Flat lay of multiple Xiaomi gadgets in 2026, including a smart band, flashlight, cordless drill, tablet, nightlight and robotic dog on a desk

Xiaomi’s Wildest Gadgets in 2026: From Dad-Mode Flashlights to an AI Robotic Dog

(Hands‑on impressions, real‑world use, and honest ratings)

When most people hear “Xiaomi,” they think smartphones: aggressively priced Android handsets that undercut Samsung and Apple while offering surprisingly premium hardware.

But that’s only the tip of the iceberg.

Xiaomi has quietly built one of the largest consumer tech ecosystems on the planet. Beyond phones, they make everything from TVs and tablets to smart home devices, power tools, kitchen appliances, even… robot dogs. If you want a broader sense of where gadgets like these are heading, I’ve also rounded up some of the most interesting concepts and prototypes in my CES Future Tech 2026 coverage.

Over the last year, I went down the Xiaomi rabbit hole and deliberately hunted for the strangest, most interesting gadgets they make. Some are pure genius, some are overkill, and some sit in that wonderful space in between.

Below is my experience with these devices, how they actually performed in real life, and whether I’d recommend them today.

1. Multi‑Function Emergency Flashlight – Dad Tech Hall of Fame

Approx. price: ~$30
My rating: 9.5/10

This thing is peak “Father’s Day Facebook ad” energy in the best possible way. On paper it’s “just” a flashlight; in reality it’s a full-blown emergency tool.

Key features I tested:

  • Main beam: 1000 lumen flashlight with a zoomable lens
    • Flood mode for wide coverage
    • Spot mode that drastically boosts perceived brightness and reach
  • Side light:
    • White task light (two brightness levels)
    • Flashing red for SOS
    • Flashing yellow for visibility in fog or low-visibility conditions
  • Integrated safety tools:
    • Seat belt cutter: Surprisingly effective; sliced straight through a real seat belt when tested.
    • Spring‑loaded glass breaker: Press it firmly against a car window, and a hidden striker punches through the glass. It shattered a real car door window instantly in my test.
  • Mounting: Rotating magnet so you can slap it onto metal surfaces and angle the beam as needed.

In my opinion, this is one of those rare “multi‑tools” that isn’t just gimmicky. For around $30, you’re getting:

  • A genuinely bright, versatile flashlight
  • Real automotive emergency tools that actually work
  • A magnetic work light for car maintenance or power cuts

If you drive a car or spend time on the road, this is an absolute no‑brainer. Straight into my personal “Hall of Fame.”

2. Cordless Pressure Washer – Enough Power for Normal Humans

Approx. price: Varies by region
My rating: 8/10 (for home users)

Xiaomi’s cordless pressure washer looks cleaner and more modern than most competitors, and it’s designed for everyday people, not professionals.

What stood out in my use:

  • Cordless & portable: No mains power needed. You drop the intake hose into a bucket, tank, or other water source.
  • Two main spray modes:
    • Foam mode: Quickly coats surfaces in soap for car washing or patios. Coverage is immediate and satisfying.
    • Jet mode: Higher pressure for stubborn dirt.

Is it as powerful as a full-size, compressor‑based unit from a pro brand? No. The spray is noticeably less aggressive. But for washing cars, balconies, outdoor furniture, and general home cleaning, it was more than adequate in my testing.

If you’re a professional detailer or tradesperson, this won’t replace a heavy-duty washer. For the average homeowner who just wants something convenient, cordless, and “good enough,” it hits a really nice sweet spot.

3. Xiaomi Smart Skipping Rope – Fitness Tracker for Jumpers

Approx. price: ~$28
My rating: 8/10

This might be one of the most overqualified jump ropes I’ve ever used.

What it does:

  • Uses three Hall effect magnetic sensors in the handles to accurately count rotations.
  • Supports two modes:
    • Traditional rope: For the full “whip yourself in the ankles” experience.
    • Cordless mode: Two weighted cords simulate the feel of a real rope without the risk of catching your feet.

Accuracy in my tests:

I did counted sets (e.g., 50 jumps) and found it very close, but not perfect – consistently off by about one rep in the 50 range. That’s good enough for general fitness, if not for competition-grade tracking.

