Xiaomi Magnetic Mat

Xiaomi has released a magnetic mat for small parts under its own brand. It makes taking apart various devices and gadgets easier. Anyone who has ever disassembled a smartphone or other gadget knows how tiny screws and small parts always seem to roll away. You have to draw diagrams so you don't forget where each screw came from—that's where a magnetic mat comes in handy.



I ordered two magnetic mats, one for myself and one as a gift. They arrived in a standard yellow mailer. I wish they had put a piece of rigid cardboard in the package to protect them better from the mail carrier and from getting bent.



The magnetic mat comes in a thin cardboard box. It's made of a magnetic, rubberized material—the kind of magnet I've usually seen on refrigerator souvenirs. The mat is dark brown. There is a grid on the front, but it's darker and almost blends into the background; the back has circles for different screw heads.



Dimensions:
165mm - 65mm - 2mm



The mat is designed for working with very small screws. To compare its magnetic strength, I bought a magnetic souvenir sheet. It's a little thicker than the mat being reviewed, has double-sided adhesive tape on one side, and costs a little less than Xiaomi's mat.



For the test, I used very small screws and computer screws, including the heaviest ones, which are usually used to fasten the computer's side panels. They're wide enough to unscrew with your fingers.




The Xiaomi mat is just under 2mm thick and bends under the weight of the screws. That's not a big deal since its main purpose is to lie on a table, but if you need to move it, it's best to pick it up with both hands.



The test showed that both mats did their job well. I placed the screws on the mats in two rows: in one row, I stood each screw on its head, and next to it I laid an identical screw on its side. The magnets were strong enough to hold the screws in place. Only the heaviest screws fell off, which was to be expected.

PROS:
A magnetic mat makes disassembly much easier. Masking tape and various little containers are a thing of the past.

CONS:
The printed grid isn't very useful because it's hard to see. The mat is only large enough for disassembling a smartphone.

If you're looking for a good, more functional magnetic mat, check out iFixit. The company makes various tools for disassembling gadgets, and you can also buy repair parts. The iFixit store on AliExpress sells parts for iPhone & iPad and SAMSUNG.

iFixit Store on AliExpress

Small, inexpensive magnetic mat on AliExpress

Large magnetic mat with marker on AliExpress

JAKEMY Magnetic Mat