VIOT vs SMRT

For growth investors, SmartRent, Inc.

(SMRT) is the stronger pick with -12. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -15. 0% for Viomi Technology Co. , Ltd (VIOT). Viomi Technology Co. , Ltd (VIOT) offers the better valuation at 3. 2x trailing P/E (3. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Viomi Technology Co. , Ltd (VIOT) a "Buy" — based on 2 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

Over the past 5 years, Viomi Technology Co.

, Ltd (VIOT) delivered a total return of -84. 1%, compared to -89. 5% for SmartRent, Inc. (SMRT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: VIOT returned -86. 5% versus SMRT's -86. 8%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Viomi Technology Co.

, Ltd (VIOT) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 95β versus SmartRent, Inc. 's 1. 78β — meaning SMRT is approximately 88% more volatile than VIOT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, SmartRent, Inc. (SMRT) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 3% versus 11% for Viomi Technology Co. , Ltd — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), SmartRent, Inc.

(SMRT) is pulling ahead at -12. 9% versus -15. 0% for Viomi Technology Co. , Ltd (VIOT). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Viomi Technology Co. , Ltd grew EPS 273. 2% year-over-year, compared to -88. 2% for SmartRent, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, SMRT leads at -3. 2% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Viomi Technology Co.

, Ltd (VIOT) is the more profitable company, earning 3. 0% net margin versus -39. 8% for SmartRent, Inc. — meaning it keeps 3. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: VIOT leads at 7. 4% versus -24. 7% for SMRT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SMRT leads at 32. 7%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.

All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Viomi Technology Co.

, Ltd (VIOT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 95)). SmartRent, Inc. (SMRT) carries a higher beta of 1. 78 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (VIOT: -86. 5%, SMRT: -86. 8%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

These companies operate in different sectors (VIOT (Consumer Cyclical) and SMRT (Technology)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: VIOT is a small-cap deep-value stock; SMRT is a small-cap quality compounder stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.