There are a lot of Android apps available in the market. The concept of these apps is limitless and it seems like there’s an Android app for everything.
But…
Some apps aren’t guaranteed to work as promised. And, digital scale apps are among these shady apps.
You read it right:
Digital scale apps. Basically, these apps utilize the accelerometer of your device to give you an approximation. Despite its convenience, these kinds of apps are still not on par or equal to the accuracy of an actual weighing scale.
Now:
Digital scale apps have quite obvious limitations such as unable to weigh large loads. You probably don’t want to pile a lot of weight onto your phone’s delicate screen. Who would want a broken screen, right?
The bottom-line:
These digital scale apps for Android can still be useful. If you just want a rough estimate of how heavy a small item weighs, then, these apps can be a great way to do that.
Digital Scale App for Android
Here’s the deal:
Android digital scale apps are real.
The problem is:
Its accuracy to measure weight and has numerous limitations, making an actual weighing scale far better. However, it’s only a matter of time where an Android phone can measure the actual exact weight of small items.
Best Digital Scale Apps for Android
Kitchen Scale – Free
App Logo
This app works differently compared to other digital scale apps for Android. Basically, the app shows you an area instead of a weight. For example, a salt that weighs 5 g, once you’ve set that, the app will then show an area that you need to with a single layer of salt. So basically, this app gives you an approximation.
The app simply displays a circle which is an approximate guess of how much volume a certain substance can take up. You can pour the salt, spice, or sugar on the screen to get a better grip on what amount is appropriate. Naturally, if your smartphone is not water-resistant, measuring other substances that may stick to your screen is not recommended.
Actual Test
In the gist of this app, the app shows an area of a circle that should be an equivalent of the selected weight of the material. We tested the accuracy of the app by taking 10g of uncooked rice.
10g of rice – scale
As the image showed above, we took 10g of uncooked rice and measured it using a weighing scale. Then we configured the app to show 10g of rice.
10g of Rice with Scale App
As shown in the image above, an actual 10g of rice is more than what the app displays that need to be covered. As a matter of fact, the rice overflows too much. Additionally, the accuracy of the app is highly affected by the native display of the phone as well. For example, if a phone has a native display of 720p, the area of the circle shown for a 10g of rice is bigger compared to a device with a 1080p display.
Scale Estimator – Free
App Logo
Scale Estimator provides a rough weight estimate of objects not more than 100 grams. It is true to itself, as its disclaimer says, that it couldn’t provide a precise measurement, rather, an approximation.
It does have a bizarre way of weighing as it will require you to use a plastic bag (preferably a Ziplock bag) and a coin.
You have to inflate the plastic bag, balance your phone on top, put the coin on the designated space as specified on the phone, and put the object on top of the coin that you’d want to weigh.
The default coin is a US Quarter but if you’re going to use a different coin, you can tap settings and select ‘Others.’
Scale Estimator suggests that you inflate your plastic bag properly as the result varies on its rigidness. Make sure that it is properly sealed after it is inflated. Don’t worry if you cannot remember all these instructions, Scale Estimator comes with an instructional video.
Actual Test
This app uses the device proximity sensors for 3 directional levels such as X, Y, and Z. It requires the uses of a plastic bag beneath it sop it can utilize the proximity level of the device for weighing items. It also then requires the use of a coin to further enhance its accuracy through the means of proximity changes.
A Nail cutter Weighing less than 25 g.
For this test, we weighted a nail-cutter as a basis for accuracy. The item weighted less than 25 g according to our analog weight measuring scale.
Nail Cutter Weighs 25.23 g.
Next, we calibrated the app using an air-filled zip bag, a coin, and an Android smartphone. We did the same test procedure for 5 times to better get the measurement accuracy of the app. In all 5 tests, we got the same result of 25.93 g. Unfortunately, that’s about more than a gram in weight compared to our analog weighing scale. Revealing that the app is likely to have more or less inaccuracy by 5 to 20%. It’s not bad at all but the result can vary a lot depending on how the app is used.
Precision digital scale – Free
App Logo
Considering that the Precision digital scale has the word “precision” in it, we can rightfully expect that it can come up with precise calculations. To come up with accurate results, the Precision digital scale app makes use of your smartphone’s accelerometer.
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- Calibration Weight Scale
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- Instruction Manual
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- Home UI
Just by placing the object you want to measure on the device’s screen, you’ll get its actual weight in no time. On the flip side, you have to be very careful as the pressure you put on the screen could cause the results on a digital scale app for Android to fluctuate.
