Analyze Your Pee at Home! Withings U-Scan Review

The U-Scan from French health expert Withings is the first urine analysis for the home. The device is designed to provide customers with simple information on whether they are drinking enough and how high their vitamin C levels are, for example.

Withings offers countless devices to monitor your health in different ways. From ordinary smartwatches to body fat scales, everything is included in its product catalog. Now, with the Withings U-Scan, a urine analysis that can be performed at home is available.

Withings U-Scan Design and Setup

Withings offers different cartridges and starter sets to begin with. The following variants are available: “Nutrio”, with a focus on nutrition and metabolism, and “Calci”, focusing on calcium and the associated risk of kidney stones. The Nutrio variant was made available for our review. The basic principle remains identical for all variants.

The system is made up of the following components: the U-Scan reader, three holders in different sizes, and finally, the U-Scan station, which is used for charging and deep cleansing. First, you need to pair the U-Scan in the Withings app via Bluetooth. From there, it will be connected to the WLAN.

During the setup process, you will quickly notice how much effort Withings has put into providing adequate support. The app guides you step by step through everything. First, remove the cartridge from the vacuum packaging and place it in the reader.

This is followed by selecting the appropriate holder and hanging the reader at the very front of the toilet rim. Finally, the app asks when your lunch time is. Withings will help you find the right time slots for your reading. According to the manufacturer, these should be taken four to nine hours after lunch.

Withings U-Scan: Reading Tested

Here’s something important to know: To use the U-Scan, Withings+ is effectively a premium version with additional app functions. The subscription costs you $9.95 or $99.50 annualy. This not only gives you more details about the urine analysis, but also for all other Withings devices you own. The fact that Withings+ is included with the purchase of the U-Scan is a practical move.

The principle of urine analysis is simple. A reader is fitted with the cartridge. You place the reader in your toilet. The device then analyzes your urine several times a week. You can then find the results in the Withings app. You begin the reading itself in the app. As soon as the reader is ready, you have two minutes to pee on the device.

You will then hear a kind of pump sucking up small amounts of your urine. After taking its reading, the rest of the sample is discharged via an outlet. It then takes around 20 minutes for the reading to be analyzed. You can then view your results in the app and see whether you fall within the normal range. I think it’s good that Withings also classifies results and gives users tips on how to get into the target range. For example, the U-Scan provides information on the following biomarkers:

• Ketone level: Possible metabolic changes become apparent
• Vitamin C level: Strengthening of the immune system and for iron content
• Bio acidity (pH): Burden on the kidneys decreases with a balanced acid-base balance
• Hydro status: Information about the body’s fluid balance

In my case, the hydro status was often below the optimal target range. Withings gave me a tip: drink more water! Admittedly, it was no surprise that I didn’t drink enough water.

Of course, the reader also needs to be cleaned at some point. The station and the cleaning powder are available for this. Connect the station, pour water and the powder into the dock, and place the reader inside. Cleaning then takes 3.5 hours.

How Much Does the Subscription Cost?

For the smallest level (in the Proactive package), with two measurements per week, one cartridge is suggested for around three months of use. You will automatically receive a refill via the Withings app. Here’s the catch. The U-Scan is linked to a subscription. Each delivery will cost you an additional $99.95. If you extrapolate this over a year, it will cost approximately $400. Suddenly, the Whoop MG (review) for $399 per year almost seems like a bargain.

Jokes aside, this is anything but cheap. In my opinion, the recommendations do not reflect the price paid. In my case, the vitamin C value was often below the optimum range. Its recommendation? Eat more fruit and vegetables. The hydrobalance value also did not fall within the optimal range across many readings. Here’s the tip: drink more water. In my opinion, Withings could provide more detailed recommendations here.

A good example is the Whoop, which uses your habits, such as drinking coffee, to tell you when caffeine is good for you and when it is not.

Conclusion: Is the Withings U-Scan Worth Buying?

Yes, but the target group is very specific. Because the Withings U-Scan is only worthwhile as an additional tracking point for your health if you are fully interested in the topic of “longevity” and already own devices such as a Whoop or the Withings Body Scan body fat scale. However, we are not talking about cheap devices here. The Withings U-Scan costs $380 a pop. In addition, the urine analysis, like the Whoop, is linked to a subscription model, which will deter many people from “buying” it.

It should also be noted: The Withings U-Scan is not a medical device. Rather, it intends to function as an early warning system. This might come in handy for people who might be prone to kidney stones, as the calcium cartridges allow them to keep a close eye on their calcium levels.

Pros:

• Easy to set up
• Analysis of multiple health data
• Smart presentation of the data in the app

Cons:

• Expensive
• Linked to subscription model
• Can only be used by one person

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