Redmi Watch 5 Active review: A budget smartwatch that doesn't cut corners

The smartwatch market continues to evolve, with options available at nearly every price point. The Redmi Watch 5 Active enters this competitive landscape, aiming to bridge the gap between budget-friendly and feature-rich wearables.
Priced under Rs 3,000, it promises a mix of style and functionality that could appeal to first-time smartwatch buyers and budget-conscious consumers alike. But how does it perform in daily use, and does it offer enough to stand out in a crowded field? Let's take a closer look at what the Redmi Watch 5 Active brings to the table.

The most striking aspect when you first unbox this smartwatch is its metallic body - a rarity in this price range. The zinc alloy casing gives the Watch 5 Active a substantial, quality feel that belies its budget roots. It's a refreshing change from the sea of plastic-bodied smartwatches that dominate the sub-Rs 3,000 category. The metallic construction also lends the device a minimalist, stylish aesthetic that looks good on the wrist.

While the overall design is fairly standard for a rectangular smartwatch, little touches like the polished metallic side button add to the premium vibe. The TPU strap feels comfortable for all-day wear and didn't cause any skin irritation during testing. At 42.2 grams, the Watch 5 Active strikes a nice balance between feeling sturdy without being too heavy on the wrist. However, the lack of an always-on display option may frustrate some users who prefer to see the time at a glance without waking the device.


Dominating the front of the Redmi Watch 5 Active is its 2-inch LCD display. With a resolution of 320 x 385 pixels, it produces sharp, vibrant visuals that make watch faces and UI elements pop. The 500 nits of peak brightness ensure good outdoor visibility in most conditions. However, the display isn't without its quirks. The bezels surrounding the screen are quite chunky, especially at the bottom. While dark watch faces can help mask this to some extent, it's still noticeable when using lighter backgrounds or certain UI elements. It's not a dealbreaker, but it does detract somewhat from the overall premium feel of the device.

On the plus side, the raise-to-wake feature works reliably to show you the time and notifications with a flick of the wrist. This helps mitigate the lack of an always-on display to some extent, though it's not quite as convenient for quick time checks.


Redmi Watch 5 Active is one of the first smartwatches from to run on company’s new HyperOS, and the results are impressive. Navigating through menus, toggling settings, and interacting with notifications all feel smooth and responsive. The UI design strikes a nice balance between simplicity and functionality. Quick settings are just a swipe away, while health and fitness data is neatly organised into easily digestible widgets.

The watch pairs with the Mi Fitness app, which serves as a one-stop-hub for managing the watch and tracking health data. The app offers a clean, intuitive interface that makes it easy to navigate through your daily activity stats, workout history, and sleep patterns. Users can customise watch faces – there are over 200 of them, adjust notification settings, and fine-tune health monitoring preferences directly from their smartphones.

Built-in Alexa support adds some smart assistant capabilities, though it's fairly limited compared to full-fledged smartwatches. You can use voice commands to control smart home devices, set timers, or ask for general information. However, you can't use Alexa to start workouts or control music playback on the watch itself. The lack of an app store or ability to install third-party applications also limits the watch's expandability compared to more premium options.

As an activity tracker, the Redmi Watch 5 Active punches well above its weight class. It offers a comprehensive suite of health and fitness monitoring features that you'd typically expect from more expensive devices. This includes 24/7 heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen (SpO2) tracking, stress level monitoring, sleep tracking, menstrual cycle tracking, and over 140 sport modes.

The built-in GPS is a standout inclusion at this price point, allowing for accurate tracking of outdoor activities without needing to bring your phone along. During testing, step counting and distance measurements were reasonably accurate, generally within 5-7% of manual counts. While generally accurate, the fitness tracking isn't quite as precise as you'd find on more expensive dedicated fitness trackers. However, for most casual users, it provides more than enough data to track progress and stay motivated.
Sleep tracking proved to be surprisingly detailed, breaking down light and deep sleep phases along with providing an overall sleep score. The watch can also detect naps lasting between 20 minutes to 3 hours. The data is presented clearly within the companion Mi Fitness app, making it easy to track trends over time.
The app also does a commendable job of presenting complex health data in easily digestible graphs and charts, allowing users to track trends over time.


Bluetooth calling is becoming an increasingly common feature on budget smartwatches, and the Redmi Watch 5 Active implements it well. The built-in speaker produces clear audio, though you'll want to keep the watch fairly close to your mouth for the best mic pickup. The microphone quality could be better, sometimes requiring you to speak quite close to the watch for clear communication.
One quirk of the calling interface is that it doesn't display the caller's name on the watch screen. This means you'll be playing a guessing game unless you have the number memorised. It's a small but potentially frustrating oversight. The ability to respond to messages with quick replies is a nice touch, though you're limited to a handful of pre-set options. Still, it's handy for quick acknowledgments when you can't pull out your phone.


One area where the Redmi Watch 5 Active truly shines is battery life. Xiaomi claims up to 12 days of use with typical usage, and real-world results aren't far off. With features like 24/7 heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and occasional GPS use for workouts, the watch easily lasted 7-8 days on a single charge. Even with more intensive use, including regular Bluetooth calls and maxed-out brightness, you can expect 5-6 days between charges. This is significantly better than many competitors in this price range, which often struggle to last more than 3-4 days.
Charging is handled via a magnetic pogo pin connector. While it works well enough, the short cable can make finding a convenient spot to charge a bit tricky. A full charge from 0-100% takes about an hour and a half.

Beyond its core features, the Redmi Watch 5 Active includes several quality-of-life improvements that enhance the overall user experience. It boasts IPX8 water resistance, allowing for swimming and showering with the watch (though there's no dedicated swim tracking mode). A built-in flashlight function can be handy in a pinch, while music playback controls let you adjust volume and skip tracks on your connected phone. The "find my phone" feature helps locate misplaced devices, and there's even a camera shutter control for remote photo taking.
While none of these are groundbreaking on their own, they contribute to making the Watch 5 Active feel like a more complete smartwatch experience than many budget alternatives.

The Redmi Watch 5 Active enters a crowded field of budget smartwatches, but it manages to stand out from the pack in several key ways. At its retail price of Rs 2,799, it offers exceptional value for money, making it a solid choice for first-time smartwatch buyers or those looking for a capable fitness tracker without breaking the bank.
The metallic build quality gives it a premium feel that's rare at this price point. The smooth performance of HyperOS makes for a user-friendly experience, while the comprehensive fitness tracking features rival those found on much pricier devices. Battery life is another major strong point, easily outlasting many competitors. The inclusion of built-in GPS and Bluetooth calling capabilities adds up to the overall package.
While there are certainly more feature-rich smartwatches available if you're willing to spend significantly more, for those on a tight budget who still want a capable, stylish wearable, the Redmi Watch 5 Active is an easy recommendation. It strikes an impressive balance between affordability and functionality, delivering a smartwatch experience that punches well above its weight class.