Xiaomi Mi Band 2, Apple Watch and FitBit Blaze Comparison — Pulse Measurement Test

As you know, the main problem of the modern fitness trackers and smart watches is the user’s progress measurement accuracy. A few days ago there was conducted an interesting experiment involving gadgets such as Apple Watch, FitBit Blaze and new fitness wristband from Xiaomi — Mi Band 2. The purpose of this test was to verify what modern fitness accessory measures the user’s heart rate as precisely as possible.

In total there were conducted four different tests during which the wristbands were placed:

1. on the human wrist;
2. on the solid cylinder;
3. on the bottle with a liquid (soda);
4. on the stand in the air.

Naturally, the bracelets were supposed to show a pulse only during the first test, when they were placed on the wrist of the real user. But the Apple Watch as well as the FitBit Blaze displayed values ​​in all four cases. At the same time the honest tracker Xiaomi Mi Band 2 displayed a pulse during the same tests only when it was worn on the user’s hand.

It is difficult to say what causes the appearance of such false data, because both the software component and the hardware part (an optical sensor, a chipset, etc.) are responsible for heart rate measurement. The difference between the trackers is not only in pulse measurement quality, but also in price: the Mi Band 2 costs approximately 10 times less than its competitors, which have not passed the elementary test.