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Working Scale Free – Free
App Logo
The Free version of the digital scale app Working Scale made by Science With Android, the Working Scale Free uses a bunch of your phone’s built-in sensors to measure the mass of certain objects ranging from 5 grams to 100 grams.
Of course, the Working Scale Free scale app doesn’t work perfectly should it replace the analog weighing scales. However, it can function like one in its own little way. At the very least, we can be sure that this is a real digital scale app for Android.
3 Grams Digital Scales app with Weight Converter – Free with In-App Purchases
App Logo
The 3 Grams 3-in-1 digital scale app is more than just a weighing scale app. Basically, the app uses your phones built-in tilt sensors to calculate weights of objects similar which is quite similar to a kitchen food scales. Furthermore, you can use your phone’s camera to weigh larger objects and covert one unit to another unit. Pretty neat!
One odd thing that we find when it comes to this app is that you have to use it in a specific way to produce an accurate result. Basically, it is required to balance your phone first on something curved or soft before using it or placing objects to weigh on the bottom of the phone.
The only issue that we did not like about this app is the intrusive and the number of ads. It was just too many, to begin with. Before you can even start using the app and calibrate it, you’ll be bombarded with ads. If you can live with that, then that’s good for you. Otherwise, you’re gonna have to pay for the ads to be removed.
Disclaimer: The free version of this app is quite a headache for us. The app will only allow you to weight one time and will require you to purchase credits if you wish to weigh more items. 3 Grams app works similarly like the Scale Estimator app. It uses the device proximity to measure the item. Unfortunately, due to the implementation of credits. We couldn’t do any accuracy performance but since it works similar to our 3rd app, it should more or less provide 5 to 20% inaccuracy error.
However, as a better alternative, you might want to try a digital smart scale that communicates with your mobile device.
Etekcity Smart Kitchen Digital Scale
Etekcity Smart Digital Kitchen Scale
The Etekcity Smart Digital Kitchen Scale is a digital kitchen scale that’s designed to aid you in your diet. It is capable of displaying the nutrition facts of various food as well as its weight. You can pair this weighing scale using the VeSync app that you can download and install from the Google Play store. Learn more about this product here.
What do people ask about digital scale apps?
- How to use digital scale apps for Android?
- Digital scale apps basically depend on the accelerometer of your Android device. Furthermore, each digital scale app is developed differently. Thus, the proper way of using is different for each app.
- What is the best digital scale app for Android?
- To be honest, we can’t recommend one digital scale app for Android. As they are right now, digital scale apps that are available for your Android smartphone or tablet have accuracy issues.
- What is a digital scale app for Android that works?
- As we have already mentioned above, all digital scale for Android does work. However, the problem is the accuracy of these apps. Well, that’s understandable since smartphones or tablets are not designed or equipped with functions to determine the weight of an item.
Digital Scape Apps & The Odd Position They Have
Truth be told, the current digital scale apps that are available for Android are far from being perfect. If developers can find a way to address the accuracy issue, then that would be the time where these digital scale apps can truly be useful. Otherwise, they can exist without dedicated hardware built into the smartphone. Also, if you can live with their accuracy problems, then good for you.
We understand that these apps may have disappointed you. If you’re in that boat, at least you know not to waste the time and effort installing apps that won’t work for you.
Fortunately, these apps can still be used by those of you who only need an approximate weight. Just be sure to take your results with a grain of salt.
Have questions about these digital scale apps or know of a more accurate digital scale app? Let us known in the comments below.
Editors’ Recommendation:
John on
Hey great list! THanks for putting it together!
Martin D on
Thanks for the feedback. Happy reading 🙂
Camden on
The weed scale doesn’t even work.
Martin D on
Camden,
It did work for us!
Try to follow the app instructions carefully.
Jackson on
I was able to get the weed scale app to work half the time. The other half the time it didnt seem to be accurate :/ Thanks for putting this together anyways!
Dani on
Most welcome Jackson.
heart shaped on
Thanks for finally talking about >5 Best Digital Scale Apps for Android to
Weigh Whatever <Loved it!
Judy on
Hi There,
You are most welcome and I am glad you liked it. =-)
Riaz on
I invite you to try 3 Grams Digital Scale App
It the only 3 in 1 digital scales app on Android
Its also available on Windows Phone
its an accurate digital and visual scales app that uses your sensors or phone camera
Daniel on
Hi Riaz, thanks for recommending your app. We added it as it seems to offer more than just a weighing scale. Although, we’d appreciate if you could lower the number of ads. It’s just too much on our experience.