Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Best for: 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.
Full details →Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Best for: Competitive runners, triathletes, and ultramarathon runners who want the complete Garmin running analytics suite: full maps, running dynamics, training load, race predictor, and race day guidance — in the lightest, most running-optimised Garmin form factor.
Full details →| Xiaomi Smart Band 9 | Garmin Forerunner 965 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Fitness Tracker | Sports GPS |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Battery | 14 days | 23 days |
| Always-on display | ✅ | ❌ |
| GPS | ❌ | ✅ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ❌ |
| Health sensors | hr, spo2, stress, sleep | hr, spo2, hrv, stress, body battery, training readiness, running dynamics |
| Released | Jul 22, 2024 | Mar 1, 2023 |
| Cycle length | 365 days | 1024 days |
| Cycle advice | bad | bad |
| Deals advice | good | good |
| Next model | — | — |
Most fitness trackers at this price use basic LCD displays. The Smart Band 9 brings a vivid AMOLED always-on screen — rare at this price point.
Continuous heart rate, SpO2, stress, and sleep tracking — all running for 2 weeks before charging. Most smartwatches last 1–2 days.
Full functionality on both platforms via the Mi Fitness app, including notifications, sleep analysis, and health trends.
Turn-by-turn navigation on full TopoActive maps — the key differentiator from the FR265. Essential for trail running and mountain racing.
Cadence, stride length, vertical oscillation, ground contact time, and running power — the full biomechanics suite for optimising form and efficiency.
More than double the FR265 battery life. Enough for week-long trail ultras without a charge.