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Head-to-head · Best Fitness Trackers Under $200

Garmin Vivosmart 5 vs Xiaomi Mi Band 8

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Garmin Vivosmart 5 and Xiaomi Mi Band 8 score essentially the same (3.8 vs 3.8). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

Garmin Vivosmart 5
Ranked #3 in Best Fitness Trackers Under $200
Garmin Vivosmart 5
6 sources$149.99as of Aug 1

PCMag's review found the Garmin Vivosmart 5 solid on fundamentals, with accurate heart rate monitoring and all-day sleep analysis. TechRadar noted the strong waterproofing and battery life that stretches to a week. Both reviewers pointed to limitations in the app ecosystem and display visibility in bright conditions. It suits people who want reliable health metrics without the complexity of a full smartwatch; anyone who wants extensive smartphone integration will find it lacking.

Strengths
  • — Accurate heart rate monitoring with 24/7 tracking
  • — Waterproof design up to 50 meters for swimming and showering
  • — Long battery life of up to 7 days with smart notifications
Watch-outs
  • — Limited app ecosystem compared to competitors like Apple Watch
  • — Display can be difficult to read in bright sunlight
$149.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Xiaomi Mi Band 8
Ranked #4 in Best Fitness Trackers Under $200
Xiaomi Mi Band 8
4 sources1 derived

The Xiaomi Mi Band 8 is a 27-gram band with a 1.62-inch AMOLED display, a metal frame and more than 150 workout modes, for a price well under most fitness trackers. Wareable liked the 60Hz refresh and the improved brightness; Tech Advisor found the tracking useful as a general guide rather than accurate to the metre. There is no GPS, no NFC and no voice assistant, and the magnetic charger is sold separately. Budget buyers who want daily activity and heart-rate tracking are the fit; anyone who runs without a phone is not.

Strengths
  • — 150 sports modes including advanced run tracking
  • — 60Hz display refresh rate for smoother navigation
  • — Improved design with versatile attachment options (necklace, shoe clip)
Watch-outs
  • — No GPS tracking for outdoor activities
  • — Limited health tracking accuracy in some areas
  • — Cannot make or receive phone calls, lacks voice assistant support
Buy at walmart.comFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Garmin Vivosmart 5

The Garmin Vivosmart 5 excels in sleep tracking and heart rate accuracy compared to the Fitbit Charge 6, but lacks the smartwatch features that the Fitbit Inspire 3 offers. Unlike the Xiaomi Mi Band 8, it doesn't have 150 sports modes, and while the Amazfit Band 7 is more affordable, the Vivosmart 5 provides more comprehensive health metrics.

Xiaomi Mi Band 8

The Xiaomi Mi Band 8 offers more sports modes and a smoother 60Hz display compared to the Fitbit Inspire 3, but lacks GPS tracking that the Fitbit Charge 6 provides. While the Garmin Vivosmart 5 has better app ecosystem, the Mi Band 8 is more affordable and versatile with its necklace and shoe clip attachments, unlike the Amazfit Band 7 which has better battery life.

Specs side-by-side

SpecGarmin Vivosmart 5Xiaomi Mi Band 8
Battery LifeUp to 7 days—
Water Resistance50 metersYes
GPSNoNo
Heart Rate Monitor24/7 monitoringYes
DisplayOLED1.62 inch, 192 x 490 pixel
Weight24 g27 g
ConnectivityBluetooth, ANT+Bluetooth 5.1 BLE
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