The rope syncs with the Xiaomi fitness app, which tracks:

  • Total jumps
  • Calories
  • Average and max jumps per minute
  • Cadence charts over your workout

I appreciate that you don’t need the app to get value. It works as a normal jump rope—just smarter.

If you’re serious about skipping as cardio, or you live in a small space where a full rope is impractical, this is legitimately useful.

4. Nightlight 3 – One of Xiaomi’s Best Everyday Products

Approx. price: ~$15
My rating: 9/10

I was already a big fan of Xiaomi’s Motion Sensing Nightlight 2. I have several around the house. The Nightlight 3 is a thoughtful evolution that fixes the main annoyance of the old model.

Key improvements and features:

  • Rechargeable battery with USB‑C
    • No more AA batteries.
    • Xiaomi claims up to 8 months of life per charge in auto mode (this will vary with usage, but battery life has been excellent in my experience).
  • Magnetic back
    • Snap-on/snap-off design so you can quickly remove the light to charge or reposition it.
  • Ambient light + motion sensor
    • Only turns on when it’s dark and someone walks past.
  • Indirect, shielded light
    • This is the big one: instead of shining directly into your eyes like the previous version, the LED is shielded and bounces light off the housing or wall. Much easier on the eyes at night.
  • Simple controls:
    • Tap to toggle brightness (high/low).
    • Slider to switch between off and auto.

For hallways, bathrooms, kids’ rooms, or staircases, this is the kind of inexpensive, low‑friction gadget that quietly improves everyday life. Almost nothing to set up, and it just works.

5. Xiaomi Smart Band 10 (& Glimmer Edition) – The Biggest Surprise

Close-up comparison of a slim Xiaomi-style fitness band and a bulky premium smartwatch worn together on one wrist

Approx. price:
– Smart Band 10: ~$45
– Glimmer Edition: ~$95
My rating:
– Smart Band 10: 10/10
– Glimmer Edition: 8/10

This was the product that genuinely changed my mind about how much “normal users” should spend on health tracking.

I wore the Smart Band 10 alongside an Apple Watch Ultra 3 (~$800) to compare.

What shocked me

  • Display:
    • Proper AMOLED, running at a smooth 60 Hz.
    • Bright, responsive, and doesn’t feel cheap.
  • Tracking accuracy:
    • Step counts on 200‑step test walks were typically between 200 and 205 – effectively on par with the Apple Watch in my tests.
    • Sleep tracking results were very close to both Apple Health and my smart bed’s own system.
  • Comfort:
    • Much lighter and less intrusive than a full smartwatch. For sleep especially, it’s dramatically more comfortable.
  • Features:
    • Weather, calories, activity rings, step count – all the essentials.
    • ~150 sport modes.
    • Water resistance comparable to mainstream smartwatches.
    • Always‑on display and still ~10 days of battery life, versus 1–2 days on the Apple Watch Ultra in similar use.

Glimmer Edition

The Glimmer is essentially the same tech in fancier materials, at roughly twice the price. It looks and feels more “premium,” but part of Xiaomi’s magic here is the value proposition. Personally, I find the base Smart Band 10 to be the far smarter buy.

My take:
If you don’t desperately need app ecosystems, message replies, or cellular on your wrist, this $45 band covers most health and fitness use cases that people buy $400–$800 watches for. It’s a 10/10 in terms of value.

6. Desktop Soundbar – Clean Look, Average Sound

Approx. price: Varies
My rating: 6.5/10

Xiaomi’s desktop speaker takes the form of a compact soundbar designed to sit neatly under a monitor.

Pros from my testing:

  • Very clean, minimal design – looks great on a modern desk.
  • Solid build; doesn’t feel cheap.
  • Lovely physical volume knob with a light bar indicator on the front.

Cons:

  • The RGB / light bar is extremely dim. You’ll barely notice it unless your room is very dark.
  • Sound quality is better than almost any laptop speaker, but falls short of the best standalone Bluetooth speakers at similar prices. The tuning could be cleaner; mids and highs aren’t as crisp as I’d like.

