Xiaomi's Smart Band series has been a leader in the fitness tracker market for years, offering a compelling combination of affordability and functionality. The latest iteration, the Xiaomi Smart Band 8, builds upon this legacy with a larger, smoother display, improved health monitoring features, and a more stylish design.
This review will take a deep dive into the Xiaomi Smart Band 8, exploring its specifications, features, performance, and overall value proposition. We'll also discuss some of the pros and cons to help you decide if this fitness tracker is the right fit for you.
Limited app compatibility compared to premium fitness trackers
Some features might be redundant for casual users
Table of Contents
Introduction
Fitness trackers have become an increasingly popular way to monitor our health and activity levels. They can help us stay motivated, track our progress, and gain valuable insights into our well-being. The Xiaomi Smart Band 8 is a compelling option for those seeking a feature-rich fitness tracker at an affordable price point.
Xiaomi has made some significant improvements with the Smart Band 8. The most noticeable change is the larger, 1.62-inch AMOLED display with a smooth 60Hz refresh rate. This display is bright, crisp, and easy to read in all lighting conditions. The band is also incredibly lightweight and comfortable to wear 24/7, making it a great choice for sleep tracking and everyday use.
Design
The Xiaomi Smart Band 8 retains the familiar capsule-shaped design of its predecessors but with a few key improvements. The silicone strap is now detachable and comes in a wider variety of colors, allowing you to personalize your look. The band is also slightly slimmer and lighter than previous models, making it even more comfortable.
The overall design of the Smart Band 8 is sleek and minimalist. It looks great on both wrists, is thin enough to slip under clothing sleeves, and is unobtrusive for everyday wear. Whether you’re hitting the gym, going for a run, or simply tracking your steps throughout the day, the Smart Band 8 seamlessly integrates into your lifestyle.
Display
One of the most significant upgrades to the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 is the display. The 1.62-inch AMOLED display is larger and brighter than previous models, making it easier to view your stats and notifications. The 60Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and transitions, while the 600 nits peak brightness makes the display visible even in direct sunlight.
The display is also fully customizable. You can choose from a variety of watch faces, including some that are always-on. The auto-brightness feature automatically adjusts the display’s brightness based on the ambient light, which helps to conserve battery life.
Overall, the display of the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 is a significant improvement over previous models. It’s bright, clear, and responsive, making it a pleasure to use.
Features
The Xiaomi Smart Band 8 is packed with features designed to cater to both fitness enthusiasts and casual users. Let’s break down the key functionalities into three main categories: health monitoring, fitness tracking, and smart features.
Health Monitoring
At the core of the Smart Band 8 is its comprehensive health monitoring capabilities. The device offers 24/7 heart rate tracking, SpO2 (blood oxygen level) monitoring, and sleep tracking. The heart rate sensor is accurate and provides valuable insights into your cardiovascular health. You can set up alerts for abnormal heart rates and receive notifications if something seems off.
Sleep tracking is another area where the Smart Band 8 excels. It accurately monitors your sleep stages (light, deep, and REM) and provides detailed sleep reports. You can also set smart alarms to wake you up during your lightest sleep phase for a more refreshed start to your day.
Additionally, the Smart Band 8 includes stress monitoring, women’s health tracking, and breathing exercises. These features contribute to a holistic approach to wellness, helping you manage stress and understand your body’s overall health.
Fitness Tracking
For fitness enthusiasts, the Smart Band 8 offers a wide range of workout modes to suit different preferences. Whether you’re into running, swimming, cycling, or strength training, there’s a mode for you. The band accurately tracks your workouts, providing essential metrics like distance, pace, calories burned, and heart rate.
GPS connectivity is not built-in, but the Smart Band 8 can connect to your smartphone’s GPS for more precise outdoor tracking. This is a handy feature for runners and cyclists who want detailed route information.
One of the standout features is the automatic workout detection. The Smart Band 8 can intelligently recognize different workout types, such as walking, running, and cycling, and start tracking automatically. This eliminates the need to manually select a workout mode every time you start exercising.
Smart Features
Beyond health and fitness, the Smart Band 8 also offers a range of smart features to enhance your daily life. You can receive notifications for calls, messages, and app alerts directly on your wrist. The band also supports music control, allowing you to play, pause, and skip tracks without reaching for your phone.
Other smart features include weather updates, find my phone and remote camera control. While these features are convenient, they are not groundbreaking and are comparable to other fitness trackers in this price range.
