One of the most used devices to get information on notifications, calls and alerts is the smartband, a small bracelet-watch with innovative smart features designed both for those who do fitness (thanks to the heart rate monitor, the pedometer and the calorie counter) and for those who want always be informed about what is happening on your smartphone without having to turn on the screen every time! Among the cheapest and best-selling smartbands is the Xiaomi Mi Band 4, equipped with a small all-rounder display that is easily configurable via the fitness app. But if we wanted another type of bracelet or smartband, what are the alternatives to the Mi Band 4 available on the market ">
In order to be considered a modern smartband must meet the following requirements:
- Display : the smartband must have a good display visible in any light condition and able to provide the necessary information by touching or pressing a button (often soft, therefore virtual). It must be presented as a small screen with low energy consumption (therefore OLED or similar), so as not to drain the small battery present in these devices.
- Connection : the smartband can take advantage of all its features only if it is connected to the reference smartphone via Bluetooth connection. Better to focus on devices with low energy Bluetooth connection (LE or 5.0), able to increase the autonomy of the integrated battery.
- Notifications and alerts : through the smartphone app, the smartband must be able to show the alerts and notifications of the smartphone without having to turn on the screen of the smartphone, even better if with a text preview of the notification (sender and part of the text of the notification).
- Pedometer : practically all smartbands are able to function as a pedometer, so you can monitor your fitness and running sessions in a more precise way (also thanks to the use of GPS on the most advanced models).
- Heart rate monitor : on smartbands we can find a LED light heart rate monitor, capable of significantly improving the results measured with regard to physical activity (calories burned) and sleep quality.
- Ergonomics : the smartband must be light and easy to carry, especially when compared to a classic watch or a smartwatch. After a short time it must be on the wrist as if it did not exist, so as to make it really comfortable to wear (otherwise you might as well bring a smartwatch!
- Autonomy : the best smartbands allow you to cover even 2 weeks on a single charge, so that you have to recharge it less frequently than your smartphone (on average one charge per day) or a smartwatch (usually 3-4 days).
- Operating system compatibility : compared to other products, smartbands must have compatibility with both Android smartphones and iPhones, so that they can monitor activity without having to buy expensive smartwatches.
- Interchangeable bracelets : characteristic of the Mi Band 4 is the possibility to change the bracelet with other models of different colors or materials (metal bracelet for example). This feature is appreciated by users who want to impose their own personal style on anything they wear, including the smartband.
Buying Guide
After seeing the best features that any smartband must have, below we find all the alternatives to the Mi Band 2 that we can buy online.DBFIT Fitness Tracker
The most econonic smartband that we can view is the DBFIT Fitness Tracker .
This device features a large 0.96 '' OLED display, low energy Bluetooth connection, long battery life, continuous heart rate monitoring system, fitness monitoring mode (based on different types of activities), quality control sleep and ability to receive notifications, receive real-time notifications, manage calls received from any phone and track our position via GPS (for fitness apps).
We can view this smartband from here -> DBFIT Fitness Tracker (15 €).
AGPTEK C30
Another good Mi Band 4 alternative that we can see is the AGPTEK C30 .
With this bracelet we will be able to have most of the functions already seen on the Mi Band, including sleep monitoring, alarm reminder, camera control (to take the snapshot from the bracelet without having to hold the smartphone in hand) and monitor any type of physical activity, also thanks to the integrated GPS.
We can view this smartband from here -> AGPTEK C30 (19 €).
HOFIT Fitness Tracker
Among the smartband or fitness tracker alternatives to the Mi Band we can also view the HOFIT Fitness Tracker .
This bracelet also incorporates some of the characteristics of other products, such as certified waterproofness (IP68), the LED heart rate monitor for constant heart rate measurements, the pedometer system, the display of notifications and calls from the smartphone and the monitoring of the our fitness activity.
We can view this smartband from here -> HOFIT Fitness Tracker (25 €).
Honor Band 5
One of the best smartbands or activity trackers that we can wear on our wrist is definitely the Honor Band 5 .
This bracelet comes with many interesting features, starting from the 0.95-inch AMOLED screen visible in all light conditions passing through the waterproofness (certified up to 50m depth), intelligent notification system, advanced reminders, frequency technology cardiac HUAWEI TruSeen 3.0, sleep monitoring with calculation of awakenings and REM phases (HUAWEI TruSleep) and can recognize the type of sport we are practicing, even when we are swimming (recognizing the style of the swim and the speed). If we are looking for a real alternative to the Mi Band 4, Honor Band 5 currently stands practically on the same level, if not even above (especially in sports and fitness).
We can view this smartband from here -> Honor Band 5 (€ 29).
HUAWEI Band 4
Finally we point out the smartband made by HUAWEI, arrived at version 4.
A very elegant bracelet with a slightly curved color screen (2.5D) and various bracelets that can be interchanged, so that we can always match the device to our style. Through the options on the screen we can choose various types of dials (many dedicated to sport) and has a normal micro-USB port (protected by a waterproof flap), so that it can be charged as if it were a mobile phone without having to use dedicated charging devices.
We can view this smartband from here -> HUAWEI Band 4 (34 €).
Conclusions
If we often do physical activity and want something lighter and more practical than a smartwatch, we can focus on one of the smartbands (also called activity trackers) presented above, all able to replace the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 (currently the smartband) most sold in the world and in Italy).If we want a smartwatch for fitness monitoring functions, we can continue reading our articles Which smartwatch to buy: buying guide and How the Apple Watch works .
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