accurate body fat percentage

how accurate are scales in determining body fat percentages. I know there are better methods like  body submersion, and calipers.... but I am thinking about buying a scale with the feature, but do not want to waste my money if its unreliable.

I bought one several years ago when I started my weight loss program.  They always read higher than the calculations done at the gym with electric method.  I don't even use the scale one now.

I would tell you not to waste your money on it. The scales will vary greatly depending on how hydrated or not you are. Even the ones which gyms use, that are the hand grips are also off...(sorry this is my field.. I am working on my masters in Exercise Physiology ) So if you want to know your body fat. I would suggest you follow your first few thoughts of Hydrostatic weighing (using water..) or calipers...or if you know somewhere that may have a BodPod..you could also use that.. its air displacement which has the same error percentage as Calipers (based on whose doing the testing)..

 

Hydrostatic weighing was the old Golden Standard while, now doing MRI, or DEXA are becoming more popular...but are still very costly..

 

I agree with Naturistdiva.  I haven't had a "calipered" reading in awhile, but I know that the 19-20% my scale shows on average is incorrect, and from my best guess it's off by almost 5-7%.  ALTHOUGH, I do feel like it could be a good way to show you whether you are losing BF % or not.  When I started dieting and working out 45 lbs ago, I routinely showed at 28-30%.  So while it may be incorrect, I still enjoyed watching it drop.  Bottom line- if it is just an extra 10 bucks, then grab it, but don't let the readout get you down.  Just use it to check as you make progress.

I have a Tanita that I love.  I don't know if it's accurate but it keeps me from being discouraged.  I've been lifting weights and even though my weight is barely dropping I can see that my BF% is going down.  Makes the muscle soreness worth it.

I have a mixed feeling about this and agree with the posts before me.  I also have a Tanita.  I know #s are different from my calipered reading (done by a personal trainer at a gym).  However, it shows the progress as long as I use my Tanita under same condition (same hydration level and so on - first thing in the morning after bathroom without drinking water).  If you really want accurate #, then probably you need to be calipered by an experienced person (if the performer is not experienced, it won't be done correctly).  If you want to follow the trend of body fat loss, I think Tanita will do the magic.  Just my 2 cents.