If you prioritize aesthetics and just want something that looks good and is a clear upgrade over built‑in laptop speakers, it’s acceptable. If audio quality is your priority at this price point, there are stronger alternatives.

7. Portable Printer Pro – Tiny Printer, Big AR Party Trick

Approx. price: Higher than most “toy” photo printers
My rating: 8/10

Portable printers haven’t exactly gone mainstream, but Xiaomi’s Printer Pro makes a strong case for them, especially if you like physical photos or creative projects.

How it works in practice:

  1. You select a photo in the app and can add text or labels (e.g., “Baron in peak dad mode”).
  2. The printer applies color in several passes (dye-sublimation style), so a single print takes about a minute.
  3. The result:
    • Shockingly sharp for something so small.
    • Great color reproduction.
    • No washed-out “cheap printer” look.

Downsides:

  • Each ink cartridge only yields about 10 prints, so ongoing consumable cost is not trivial.

The wild part:
Xiaomi’s system can link videos to photos. When you hold your phone over a printed picture, the app recognizes the image itself (no visible QR code) and overlays the associated video in AR. It’s a clever way to turn physical prints into “video postcards” or memory triggers.

I’m not about to carry a printer in my everyday bag, but as a home gadget for scrapbooking, journaling, events, or creative gifts, this is the best portable printer experience I’ve used so far.

8. Pad Mini – Xiaomi’s Answer to the iPad Mini

Approx. price: Around $500 (for 256 GB, varies by region)
My rating: 8/10

The Xiaomi Pad Mini is clearly targeting the same users who’d consider an iPad Mini.

Highlights from my usage:

  • Price advantage: For comparable storage (256 GB), it undercuts Apple’s iPad Mini by around $100 in many markets.
  • Build & design:
    • Feels solid and reasonably premium in hand.
    • Compact enough for one-handed use (though with larger hands, it still gets tiring over long sessions).
  • Ports:
    • Two USB‑C ports, which is rare.
    • You can charge through one while using the other for a hub, storage, or accessories.
  • Display:
    • 120 Hz refresh rate – far smoother scrolling than the 60 Hz iPad Mini, and it’s noticeable in daily use.
  • AI features baked into the OS:
    • AI-assisted note‑taking and summarization (e.g., generating a structured workout plan into your notes).
    • AI image generation / art from sketches and prompts.

Performance is solid for media consumption, casual gaming, note‑taking, and general productivity. The AI tools don’t do anything radically new compared to other ecosystems, but Xiaomi’s integration and UI are polished. In fact, if you’re curious how Xiaomi’s AI tools stack up against what other brands are doing, I’ve broken that down separately in an in-depth AI comparison.

If you’re not locked into iOS and you want a smaller Android tablet with a premium feel and high refresh rate, this is a strong option.

9. Brushless Cordless Drill – Completing the Dad Infinity Gauntlet

Approx. price: Mid‑range
My rating: High 9/10

I loved Xiaomi’s compact electric screwdriver previously, and this brushless cordless drill feels like its bigger, more serious sibling.

In practice:

  • Clean, minimal Xiaomi design that doesn’t scream “industrial tool.”
  • Included set of magnetic drill bits and driver bits, neatly organized.
  • Mode selector lets you quickly switch between drilling and driving screws.
  • Power is more than enough for typical home tasks: furniture assembly, shelves, light DIY. If you’re tackling jobs that require substantially more torque, that’s the realm of professional gear anyway.
  • USB‑C rechargeable battery – no need for proprietary charging docks.
    • Some pros might miss a hot‑swappable battery, but for home use I actually prefer the simplicity of USB‑C.

If you’re building out a home toolkit and you like modern, well‑designed gear, this is genuinely excellent. Well-balanced, powerful enough, and satisfying to use.

10. Smart Door Lock with Palm Vein Recognition – Overkill, In a Good Way

Futuristic Xiaomi smart door lock on an apartment door scanning a user’s palm vein for secure entry

Approx. price: Around $700
My rating: 9/10

This might be the most over‑engineered smart lock I’ve ever used—and that’s partly why I like it.

