I've been using the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 for about a month now, and honestly, it's blown me away. Coming from more expensive fitness trackers, I didn't expect much at this price point, but this little device delivers in spades.

The AMOLED screen is gorgeous - bright enough that I can actually read my stats while running in direct sunlight (a first for me with budget trackers). The automatic brightness adjustment works surprisingly well too. I love how the aluminum frame makes it look way more premium than it costs.

As someone who sweats buckets during workouts, the lightweight design has been a game-changer. It doesn't feel like I'm wearing anything, and unlike my old tracker, it doesn't get gross and slippery. The battery life is insane - I'm getting about 18 days between charges with moderate use.

The sleep tracking has been scarily accurate compared to my partner's Oura ring. It even caught when I got up for a midnight snack last week! Heart rate monitoring seems on par with chest straps during my HIIT sessions too.

My only gripe? The Mi Fitness app isn't the most intuitive. But for $45, getting this level of functionality feels like stealing. It's become my daily driver over fancier watches because it just works without any fuss.