If you saw the review of Redmi Buds 3 and thought that the Lite prefix means just some small change, and in general you can guess what will be written in this review, I’m here to change your mind. These models are fundamentally different. You will have a lot to read. Meet Redmi Buds 3 Lite.
Market positioning and price
Delivery set
We are dealing with the simplest model, and therefore its equipment is appropriate. In the box you will find a case with earbuds, instructions and a set of replacement ear pads. The latter was missing in our test sample. But of course it is included in retail samples.
The absence of a charging cable has made the headphones cheaper, but if you don’t already have a USB Type-C device, this circumstance can create additional difficulties.
Design, materials and assembly
Externally, the headset looks the most familiar. Matte black case with a rounded shape, the earbuds themselves with small ‘ears’ for a more tenacious fixation in the ear. No frills on the one hand, but on the other hand, it is an option that has been proven over the years and by millions of users. By the way, there is also a white color, but for me personally, the matte surface of the black case seemed more attractive.
I liked the materials of the case and earphones – the matte plastic is very pleasant to the touch, and it also does not collect fingerprints. The lightweight design of the headphones allows you to wear them for a long time without your ears getting tired.
The charge level of the earphones is shown by indicators on the back of each earbud and on the front of the case.
Of the noteworthy design of the headphones, I note the presence of a touch zone for control. And this is in headphones with such a modest price tag! Definitely a plus for convenience and two pluses for the position relative to competitors.
The case is charged via the USB-C port at the bottom of the case. Wireless charging was not provided here, but this is not surprising, given the positioning of the headphones in the base model segment.
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Ergonomics and comfort of use
The earphones fit me well, they do not bruise or fall out, and comfortably sit in my ears. The shape also contributes to a secure fit. The small weight of the earphones and the provided IP54 waterproofing make Redmi Buds 3 suitable for sports in the gym or jogging in nature.
Connecting, managing and software
You won’t need to install any special apps to control your headphones. Just open the case and find the headset in the list of available devices in Bluetooth connections. By the way, since Bluetooth version 5.2 is here, you can count on a stable connection without interruptions within a radius of about 10 meters.
I liked that the headset does not require any shenanigans, and the touch control also turns on right away. Here they provided a simple and reliable protection against accidental operation – one touch is simply not programmed for any action. Only a more complex combination is a signal for them to take action.
Double-tap on any of the earphones – pause/play or accept a call, triple tap – end or reject a call, one touch + long press of any earphone – the next track, one touch and press both earphones at the same time – low latency mode for games.
It is impossible to go back to the track and this is a trifle, but very annoying if you are looking for tracks on the run and accidentally missed the one you want. Then either scroll through the entire tracklist again, or take out your smartphone, or accept that you won’t listen to the missed song now.
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Sound of Redmi Buds 3 Lite
The earphones sound more than worthy for their price segment. They have a fairly balanced frequency range, although I personally lacked bass. Such a decent sound is achieved thanks to 6 mm speakers.
Voice communication
If we consider the earphones from the point of view of a wireless headset, then everything is fine here – the built-in speakers are perfect for talking. Microphones transmit voice clearly enough, and besides, they have some simple noise filtering system, so that the interlocutor hears your voice better, and not the environment.
Battery life of Redmi Buds 3 Lite
The battery in the earbuds is enough to continuously listen to music for about 5 hours, and the case is enough to provide another 12-14 hours of work.
Conclusions
Redmi Buds 3 Lite turned out to embody all the most versatile features that you can think of in-ear wireless headphones. Simplicity and reliability, classic design, as well as the use of control gestures at touch zones make Redmi Buds 3 Lite an attractive purchase candidate in the sub-$25 segment.
Where to buy
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