Underwater cases for the Xiaomi Yi camera is a hard topic currently as there are many different models available. There is one original case by Xiaomi which was updated to a 2nd generation model, the other ones are from 3rd party retailers:
Video Review:
The Cases
This is a list of the available underwater cases for the Xiaomi Yi camera:
The Original Case
Xiaomi recently released a new version of the underwater case. The first edition seemed to have issues with the buttons as the break easily (I didn’t encounter this problem though).
Both have a white cap the 1st version had white plastic buttons, the new one shows aluminium buttons!
The cap covers the whole top section with a hole for the button.
“Yi See Different” is written on the cap.
It is 40m waterproof with protection class IP68.
A GoPro mount adapter with a 1/4″ thread is included.
The case comes in a box which looks like the one from the camera.
Prices:
- Banggood:
- new version white 29.99 USD
- new version green 29.99 USD
- Geekbuying:
- new version 30.99 USD
- Gearbest:
- new version 25.60 USD
- Aliexpress:
- This reseller sold and delivered the old original case. (some resellers show pictures of the original case but send different ones!)
Reviews:
Video Review Old vs New case:
New version:
el Producente (bought at Banggood)
The new original case seems great (like the first version) now the buttons are improved and are made of aluminium, so they won’t break. It has a very good locking mechanism and there isn’t the slightest gap between case and door. Vignetting is also no problem with the new version of the case:
Please note that my camera’s lens is a little shifted to the right showing vignetting in a photo with lens rectification turned off!
Old version:
el Producente (bought at this aliexpress reseller)
The original case seems to be the best one out there. It has the best cap design and locking mechanism of the cases I tested. Quality seems to be very good, no button issues on the one I tested. Vignetting is also no big deal with this case:
Matthias (bought from this aliexpress reseller):
“ -good quality
-case covers yi-cam perfectly
-the buttons are comfortably to press (not so hard as the buttons of the sjcam case)
-well designed (I don’t like the green of kingma case)
-the closing mechanism (made of plastic) does its job well “
Rome (bought in China):
Even though there is a very little vignette in the lower corner, Rome says this is the best of the cases in terms of image quality he tested.
The 60m case
This is the only model which is 60m waterproof!
It has a black cap, similar to the GoPro cases.
The rubber sealing is colored red.
Prices:
- Aliexpress: 10.80 USD (in stock)
- Gearbest: 9.25 USD (in stock)
- Geekbuying: –
- Banggood: 21.99 USD (in stock)
Review:
elProducente (bought at this aliexpress reseller):
The quality of the case seems to be very good. There is not the slightest gap between case and door. The cap gets loose if you don’t watch out when opening, but when it is hooked in, it is very tight. Only very little vignetting:
Rome: (bought in China)
Matthias: (bought at aliexpress)
“ +NO vignetting
+good quality plastic
+buttons are very soft to press (more soft than the original xiaomi yi underwatercase)
-The wifi-button is not fitted at the same height position than the other ones (but it makes no difference in usage)
-The closing buckle gets off very easy from the case (only in open position)
In my opinion the best case is the original one from xiaomi. If I would buy again, I would recommend the original. On second position I would choose the 60m underwater case.”
The “pre-order” case
Most of us first saw this picture of an underwater case for the Xiaomi Yi camera:
I got a notice after ordering that the model has changed and now looks like this:
A little later I got a confirmation Mail that this model is from “another manufacturer” ant not from Xiaomi.
It has a cyan cap and silver buttons. The cap covers the whole top section with a hole for the button (similar to the original one).
A GoPro quickconnector is included.
Prices:
Reviews:
el Producente (bought at Banggood):
The camera fits well into the case and it is very hard to get it out again. The cap easily detaches from the metal bar which is annoying. I noticed that it is sealed, but there is a larger gap on one side of the case, which could or should be tighter (last photo).
The vignetting is pretty bad when doing photos without lens rectification in 4:3. It is stronger on the right side of the picture. I noticed that the lens on my camera is not centered in the housing, it’s a little more to the left when looking at the camera. I tried using a white wall to make vignetting visible:
Rome (bought in China):
Lukas (ordered at Banggood):
The KingMa case (+lookalike)
There is a noticeable difference as the lens housing is not round.
This case is from Kingma, same company the first available battery for Xiaomi Yi camera is from. It is also 40m waterproof.
It is available with a green, white or black cap.
There is no hole for the trigger button, the part of the cap is hollow.
There might be some lookalikes as there are some pictures without the KingMa logo on top of the cap.
Prices:
- Banggood: 19.60 USD (in stock)
- Geekbuying: 18.99 USD (in stock)
- Gearbest: 10.63 USD (in stock)
- Aliexpress: 12.89 USD (in stock)
Reviews:
Rome (bought in China):
Here is a picture of the cases he tested. The one I referring to is no 2 from the left. No logo on top.
Simon (bought at aliexpress)
The “rounded” case
I refer to as “rounded model” as the cap is rounded towards the front.
This one is like all the others 40m waterproof.
The cap covers the whole top of the case with a hole for the trigger button. It seems very round on front and back.
It is available in black, green and white; sometimes the lens housing is in the same color as the cap:
Prices:
- Banggood: 15.99 USD (in stock)
- Geekbuying: 18.99 USD (in stock)
- Gearbest: 9.13 USD (in stock)
- Aliexpress: 10.47 USD (in stock)
Reviews:
I don’t have any reviews so far. I’ll keep you updated…
Conclusion
This is a very challenging topic where the information changes almost daily. I’ll try my best to collect as much information as possible and keep updating this site constantly.
My favorite is the original case: very good quality and no vignetting.
2nd place for the 60m case. Also very good quality and no vignetting. On the downside, the cap may get loose, but thats not a big deal. A big plus that it is 60m water proof.
The “pre-order” model has some issues: the cap gets loose easily and the is very bothersome. The quality is also pretty poor as there is a gap between case and door, which is covered by the sealing. I dindn’t have a problem when using under water, but it doesn’t look that trustworthy. Vignetting is pretty bad.
I haven’t tested the KingMa Case myself. On the photos you can see vignetting worse than with the original or 60m model.
I also haven’t tested the “rounded” model and have no test results. The lens housing seems to be tight. I curious how vignetting looks like.
If you have any review info or pictures, please send them!
Remark: The prices shown in the comparison are the cheapest ones, as this was a request by users to show the lowest price. The links next to the review refer to the seller where they were bought by me and users. There still could be a change in production or stock to the model you order.