In today’s world of gadgets and smart appliances, there’s a lot of confusion about the names of the manufacturers: users see the Xiaomi and Viomi logos on the same devices or in the same app, but they can’t understand the difference. In fact, Viomi is not just a sub-brand, but a strategic partner, part of the huge Mi Ecosystem ecosystem.
Xiaomi has chosen to invest in a variety of startups that make their own names but use Xiaomi’s platform for communication and management, which is why you can see the Powered by Xiaomi or Viomi logo on the box of a humidifier or robot vacuum cleaner, which means that the device is created by a partner but integrated into a single network.
Understanding this structure is critical to the right choice of equipment. Many buyers are looking for Xiaomi, not knowing that Viomi often offers more specialized solutions in the segment of kitchen appliances and climate control. In this article, we will discuss in detail the history of cooperation, technical differences and help you decide on the purchase.
History and connection with Xiaomi
Viomi Technology was founded in 2014 and quickly became a key partner of Xiaomi, initially focusing on water purifiers, but with the investment and support of Big Brother, the strategy was to create a smart kitchen where all appliances are connected.
Unlike many other ecosystem partners, Viomi gained status as a standalone public brand with its own product line.This allowed the company to innovate, such as voice control through built-in speakers in faucets or refrigerators.
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Viomi is an independent company, part of the investment fund Xiaomi and produces smart home equipment under its own brand.
Importantly, while the brands are closely related, their development roadmaps can vary: Xiaomi focuses on smartphones and basic electronics, while Viomi is betting on large-scale home appliances and the integration of artificial intelligence into everyday appliances.
The main differences of brands and positioning
The main difference lies in the target audience and product type: While Xiaomi is associated with affordable smartphones, power banks and compact gadgets, Viomi is positioning itself as a premium brand for equipping the whole house, their flagship lines often include smart refrigerators, washing machines and air conditioning systems.
The technical implementation is also nuanced: Viomi devices often feature more advanced communication modules for stable operation on the Smart Home network, for example, many of their devices support protocols that allow you to create complex automation scenarios without the need for additional gateways.
- 📱 Xiaomi: smartphones, wearable electronics, small appliances, audio.
- 🏠 Viomi: large household appliances, water purification systems, smart kitchen, climate complexes.
- 🔗 Platform: Both brands use a single management app, making life easier for the user.
When choosing between brands, you need to focus on a specific task. Both options are suitable for buying a robot vacuum cleaner or humidifier, but if you are looking for a smart refrigerator with a screen, then Viomi is the undisputed leader in the ecosystem.
Application compatibility and ecosystem
One of the most common questions is about software, and fortunately, the integration is done well, and most Viomi devices can be connected to the main Mi Home app, which is familiar to millions of users around the world, but it sometimes requires a separate Viomi Home app to fully access all the features.
In the Mi Home app, devices are displayed on a par with Xiaomi products. You can create scenarios where turning on the Viomi air conditioner triggers Xiaomi's air purifier. This creates a single information space for managing the home.
Some Viomi models designed for the domestic market in China may require switching the region in the application settings to China, and the global versions do not have this restriction and work consistently with servers in Europe or Russia.
⚠️ Note: When linking the Viomi device to the Xiaomi account, make sure that the account region coincides with the region of the device, otherwise the gadget may not be determined in the network.
Popular categories of Viomi products
The brand’s range covers almost every area of life in the home, the most popular water treatment systems, Viomi filters are known for their efficiency and ability to control water quality through a smartphone, reverse osmosis membranes last long and easily change.
The second flagship category is kitchen appliances: Smart rice cookers, multi-cookers and induction stoves allow you to control the cooking process remotely, you can start making yogurt or soup while you're on the road, and the dish will be ready by your arrival.
Secrets of Viomi Smart Kitchen
The brand is also actively developing the direction of climate technology: air conditioners and heaters are equipped with temperature and humidity sensors, automatically maintaining a comfortable microclimate.
Comparison of quality and reliability
The build quality of Viomi devices is high, which is consistent with Xiaomi standards, using durable plastics, high-quality electronics and reliable connecting elements, many users say that the technique lasts for years without any complaints.
Compared to purely "Shaomi" products, Viomi's technology often has a more "premium" design: less white gloss, more matte surfaces and metal inserts, which makes it organically fit into modern interiors.
| Characteristics | Xiaomi (baseline) | Viomi (partner line) |
|---|---|---|
| The main focus | Electronics and gadgets | Large-scale household appliances |
| Design | Minimalism, white. | Premium materials, diversity |
| Annex | Mi Home | Mi Home / Viomi Home |
| Price segment | Budget/Average | Medium/High |
The software is also robust, and firmware updates come out regularly, fixing bugs and adding new features, but be prepared for the fact that the interface in Viomi’s native app may be different from the Mi Home.
Instructions: How to connect the Viomi device
The process of connecting Viomi devices is not much different from the standard procedure for the Xiaomi ecosystem: You will need a smartphone with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi installed. Make sure the device is in pairing mode (usually the indicator flashes in orange).
Open the Mi Home or Viomi Home app and click the Add Device button. The system will automatically find Nearby Devices. If the automatic search didn't work, manually select the device from the directory by category or name.
☑️ Checklist before connection
Follow the instructions on the screen. You'll be asked to select a Wi-Fi network and enter a password. It's critical to use a 2.4 GHz network, as most smart home devices don't support 5 GHz. Once you've successfully connected, you can assign a name to the device and assign a room.
⚠️ Warning: If the device is not connected, try resetting the network settings on the device itself (usually you need to press two buttons at the same time) and repeat the procedure again.