Since Xiaomi arrived on the market, few brands have managed to compete with it. Its products have been record sales in all areas. The best proof of this is the Mi Band smart bracelet. In all its versions!
If there has been a sports bracelet capable of sweeping all sectors, version after version, that has been the Xiaomi Mi Band . Currently the most modern is the Mi Smart Band 7, and it just came out just a few days ago.
Are you looking for alternatives to this Xiaomi bracelet? Don’t you want to be one of those who wears it on their wrist? Well keep reading!
What makes the Mi Band 7 so special
The Mi Band 7 right now has achieved the same as its predecessors: conquering the market for smart bracelets. But, what is it that makes this smartband so special? What does it offer that other models can barely compete against?
To answer this question we have to combine two of its strengths: its low cost and the number of features it offers at that price. Not only is it a very affordable bracelet, but its features are very high. So much so that there are many users who, being able to invest a little more, continue to prefer these models. The first thing to do when looking for a good rival is to analyze what exactly this bracelet offers .
- Despite being a bracelet and not a watch, it has a 1.62-inch screen . This is AMOLED, and it has a quality that has nothing to envy to that of many smartphones. There will be no notification to escape you with this screen.
- As for the sensors it offers, they are not few!
- It will monitor your heart rate throughout the day.
- It is able to record your sleep , and even detect what phase you are in and how much time you spend in each of them. In this way, it can even help you create sleeping habits .
- Plus, it has a feature that not many devices include for this price: tracking your blood oxygen saturation . Thanks to this, it is also able to detect the quality of your breathing during sleep.
- As for the field of health , it is a very complete bracelet. Not only does it have 120 different sports modes , but you also have to take into account the following:
- It is capable of intelligently calculating the activity that you must carry out . It uses your gender, age, heart rate, and other data to recommend activities for you.
- It keeps track of your stress levels and offers you different suggestions with which you could improve.
- In addition, it offers you guided breathing exercises to relax quickly.
- As if this were not enough, it also monitors menstruation .
- It is capable of automatically detecting six sports modes , the most used, so you do not have to constantly set them.
- You can submerge it up to 50 meters . And even choose between the five swimming styles it offers and forget about the world thanks to the water.
- The battery is one of its strong points. With normal use, it offers up to 15 days of battery life . If you use the energy saving mode, you could go up to 19 days.
- It has an application so you can see all the parameters clearly on your smartphone.
- It is compatible with both iOS and Android devices.
- You will be able to change both the dial and the strap to make it better fit your style.
- As for the price , it varies between €50 and € 60, depending on the offer you find. It is very cheap for everything it offers!
Find the best alternative with these keys
Knowing already everything that the Xiaomi Mi Band can do for you, how do we look for a good alternative ? It is simpler than it might seem, since we already know the Mi Band thoroughly. Now it’s time to think: what could I improve? The answer to this question will depend a lot on your specific needs, but we have some points in which we believe that this bracelet could be weak.
- The screen is once again the first thing we have to talk about. Although the Mi Band has very good quality at this point, you may prefer a smaller screen and that makes the device more compact. Or maybe you prefer it bigger. We have alternatives for everything!
- The sports modes offered by models prior to the Mi Band 7 can be considered scarce, especially if we take into account that there are bracelets that detect 60 . However, remember that the most recent version goes up to 120 , something that you should take into account.
- You will not be able to install added apps on your Xiaomi smartband. In other words, the applications that it brings with it are the ones that you will continue to find. And this can end up being very limiting on many occasions.
- Most of the models do not have NFC , so you will not be able to pay directly with your bracelet. And you may want to!
- It also does not have integrated GPS , so you will need to go with your smartphone in tow if you want to record a route.
- Although you can receive notifications , you will not be able to respond to them. You won’t be able to answer calls. This is a problem for those looking for a bracelet with this type of functionality.
- Although it has many sensors, it is not capable of measuring your body temperature .
- For your Mi Band to work well, you must connect it to a smartphone . But what if you are looking for an activity bracelet for an elderly person who does not have this type of device? In that case, it can be a problem because you will not be able to use all its functionalities.
Very affordable alternatives to the Xiaomi Mi Band
Once the Mi Band has been analyzed and seen what it can improve , we are going to see alternatives! We are going to start with a few models of smartbands that are very affordable . If you want to spend little, they are the best alternative!
GRV: a smartband that does not need to be connected
This smartband has a feature that completely differentiates it from all the others: it does not need to be connected to any smartphone . Although it is true that this makes this GRV bracelet lose some of the qualities that we mentioned before, it is designed for a very specific profile. It is perfect for those who do not have a smartphone or simply do not want to have to connect it to any device.
As for its specifications , the first thing you should know is that it has a 0.96-inch screen. In this you can see both the time and the steps , the heart rate and even sleep monitoring . What’s more, it allows you to record data such as height , weight , gender and age so that measurements are more accurate.
To this we must add that it has IP68 protection, so water will never be a problem. And it costs less than € 20 !
- Pros : It is the ideal bracelet for children and for older people who do not have a smartphone. In addition, it offers a large number of specifications.
- Con : Since you don’t have an application, you’ll have to manage everything through a screen of just under an inch.
Monpack: affordable and very functional
The next activity bracelet that we have to mention is from the Monpack brand, and it has a simple and minimalist design. It has a 1.05-inch color screen that, of course, is touchscreen. And it has Alexa inside it, the Amazon assistant.
