In today’s dynamic world full of noise, using wireless earbuds has become an integral part of our everyday life. As users, we no longer just expect good sound quality, but also convenient earbud design and useful features tailored to our needs. The brand new Redmi Buds 5 with ANC, priced at approximately $45 with ANC, transparency mode, Multipoint support, and 40 hours of battery life with the case, seem like a very promising option. Shall we put them to the test?
Redmi Buds 5 positioning and price
The Redmi Buds 5 are wireless earbuds available at an attractive price of approximately $45. However, in various online stores, you can find these earbuds for around $35 or even cheaper. Well, the competitive price makes the Buds 5 a accessible device for a wide range of users.
Three color options are available to choose from: white, blue, and black. We received the blue version for review. It’s cool that there are different options to match an accessory to your look and style.
The manufacturer promises active noise cancellation up to 46 dB, three noise cancellation modes, 10 hours of playback (40 hours with the case), convenient customization via the app, the ability to work with two devices simultaneously, and efficient touch controls. The earbuds even recognize when they are inserted or removed from the ears, allowing for automatic answering of phone calls when they are in use.
Let’s check which promises the brand has fulfilled and which features couldn’t be implemented due to the low price.
Read also: Haylou S35 ANC review: Incredibly cool headphones at an incredibly low price
Redmi Buds 5 specifications
- Bluetooth: 5.3 (HSP/HFP/A2DP/AVRCP)
- Dynamic emitters with a diameter of 12.4 m (one in each earbud)
- Audio codecs: SBC, AAC
- Port for charging: USB type-C
- Operating frequency: 20-20000 Hz
- Noise reduction: 3 modes, up to 46 dB
- Battery capacity: phones 54 mAh, case 480 mAh
- Operating time: up to 40 hours with a case
- Water resistance: IP54
- Dimensions and weight: headphones 29.5 × 21.4 × 23.5 mm, case 61.0 × 50.0 × 24.6 mm, 42 g (set), 5.3 g (headphones)
Package contents
In addition to the device itself, the package includes a special USB Type-C cable. We also have ear tips of various sizes included. Furthermore, the package contains documentation explaining the pairing process and nuances of earbud control. The only issue I have with the package is the excessive use of plastic bags (both for the ear tips and the earbuds themselves), as it could have been done without them.
Design and ergonomics
At first glance, I noticed the “cheapness” of the earbuds ─ indeed, for around $45, one should not expect anything beyond ordinary thin plastic. However, I personally prefer the streamlined square shape of the housing more than the usual oval designs used by many manufacturers in this price range..
At the top of the case, there’s a large brand logo, and at the bottom front, there’s a charging port, with a charging indicator next to it. On the right side, there’s also a button for resetting settings and device pairing.
When you open the case, you see the earbuds charging indicator in the form of an extended line (it’s really cool that Redmi thought of two LED indicators) and the earbuds themselves, which are securely held in place by magnets. It’s worth noting the cool color combination of the blue version ─ the inner part of the case is turquoise.
The overall look is nice. The earbuds have an ergonomic design, they’re lightweight (the case together with the earbuds weighs 52.6 g), and are convenient to carry, fitting into a pocket or a small bag.
Each of the earbuds has a glossy element on the stem ─ an unusual solution, it’s cool that the manufacturer has somewhat “revived” the design this way. The earbuds are compact and lightweight; while wearing them, I was afraid they might fall out of my ears or that I wouldn’t feel them due to their low weight. However, nothing like that happened, so you can comfortably run, exercise, or simply sit calmly and work without worrying about them falling out.
I already mentioned in the “accessories” section that we have various ear tips to choose from. It’s worth taking a look at them and trying them out because after wearing the “default” size M ear tips, my ears were a bit sore for some time. However, when I switched to the smaller size S, the problem disappeared.
The earbuds also have IP54 splash resistance, meaning they can withstand sweat or rain, but it’s not advisable to get the case wet, as it’s not protected.
Read also: Redmi Note 13 and Note 13 5G Smartphones Review
Connection, application, control
I used the earbuds with both Android-based smartphones and iPhones. When I opened the case near an Android smartphone, the earbuds automatically connected using the Google Fast Pair feature, and special graphics appeared on the phone’s screen.
Fast Pair also provides useful pop-up notifications about the battery status when the case is opened.
If Fast Pair doesn’t work for some reason or you don’t want to “set up” your phone (or if you have an iPhone), simply turn on Bluetooth on your phone, open the case lid, find the device name in the list, and connect to it ─ that’s it, you can start using it.
For Android
For iOS
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However, it’s worth noting the manufacturer’s companion app right away. The Xiaomi Earbuds app is the perfect complement to the Redmi Buds 5, providing users with additional features and customization options.
