Best Baby Scale
The Unicherry Scale is an impressive contender with the best attributes in the bunch. This accurate scale has a stable base, converts to an adult scale, and comes with a large tray with printed measurements down the middle. We like that this simple to assemble scale came with useful instructions, batteries, protective packaging, and an adorable growth chart you hang on the wall for toddlers and beyond. There isn't much not to love about this simple and straightforward scale.
The Unicherry has a two-piece tray that easily slides together and fits in an oval hole on the scale base. While this is easy to do and helps keep packaging small, it does create a center line that doesn't quite match up, and we suspect it might be able to pinch bare skin, though we didn't experience this. The Unicherry is identical to the Mommed Scale, but it is less expensive, making it better in our book. Overall, we are impressed with this scale and think many families will use it for years beyond babyhood.
The Health O Meter Scale runs a close second to the top-ranking scale. This scale comes preassembled with a heavy, sturdy base and giant easy to push buttons. It is accurate and simple with an ergonomically shaped tray that might suit smaller infants better than the flatter trays of the competition. This scale came in generic packaging that likely helped keep the price down, and for that, we love it. It also converts to a scale for standing children.
This scale has one of the shorter trays in the group, potentially making it harder to use with bigger babies. And while it converts to a standing scale, it requires tools and additional parts we suspect sleep-deprived new parents will likely lose long before they get to use them. It also uses a 9-volt battery not included, which is a bummer as most people don't have those hanging around. Last, we had trouble switching between kg, lbs, and oz, with multiple pushes of the button to facilitate the change, and it seemed random and different every time we tried it. However, we suspect you'll only change the units on first use, and we think most parents will like the sturdy feel and comforting curve of the baby tray enough to overlook this foible for the price.
The SoTech Scale comes with batteries, but it also is the only scale in the group that plugs in. It is easy to assemble has a simple user interface and one of the biggest trays in the bunch with printed measurements right on the tray. This scale also came with a handy retractable plastic/cloth measuring tape and easy to understand instructions. This scale also converts to a standing scale when your little one outgrows it.
This scale is identical to the Kazetec Scale except that it plugs in where the other does not. Unfortunately, the cord supplied isn't long enough to plug the scale in when using it, and you need to supply your own wall adapter. This scale also tilts when you press the on/off tare buttons before there is any weight on the scale, and while it doesn't fall, it could, or the sound could wake a sleeping baby. It also sports the same two-part tray as some of the competition, and we worry the centerline has the potential for pinching bare skin. However, if your little wears clothing or you use a blanket on the scale, this is easy to avoid, and we think most parents will appreciate the long ray and longevity of this versatile option.
The Newline Baby Scale comes preassembled in styrofoam and includes the batteries you need for operation. It has nice big buttons that offer a satisfying click and tactile sensation that let you know you pressed the buttons, unlike some of the competition that left us guessing if we did it right. This scale is accurate and stable, with a larger display that is easy to read.
This scale has one of the shortest and narrowest trays in the group, and since it doesn't convert to a stand-up scale, you will be looking at the shortest shelf life on this scale. However, you are unlikely to need it for most babies after infancy, and it may not matter to you that it only does one thing as it does it well. We like that this scale is out of the box ready to go with nothing to learn, assemble or worry about. If you just want to weigh your infant and move on with your day, then we think you'll love the simplicity, the soft tray, and the satisfying button click of this easy to use option.
Mommed Baby Scale is identical to the UniCherry scale that won our Editors' Choice award, but it lacks the useful growth chart that came with its twin, and it is typically more expensive. This accurate scale comes in three easy to assemble parts and batteries to boot with a setup time under a minute with no need for instructions. The user interface is easy to understand, and everything works the way it should. This scale is nicely packaged, has a good-sized tray, and converts to a stand-up scale when you remove the tray.
This scale has a two-part tray that leaves the tiniest of gaps in the middle that could potentially pinch bare skin. We suggest a light blanket on the scale to avoid this problem, but it is notable, so parents plan ahead. Also, we think if you want this option, you should double-check prices and consider the Unicherry before you buy it. Since we gave its twin the best award, it is safe to say we like this scale. We just don't believe in paying more for the same thing.
The Salter Scale is the twin of the Health O Meter that won the Best Value award in this review. We like the Salter for its large buttons, substantial base, and accurate readings. This scale comes well packaged and feels like it will be impossible to tilt.
This scale requires a 9-volt battery that it doesn't supply, so parents will need to plan ahead as they aren't likely to have these lying around. Both this scale and its twin struggled to change measurement units, and we found pushing the button repeatedly gave us different results every time. Luckily, you'll likely only change this once so that it won't come up often, but it makes us worry about why. Also, this scale has extra parts you'll need to install when you convert it to a stand-up scale, and we worry parents will lose these parts or accidentally throw them away long before they need them. We wish it were more straightforward, like some of the competition where you remove the tray, and you are good to go. You also need to assemble this version where you don't with its virtually identical twin. Overall, we think this is a good scale, with simple features and a more comfortable tray. However, before you buy, check the price of the Health O Meter, which is typically less expensive.
The long tray on the Kazetec Scale is greater for taller babies or even for pets. It is flat and has measurements printed right on the tray for straightforward tracking of height and weight. We like that this scale is accurate, has a simple interface, and a backlit display. It is the identical model as the SoTech Scale, which is usually less expensive.
This scale is tilty when there is no weight on the tray, which could result in loud noises waking sleeping infant or just annoyance. It also has a split tray with the smallest of center lines that could potentially pinch naked little ones. We recommend leaving a blanket or towel on the scale for this reason and comfort. Overall, we like this scale, and its twin ranks highly as it also plugs in where this one does not. If you think you may be interested in the Kazetec, be sure to research the Sotech as well.
