We’ve all been there – staring down at the number on the bathroom scale, furrowing our brow in confusion. Either that readout doesn’t seem right, or it’s wildly different than it was yesterday. What gives?
Scales, like any other gadget or tool, can develop issues over time that affect their accuracy and performance. And when you depend on a scale for things like monitoring your health, portioning out ingredients, or running your business, those inaccurate measurements can really throw a wrench into things.
So how can you know for sure if your trusty scale is still up to snuff or if it’s time to replace it? I’m going to walk through some telltale signs that it may be on the fritz, as well as simple checks you can do to measure weighing scale accuracy at home.
Table of Contents
First off, let’s look at some red flags that your scale isn’t measuring properly:
1: Fluctuating Readings
This is likely the most obvious indicator. If you step on the scale and it gives you three or four different readings in the span of 30 seconds, something is very wrong. A quality scale should give you a steady, consistent measurement every time.
2: Sudden Weight Swings
Have you been sticking to your diet and exercise routine, but the scale is showing drastic changes from one day to the next? Unless you’re literally shedding pounds of water weight through intense exercise, those types of big swings likely point to an accuracy issue with the scale itself.
3: Slow or Stuck Readings
Another potential red flag is if the scale takes forever to finally lock in weight or if the reading gets stuck at a certain number and doesn’t change even when you step off. The measurements should be quick and responsive.
Simple tests you can do at home to measure weighing scale accuracy:
- The Quarter Test
This one is easy – just place a quarter (or any coin) on the scale’s weighing platform. It should accurately measure the coin’s weight, which you can look up online. If it’s off by more than a couple of grams, that’s a clear indication the scale’s measurements can’t be trusted.
- The Subtraction Test
Weigh yourself normally on the scale. Then, while staying on the platform, have someone place a weighted object you know the mass of (like a bag of flour or dumbbell) on the scale too. The scale should now read your original weight plus the added weight of the object. If the added amounts don’t match up, your scale has gone haywire.
- The Re-Zero Test
Most digital scales these days have a re-zero or tare function that lets you manually reset the scale to zero, even with an object already on the platform. With nothing on the scale, zero it out. Then, place a weight on it and make sure it properly measures that weight. Remove the weight, re-zero, and make sure it goes back to zero. If it can’t re-zero accurately, the scale is kaput.
Those are just a few quick and easy tests, but there are plenty of others you can try. For example, weigh the same object multiple times in a row – if you’re getting significantly different measurements each time, your scale is inconsistent and unreliable.
It’s time to buy a replacement!
If your scale does fail any of those basic tests, it’s probably time to start shopping for a replacement. But don’t just grab any old scale off the shelf! There are a few things you’ll want to look for:
- Build Quality: A solid, well-constructed scale made from quality materials is going to maintain its accuracy a lot better than a cheap, plasticky scale. It’s worth investing in a scale from a reputable brand.
- High Resolution: Look for a scale with a high resolution that can give you precise measurements down to 1/10 or even 1/100 of a pound or kilogram. The higher the resolution, the more accurate your readings will be.
- Advanced Features: Depending on your needs, you may want a scale with additional advanced features like body fat analysis, mother/baby weighing modes, high weight capacities for weighing luggage or parcels, and more.
- Certifications: For professional, commercial, or medical uses, you’ll want to look for scales that have been certified as legal for trade and meet strict accuracy standards.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, an accurate scale is a crucial tool for so many walks of life. From monitoring fitness and health journeys to precisely measuring ingredients and portions to running a business – having a scale you can rely on is absolutely essential.
So don’t ignore the signs if your current scale seems to be on the fritz. Whether it’s through a few quick home tests or just years of trustworthy service, you’ll know when it’s time to retire the old scaley and bring in a fresh, new model to measure weighing scale accuracy. Your measurements – and sanity – depend on it, so contact Meltrons Australia now!
