Honest Review of the HoMedics Glo Body Analyser Scale worth the hype?
Like many of you, I have a complicated relationship with my bathroom scales. For years, I avoided them. I did not want to see the number, and frankly, I did not think that one number told the whole story of my health.
But things have changed. We now have access to technology that used to be found only in fancy gyms or when you see the doctors for a check-up. Smart scales are everywhere, promising to tell us not just how heavy we are, but what we are made of.
I recently received the HoMedics Glo Body Analyser Bathroom Scale in return for sharing my views of it with you. It claims to measure 13 different health metrics, sync with your phone, and even light up your bathroom at night. It sounds impressive, but does it actually work? And more importantly, is it worth your money?
First impressions and design
When I first took the HoMedics glo out of the box, I was genuinely surprised by how good it looked. Most bathroom scales are boring squares of white plastic or clear glass that you want to hide under a cabinet. This one is different.
It features a black, tempered glass surface that looks very modern. The edges are rounded, which is a small detail that I really appreciate. I cannot tell you how many times I have stubbed my toe on the sharp corner of my old scales in the morning. With the glo, that is not an issue.
The base of the Homedics Glo scales are made from recycled plastic. I think it is great when big companies make an effort to be more sustainable. It feels solid and well-built.
The “glo” feature
You might be wondering why it is called “HoMedics glo.” This is actually one of my favourite features. The scale has a motion sensor built into it. When you walk past it within a distance of about two feet, a soft light underneath the scale turns on.
It acts like a night light. If you get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, this is handy. It gives off just enough light to see where you are going without blinding you or waking you up completely. It creates a nice, ambient vibe in the bathroom. It stays on for about 45 seconds and then fades out. It is a simple idea, but it makes the product feel much more premium.
Setting it up
Setting up the HoMedics glo was painless. The box comes with 4 AAA batteries included. I love this. You just pop the batteries into the compartment on the underside of the scale.
Next, you need to download the HoMedics Scales app. It is free on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Once the app is on your phone, you create a simple profile with your height, age, and gender. This information is important because it helps the HoMedics glo scales calculate your body data accurately.
Pairing the Homedics Glo scale to my phone via Bluetooth took seconds. I just opened the app, stepped on the scale to wake it up, and my phone found it immediately.
How the HoMedics glo works
This scale uses something called Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, or BIA for short. It sounds like something from a sci-fi movie, but the concept is actually quite simple.
When you step on the scale barefoot, it sends a tiny, safe electrical signal through your body. You cannot feel it at all. This signal travels quickly through water and muscle but hits resistance when it travels through fat and bone. By measuring how quickly the signal returns, the scale uses a mathematical formula (along with your height and age) to determine what your body is made of.
Because of this technology, you must step on the Homedics Glo scale barefoot. If you wear socks or shoes, the signal cannot travel through your body, and the scale will only show your weight.
What does it actually measure?
The HoMedics Glo Scales claim to track 13 essential biometrics. That is a lot of data. When you stand on the scale, the display on the floor shows your weight clearly. But the real magic happens in the app.
Here is a breakdown of the key things it tracks and why they might matter to you:
1. Body Weight
This is the obvious one. It tells you your total mass. You can set the scale to display in kilograms (kg), pounds (lb), or stones and pounds (st:lb), which is great if you are like me and prefer the traditional British way of weighing yourself.
2. Body Mass Index (BMI)
This is a calculation based on your height and weight. While it is not a perfect measure of health, it gives you a general idea of whether you are in a healthy weight range for your height.
3. Body Fat Percentage
This is one of the most useful metrics on the HoMedics glo. It tells you what percentage of your total weight is made up of fat. This is helpful because you might lose weight but actually be losing muscle, or you might stay the same weight but be burning fat and gaining muscle. The scale helps you see these changes.
4. Muscle Mass
If you are exercising or lifting weights, you want this number to go up. Seeing your muscle mass increase is really motivating, even if the number on the scale is not dropping as fast as you would like.
5. Bone Mass
This tracks the weight of bone mineral in your body. It is good to keep an eye on this for long-term health, although it does not change very drastically over short periods.
6. Body Water
Hydration is so important. This metric on the HoMedics glo scales tells you how much water is in your body. I found this really interesting because my weight can fluctuate by a pound or two just based on how much water I drank the day before.
7. Metabolic Age
This compares your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) to the average for your age group. If your metabolic age is lower than your actual age, that is good! If it is higher, you might need to improve your fitness or diet.
