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Verdict
The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 gets right what its predecessor got wrong - outdoor viewability is great, and you can start workouts from your wrist, reducing the band's reliance on your smartphone.
With 5ATM waterproofing, sleep tracking and a connected GPS, it's also got enough smarts to rival plenty of pricier trackers, and even the heart rate monitor did a decent job provided the Mi Band 4 was secured snuggly in place.
Combine all that with a color screen that brings the Band to life, and while we did have gripes with the smartphone app's UI and the band's lack of multitasking, given the band's price, we're still left overwhelmingly impressed.
Who's this for?
Anyone looking for an affordable fitness tracker that has basic smartwatch functionality without breaking the bank, the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 could be just the ticket.
It's thin, light and comfortable to wear, and even if you never use the smartphone app after setting it up, can still add value to workouts and life as a timepiece, stopwatch, timer and heart rate monitor.
Should you buy it?
Given the Mi Band 4 represents excellent value for money, unless you need more advanced fitness features or app support, as found on true smartwatches, we can very readily recommend it.
First reviewed: July 2019
The competition
Not convinced the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 is for you? Here are some alternative products you may like to look at.
Huawei Band 3 Pro
If you want a standalone GPS rather than one that piggybacks off your smartphone's sensor, then the Band 3 Pro is the way to go. It isn't much more expensive, still delivers a color screen and plenty of fitness smarts.
It doesn't quite live up to the Mi Band 4 from a battery point of view, with just 14 days of quoted usage, and is a couple of grams heavier, but it still delivers great value.
- Read the full Huawei Band 3 Pro review
Fitbit Inspire HR
If you want a fitness tracker that comes coupled with a more premium smartphone app experience, Fitbit is the way to go. The Inspire HR also delivers more metrics, so will be the option to go for if you're looking for a more serious fitness accessory.
Less great is the fact it costs over double the price of the Mi Band 4 and its battery life also can't compete, with a quoted 4-5 days use on a single charge.
- Read the full Fitbit Inspire HR review
Garmin Vivofit 4
If all you want is battery life and you're okay with a tiny screen, the Garmin Vivofit 4 delivers a full year on a single charge. It doesn't have all the smarts the Mi Band 4 does, specifically sacrificing on heart rate monitoring, and that long battery life will cost you, with the Vivofit coming in at about £60. That said, it does track basic exercise and leads the charge, when it comes to never needing a charge.
- Read the full Garmin Vivofit 4 review
