As we’ll quickly prove, Xiaomi knows a thing or two about budget-friendly fitness trackers. I reviewed it before, Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 7 And I was completely impressed by the sheer amount of value packed into this little watch. It cost just $49.99 and had a wealth of advanced tracking features, a two-week battery life, and a bright, easy-to-read display. I liked it so much that I included it in my guide. best fitness tracker. So when Xiaomi announced a new model, it’s no wonder we wanted to test it.
At first impressions, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 seems even better than its predecessor. It boasts up to 21 days of battery life, a brighter 1.62-inch AMOLED display, and a more accurate heart rate sensor. It also features more detailed sleep tracking and a whopping 150 sports modes. What about the cherry blossoms above? It only costs $63.
Xiaomi smart band 9 reviews
Xiaomi Smart Band 9: Design
- Ultra-light and discreet appearance
- Silicone straps can slip off your wrist while you sleep
- Can be attached to running clip (sold separately)
Main specifications
screen: 1.62 inch, AMOLED
Always connected: yes
Dimensions (inches): 1.8 x 0.85 x 0.43 (height x width x depth)
Dimensions (mm):46.5 x 21.6 x 10.9 (height x width x depth)
weight:15.8g
color:Arctic Blue, Glacier Silver, Midnight Black, Mystic Rose
finish:aluminum
GPS: no
compass: no
altimeter: no
water resistance:5ATM (up to 50 meters deep)
NFC payment: no
compatibility:Android 6.0 or iOS 12.0 or later
Design-wise, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 doesn’t deviate much from its predecessor. Weighing just 0.5 ounces (15.8 grams) and measuring just 0.85 inches (21.6 millimeters) wide, it’s only slightly larger than its younger sibling. I love this very light and compact design. The Smart Band 9 never got in the way of my clothes or exercise equipment. It felt like a much-needed change after all the bulky smartwatches I’d previously tested.
Following the proven formula, this Xiaomi model also features a detachable strap with a quick-release mechanism. This was a big plus point for us. The default silicone strap proved to be somewhat unreliable in our testing. Most of the time it was flimsy and uncomfortable to wear, and at least twice it slipped off my wrist while I was sleeping. I also didn’t like the dull pink color of the band, and the silicone coating seemed to attract dirt easily.
Interestingly, Xiaomi Smart Band 9 running clip. This small device allows you to attach the watch to your running shoes, allowing you to track a variety of performance metrics, from your running cadence and stride length to your ground contact time ratio. Prices are less than $12. This is a great solution for runners on a budget.
Xiaomi Smart Band 9: Display
- Bright and easy to read AMOLED display
- Relatively resistant to abrasions and scratches
- Choose from a wide variety of watch faces
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9’s display is relatively small at 1.62 inches, but I didn’t find it particularly difficult to operate. Given our overwhelming experience with displays of smart band 7I was pleasantly surprised at how responsive and easy to read it was, even when I tried to operate it with wet hands or in direct sunlight.
I also liked the look. The display of Xiaomi Smart Band 9 is crisp and colorful and can be customized with over 200 different watch faces. If that’s not enough, you can also use photos from your gallery and display them on your screen.
The display also seemed surprisingly durable. I must have accidentally bumped the watch at least a dozen times, and the AMOLED glass didn’t get any scratches or scuffs during our extensive testing. It’s refreshing to see this much resilience in a fitness tracker that costs less than $70.
Xiaomi Smart Band 9: Features
- Advanced health tracking features
- 150+ sports modes
- It doesn’t have built-in GPS tracking (it’s off the phone signal).
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 impressed us with its robust health tracking capabilities. This unassuming-looking watch tracks your steps, heart rate, and more. oxygen saturationit measures sleep quality, stress levels, menstrual cycles, and more, making it an incredibly comprehensive tool for monitoring energy levels and post-workout recovery.
When it comes to exercise, Xiaomi Smart Band 9 can track over 150 activities, from outdoor hiking and cycling to dancing and weightlifting. However, it is not recommended for competitive swimming or diving. Water resistance rating is 5ATM only.