The My Weigh Ultra Baby feels like a dated baby scale you might find in your doctor's office. It has a large user interface that is detachable and a backlit display screen for easy viewing. We like the tray pad that comes with the scale and the curved ergonomic feel of the softer plastic tray.
This scale is the only one that requires assembly with a tool, and the directions are virtually useless with no writing and blueprint style pictures. It also comes with extra parts for the shipping conversion, but this isn't clear in the instructions, and we never did figure out what you'd o with them even if you did want to ship something. Overall, despite being accurate and very sturdy, it doesn't feel nursery or baby-friendly, and the excessive C size batteries and required screwdriver put it at the end of our lineup.
Why You Should Trust Us
Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Editor, heads up the baby scale review with a background in human sciences and veterinary medicine and vast experience with all things scale from infant scales to weighing horses, Wendy has seen it all. She has been a member of the BabyGearLab family since 2014 with experience testing and rating everything from strollers and car seats to lotions and baby wipes. We selected the top scales on the market and put them through rigorous side-by-side testing to determine which options are the best at what they do and which struggled to make the copy cat cut.
Analysis and Test Results
We purchased and tested 8 impressive baby scales side-by-side, hands-on to find the very best options for keeping track of your baby's growth. These scales were reviewed with accuracy, ease of use, and quality in mind.
Accuracy
There is little to no use for a scale that doesn't offer accurate results. Results need to be accurate, and they need to be consistent day after day. When it comes to a baby's weight and growth, if it is off even by a couple of ounces, it could indicate a problem or issue that merits a doctor's call or visit, so it is vital that your new scale tell the truth and nothing but the truth.
All of the scales in this review were accurate and reported identical weights compared to the competition. Whether using live subjects or hand weights with known values, each scale gave the same answer as the rest, leading us to believe they are all as accurate as they can be. Each scale also reported the correct results for the hand weights.
Ease of Use
Finding a good scale means it is easy to use and doesn't give you any headaches. Sometimes weighing your baby might be a struggle if they are tired or squirmy, so the last thing you need is a scale that is hard to use or has complicated features that can prolong the process. We looked for straightforward scales with the ability to be ready to go with the push of a button. The best in the group are the Unicherry and the Mommed, identical scales with large trays, easy press buttons, quick tare / zero responses, and a no-nonsense large digital display with backlighting. The NewLine Scale earned our Top Pick for Easy to Use because the buttons are simple, give a satisfying click sound and feel when pressed and the curve of the baby tray is very useful. It also has one of the largest displays in the group that is easy to read despite not being backlit. For use in a clinic or doctor's office, you might appreciate these subtle differences that could be seen as easier for multiple people of different skill levels to navigate.
The hardest option in the group is the My Weigh Ultra, as it requires assembly, is the only one that needed tools, has hard to decipher instructions with no words and area parts that are for use if you want a shipping scale. This option also takes C batteries, and they aren't included making it one of the few without batteries and a size most people don't have readily available in their home. While the scale itself isn't hard to use, it also sports a unit change button that is not on the main user interface but is off to the side. Once you know where it is, it isn't a big deal, but imagine if multiple people are using the scale and it could be more of an issue.
Both the Kazetec Scale and the SoTech are identical, and the design of the scale means pressing the buttons can cause the scale to tilt. This design flaw is less of an issue when a baby is on the scale, but when you turn it on and push tare, it is empty, and the scale bangs around as it tilts. It's minor and doesn't affect its usability, but it seems like a design flaw and is annoying. Also, should you have a sleeping baby, you are hoping to seamlessly transfer on to the scale without waking, the banging of the tilting scale might cause them to wake up, which could be a bummer for both of you.
Quality
Not all scales are created equal when it comes to quality, so we considered how well the products were put together, the materials that were used, and whether or not they felt stable and durable enough to hold up to a growing and wiggly little ones that could be laying or sitting on the scales unassisted. If the scales feel wobbly, thin, or unsupportive, that could have you feeling reluctant to use them as your baby grows. Also, if they don't seem to work consistently, that could indicate a potential quality control issue you'll want to know about before you make your purchase for the long haul.
We had the most trouble with the Salter and Health O Meter, which are identical scales. Both struggled to change the unit measurements, and it took a lot of button pushes on both to get it to happen. This problem occurred for multiple users and could be very annoying if your baby is crying or upset, and you are fussing around trying to get the scale from ounces to pounds, so you don't need to do a conversion later. This problem feels like a quality issue as it should be a simple push, and the unit changes as it does on the remainder of the competition. The My Weigh Ultra also suffered from some quality issues. While this scale is the heftiest, it feels dated and clunky. It has parts that are very stiff plastic, the kind that often cracks over time or turns yellow in the sun. Also, these parts aren't even used when it is a baby scale, and if you hope to switch it to a shipment scale later for longer life, good luck finding the parts unless you are one of those amazingly well-organized people, which most new parents aren't. In short, this scale didn't feel as high tech or as well designed as the competition, and we weren't impressed in side-by-side comparisons. The best in the group are the UniCherry and the Mommed. Both are sturdy, don't tilt work as they should every time came with batteries, were easy to put together and included a tape measure.
Conclusion
If you need to track or monitor your baby's growth or weight gain, a baby scale is a must-have item. Finding a great scale doesn't need to be a challenge, and we believe the information in this review of the most popular contenders can help you find the best option for you without any hassle or concern about accuracy or quality. This lineup includes the award winners we'd recommend to a friend and those we think you should skip.
— Wendy Schmitz