10 Best Digital Fish Scales of 2021
Photo: Next-Shine
Whether you’re a seasoned angler or an enthusiast who practices occasional fishing, a digital fish scale is a must-have gadget.
Digital fish scales are used for measuring the weight of the fish you catch. They are ideal for a variety of fish species including bass, catfish, panfish/crappie, walleye, salmon, trout, and many more.
Some key advantages of digital fish scales include their ability to weigh fish accurately, down to the ounce, and can accommodate smaller fish that older metallic scales were unable to weigh.
Another reason you should own a digital fish scale is that some models have memory functions, which store several weight measurements. The scale then calculates the total weight of your haul after weighing all of them.
Dive into our comprehensive review of top 10 digital fish scales to learn about the top models in the market and their useful features, and help you choose the one that suits you best.
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10 Best Digital Fish Scales – Review
- 1. Dr. meter PS01-V – Good Digital Fish Scale for Accuracy
- 2. KastKing Digital Scale – Easy-to-Handle Digital Fish Scale
- 3. ReelSonar RS102 – Digital Fish Scale with Lip Grabber
- 4. Rapala 181592 – Best Light-duty Digital Fish Scale
- 5. Berkley BTDFS50-1 – Good Water-resistant Digital Fish Scale
- 6. Mango Spot Scale – Best Compact Digital Fish Scale
- 7. Fishfun Portable Scale – Great Multipurpose Digital Fish Scale
- 8. Next-Shine LS-H241-CA4 – Best Budget Digital Fish Scale
- 9. RUNCL Digital Scale – Best LCD Digital Fish Scale
- 10. Hinpia HY00110 – Easy-to-Carry Digital Fish Scale
- How to Buy the Best Digital Fish Scale
- Conclusion
10 Best Digital Fish Scales – Review
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1. Dr. meter PS01-V (Good for Accuracy) |
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2. KastKing Digital Scale (Easy to Handle) |
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3. ReelSonar RS102 (Has Lip Grabber) |
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4. Rapala 181592 (Best Light-duty) |
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5. Berkley BTDFS50-1 (Good Water-Resistant) |
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6. Mango Spot (Best Compact) |
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7. Fishfun Portable Scale (Multipurpose Digital Fish Scale) |
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8. Next-Shine LS-H241-CA4 (Best Budget) |
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9. RUNCL Digital Scale (Best LCD Digital Fish Scale) |
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10. Hinpia HY00110 (Easy-to-Carry) |
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PRODUCT |
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1. Dr. meter PS01-V (Good for Accuracy) |
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2. KastKing Digital Scale (Easy to Handle) |
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3. ReelSonar RS102 (Lip Grabber) |
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4. Rapala 181592 (Best Light-duty) |
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5. Berkley BTDFS50-1 (Good Water-Resistant) |
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6. Mango Spot (Best Compact) |
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7. Fishfun Portable Scale (Multipurpose Digital Fish Scale) |
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8. Next-Shine LS-H241-CA4 (Best Budget) |
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9. RUNCL Digital Scale (Best LCD Digital Fish Scale) |
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10. Hinpia HY00110 (Easy-to-Carry) |
1. Dr. meter PS01-V – Good Digital Fish Scale for Accuracy
Photo: Dr. meter
- Power source: 2 AAA batteries
- Display screen: Digital LCD
- Weight range: 0.2 pounds to 110 pounds
Dr. meter PS01-V is a high-performing digital fish scale built for accurate and precise weight measurements.
I can weigh between 0.2 pounds to 110 pounds of mass and its state-of-the-art sensors can achieve precise measurements within 5 grams. The scale can also combers weight from lbs. to oz. or kgs.
A stainless-steel hook is included for convenient hooking and removal of fish, luggage and many other items that you will be weighing.
Dr. meter PS01-V is also an inexpensive scale, making it accessible to many anglers across all experience levels.
You also get a built-in carrying strap for easy carrying and use.
A key drawback of Dr. meter PS01-V is that it is not water-resistant and won’t be ideal for use in wet conditions.
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2. KastKing Digital Scale – Easy-to-Handle Digital Fish Scale
Photo: KastKing
- Power source: 2 AAA batteries
- Display screen: Backlit digital
- Weight range: Up to 110 pounds
KastKing Digital Scale has been designed for ease of handling with its strong handle and non-slip sides.
It comes equipped with a strong ABS handle, which is big enough to at least four of your fingers so that you can weight heavy fish easily.
Its sides are made of a non-slip TPR coating to provide a firm grip of the tool, especially when loading and offloading heavy fish.
This model is designed for high-capacity weighing as its maximum weight capacity is 110 pounds, the highest we have reviewed. It also has tape measure included which you can use to measure lengths of up to inches.
A neat feature included in this model is a memory function, which allows you to weigh and store up to 9 weights, which you can refer to later.
