Wear Radar

Garmin Forerunner 170vsXiaomi Smart Band 10

21d vs 10d
battery life
Xiaomi Smart Band 10 lasts longer
$259
price gap
Xiaomi Smart Band 10 cheaper
27g
lighter
Xiaomi Smart Band 10
2
more health sensors
Garmin Forerunner 170
Garmin Forerunner 170
Buy/Wait:good

Current model just released

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Xiaomi Smart Band 10
Buy/Wait:bad

Late in cycle — a new model is likely coming

Full details →
Garmin Forerunner 170Xiaomi Smart Band 10
Pricing
Starting price$299$40
Subscriptionℹ️ Optional — $70/yr✓ None
Hardware
Weight43g16g
Water resistance5ATM5ATM
Battery10 days21 days
Always-on display
GPS
Cellular
PlatformiOS & AndroidiOS & Android
TierSports GPSFitness Tracker
Buy timing
ReleasedMay 15, 2026Jun 30, 2025
Cycle advicegoodbad
Deals adviceneutralgood
Next modelXiaomi Smart Band 11 (Expected second half of 2026)

Health Sensors

Garmin Forerunner 170 only
3 exclusive sensors
HRVHeart rate variability — stress & recovery scores
Body BatteryGarmin's energy reserve — how much fuel left in the tank
Training ReadinessDaily recovery score — how ready you are to perform
Both
3 shared
Heart RateContinuous or on-demand pulse tracking
SpO2Blood oxygen saturation, tracked during sleep
Stress TrackingStress estimate from HRV and physiological signals
Xiaomi Smart Band 10 only
1 exclusive sensor
Sleep TrackingMonitors sleep stages: light, deep, and REM

Why buy each?

Garmin Forerunner 170

Training Readiness at entry level

Training Readiness, full Training Status, and wrist-based running power — analytics previously reserved for Garmin's mid-range — now on a $299.99 watch.

AMOLED display and 10-day battery

A bright 1.2" AMOLED touchscreen with a traditional 5-button design, up to 10 days of battery in smartwatch mode and around 17 hours of GPS.

Garmin Pay and 80+ sports apps

Contactless payments arrive on the entry Forerunner for the first time, alongside 80+ built-in sports apps and Garmin Coach adaptive training plans.

Xiaomi Smart Band 10

Brighter AMOLED at under $40

The Smart Band 10's 1.72" display peaks at 1500 nits — 200 nits brighter than the Band 9 — making it more readable in sunlight, all for around $40.

21-day battery with health monitoring

Continuous heart rate, SpO2, stress, and sleep tracking — all running for 3 weeks before charging. Seven more days than the already impressive Band 9.

Works with iPhone and Android

Full functionality on both platforms via the Mi Fitness app, including notifications, sleep analysis, and health trends. Bluetooth 5.4 for improved connection stability.

Quick Winner

The right pick depends on what you optimize for.

For the budget
Xiaomi Smart Band 10 wins

$40 vs $509 over 3 years.

For battery life
Xiaomi Smart Band 10 wins

21 days vs 10 days battery.

For health depth
Garmin Forerunner 170 wins

6 sensors.

For daily comfort
Xiaomi Smart Band 10 wins

16g.

Bottom Line

Technical gaps
  1. Forerunner 170-only sensors: HRV, Body Battery, Training Readiness.
  2. Smart Band 10-only sensors: Sleep Tracking.
  3. Weight. Smart Band 10 is 27g lighter — relevant for all-day comfort and sleep.
Commercial gaps
  1. Hardware cost. Smart Band 10 is $259 cheaper upfront ($40 vs $299).
Pick the Garmin Forerunner 170 if…

Beginner and intermediate runners who want real GPS accuracy and Garmin's analytics depth without the price of the 570 or 970. With Training Readiness and running power now included, it closes much of the gap to Garmin's mid-range — the default first serious GPS watch.

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Pick the Xiaomi Smart Band 10 if…

Anyone who wants basic health tracking — steps, sleep, heart rate, SpO2 — without spending more than $40 or carrying a bulky watch. Works with both iPhone and Android. A popular choice for kids, older adults, and budget-conscious fitness beginners who want the world's top-selling fitness band.

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