Xiaomi Mi Band 7 Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
This Product Xiaomi Mi Band 7 | |||||
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Awards | Best Bang for the Buck | Best Buy on a Tight Budget | |||
Price | $60 List | $100 List $99.95 at Amazon | $150 List $149.00 at Amazon | $150 List $149.00 at Amazon | $50 List $49.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | While this tracker is inexpensive, we recommend exploring more accurate alternatives that can provide you with greater reliability and functionality | We recommend this product if you're looking for an affordable and lightweight fitness tracker that offers excellent fitness features | This tracker is highly recommended for data enthusiasts. It logs extensive information and presents it through numerous graphs for detailed analysis | A small display and a lack of responsiveness caused this average fitness tracker not to fall behind in our testing | For individuals on a tight budget who can overlook inaccurate heart rate monitoring or a lack of dieting features, this could be an excellent choice |
Rating Categories | Xiaomi Mi Band 7 | Fitbit Inspire 3 | Garmin Vivosmart 5 | Fitbit Charge 5 | Amazfit Band 7 |
Fitness Impact (40%) | |||||
Health Impact (30%) | |||||
Ease of Use (15%) | |||||
Display (10%) | |||||
Ergonomics (5%) | |||||
Specs | Xiaomi Mi Band 7 | Fitbit Inspire 3 | Garmin Vivosmart 5 | Fitbit Charge 5 | Amazfit Band 7 |
Heart Rate Monitor | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Altimeter (stair tracking) | No | No | No | No | No |
Manufacturer Stated Battery life | Heavy Usage: 9 Days Typical Usage: 14 Days |
Up to 10 days | Up to 7 days | Up to 7 days | Heavy Usage: 12 Days Typical Usage: 18 Days Battery Saver Mode: 28 Days |
Measured Charge Time | 1.5 Hours | 1.25 Hours | 1.5 Hours | 2 Hours | 1.75 Hours |
Sensors | High precision 6-axis sensor and PPG heart rate sensor 6-axis sensor: Low power-consumption 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope PPG heart rate sensor | 3-Axis accelerometer, optical heart rate monitor, red and infrared sensors for blood oxygen (SpO2) monitoring, ambient light sensor | Garmin Elevateâ„¢ wrist heart rate monitor, accelerometer, ambient light sensor, pulse OX blood oxygen saturation monitor | 3-Axis accelerometer, optical heart rate monitor, GPS + GLONASS, red and infrared sensors for blood oxygen (SpO2) monitoring, ambient light sensor, device temperature sensor (skin temperature variation available in the Fitbit app), multipurpose electrical sensors compatible with ECG app & EDA Scan app | BioTrackerâ„¢ 3.0 PPG biometric sensor (supports blood-oxygen, 1PD + 2LED), 3-Axis acceleration sensor, geomagnetic sensor |
Memory | Not mentioned on site | Saves 7 days of detailed motion data, minute by minute, Saves daily totals for the last 30 days, Stores heart rate data at one-second intervals during exercise tracking and at five-second intervals all other times | 7 timed activities, 14 days of activity tracking data | 7 days of detailed motion data, minute by minute; daily totals 30 days | Not mentioned on site |
Water Resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM | 5 ATM | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
Notifications | Text, call, push notifications | Text, call, push notifications | Text, call, push notifications | Text, call, push notifications | Text, call, push notifications |
GPS Tracking | No | No | No | Yes | No |
Music Control | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Sleep Tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Band 7 is a budget-friendly fitness tracker with great battery life and step count but lacks accuracy and advanced features compared to more expensive options.
Performance Comparison
Fitness Impact
In assessing the fitness impact of the Xiaomi Band 7, we evaluated various metrics to determine its overall performance. Our testers examined the accuracy of the step tracker, cycling monitoring, stair climbing altimeter, workout activities, and community features. While the Band 7 has its strengths, it falls short in certain areas.
Starting with the community compare metric, we found limited community-based involvement, which affected its score. The walking metric scored decently, indicating satisfactory performance. The step score was good, demonstrating accurate step tracking. However, distance precision proved to be very poor, impacting its rating significantly.
The Band 7's cycling tracking was disappointing. Testers encountered difficulties starting the positioning, resulting in the tracker failing to log distance accurately. This flaw affected its ranking, especially for cyclists who rely on elevation gain measurements.
In terms of workout tracking, this wearble lacked the ability to segment HIIT workouts, which was a drawback. However, the option to highlight specific metrics such as time, calories, and heart rate during workouts was appreciated by testers.
The Band 7 offers an extensive range of trackable activities, totaling 119 options. While this is commendable, the absence of segmenting HIIT workouts remained a limitation.
Health Impact
In evaluating the health impact of the Xiaomi Band 7, we examined several key submetrics to assess its performance. These included the heart rate monitor, dieting features, additional health indicators, and sleep tracking. While the Band 7 has its strengths, it also has some areas for improvement.
The heart rate recording seemed better during workouts than when using it in the menu. However, there was still a noticeable lag, which could be problematic during high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions.
Unfortunately, the Band 7 lacks a dedicated dieting feature, which affected its score in this submetric. There is limited capability to input food or track calorie intake, making it less useful for monitoring dietary habits.
On the positive side, this tracker offers additional health indicators such as standing/inactivity reminders, a mental/stress detector, progress bar, and blood oxygen level monitoring. However, it does not include features like ECG and skin temperature monitoring.
Ease of Use
In terms of ease of use, the Xiaomi Band 7 excels in some areas. It boasts a commendable battery life, lasting up to six days depending on usage. Navigating menus is a breeze, thanks to intuitive scrolling and large, easy-to-identify icons. However, putting on the tracker proves to be a bit challenging.
Display
When it comes to the display, the Xiaomi Band 7 offers a satisfying user experience. The screen quality is exceptional, with a bright, clean, and clear display that stands out among its competitors.
The responsiveness of the touch screen is impressive, accurately registering even the slightest touches and allowing for smooth navigation through menus. Smart notifications add an extra layer of convenience, enabling control over music playback on a paired phone during workouts.
Ergonomics
The Band 7 provides a decent level of comfort and a sleek profile design. While wearing the tracker, there is a noticeable pressure point at the center, but it becomes less bothersome over time. The band's profile design features an elongated oval shape, giving it a slim and stylish appearance.
Should You Buy the Xiaomi Mi Band 7?
The Band 7 is a great budget option for those just dipping their toes in the fitness tracking space. However, it fails to make our award list since there are better budget tracker options.
What Other Fitness Trackers Should You Consider?
If you want the best budget tracker on the market, check out the Amazfit Band 7. If you are looking for something more reliable without breaking the bank, check out the Fitbit Inspire 3.