An issue we noted is that the black handle on the KastKing Digital Scale is not resistant to heat and mat peel off when exposed to high temperatures
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3. ReelSonar RS102 – Digital Fish Scale with Lip Grabber
Photo: ReelSonar
- Power source: 2 AAA batteries
- Display screen: Digital LCD
- Weight range: Up to 99 pounds
No angler desires to harm their fish while weighing them, especially where hooks are involved. That’s where the ReelSonar RS102 comes in handy with its bonus lip grabber for effective fish gripping.
It boasts of a big and bright LCD screen to display the weight of your load in both lbs. and kg in bright and low light.
A built-in 39-inch tape measure is included additional length measuring functionalities, making the scale great for tournament fishing when record confirmation is important.
This model boasts of a long battery life of up to 500 hours, which is enough to last you days and even several fishing expeditions.
A key issue with this model is that it is not water-resistant and minimal exposure of the LCD to water risks killing the entire gadget.
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4. Rapala 181592 – Best Light-duty Digital Fish Scale
Photo: Rapala
- Power source: 2 AA batteries
- Display screen: Digital touchscreen
- Weight range: Up to 15 pounds
The Rapala 181592 digital fish scale is ideal for weighing light fish because it has a maximum weight capacity of 15 pounds.
It comes with a one-of-kind touchscreen display, which is bright and intuitive. It enhances the convenience and ease of weighing and tracking your catch. You are also able to view weight in different units including lbs., oz., and kg.
This model boasts of a long battery life of 400 hours provided by 2 AA batteries. Back-up memory retains stored data even when the batteries run out.
A heavy-duty composite clamp is included for holding the fish when weighing.
The main issue we noted with the Rapala 181592 is that its low maximum weight capacity makes it unappealing to many prospective buyers who would want a touchscreen digital fish scale.
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5. Berkley BTDFS50-1 – Good Water-resistant Digital Fish Scale
Photo: Berkley
- Power source: 2 CR2032 Batteries
- Display screen: Digital
- Weight range: Up to 50 pounds
Berkley BTDFS50-1 is a good water-resistant digital fish scale. It is especially useful for anglers that fish out at sea where conditions get constantly wet.
This scale has a simple digital display, which can show weight in different units such as lbs, oz, and kgs.
Another handy feature is its memory function, which not only stores up to 10 weights, but it can also autosave them and perform their average.
It has an ergonomic body design that provides comfort and ease of holding when weighing fish.
You also get a tare feature, which allows you to combine the weight of multiple fish.
The main issue we noted with the Berkley BTDFS50-1 is that its display is not backlit and you may encounter challenges weighing objects at night.
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6. Mango Spot Scale – Best Compact Digital Fish Scale
Photo: Mango Spot
- Power source: 2 AAA batteries
- Display screen: Digital LCD
- Weight range: Up to 110 pounds
Mango Spot Scale is the best compact digital fish scale on our list. It measures 5 x 3.7 x 1.4 inches making it one of the smallest in the market.
You can move around with this portable scale in your pocket without noticing its weight or bulge, as it weighs only 6.4 ounces.
Besides its small size, it is rated for weighing up to 110 pounds of load. You can use it to weigh fish, kitchen ingredients, shop good and posted items, among others.
It also comes with a stainless-steel hook, which you can use to load different masses. You can also with between kgs., lbs., and oz units when weighing.
For power conservation, the digital scale has an auto-off function after 120 seconds of inactivity. For safety, it comes with an overload indicator.
A key drawback we noted with the Mango Spot Scale is that it has a small top handle, which makes holding the scale awkward, especially when weighing heavy loads.
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7. Fishfun Portable Scale – Great Multipurpose Digital Fish Scale
Photo: Fishfun
- Power source: 3AAA Batteries
- Display screen: Digital LCD
- Weight range: Up to 110 pounds
Fishfun Portable Scale is not just for fishing. It is a great multipurpose digital scale that can be used for diverse application.
You can use its data hold ‘ON’ feature to measure static loads like fish, luggage, hay, bikes, backpacks , and many more. A second data hold ‘OFF’ feature for continuous weight tracking of goods like fertilizer. A peak mode records the maximum weight reading.
It’s a great water-resistant digital fish scale to handle those wet fishing conditions and occasional water contact.
An 8mm-thick aluminum alloy sensor ensures accurate and consistent measurement of up to 110 pounds of mass.
For ease of use, it comes with a comfortable 3-inch rubberized handle that accommodates all your fingers for easy grip.
One concern we have with the Fishfun Portable Scale is that it is easy to accidentally turn it on when its buttons touch other surfaces, and this may lead to accidental battery drain.
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8. Next-Shine LS-H241-CA4 – Best Budget Digital Fish Scale
Photo: Next-Shine
- Power source: 2 AAA batteries
- Display screen: Digital LCD
- Weight range: Up to 80 pounds
Next-Shine LS-H241-CA4 is a low-cost digital fish scale and the most affordable on our list making it accessible to the most angler of all experience levels.
It has a bright backlit LCD display, which can also attract fish at night. You can weigh up to 80 pounds of your catch with high accuracy.
