select their own profile before use. With Aria, you literally just step on and off.<br /><br />Finally, I love that it's so motivating. I'm sure this varies from person to person, but if you respond well to using a Fitbit in the first place, I think there's a good chance you'll respond well to the Aria. I like seeing the data pile up in my account, and making a daily weigh-in part of my routine keeps me conscious of my movement and food choices throughout the day. I only intermittently tracked my weight and body fat before the Aria, but now track it every day that I'm home, and I'm finding the data useful and the daily practice keeps me mindful. And you get new badges, which, again, not everyone may find worthwhile, but I find motivating.<br /><br />Overall, I am extremely pleased with my Aria after one month. I've seen slow but steady weight loss and I plan to keep making it part of my routine for the future. It's not cheap, but if like me, you're a dedicated Fitbit user who struggled to stay consistent with weigh-ins, it may well be worth the price.
Rating: 5 stars