Spring into gear with the help of Xiaomi’s wearables

It’s nearly that time of the year again, folks. Time to throw open the windows, slip into your favourite pair of joggers, and head for a morning run. And without the regrets of a New Year’s Eve party behind you, you might just stick with it this time. Xiaomi can help you out there, offering a range of wearables perfectly suited to keep you focused on the task.

Whether it’s Xiaomi’s array of earbuds, smart bands or smartwatches – there’s something for everyone. Even if you aren’t headed for the streets, why not get pumped with your favourite song while getting pumped at the gym? No matter the wearable, you can be assured of Xiaomi’s affordability and, most importantly, affordability.

For the fitness fanatics

Up first is the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active (R599) – the ideal blend of budget-spending and fitness tracking. It’s equipped with more than enough tech to keep you happy no matter your workout of choice, even if that choice involves diving headfirst into a swimming pool at 6AM. To top it all, it’s wrapped up in a gorgeously slimming package that’ll look good anywhere.

Did we mention its battery lasts up to 14 days on a single charge?

Those looking to branch out with their workouts can do so with the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 (R999). With more than 150 fitness modes at your fingertips, 16 days battery life and a fantastic 1.62 AMOLED display, there’s nothing it can’t do. And the best bit? Xiaomi’s made it simpler than ever to swap out the basic strap for something more you.

Time to kick it up a notch

People of a certain age will remember a time when smartwatches were not the norm. They’ve since become a staple for many wrists – massively knocking those high prices down – and the Xiaomi Redmi Watch 3 Active (R999) is proof of that.

It may not have the staying power of Xiaomi’s smart bands, coming in with a 12-day battery life thanks to the stunning 1.83in LCD AMOLED display and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to answer phone calls through a simple tap. Workouts are sorted, too, with more than 100 fitness modes to choose from, as well as
24/7 heart rate monitoring.

The middle child of the bunch, the Xiaomi Redmi Watch 4 (R2,399), boasts a massive 1.97in display featuring an AMOLED panel and a silky-smooth 60Hz refresh rate. Leave your phone at home on a run using the built-in GNSS chip that’ll keep track of your location for you – making Strava and Apple Health syncing simpler than ever.

Lastly, there’s the Xiaomi Smart Watch 2 (R4,799). Built for the most intensive athletes, stacking 165 unique fitness modes and a staggering 65 hours of juice to ensure you’re never without power. Coupled with the stylish circular 1.43in AMOLED display and an array of excellent sensors, you’ll struggle to find similar specs at such a low price point.

Never miss a beat

Now that you’ve got a suitable wearable wrapped around your wrist, it’s time to start worrying about the tunes. Because what workout is really complete without your jams? Those looking to stick to a budget will be more than happy with the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 4 Active (R399).

It features more than enough battery life, garnering 5 hours per bud, with an extra 28 hours stored in the handy charging case and can easily be slipped into a pocket. Expect deep bass and excellent sound with 12mm dynamic drivers, and fast charging that’ll have you listening for 2 hours on a mere 10-minute charge.

Also erring on the side of budget, the Xiaomi TWS Redmi Buds 4 Lite (R699) can comfortably deliver similar bass and sound quality with the 12mm dynamic drivers stored in the buds. Possibly the best feature here is Google Fast Pair, allowing users to quickly get a hold of their tunes before heading out, eliminating the need to visit the Bluetooth settings. Touch controls are equally handy when out on a run or lifting the weights.

Up the budget to lay your hands on the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 5 (R899), a wonderfully chic pair of buds that make use of 46dB active noise cancellation (ANC) to block out the world around you at the tap of a button. You can’t ask for much more than that, but Xiaomi’s giving it to you anyway. 40 hours of battery life, 12.4mm dynamic drivers and dual-device connectivity are also on hand.

The Crème de la crème of Xiaomi audio is, without a doubt, the Redmi Buds 5 Pro (R1,699). The Pro moniker adds some price into the mix, but for 8 extra hours of battery life, improved ANC and support for the LDAC audio codec, it’s well worth the price tag. Whether you’re a hardcore athlete, a newbie to the gym or simply looking to block out your colleagues at the office, you won’t be disappointed in Xiaomi.

Xiaomi’s wearables catalogue is available from Takealot, Incredible and the Mi Store.