Comparing run tracking on Redmi Watch 5 vs Garmin Forerunner 955

The Redmi Watch 5 is the new kid on the block, and I’ve spent about ten days putting it through its paces. It’s got a huge, vibrant AMOLED display that’s hard to miss and battery life that feels like it could last forever. But let’s be honest—what matters most for runners is how it tracks your runs. Let’s put it to the test against the Garmin Forerunner 955.


Satellite tracking that holds its own

First off, I’ll go into the nuts and bolts of GPS performance. The Garmin Forerunner 955, being a top-of-the-line sports watch, uses dual-band satellite connectivity, which is basically the gold standard. The Redmi Watch 5, on the other hand, sticks to single-band satellite connectivity – but supports multiple satellite systems (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou and QZSS).

Now, in theory, dual-band GPS should be better than single-band, especially in tricky areas like busy city streets with tall buildings or in poor weather conditions. But the Redmi didn’t just keep up—it almost matched the Garmin.

I tested both watches on two runs through Central London: a 10-kilometer route with skyscrapers all around and a shorter, 7.5-kilometer run in heavy rain and wind. On the longer run, the Redmi’s tracking was only 70 meters off from the Garmin. That’s nothing. For context, weaving through crowds and dodging traffic can cause small deviations for any GPS watch.

On the rainy 7.5K, the gap widened to 150 meters, which might sound bigger but is still reasonable. Weather can mess with GPS signals, and for a watch at this price point to get this close to a premium Garmin? That’s impressive. If you’re worried about the Redmi taking too long to lock onto satellites—don’t be. It connected as fast as the Garmin every single time. And I tracked it on five different runs – just to make sure.


Heart rate accuracy depends on the fit

So far so good. But what about heart rate tracking?

Well, that was a bit of a mixed bag at first. The Redmi’s silicone strap just didn’t sit snugly on my wrist, which caused an odd spike in heart rate at the start of runs. I have fairly slim wrists, so this could be a “me” problem, but it’s worth noting. And remember, the watch has a very large display which may have wobbled during the run.

Swapping the default band for a tighter, braided strap made all the difference. Once I had the fit right, the heart rate data became spot-on. On my rainy 7.5K, both watches reported an average heart rate of 144 bpm. The max heart rates were almost identical too—156 bpm on the Redmi and 155 bpm on the Garmin. For reference, I actually connected the Garmin to a Scosche Rhythm Band for even more accurate heart rate data.

For the earlier 10K, the average was also dead even at 140 bpm, though there was a difference in max heart rates. The Redmi showed 169 bpm, but when I ignored the initial spike, it was at 156 bpm, just one beat off from the Garmin.

If you’re serious about heart rate tracking and have slimmer wrists, a better strap might be essential. The default one doesn’t quite cut it for precise results. At least, not for me. So I suggest experimenting if you have any issues.


Advanced performance metrics you get on the Redmi

The Redmi Watch 5 might not have all the crazy-deep stats you’d get with a Garmin, but it still packs plenty of useful data for most runners. Remember – this is a $100 watch!

Along with the usuals like distance, heart rate, and cadence, you also get VO2 Max, training load, recovery insights, and something called a vitality score. Basically, it gives you a solid overview of how your training is going and whether you’re pushing too hard or doing just fine.

Now, if you’re into all the nitty-gritty details, the Garmin Forerunner 955 definitely takes it up a notch. It throws in more things and they are top of the line. If you’re the type who loves analyzing every tiny detail, the Garmin has more to dig into.

That said, the Redmi still gives you more than enough to track your runs and stay on top of your fitness. It’s straightforward, easy to use, and doesn’t overload you with too much data. For most people, it’s all you’ll really need.

Check Redmi Watch 5 price and availability on Xiaomi’s website.

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Marko Maslakovic

Marko founded Gadgets & Wearables in 2014, having worked for more than 15 years in the City of London’s financial district. Since then, he has led the company’s charge to become a leading information source on health and fitness gadgets and wearables.

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