For safety, the digital scale has an overload indication function, and an auto-off feature, which helps in the conservation of battery power.
This gadget maintains a compact size allowing it to fit comfortably in your pocket.
We did note, however, that Next-Shine LS-H241-CA4 digital fish scale may give inconsistent readings especially as the weight of the fish you’re weighing increases.
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9. RUNCL Digital Scale – Best LCD Digital Fish Scale
Photo: RUNCL
- Power source: 2 AAA batteries
- Display screen: Digital LCD
- Weight range: Up to 100 pounds
RUNCL Digital Scale is popular for having an easy-to-read LCD digital display that is large for enhanced viewing.
The LCD screen has a powerful backlight that provides a clear view even in direct sunlight and low-light conditions.
This top-rated digital fish scale comes with a long 63-inch built-in tape that you can use to measure the length of different objects as an additional feature.
It comes with a nickel-plated hook that is rust and abrasion-resistant to provide an additional way of securely holding your catch.
An auto-off feature turns off the scale when not in use for 60 seconds.
The only major issue with the RUNCL Digital Scale is that it is not water-resistant and is not ideal for use in wet conditions.
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10. Hinpia HY00110 – Easy-to-Carry Digital Fish Scale
Photo: Hinpia
- Power source: 2 AAA batteries
- Display screen: Digital LCD
- Weight range: Up to 110 pounds
Few digital fish scales come with a carry accessory included. You will love the Hinpia HY00110 because it comes with a free protective bag to help you carry the gadget safely and easily.
This multipurpose digital scale comes with a big and bright digital LCD screen for clear display of weight measurements. You can use it when fishing, at home, while traveling, and shopping.
It has a high maximum weight capacity of 110 pounds, which is enough for heavy loads. You get a unit conversion with this scale so that you can choose between kgs, lbs., or oz.
Hinpia HY00110 is also one of the most compact and small digital fish scales you can find today, to enhance portability.
We did note, however, that this model does not come with the 2 AAA batteries that are required to power it. So, you will need to buy them separately.
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How to Buy the Best Digital Fish Scale
Photo: Dr. meter
1. Purpose
Although the primary purpose of a digital fish scale is to weigh fish after you reel it in, you can also use the gadget for other purposes.
For example, many digital scales are also capable of weighing other kitchen ingredients, luggage, postage, and shop goods.
There are some models that come with built-in tape measures of varying lengths. As you weigh your fish, you can also determine its length using the tape.
Remember not all models have additional features such as the trap measure so if you want such, you will have to confirm with the product specification.
2. Power source
Since the scale you will be using is digital, it is going to be battery-powered to make it portable and possible to use in outdoor fishing scenarios, such as out at sea.
Many of the models we reviewed use at last two AA or AAA batteries. You are likely to find some models that use CR2032 batteries, but they are not so common.
As for battery life, this should not be an issue as many digital scales perform consistently for many months without requiring new batteries.
3. Screen
Digital fish scales will have a digital display to indicate the weight of your catch in different units. The display also shows the different settings and features present in each model.
Most digital scales, especially advanced and premium ones, have backlit LCD or LED displays, which are bright enough to enhance visibility.
Others even have touchscreens you can use to navigate different settings and features. If you are doing night fishing, a backlit display will come in handy. However, not all digital displays have a backlight.
4. Weight range
Weight range is probably the most important consideration to make when choosing a digital fish scale. You need to pick a model whose range is high enough to accommodate the heaviest fish you commonly catch.
Luckily, most digital scale weight ranges go to as high as 110 pounds, which can comfortably weigh many of the heavy fish species including bass, walleye, trout, and many others.
If you only fish light species of not more than 20 pounds, then a mid-range digital scale of up to 50 pounds in maximum weight should get the job done.
5. Handle
Since you operate the digital fish scale by holding onto its handle, the strength and build quality of this component become very critical.
You may benefit more from choosing a scale with a large handle that accommodates your whole hand or most of its fingers especially if you are constantly weighing large fish.
Non-slip handles are a bonus because they prevent you from accidentally dropping the scale and its load especially in wet conditions, which are common when fishing.
6. Ease of use
The ease of using your digital fish scale is made possible by a combination of factors, key among them being the simplicity of instruction, the arrangement of buttons, and additional mechanical components such as hooks.
Get a model that has simple controls to enable straightforward weighing of your wish without having to fumble with the menu.
Hanging hooks also help in hooking and removing the fish and any other objects you may be weighing.
Conclusion
We’ve dug through all there is to know about digital fish scales, and you’re all set to proceed with your purchase.
Some key considerations to make while shopping including the purpose of your digital scale. You may want one that measures weight only or one that also measures the height/length of objects.
As for power source, many models are battery-powered, but there’s always some benefit in buying on with the batteries included.
Check the display and handle too, as they will impact the ease of using your digital scale.
Remember our top 10 digital fish scales review and buying guide are handy companions to help you choose a model that suits your fishing needs best.