Most smart locks offer two ways to unlock (phone + key, or PIN + fingerprint). Xiaomi’s unit touts 10 different methods, including some you almost never see in consumer gear.

Unlock methods I tested:

  • Traditional key (for emergencies)
  • PIN code on a capacitive keypad
  • One‑time PINs you can generate for guests
  • NFC card (sold separately – which is odd at this price)
  • Xiaomi Watch NFC
  • Xiaomi Band NFC
  • App control – remotely unlock from your phone
  • Fingerprint recognition
  • Facial recognition
  • Palm vein recognition

The star of the show for me is palm vein recognition. Holding your palm out and having the door unlock feels like a sci‑fi movie. From a security standpoint, vein patterns are extremely difficult to spoof compared to basic 2D facial recognition or fingerprints.

In my experience:

  • Fingerprint and palm vein were fast and reliable.
  • Facial recognition struggled more, particularly with darker skin and facial hair – something to be aware of.

Indoor display & AI:

  • There’s a screen on the inside that shows:
    • A downward camera view (for packages, etc.)
    • An outward view of visitors.
  • The system can learn and recognize frequent visitors’ faces, sending smart notifications instead of just generic motion alerts.
  • It detects tampering (e.g., someone trying to unscrew it) and triggers an anti‑tamper mode.

Is it expensive? Absolutely. Is it extra? Completely. But it’s also one of the most advanced consumer-grade smart locks I’ve seen and a genuinely impressive piece of engineering if you’re deep into smart home tech.

11. CyberDog 2 – Xiaomi’s $3,000 Robotic Doberman

Xiaomi CyberDog-style quadruped robotic dog walking across a modern living room while a person controls it with a remote

Approx. price: ~$3,000 (plus possible import fees)
My rating: 8/10

The CyberDog 2 is Xiaomi’s second‑generation quadruped robot, designed to mimic a Doberman in movement and proportions.

It’s not easy to buy—availability is limited, and I even encountered scams when trying to source one, so I strongly recommend buying only via official or clearly reputable channels.

What it can do:

  • Highly agile locomotion:
    • Walk, trot, gallop, perform “parkour flips,” and recover from being pushed or nudged thanks to:
      • 19 sensors, including depth sensors for distance
      • Force sensors in the feet for balance and terrain feedback
  • Remote control:
    • Intuitive joystick controls for movement and tricks.
  • Onboard cameras & “visor mode”:
    • You can stream what the dog “sees,” though image quality is more functional than cinematic.
  • Object / person following:
    • You can tag an object (e.g., yourself) via the live feed, and CyberDog 2 will track and follow.

From a pure robotics and AI standpoint, this is the most capable robot I’ve personally handled. That said, it’s clearly a niche product—aimed at developers, researchers, labs, and hardcore enthusiasts rather than typical consumers.

Emotionally, though? It really does start to feel like a robotic pet. If you followed Xiaomi’s earlier experimental robot “Mio/Milo” era and felt a gap, this scratches that itch.

Final Thoughts: Xiaomi’s Ecosystem Is Better Than It Has Any Right to Be

After spending time with all of these, a few patterns stand out:

  • Xiaomi is astonishingly good at finding clever use‑cases in mundane objects (flashlights, nightlights, drills).
  • Their value proposition on wearables, like the Smart Band 10, genuinely challenges how much we “need” to spend for competent health tracking.
  • Even their wildest, most niche gadgets (portable printers, robot dogs, palm‑vein locks) are rarely half‑baked. They might not be for everyone, but they tend to be well thought out.

If I had to highlight the biggest over‑performers:

  • Smart Band 10 – Completely reset my expectations for sub‑$50 fitness wearables.
  • Multi‑Function Flashlight – The kind of thing you buy “just in case” and then feel oddly proud to own.
  • Nightlight 3 – Quietly one of the best quality‑of‑life tech upgrades you can make at home.

Xiaomi still makes great budget phones, but in my opinion, their real superpower now is this sprawling gadget ecosystem. If you’re willing to explore beyond the usual suspects, there are some genuinely brilliant, present‑day devices hiding in there.

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