In Xiaomi Earbuds, you can change gesture settings, amplify individual frequencies (low or high, or amplify your voice), check how well the earbuds fit in your ear, and see the charge level of the case and the earbuds themselves. In addition, in this app, you can turn on noise cancellation and contact mode (the so-called “transparency”). If you accidentally forget one headphone somewhere, the app will help you find it.
ANC is not the only flagship feature offered by Redmi Buds 5. The model also has “multipoint” functionality, meaning it can work with two devices simultaneously and automatically switch between them. To use this option, you need to first enable it in the app (“dual connection”), as it’s not activated by default.
First, I connected the earbuds to my smartphone and laptop, and then everything happened automatically. For example, if I received a call on my smartphone while watching a video on my laptop, the earbuds would switch to the smartphone. Then, after the call, when I resumed the video, I could hear the sound from the laptop again.
The Redmi Buds 5 are equipped with touch controls, allowing users to manage various functions by tapping on the surface of the earbuds. Typical functions include switching songs, adjusting volume, accepting and rejecting phone calls, as well as activating the voice assistant.
A double tap allows you to answer a call and activate pause/play for music. A triple tap lets you reject a call or skip to the next track.
Read also: Realme Buds Air 5 TWS Headphones Review
Redmi Buds 5 and ANC sound quality
Redmi Buds 5 provide excellent sound quality for their price, making them a great choice for those who value sound quality at an affordable price. These earbuds with 12.4-millimeter drivers can satisfy even those who prefer deeper and more uneven sound.
The earbuds have a solid bass characteristic, making the low frequencies deep and rich. This is especially important for enthusiasts of music genres where bass plays a key role.
To understand what the earbuds are capable of, the aforementioned app helped me. It was in this app that I experimented with the sound of the Redmi Buds 5. I activated the enhancement of certain tones ─ I recommend enhancing the low tones, then the sound is clear and well-balanced, as enhancing the high frequencies causes a slightly unpleasant squeak.
The Redmi Buds 5 offer active noise cancellation, allowing you to focus on your music without external distractions. Of course, the quality of ANC is not on par with flagship models, but not so long ago, this feature was absent in budget earbuds! Additionally, properly chosen ear tips provide effective isolation, enhancing sound quality.
When ANC is at its strongest, it may feel like your ears are being blocked. This can be unpleasant for people with increased sensitivity to noise. A “balanced” level is much better and can suppress distant city noises (such as cars heard through the window). The low level is not very effective and works poorly outdoors. However, it can reduce office noise – the noise from a computer or air conditioner. In my opinion, the ANC works quite well here, especially for such inexpensive earbuds.
Remember that you can also enable “transparency mode,” in which external sounds are “amplified” so you can talk to someone without removing the earbuds. “Transparency mode” has three operating options. Normal mode lets all ambient sounds pass through. You can also amplify your voice (mid-tones) or amplify ambient sounds (high tones). The latter is useful when engaging in outdoor activities or walking in the streets, as it allows you to better hear a bicycle bell, a horn, or the sound of a car engine. In other words, this option enhances safety. “Transparency” works well, but the sound is somewhat artificial compared to more expensive earbuds.
During calls, there were no issues. I compared the call quality of the earbuds with my Huawei FreeBuds 4i, and unexpectedly, our review hero emerged victorious, despite the fact that Huawei buds cost slightly more. Both the voice guidance and phone calls were clearer; I was audible, and my voice was clearer. There were no obstacles, and the urban noise was hardly audible.
Read also: HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 3 flagship headphones review
Operating time and charging
The manufacturer promises approximately 40 hours of usage with charging in the case. I charged the earbuds immediately upon receiving them and used them for 2-3 hours per day. They didn’t discharge for a week! On a single charge, the earbuds work for up to 10 hours. Fast charging is also available – 2 hours of usage after just 5 minutes of charging.
Of course, with ANC or “transparency” mode enabled, the battery life will be shorter, but nothing critical; you can definitely count on 8 hours of music playback.
Conclusions
Overall, the Redmi Buds 5 are wireless earbuds that impress with both an attractive price and excellent sound quality. Their modern design and ergonomic construction make them not only stylish but also comfortable for customers with various preferences. We have a well-functioning ANC mode, “transparency,” and the ability to work with two devices simultaneously, as well as many other useful features (two LED indicators, auto-pause function, automatic call answering, etc.).
As for drawbacks, the only one is the somewhat artificial “pure sound” mode, but in other earbuds priced at $45, it’s not even available. That’s why we highly recommend these earbuds! If you need stronger ANC and the advanced LDAC model, you can consider the higher-end model in the Redmi Buds 5 series, the Redmi Buds 5 Pro.
Read alsо:
- HUAWEI FreeBuds SE 2 Wireless Headphones Review
- Haylou X1 2023 TWS headphones review: high quality for a low price
- Huawei FreeClip “Open Ear” Headphones Review