The app keeps a history of all these numbers. You can see graphs that show your progress over weeks and months. I found this to be the best part. Instead of obsessing over a daily number, I could look at the trend line to see if I was generally moving in the right direction.
Accuracy and Performance
So, are the numbers accurate?
In my testing, the weight measurement was very consistent. If I stepped on, stepped off, and stepped back on again, the reading was exactly the same. This is the most important thing for a bathroom scale.
The body composition stats (like body fat and muscle) seemed to align with what I expected, though it is hard to verify these perfectly, of course. However, for a home device costing around £35, consistency is what matters most. If the scale says my body fat went down by 1% this month, I can trust that I made progress, even if the exact starting number was slightly off compared to a hospital machine.
One tip for accuracy: make sure you place the Homedics Glo scale on a hard, flat surface. Tiles or wood floors are best. If you put it on carpet, the sensors can get confused.
Also, try to weigh yourself at the same time every day. I do it first thing in the morning before breakfast. This helps remove variables like how much food or water is in your stomach.
Connectivity and App Features
The HoMedics Scales app is clean and easy to read. It does not feel cluttered with useless information.
One huge bonus is that it works well with other health apps. You can sync your data with:
- Apple Health
- Google Fit
- Samsung Health
- Fitbit
This is brilliant if you already use a smartwatch or a different fitness tracker app to track your steps and calories. It means all your health data lives in one place.
You can also set up multiple user profiles. If you live with a partner or family members, they can download the app on their own phones and track their own stats. The Homedics Glo scale is smart enough to recognise who is standing on it based on their weight and past data.
Is it safe for everyone?
There are a couple of safety warnings you should know about if you are considering the HoMedics glo scales. Because they send a small electrical signal through the body, it is not suitable for pregnant women.
It is also not safe for anyone with a pacemaker or other implanted medical devices. The electrical signal could interfere with the device. If you fall into these categories, you should stick to a standard scale or consult your doctor first.
For everyone else, it is perfectly safe.
Pros and Cons
To help you decide, here is a quick summary of what I loved and what I did not love quite as much about the HoMedics Glo Scales.
Pros:
- Great Design: The black glass and rounded edges look very stylish in the bathroom.
- The Glo: The motion-sensing night light is a genuinely useful and cool feature.
- Detailed Data: Tracking 13 metrics gives you a much better picture of your health than weight alone.
- App Syncing: Connecting to Apple Health and Google Fit makes tracking progress easy.
- Price: For a smart scale with these features, the price is very reasonable.
- Eco-Friendly: The base uses recycled materials.
Cons:
- Batteries: The Homedics Glo scales require 4 AAA batteries. While they are included, I wonder how long the night light will make them last.
- Slippery Surface: Like any glass scale, it can get a bit slippery if your feet are wet right out of the shower.
- Phone Needed: To see the detailed breakdown of body fat and muscle, you need to have the app open. The scale screen only shows weight.
HoMedics Glo Scales – Frequently Asked Questions
Does the scale work without the app?
Yes, it does. If you just want to check your weight, you can step on it like a normal scale. However, you will not see the extra data like body fat or muscle mass on the scale’s screen. You need the app to see those details.
Can I use it if I have a pacemaker?
No. HoMedics clearly states that you should not use this scale if you have a pacemaker or other internal medical devices. You should also avoid using it if you are pregnant.
What is the maximum weight limit?
The scale can support a maximum weight of 180kg (which is about 28 stone or 400 lbs).
Does it come with a warranty?
Yes, HoMedics offers a 3-year guarantee with this scale. This gives you good peace of mind that it is built to last.
Do I need WiFi to use it?
No, the scale uses Bluetooth to connect to your phone. This is easier to set up than WiFi and uses less battery power.
My thoughts
After using the HoMedics Glo Body Analyser Bathroom Scale for a few weeks, I can honestly say it is more accurate than my previous scales. Those would change the weight every time you stepped on them!
It transforms the scary experience of weighing yourself into something more constructive. Instead of feeling bad about a number, I found myself looking at my hydration levels or muscle mass and thinking about how I could improve them. The app makes it easy to spot trends and reminds me why I need to drink more water.
For the price of the Homedics Glo scales, you are getting a lot of technology. I highly recommend giving these a try if you are looking for some new scales. It is also currently £27.99 on Amazon, which is a good discount.
Would you buy the Homedics Glo scales? Let me know in the comments below.
Other Homedics products I have reviewed:
