Mifit's Sleep Tracking: How Does It Work?

The Xiaomi Mi Band series uses a built-in accelerometer to detect motion and a heart rate sensor to estimate when you fall asleep. The Mi Band can also monitor breathing quality through blood oxygen sensors. To activate sleep monitoring, you need to access the sleep monitoring settings on the Mi Fit app. The Mi Band series is not the most in-depth sleep-tracking solution, but it can still help you improve your night routine. Some users have reported that the Mi Band 6 is as reliable as the Fitbit Sense 2 when it comes to sleep tracking, while others have expressed disappointment with the accuracy of their results.

Sleep tracking accuracy

The Mi Band 3 and Mi Band 5 are wrist-worn devices that track sleep using a combination of heart rate monitoring and movement sensors. The bands do not have any specialised sleep-tracking equipment, instead relying on the few sensors they have to perform a variety of functions.

The accuracy of the Mi Band's sleep-tracking feature has been called into question by some users, who claim that it is not very accurate in detecting light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep. One user noted that the Mi Band 5 recorded them as having 1.5 hours of deep sleep, while their Galaxy Watch Active 2 recorded just 44 minutes, suggesting that the Mi Band may overestimate the amount of deep sleep a user gets. Another user noted that the Mi Band did not detect when they woke up in the middle of the night to check their phone, only labelling a period as "awake" if they got up and walked around.

Some users have also compared the Mi Band's sleep tracking to that of the Fitbit, with one stating that the Fitbit is more accurate. However, the Mi Band is significantly cheaper than the Fitbit, and some users have stated that they are satisfied with the Mi Band's sleep-tracking capabilities, especially given the price.

A study that evaluated the Mi Band's sleep-tracking accuracy found that it had an overall agreement of 84.69% when tested for the correct classification of wake and sleep. However, when tested across three categories (wake, light sleep, and deep sleep), the accuracy dropped to 53.02%. The study concluded that the Mi Band and similar devices do not provide meaningful sleep analysis but may be useful for simply tracking time in bed.

Sleep monitoring setup

To set up sleep monitoring on your Mi Band, you need to ensure your device is properly set up and synced with your smartphone. You can do this by following the steps outlined below:

Download the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app

Firstly, download and install the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app on your smartphone. These apps are compatible with most smartphones and can be found on the App Store or Google Play Store.

Open the app and connect your device

Once the app is installed, open it and connect your Mi Band by tapping on the "Sleep" tab. Ensure that your device is connected to your phone.

Access the sleep monitoring settings

To access the sleep monitoring settings, tap on the profile icon at the bottom right corner of the screen. Then, scroll down and select "Mi Band" under the "My Devices" section.

Activate sleep monitoring

Within the "Mi Band" settings, tap on "Sleep Assistant" to access and activate the sleep monitoring settings. Here, you can customise your sleep tracking preferences and enable sleep monitoring.

It's important to note that while the Mi Band can provide valuable insights into your sleep, it may not be as comprehensive as dedicated sleep-tracking solutions. However, the data it gathers can still help you understand and improve your sleep habits and overall sleep hygiene.

Additionally, the Mi Band series uses a built-in accelerometer to detect motion and a heart rate sensor to estimate when you fall asleep. Some models also include blood oxygen sensors to monitor breathing quality during sleep.

Sleep tracking apps

The Mi Band series uses a built-in accelerometer to detect motion and a heart rate sensor to estimate when the wearer falls asleep. It can also monitor sleep breathing quality through blood oxygen sensors, providing information on blood oxygen saturation levels. To access sleep monitoring data, users need to pair their Mi Band with their smartphone via the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app. Once connected, users can tap on the "Sleep" tab or access the "Sleep assistant" in the app settings to view their sleep score and more detailed sleep information.

While the Mi Band series offers sleep tracking capabilities, some users have expressed mixed opinions about its accuracy. Some reviews suggest that the Mi Band provides reliable total sleep duration estimates, comparable to the Fitbit Sense 2. However, it lacks nuance in recognizing different sleep stages, with some users reporting inconsistencies regardless of their perceived sleep quality.

Despite some limitations, the Mi Band series provides an affordable option for those seeking basic sleep tracking features. For more in-depth sleep analysis, other devices like the Fitbit offer a more comprehensive solution but at a higher cost. Ultimately, the choice of sleep tracking app and device depends on individual needs and preferences, with various options available in the market to cater to different requirements.

Sleep breathing quality

To improve your night routine, you can use the sleep monitoring settings on the Mi Fit app. The Mi Band series uses a built-in accelerometer to detect motion and a heart rate sensor to estimate when you fall asleep. Mi Band models with blood oxygen sensors can also monitor your sleep breathing quality by measuring the blood oxygen saturation percentage. This is similar to the data provided by other fitness trackers and smartwatches.

The Mi Band 6 has been described as being as reliable as the Fitbit Sense 2 for sleep tracking, although it may lack nuance when recognizing sleep stages. However, the total sleep duration is usually accurate. To activate sleep monitoring on your Mi Band, you need to ensure that it is properly set up and paired with your smartphone. You can then open the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app, connect it to your phone, and tap on the "Sleep" tab. In the Mi Fit app, you can access the sleep monitoring settings by tapping on the profile icon, selecting "Mi Band" under the "My Devices" section, and then selecting "Sleep assistant".

Sleep tracking compared to Fitbit

Sleep tracking is a feature offered by many fitness trackers and smartwatches. Fitbit, a well-known brand in this space, has a range of devices that include sleep tracking capabilities. But how does it compare to other options on the market, such as the Mi Band?

The Mi Band, specifically the Mi Band 3, has received mixed reviews for its sleep tracking accuracy. Some users have expressed disappointment, claiming that the official app does not support sleep tracking well and that the data provided is not very insightful. On the other hand, Fitbit devices are known for their accuracy in sleep tracking, but they tend to be more expensive than the Mi Band.

Fitbit offers a range of devices with sleep tracking, from the Inspire series to the Charge and Sense models. These devices can track sleep stages, heart rate, sleep disturbances, and more. The data provided by Fitbit is generally considered comprehensive and consistent. The Fitbit Inspire 2, for example, has been praised for its thin design, low price, and accurate sleep tracking capabilities. It automatically tracks bedtimes, wake times, disturbances, sleep stages, and heart rate.

In addition to the device cost, it is worth considering the ongoing costs of the app subscription. The free version of the Fitbit app offers basic sleep monitoring, while the paid premium subscription provides more detailed analysis, such as sleep heart rate data and a daily readiness score. The Mi Band, on the other hand, may require an additional app to translate the data into something that a sleep app can understand.

When choosing a sleep tracker, it is important to consider your specific needs and budget. If sleep tracking is your primary concern, you may opt for a more affordable option like the Mi Band or even a dedicated sleep tracking mat that can be placed under your mattress. However, if you are looking for a device with multiple features, including accurate sleep tracking, a Fitbit device could be a worthwhile investment. Ultimately, the decision depends on your personal preferences and how much insight you want into your sleep patterns.

Frequently asked questions