In-depth metrics
The Garmin Index smart scale is a bit on the pricey side, but it's the best way to complement any Garmin fitness tracker you may have. Despite some reported syncing issues, it'll help keep track of body metrics other than weight.
Pros
- Measures more than just weight and BMI.
- Syncs via Wi-Fi.
- 9-month battery life.
Cons
- Wi-Fi issues reported.
- Expensive for what you get.
For the Fitbit fanatic
The Aria 2 is a very accurate smart scale with decent features for the price, and if you already have a Fitbit tracker, you can view all of your stats from one convenient dashboard. But if you haven't bought in to the Fitbit ecosystem, there are better alternatives.
Pros
- Works well in the Fitbit ecosystem.
- Syncing works flawlessly.
- Keeps your data private from other users.
Cons
- Lacks in-depth metrics.
- Really only awesome for Fitbit users.
The breakdown
With the higher price of both of these scales, they're really best suited to folks who are already using fitness trackers from either company. The Garmin Connect app lets you see all of your stats from your Vivo tracker and metrics from the Index scale in one convenient spot, just like the Fitbit app lets you see tracker and Aria 2 measurements in your dashboard.
Basically, if you have a Garmin fitness tracker, go with the Index smart scale. If you have a Fitbit tracker, go with the Aria 2. If you have neither, then carefully consider other options.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Garmin Index | Fitbit Aria 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Yes | Yes |
| BMI | Yes | Yes |
| Body fat % | Yes | Yes |
| Lean mass | No | Yes |
| Bone mass | Yes | No |
| Muscle mass | Yes | No |
| Water weight | Yes | No |
| # of users | 16 | 8 |
| Battery life | 9 months | 1 year |
In terms of overall feature sets, the Garmin Index smart scale does have the Fitbit Aria 2 beat in terms of the number of metrics it measures. It gives you a deeper look into your overall weight, so if you're an intense athlete, it's the best option in this case (if you can get past the alleged initial syncing issues).
While the Aria 2 may lack certain features, it does focus on the things it does well, which is great syncing, recognizing multiple users well, and being consistent and accurate. It's a smart scale that's better suited to a family home and not for the Olympian in training.
The best smart scale for Garmin fitness trackers users.
If you're already into the Garmin ecosystem of fitness trackers, then this is the scale to get, so you can look at everything in one spot. Otherwise, there are better, less buggy alternatives.
The Aria 2 is the perfect complement to a full Fitbit setup.
The Fitbit Aria 2 is a consistently great smart scale. It syncs wonderfully, switches between users easily, and lets you see all your Fitbit data in one place. Like the Index, however, if you're not into Fitbit trackers, then there are less expensive alternatives.
