It’s a new year and a smart scale is a perfect solution to kick off your resolutions on the right foot. The Fitbit Aria and Aria 2 are both excellent smart devices, but the Aria 2 is a slight upgrade on nearly all fronts. With that said, the differences are minor enough that it might not be worth it for existing Aria users to upgrade.
Fitbit was one of the first massively popular fitness trackers, and their brand has come quite a long way since that first iteration. Since their original fitness tracker, they have expanded into other smart fitness solutions such as scales. While there’s much more competition nowadays than there was in the past, the Fitbit Aria models continue to be a competitive choice for those looking for an easy way to keep track of their health.
Below we discuss the differences of the Fitbit Aria vs. Aria 2. Read on for a full picture of what both models have to offer or use our navigation bar to jump directly to the sections that interest you most.
Fitbit Aria vs. Aria 2 — Differences
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Difference #1: WiFi Upgrade & Bluetooth – The first difference worth discussing when comparing the Fitbit Aria 1 vs. 2 is their wireless connectivity. The Aria has pretty standard wireless 802.11b compatibility and does not have Bluetooth. The Aria 2 upgrades the WiFi to 802.11b/g/n, 2.4 GHz, which should make for a more reliable connection. Additionally, the newer scale has Bluetooth compatibility which opens up integration with a greater number of devices.
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Difference #2: Power – Another upgrade with the Aria 2 is slightly less demanding power consumption — requiring only 3 AA batteries compared to its predecessor’s 4. While this doesn’t make a huge difference in the grand scheme of things, it’s great for those pesky situations when you find yourself one battery short!
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Difference #3: Setup – The setup process between the two fitness trackers is a little bit different, with the Aria 2 being a lot more straightforward and more convenient.
With the Aria, you’ll log into your Fitbit account using your computer and use WiFi to finish setting up the scale. Take a look at the video below for an idea of how the process works.
[youtube id=”D7Q5FvHHPJo” width=”680″ height=”390″ position=”center”]
With the Aria 2, you can set up your scale using a phone or tablet using Bluetooth and the app. It’s a faster and easier process than the original Aria, and supports WiFi setup as well if you’d rather go that route.
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Difference #4: Display & Size – the Aria 2 is bigger with dimensions of 1.6 x 14.2 x 14 inches and a weight of 5.7 pounds. The Aria is smaller at 1.3 x 12.3 x 12.3 inches and 4.7 pounds.
The difference in size isn’t significant, but the Aria 2 might be a little bit sturdier. The new model also has an advantage due to its ability to display BMI directly on the scale itself while the original Aria will only show you your BMI within the app.
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Difference #5: Accuracy – A newer scale comes with newer technology, and that upgrade has led to a more accurate reading of weight, BMI, body fat percentage, and lean mass when compared to the original Aria.
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Difference #6: Personalized Icons & Greetings – While not necessarily a huge advantage, the Aria 2 adds in personalized icons and greetings — a feature that was unavailable on the original Aria. While it doesn’t really impact the utility of the scale itself, the extra personalization is a nice touch that can make that morning weigh-in a little more pleasant.
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Difference #7: Increased Weight Limit & Operating Humidity – The last major difference worth discussing is the weight limit and operating humidity of each scale. The Aria has a weight capacity of up to 350 pounds, while the Aria 2 has a capacity of 400 pounds. The Aria has a slight edge in operating humidity, working in up to 95% relative humidity compared to the Aria 2’s 93%.
Fitbit Aria vs. Aria 2 — Comparison Chart
| Fitbit Aria | Fitbit Aria 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| WiFi | 2.4 GHz 802.11b | 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| Power | 4 AA batteries | 3 AA batteries |
| Setup | via WiFi from your computer |
from phone or tablet via Bluetooth and app |
| BMI, Lean Mass & Body Fat Percentage |
Yes | Yes |
| Size | 1.3 x 12.3 x 12.3 in | 1.6 x 14.2 x 14 in |
| Weight | 4.7 lbs | 5.7 lbs |
| Personalized Icons & Greetings | No | Yes |
| Weight Limit | Up to 20–350lbs (9–158kg) |
Up to 400lbs (4.5–181.4kg) |
| Operating Humidity | Up to 95% | Up to 93% |
| Users | Up to 8 | Up to 8 |
| Wireless Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Fitbit App | Yes | Yes |
Fitbit Aria vs. Aria 2 — Things in Common
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Users – Regardless of your choice in model, your scale can support up to 8 users. This should be enough for your household and then some, which is great for offering your friends access if they’d like to give it a try before buying their own!
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Wireless Syncing – Both the Fitbit Aria and Aria 2 will sync your stats automatically via WiFi. Without having to worry about remembering and entering data, you can simply step on the scale in the morning and go on with your day with the knowledge that your health is being monitored consistently over time.
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Weight, BMI, Lean Mass & Body Fat Percentage – While weight may be the primary metric that most people are looking to track with a smart scale, the Fitbit Aria and Aria 2 both track BMI, Lean Mass, and Body Fat Percentage as well. It’s a great all-in-one solution for keeping track of your fitness progress in the new year!
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Fitbit App – As both scales are part of the Fitbit product family, they naturally integrate quite well with the Fitbit app. The app allows you to set goals for weight, hydration, activity, nutrition, sleep and more — it even has calorie coaching and a food plan! By using your Fitbit Aria and other products connected to the app, you can see real evidence of your progress and even receive rewards for your results!
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Sensors – While the Aria 2 does have some significant upgrades over its predecessor, the technology behind the sensors is roughly the same. Four load sensors measure body fat info using a combination of electrical impedance and user data. With Indium tin oxide electrodes forming a pattern across the top of the scale, the Aria and Aria 2 will send a small, safe electrical impulse through the body in order to get an accurate reading of body fat.
Fitbit Aria vs. Aria 2 — Accessories
Since the Fitbit Aria and Aria 2 are part of a very large fitness product family, there are a bunch of different accessories we can recommend purchasing alongside your new scale.
The Fitbit Flyer Headphones offer 6 hours of playtime with quick charge functionality and Bluetooth support.
The Fitbit Charge 3 is the most advanced fitness tracker the brand has to offer, offering a swim-proof and water-proof construction up to 50m. Other notable features are the ability to collect sleep data and smartphone notifications.
If you’re looking for something a little more lightweight, the Fitbit Alta HR is a super slim combination heart rate monitor and fitness wristband.
The Fitbit Flex 2 offers another alternative for those looking to bring their fitness tracker into the ocean, with a super simple design that will perform just as well in water as it will on your morning run.
The last of our recommendations (but certainly not the least) is the Fitbit Ace. As a unique fitness tracker for kids designed to fit wrists from 4.6 — 6.1 inches in circumference, the Ace rewards kids with celebratory messages for staying active. The tracker also allows children to challenge their friends to “step competitions” and send messages and cheers to other Fitbit Aces. It’s a great option to keep your kids moving.
Fitbit Aria vs. Aria 2 — Our Thoughts
Ultimately, when comparing the Fitbit Aria 2 vs. Aria, it’s clear that the newer model has the advantage. If you’re buying your first scale from the Fitbit line, we’d definitely recommend the Aria 2.
However, if you’re already an owner of the original Aria, we don’t feel that there are enough extra perks to warrant the upgrade. Perhaps when Fitbit eventually releases an Aria 3 it will be worth shelling out for a new scale, but the differences between the Aria and Aria 2 are minimal enough that we feel you can comfortably pass on this model.
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Last update on 2023-05-24 at 19:56 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
