Thanks to the best smart scales, we now know that weight alone is only a small part of the complete body picture. Precision sensors and cutting-edge smartphone apps can now tell us muscle mass, body fat percentage, water content, and other indicators previously found only on expensive medical devices.

The new Withings Body Smart shows all the measurements of a standard smart scale on a colorful, easy-to-read display; combined with the Withings app, Body Smart does exactly what its name says: from workouts to nutrition tracking, It helps users make smart choices.Read our full BodySmart review

The $99.99 Withings Body Smart is a mid-range smart scale. You can definitely find other models (like the Wyze Scale X) that cost less, but they don't have specific features like WiFi or Bluetooth capabilities. More expensive smart scales, like the new Withings Body Comp and Body Scan, provide more detailed information, such as vascular age and body segment analysis.

Major retailers do not offer much of a discount. However, if you purchase Body Smart directly from Withings, you will receive a free one-month subscription to Withings+ (worth $9.99).

The Body Smart is upscale in its simplicity and minimalism; the 13" x 13" tempered glass is sleek and clean, and its thin profile makes it easy to use and store. Our homes have at least one tile or hardwood area, but in case they don't, Withings comes with four carpet feet that allow the Body Smart to take accurate measurements. four highly sensitive electrodes measure weight to the nearest tenth of a pound ( or within 50 grams), along with other standard Body Smart scale metrics.

What really surprised me about the Body Smart was its vibrant color display. I am not a big fan of bells and whistles when it comes to scales. However, having the numbers displayed in color and a graphic showing the normal range was very helpful.

Like most smart scales, Withings asks you to download the app before first use. Scanning the QR code in the user manual will bring up the app store on your smartphone, where you will find "Withings Health Mate." After creating an account and entering your WiFi information, you are ready to weigh in.

If you wish to weigh yourself without seeing the actual numbers, you can do so by activating the "eyes closed" mode. This allows you to focus on the overall trend and not on the individual numbers. This option is very useful for those for whom watching their weight may be a trigger. You can also select "Athlete" mode or "Weight Only" mode (which disables the scale's bioelectrical impedance, making it safe to use even for those with pacemakers). A "pregnancy" mode will be available in a future Body Smart update.

Stepping on Body Smart will display weight, weight change (weight loss or gain), body fat percentage, muscle percentage, visceral fat level, standing heart rate, current weather, and current air quality. As mentioned earlier, these measurements are accompanied by a diagram showing how the numbers compare to the normal range. When the measurements are complete, a waving pictograph bids you farewell. It may not be necessary, but it adds personality to a routine that many people find daunting.

Measurements and trends are clearly displayed within the Withings Health Mate app, along with data imported from connected apps. If you have the best Apple Watch, as I do, the home page shows VO2 Max (called "fitness level" in the app), steps, and workouts. There is also a leaderboard on the home page where you can challenge friends and family to walk more and a chat feature called "health insights."

More detailed and segmented information on body composition, activity level, cardiovascular health, and sleep records can be found on the "Measurements" tab. Nutritional tracking can also be added to this page if desired.

If you need to share data with your doctor or health coach, the Withings app can export PDF health reports, which can be very useful. You can even select specific date ranges for the data you want to share.

Overall, the Withings app is great, but the existence (or in this case, non-existence) of "Withings+" - a new subscription service from Withings that offers Body Smart users "missions" based on motivation and goals must also be mentioned: nowhere in the Withings app did I see the name "Withings+," much less sign up for a subscription. Adding to the confusion is the fact that the Body Smart's instruction manual advertises a separate program called "Health+. Unfortunately, Health+ was nowhere to be found either. Perhaps Withings+ is the replacement for Health+ and was just not yet available at the time this review was posted.

Withings Body Smart can connect to Apple Watch, Apple Health, Google Fit, and other popular fitness apps. I was only given the option to connect to Apple Health, MyFitnessPal, and Strava within the Withings app, though. Since I only use Apple Health to monitor my health and fitness data, the lack of other apps didn't bother me much. Also, other compatible apps may need to be installed on the smartphone first before being able to connect with the Withings app.

Withings Body Smart is an incredibly useful tool in the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle. In less than a minute, this sleek and efficient smart scale gives you a complete picture of your body composition and displays helpful and informative analysis.

While it's true that there are cheaper smart scales that measure the exact same statistics, Body Smart offers some desirable upgrades: WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities eliminate the need to keep your phone nearby when you want to check your weight, the bright, colorful display feels modern and high-tech.