Wear Radar

Xiaomi Smart Band 10vsGarmin Forerunner 265

21d vs 13d
battery life
Xiaomi Smart Band 10 lasts longer
$399
price gap
Xiaomi Smart Band 10 cheaper
31g
lighter
Xiaomi Smart Band 10
2
more health sensors
Garmin Forerunner 265
Xiaomi Smart Band 10
Buy/Wait:bad

Late in cycle — a new model is likely coming

Full details →
Garmin Forerunner 265
Buy/Wait:superseded

This model is no longer sold new. It has been replaced by the Garmin Forerunner 570.

Full details →
Xiaomi Smart Band 10Garmin Forerunner 265
Pricing
Starting price$50$449
Subscription✓ Noneℹ️ Optional — $70/yr
Hardware
Weight16g47g
Water resistance5ATM5ATM
Battery21 days13 days
Always-on display
GPS
Cellular
PlatformiOS & AndroidiOS & Android
TierFitness TrackerSports GPS
Buy timing
ReleasedJun 30, 2025Mar 1, 2023
Cycle advicebadsuperseded
Deals advicegoodclearance
Next model

Health Sensors

Xiaomi Smart Band 10 only
1 exclusive sensor
Sleep TrackingMonitors sleep stages: light, deep, and REM
Both
3 shared
Heart RateContinuous or on-demand pulse tracking
SpO2Blood oxygen saturation, tracked during sleep
Stress TrackingStress estimate from HRV and physiological signals
Garmin Forerunner 265 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

Why buy each?

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.

Garmin Forerunner 265

Multi-band GPS accuracy

L1+L5 multi-band GPS reduces position drift in urban canyons and dense forest.

Training readiness score

Daily score combining HRV status, sleep, acute load, and recovery time.

Race time predictor

Estimates finish time for 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and marathon based on current fitness.

Quick Winner

The right pick depends on what you optimize for.

For the budget
Xiaomi Smart Band 10 wins

$50 vs $659 over 3 years · no required subscription.

For battery life
Xiaomi Smart Band 10 wins

21 days vs 13 days battery.

For health depth
Garmin Forerunner 265 wins

6 sensors.

For daily comfort
Xiaomi Smart Band 10 wins

16g · no required subscription.

Bottom Line

Technical gaps
  1. Smart Band 10-only sensors: Sleep Tracking.
  2. Forerunner 265-only sensors: HRV, Body Battery, Training Readiness.
  3. Weight. Smart Band 10 is 31g lighter — relevant for all-day comfort and sleep.
Commercial gaps
  1. Hardware cost. Smart Band 10 is $399 cheaper upfront ($50 vs $449).
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.

Full details →
Pick the Garmin Forerunner 265 if…

Regular runners who race 5K to marathon distances and want accurate GPS and detailed training load management.

Full details →