Redmi Smart Band 2 vs. Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active – Are there many differences?

Activity bracelets are perfect for all those people who want to monitor their physical activity, but do not need the high level of sophistication of smartwatches. In fact, an activity bracelet is very economical, and we can find very interesting models for less than 30 euros. An example is the two activity bracelets that we compare in this article, and that belong to the Xiaomi universe. We are talking about the Xiaomi Redmi Smart Band 2 and the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active.

There are those who say that it is the same bracelet with a different name, but the truth is that there are some differences. There aren’t many, but they exist. One of them is, for example, the type of screen. The Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active has an LCD screen, unlike the Redmi Smart Band 2. The difference is barely noticeable, unless there are more intense lighting conditions. Another difference lies in the number of preconfigured sports applications, which is greater on the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active.

Even so, we recognize that there are many more similarities between them than differences. In fact, both have the same screen size, the same dimensions and a battery of equal capacity. As for the sensors, both are capable of monitoring heart rate, oxygen saturation and stress level for 24 hours. They also monitor female menstrual health, although the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active offers more complete reports in this regard.

The best way for you to decide which one best suits what you are looking for is to compare them in detail, and that is what we are going to do now. Join us!

Xiaomi Redmi Smart Band 2 vs Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active – Comparative table

In the following table, we show you the most interesting features of the two Xiaomi activity bracelets, so that it is easier for you to identify which one best suits what you are looking for:

Same design and appearance

At first glance, it is not easy to distinguish both Xiaomi activity bracelets, because they have a design that is practically identical. In fact, they have the same dimensions and the same weight. The Xiaomi Redmi Smart Band 2 is available in one more color than the Smart Band 8 Active, but that’s the only difference. Likewise, both have a strap diameter of between 135 and 215 mm, and you can choose from more than 100 available dials. For its part, the strap is made of TPU, the same type of plastic that smartphone cases are made with.

The screen is almost the same

As we have anticipated, there are not many differences between the two Xiaomi Smart Bands. Therefore, every difference, no matter how small, must be commented on. Regarding the screen, both bracelets have a 1.47-inch screen, a resolution of 172 x 320 pixels, and a maximum brightness of 450 nits. However, the screen of the Xiaomi Redmi Smart Band 2 is TFT, while that of the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active is LCD. To be honest, the differences are not many, and it is more of a theoretical issue than a practical one.

No changes in autonomy

One of the most common doubts that users have before choosing which activity bracelet to buy is knowing how long its battery lasts. In this case, both bracelets have a 210 mAh capacity battery, which, according to Xiaomi, provides about two weeks of use. If you use it in intensive mode, the autonomy will be reduced to 5-7 days. This, however, will depend on how often you use the activity bracelet in your daily life. As for the time they take to recharge, it does not reach 2 hours in any of them. In short, there are no changes in this section.

Sports modes: 30 to 50

What, for us, is the most notable difference between the Xiaomi Redmi Smart Band 2 and the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active is the number of preconfigured sports modes in each. The first has more than 30 applications, while the second brings them to more than 50. The Smart Band 8 Active includes metrics for more professional sports, such as surfing, weightlifting or baseball, among others. Instead, the Redmi Smart Band 2 has a variety of more standard and amateur sports, although it’s not bad at all, either.

It should be noted that the two activity bracelets have a water resistance of 5 atmospheres, which is equivalent to about 50 meters of depth. Therefore, if you practice swimming you can do it with any of them. Of course, it is not recommended to wear it in open water, but in swimming pools.

Health monitoring: more detail on the 8 Active

If we look at the sensors they incorporate to monitor health, we see that the two activity bracelets record the usual functions: heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, stress level, sleep control and menstrual monitoring. However, the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active offers a more detailed level of information than the Redmi Smart Band 2 in most of these features. For example, in sleep analysis, it offers somewhat more “scientific” information than that shown by the Redmi Smart Band 2, which is more basic. And, in the case of stress measurement and menstrual control, the same thing happens.

Connectivity and sensors

Another aspect where the two Xiaomi bracelets are very similar is in the connectivity options they have. In fact, both are compatible with Bluetooth 5.1, and are compatible with both iOS and Android devices. To highlight a small difference, the Xiaomi Redmi Smart Band 2 supports Android versions 6.0 or later, while the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active supports from version 8.0 onwards. In the case of iOS, both are compatible with versions 12.0 or later.

Likewise, both bracelets have the same sensor equipment: an accelerometer, a PPG sensor and an electronic tilt control sensor. Finally, both can be synchronized with Xiaomi’s Mi Fitness app, so you can carry out more intensive monitoring of your activity, record previous reports or consult personalized suggestions.

So, which Xiaomi activity tracker is most worth it?

To answer this question, we must take into account the price of each one. And, as we have mentioned, it is very similar in both, since both bracelets are from a cheap economic range. Therefore, taking into account that they share almost all the features, our recommendation would be to opt for the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active. Mainly, because it includes more sports modes for a very similar price, and because it offers somewhat more detailed reports on some health measurements.

If you already have the Xiaomi Redmi Smart Band 2, it is not worth changing the model, because you will not gain so many improvements to compensate for the investment. But, if you don’t have any of them and you usually play a lot of sports, the Smart Band 8 Active offers more possibilities in this regard.

In any case, we are looking at two activity bracelets that are very similar to each other and share almost all the characteristics, so, whichever one you choose, the result will be very similar.