What To Know
- However, it offers a more comprehensive feature set and a longer battery life, making it a good value for its price.
- The Mi Band 3i wins in terms of affordability, while the Vivofit 4 Large provides more value for the money with its advanced features and longer battery life.
- However, if you’re on a tighter budget and appreciate a minimalist design with NFC functionality, the Mi Band 3i is a solid contender.
Choosing the right fitness tracker can feel like navigating a jungle of options. Two popular contenders often come up: the Garmin Vivofit 4 Large and the Xiaomi Mi Band 3i. Both offer a decent range of features at affordable prices, but which one is the perfect fit for your fitness journey? This comprehensive comparison will delve into the key aspects of each tracker, helping you make an informed decision.
Design and Comfort
Garmin Vivofit 4 Large: The Vivofit 4 boasts a bold, sporty design. Its large, colorful display is easy to read, even in bright sunlight. The tracker comes with a comfortable, customizable band that fits a wide range of wrist sizes. The Vivofit 4 Large is also water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming.
Xiaomi Mi Band 3i: The Mi Band 3i takes a more minimalist approach. It features a sleek, compact design with a smaller, monochrome OLED display. The band is made from soft, flexible silicone, ensuring a comfortable fit. While it’s water-resistant up to 50 meters, it lacks the vibrant color display of the Vivofit 4.
Verdict: Both trackers offer comfortable wear, but the Vivofit 4 Large wins with its larger, colorful display and customizable band options.
Activity Tracking and Accuracy
Garmin Vivofit 4 Large: The Vivofit 4 excels in activity tracking. It accurately measures steps, distance, calories burned, and sleep duration. The built-in Move Bar motivates you to stay active throughout the day, reminding you to get up and move. It also offers advanced features like automatic activity detection for running, walking, and swimming.
Xiaomi Mi Band 3i: The Mi Band 3i provides basic activity tracking, including steps, distance, and calories burned. It’s accurate enough for casual tracking but lacks the advanced features of the Vivofit 4. While it doesn’t offer automatic activity detection, it does have a dedicated heart rate sensor for monitoring your pulse.
Verdict: The Vivofit 4 Large takes the lead with its superior activity tracking features and advanced metrics.
Battery Life
Garmin Vivofit 4 Large: The Vivofit 4 is renowned for its impressive battery life. It can last up to a year on a single charge, making it a truly hassle-free option.
Xiaomi Mi Band 3i: The Mi Band 3i offers a respectable battery life of up to 14 days. While not as long as the Vivofit 4, it still provides ample time between charges.
Verdict: The Vivofit 4 Large reigns supreme with its exceptional battery life, requiring minimal charging.
Smart Features
Garmin Vivofit 4 Large: The Vivofit 4 offers basic smart features like call, text, and app notifications. It also allows you to control music playback on your phone. However, it lacks advanced features like GPS or NFC for contactless payments.
Xiaomi Mi Band 3i: The Mi Band 3i provides similar smart features, including call, text, and app notifications. It also offers music controls and a timer. While it doesn’t have GPS, it does support NFC for contactless payments in certain regions.
Verdict: Both trackers offer comparable smart features, but the Mi Band 3i edges out with its NFC functionality in select markets.
Price and Value
Garmin Vivofit 4 Large: The Vivofit 4 Large is priced slightly higher than the Mi Band 3i. However, it offers a more comprehensive feature set and a longer battery life, making it a good value for its price.
Xiaomi Mi Band 3i: The Mi Band 3i is a budget-friendly option, offering a decent range of features at an affordable price.
Verdict: The Mi Band 3i wins in terms of affordability, while the Vivofit 4 Large provides more value for the money with its advanced features and longer battery life.
Wrapping Up: Choosing the Right Tracker for You
The Garmin Vivofit 4 Large and the Xiaomi Mi Band 3i both offer compelling options for fitness tracking, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. If you prioritize accuracy, advanced features, and a long battery life, the Vivofit 4 Large is the ideal choice. However, if you’re on a tighter budget and appreciate a minimalist design with NFC functionality, the Mi Band 3i is a solid contender. Ultimately, the best tracker for you depends on your individual needs and preferences.
Top Questions Asked
Q: Which tracker is better for swimming?
A: Both the Vivofit 4 Large and the Mi Band 3i are water-resistant up to 50 meters, making them suitable for swimming. However, the Vivofit 4 Large offers more advanced swimming tracking features, including stroke recognition and distance tracking.
Q: Can I use either tracker for sleep tracking?
A: Both trackers offer sleep tracking features, allowing you to monitor your sleep duration and quality. The Vivofit 4 Large provides more detailed sleep data, including REM sleep and light sleep stages.
Q: Do these trackers have GPS?
A: The Vivofit 4 Large does not have built-in GPS, while the Mi Band 3i also lacks GPS functionality. If you need GPS for accurate outdoor tracking, you’ll need to look for a different tracker.
Q: Which tracker is better for everyday use?
A: Both trackers are comfortable and discreet enough for everyday wear. However, the Vivofit 4 Large’s longer battery life makes it a more practical choice for those who don’t want to constantly charge their tracker.