The fact that you can check things like the weather through voice commands , or set reminders, is something that you won’t be able to do with the Mi Band. In addition, it has the same sensors: you can record your physical activity, your heart rate, your blood oxygen saturation and your sleep .
To this we must add that it is perfectly compatible with both iOS and Android devices. It will also allow you to receive all notifications directly on your wrist. The battery will offer you around a week of autonomy. And its price is less than €30.
- Pros : You’ll have Alexa on your wrist!
- Cons : The battery is inferior, and it only has 14 sports modes instead of 30.
Huawei Band 6: very complete
We now turn to talk about one of the great rivals of the Xiaomi Mi Band : the Huawei Band 6 model. So much so that there are many people who doubt, despite the difference in price that may exist. Because its design is much more modern, becoming almost a hybrid of smartband and smartwatch.
If blood oxygen monitoring is one of your priorities, with this bracelet you will have it guaranteed. Of course, it will also offer you a control of your heart rate, the activity you have done and your sleep . As for the battery, it is 2 weeks , very similar to that of the Xiaomi bracelet.
The 1.47-inch FullView screen is one of the things that makes the difference between this smartband and other similar ones. You won’t miss a single detail of the notifications that reach you thanks to its quality and resolution. The price is around €50, but on Amazon it is easy to find offers from time to time.
- Pros : It has a much more modern design. For those looking for something different, it’s perfect! In addition, it offers exactly the same specifications.
- Cons : The price is slightly higher.
Amazfit Band 5: one of the most powerful rivals of the Xiaomi Mi Band
If there is a bracelet capable of competing with that of Xiaomi, without a doubt that is that of Amazon . The Amazfit Band 5 is always on sale , so its price ends up being significantly lower than the Mi Band. And it has some very interesting specifications!
The first thing you should know about this is that it has a 1.1-inch touch screen. It is smaller in size than the Mi Band, thus being a good option for those looking for something smaller. The autonomy it offers is nothing more and nothing less than 15 days , an incredible figure!
The functions that you will have access to with this bracelet are the same as the Mi Band: you will be able to monitor your blood oxygen , your heart rate, your sleep and the activity you do. In this way, you will have all the information you need at the reach of your wrist. And you will have Alexa as your personal assistant!
- Pros : It is the perfect alternative, because its price may be lower. And it does exactly the same thing! In addition, you will always have Alexa at your fingertips.
- Cons : If you can’t find the deal, the price is slightly higher than the Mi Band bracelet.
High-end options to replace the Mi Band
What does not convince you about the Mi Band is that you consider that it is not powerful enough ? Don’t worry, because we also have a few alternatives to remedy that situation.
Garmin Vivosmart 4: a groundbreaking design!
Within the highest range , we have to start by talking about a Garmin brand bracelet. The specific model is the Vivosmart 4 , one of the simplest of the firm. Despite everything, it offers specifications that have little to envy Xiaomi’s. And, yes, with a very top design .
It has all the sensors you will need to monitor your health, both sleep and pulse. Of course, it will be constantly analyzing your blood oxygen saturation levels to see if everything is going well inside you.
The autonomy also leaves nothing to be desired, since it will last up to 7 days without presenting problems. The touch screen is very thin, a fact that will make you feel more comfortable with the watch on your wrist. As for the price, it is around €90 .
- Pros : It has a design capable of making a difference, as well as extremely precise sensors.
- Cons : The price is higher than the Mi Band.
Fitbit Luxe: elegant and functional
We could not finish this guide without introducing a Fitbit brand bracelet, in this case the Luxe model. It is one of the most elegant you will find on the market, with minimalist and simple lines. The screen offers unparalleled quality thanks to its colors and resolution.
It is a bracelet directly focused on taking care of your health . For example, it will be able to tell you how many minutes you have been in the considered active zone . In this way, you will know if you should do more sports daily or if it is not necessary.
Of course, it is capable of recording both your sleep and the activity you do, and it will give you advice about it. But it is true that it does not measure your blood oxygen saturation. The battery is somewhat scarcer, just 5 days. Of course: the health metrics and the analyzes it performs are the most accurate. The price is around €140 .
- Pros : It has some of the most comprehensive analytics you’ll find on the market.
- Cons : Its price is high, and it does not measure blood oxygen saturation.
Fitbit Charge 5: the top of the list
We reach the top of our list with this Fitbit Charge 5, a smartband for the most demanding. The first thing you should know is that it offers a very wide screen where you can clearly see absolutely all the notifications. Nothing will escape you!
For the rest, it offers the same that we have seen so far but with some very interesting novelties . First of all, it is the first capable of performing an electrocardiogram thanks to its EDA scanner. To this we must add that it has stress management tools , which it is capable of measuring precisely thanks to the skin temperature sensor . And you can even carry out monitoring of menstruation .
Of course, nothing will escape him regarding your sleep and its quality. Its price is around €170, but it is certainly an investment in health.
- Pros : It is the most complete smartband you can find right now, even capable of doing ECG .
- Cons : The battery lasts only 7 days, and it has a high price.
Our recommendation
We are quite clear about the best alternative to the Mi Band: the Amazfit smartband . In addition to offering basically the same specifications, it has a lower price as long as you find it on sale. Although the biggest advantage it offers is that you will always have Alexa at your fingertips. Being able to ask him to set a reminder , or to tell you what the weather is like, is always a plus to consider.