Let’s move on to the performance section of the review, where we’ll delve deeper into the accuracy and responsiveness of the Smart Band 8.
Performance
The Xiaomi Smart Band 8 delivers a commendable performance across the board. The touch screen is responsive and accurate, with smooth scrolling and minimal lag. Navigating through the menus and accessing different features is intuitive and hassle-free.
Heart rate monitoring is generally accurate, with readings closely matching those of dedicated heart rate monitors. The Smart Band 8 effectively tracks various workout intensities and provides real-time feedback during exercise sessions. However, like most fitness trackers, its accuracy may vary depending on factors such as skin tone and movement.
Sleep tracking is another area where the Smart Band 8 shines. It accurately distinguishes between different sleep stages and provides detailed sleep reports. While the accuracy of sleep tracking can be subjective, many users have reported that the Smart Band 8 provides reliable data and helpful insights.
The Smart Band 8’s ability to connect to your smartphone is seamless, and notifications are delivered promptly. The connection remains stable throughout the day, with minimal disconnections.
Overall, the Smart Band 8 offers a solid performance package. It’s responsive, accurate, and reliable, making it a great companion for everyday use and fitness activities.
Battery Life
Battery life is a crucial factor when choosing a fitness tracker, and the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 delivers impressive results. With typical usage, including heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and occasional notifications, the band can easily last for a week or more on a single charge. This is a significant improvement over previous generations and ensures that you won’t have to worry about frequent charging.
The Smart Band 8 also features a power-saving mode that can extend battery life even further. By disabling certain features and using a basic watch face, you can squeeze out several extra days of usage.
Overall, the battery life of the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 is exceptional and one of its standout features.
Value for Money
The Xiaomi Smart Band 8 offers an excellent value proposition. It combines a stylish design, a vibrant display, comprehensive health and fitness tracking, and a long battery life into an affordable package. If you’re looking for a feature-packed fitness tracker without breaking the bank, the Smart Band 8 is worth considering.
Compared to other fitness trackers in the same price range, the Smart Band 8 stands out with its larger display, improved health monitoring features, and more stylish design. It’s clear that Xiaomi has put a lot of effort into refining its product, and it shows in the overall value it offers to consumers.
Conclusion: A Stylish and Feature-Packed Fitness Tracker for Everyday Users
The Xiaomi Smart Band 8 is a compelling choice for anyone looking for a versatile and affordable fitness tracker. With its impressive display, comprehensive health monitoring features, accurate performance, and long battery life, it excels in most areas. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of premium fitness trackers, it offers exceptional value for money and delivers a satisfying user experience.
Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or someone who simply wants to track your activity and well-being, the Smart Band 8 is a solid option. It’s comfortable to wear, easy to use, and provides valuable insights into your health and fitness progress.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 waterproof? A: Yes, the Smart Band 8 has a 5ATM water resistance rating, which means it can be worn while swimming or showering. However, it’s not recommended for diving or saunas.
Q: Does the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 have a built-in GPS? A: No, the Smart Band 8 doesn’t have a built-in GPS. It relies on your smartphone’s GPS for accurate outdoor tracking.
Q: How long does the battery last on a single charge? A: The Smart Band 8 can last up to 16 days on a single charge with typical usage. However, battery life may vary depending on usage patterns and features enabled.
Q: Is the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 compatible with both Android and iOS devices? A: Yes, the Smart Band 8 is compatible with Android 6.0 and iOS 12.0 and above.
Q: Can I customize the watch faces on the Smart Band 8? A: Yes, the Smart Band 8 offers a variety of customizable watch faces to suit your preferences.
Q: Does the Smart Band 8 support stress monitoring? A: Yes, the Smart Band 8 includes stress-monitoring features to help you manage your overall well-being.
Q: Can I use the Smart Band 8 for sleep tracking? A: Yes, the Smart Band 8 offers comprehensive sleep tracking, including sleep stages and sleep quality analysis.
Q: Does the Smart Band 8 support music control? A: Yes, you can control music playback from your smartphone directly from the Smart Band 8.
Q: Is the Smart Band 8 comfortable to wear during sleep? A: Many users have reported that the Smart Band 8 is comfortable to wear even during sleep due to its lightweight design.
Q: Can I receive notifications on the Smart Band 8? A: Yes, you can receive notifications for calls, messages, and app alerts on the Smart Band 8.
I hope this FAQ section provides helpful information about the Xiaomi Smart Band 8. Feel free to ask if you have any further questions.