On the other hand, Xiaomi Smart Band 9 lacks major smartwatch features and built-in navigation tools such as GPS. Sure, you can get the latest weather forecast, receive phone notifications, and track your location using your phone’s cellular signal, but that’s about it. The Smart Band 9 is nothing like Garmin’s higher-end models, but its ultra-affordable price fully reflects that.
Xiaomi Smart Band 9: Performance
- 3 weeks battery life
- App connection is uneven
- Heart rate measurement becomes inaccurate during intense exercise
The low price point of this watch indicates performance. Indeed, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 easily lasts three weeks on a single charge. In fact, we were able to get nearly a month of battery life in our tests. However, there is still room for improvement in the app’s connectivity and tracking accuracy.
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 took a long time to set up, and it took several tries to pair the watch with the Mi Fitness app. Even after I was able to get everything up and running, I continued to experience minor but annoying connectivity issues. Several times the app didn’t track my workouts or sleep properly, and it often took a significant amount of time to sync my devices.
I was also blown away by the accuracy of the Smart Band 9’s heart rate sensor. During one training session, we wore the watch along with our wristwatches. Polar H9 When measured using a chest strap heart rate monitor, we found significant discrepancies between the measurements. During intense exercise, heart rate values varied by as much as 20 beats per minute. To be fair, these differences were much less pronounced at rest. So, while we don’t recommend the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 for tracking lung-destroying activities, it may perform relatively well during sleep or during low-to-moderate-intensity training.
Xiaomi Smart Band 9: User Review
AmazonCustomer reviews give the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars, with almost two-thirds of users giving it a perfect 5 stars. Positive reviews praise this fitness tracker’s long battery life, ease of use, and value for money. One user said, “It’s just as accurate (if not more) than my Fitbit and colorful. It was easy to set up and I’m pretty happy with the results and sleep tracking.”
Negative reviews were often related to limited functionality and poor tracking accuracy. One user commented: “This product’s functionality is very basic and minimal. It doesn’t use GPS during your workout, so you can’t track where you’ve been or your pace. This product has a lot of benefits if developed properly. It has potential. Enthusiasts may not like this product as much as Fitbit or Garmin.”
Should you buy Xiaomi Smart Band 9?
✅Please purchase if:: Are you a fitness newbie looking for an entry-level tracker or a seasoned gym goer on a budget? Xiaomi Smart Band 9 offers an ultra-light and compact design, a wealth of advanced health tracking features, and an incredibly long battery life, all for under $70.
❌Please do not purchase in the following cases.: You need a fitness tracker that provides accurate heart rate measurement and GPS readings. Experienced exercisers and outdoor enthusiasts may be disappointed by the limited functionality of the Xiaomi Smart Band 9.
If Xiaomi Smart Band 9 doesn’t fit
If you’re looking for value for money, you can definitely go for this one. fitbit inspire 3. This colorful fitness tracker costs less than $100 and offers great health tracking features, up to 10 days of battery life, and a lightweight design. However, there is no GPS function.
of Garmin Vivosmart 5 Another great alternative to Xiaomi Smart Band 9. It’s durable, packed with tracking features, and comfortable to wear. However, it costs nearly $150.
If you want to invest in a smartwatch, check out the following: Amazfit Bip 3 Pro. This well-crafted fitness tracker allows you to control some of your phone’s functions from your wrist and comes with built-in Alexa voice control. The price is $69.99, which is comparable to the Xiaomi Smart Band 9.
Xiaomi Smart Band 9: Test method
We spent over two months trying out the Xiaomi Smart Band 9, examining its design, features, battery life, connectivity with third-party devices, and ease of use. We wore it during the day, while sleeping, and while doing a variety of workouts at the gym, from high-intensity circuit classes to weightlifting. Finally, the heart rate measurements of Xiaomi Smart Band 9, Polar H9 Chest strap heart rate monitor.
