Review: Redmi Buds 5 earbuds are why I have started preferring calls again

Redmi is one of the best brands for the low- and mid-end smartphone market, and much like its smartphones, the accessories are super affordable, too. The new Redmi Buds 5 arrived alongside the Redmi Note 13 series with features such as active noise cancellation and bass boost technology without breaking the bank. This pair of earbuds also have a unique design that not only makes them stand out from the sea of run-of-the-mill earbuds but also gives customers something to flaunt. At Rs 2,999, the Redmi Buds 5 earbuds bring a lot to the table, but should you buy them? I have an answer for you.

Design

The charging case of typical, budget earbuds looks mostly like an oval. A few brands have opted for slightly whacky designs that most customers find odd. Redmi has done something different here. The Buds 5 do not necessarily look like most other truly wireless stereo earbuds and yet bring a sense of familiarity. The variant I have reviewed is called Fusion Purple. Its dual-tone finish makes the earbuds appealing, while the rectangular shape offers minimum hassle while yanking them out of the pocket. The other two models are Fusion White and Fusion Black, but they do not have a prominent dual-tone design.

These earbuds are very lightweight so keeping them in pockets was never a trouble for me. But on the flip side, I have sometimes forgotten whether or not I had the earbuds with me because I could not feel their weight in my pants pocket. The Fusion Purple colour variant is both glossy and matte. Its matte texture on the outside is soothing to the eyes and does not catch fingerprints or dirt. But the inside of it is a shiny body that attracts smudges. Earbuds, particularly, look like several other earbuds and do not have an outstanding design. But it is not bad because they are comfortable to wear for long hours and do not come out of ears easily. The charging case’s lid does not make a ‘click’ sound, which may not sit well with some sticklers. Its silicone ear tips are flexible and isolate the ear perfectly for noise cancellation to work efficiently.

I have, however, a small gripe about this design. The Redmi Buds 5’s USB-C port for charging is right under the lid’s mouth, i.e., on the front trim. It was confusing for me because most earbuds have a charging port on the backside. It took time for me to get used to this design.

Performance

There is only so much you can expect from earbuds at this price, but the Redmi Buds 5 earbuds punch above their weight. Right from the pairing process, the Redmi Buds 5 is easy to connect to Android and iPhone devices. The setup for the former is easier because of Google Fast Pair support. Entering the pairing mode is also convenient, thanks to the dedicated soft button on the side of the earbuds. Xiaomi has a dedicated app that helps you control the settings for the earbuds, such as its audio modes and noise cancellation. Although you can make do without this app, it would be better to have it for customisation. The gestures for things like changing the tracks or activating noise cancellation are set by default, but I changed them according to my preferences from this app. The earbuds turn on automatically when out of the charging case while keeping them back turns them off.

Redmi claims the 12.4mm drivers on the earbuds can handle highs and mids well. There are various sound modes available from the app if you want to induce good bass in the music. Set to the ‘Standard’ audio quality, the earbuds sound mostly flat. While the dialogues and vocals are crisp, the music has little richness. That is a bummer for someone who dances while enjoying every beat. This mode can be good for genres like classical and country. Other audio qualities include ‘Enhance treble’, ‘Enhance bass’, and ‘Enhance voice’. Depending on what sort of music you want to listen to, you can change the quality. For instance, I chose ‘Enhance bass’ for EDM tracks but changed to ‘Enhance voice’ while watching a movie. I liked the sound quality for their price, but the earbuds lack support for high-quality codecs (aptX and LDAC) and a dedicated equaliser, which could be a dealbreaker.

The sound quality is good, but the active noise cancellation on these earbuds is mostly average. Sure, the Redmi Buds 5 are not premium earbuds, so expecting them to offer the highest level of noise cancellation would not be right. However, some of its rivals in the same price segment manage noise cancellation better. I am not saying the Redmi Buds 5 earbuds are bad either as far as ANC is concerned. They can filter out the noise of a whirring fan in a room or people talking next to you easily. The struggle shows with sounds such as those of truck horns or an office full of chatty employees. You can avoid these earbuds if active noise cancellation is your top priority in your next wireless earbuds, but if not, the Redmi Buds 5 is a good option. Other than noise cancellation, these earbuds allow transparency mode when you have to talk without having to remove them.

Unlike active noise cancellation, the call quality on the earbuds is good. People I talked to never complained that they could not hear me. Even in windy situations, the voice remains clear, thanks to AI noise reduction.

Battery

The Redmi Buds 5 earbuds come with a powerful battery that easily lasts two to three days on a single charge if you use them for about two hours a day without ANC. With ANC, that is more than a day of daily use. That includes the charging case’s battery. Redmi provides a USB-C cable in the box, but you will have to manage a power adapter with a USB-A port.

Redmi Buds 5 review verdict

If you’re in search of affordable wireless earbuds, the Redmi Buds 5 is an excellent choice. It boasts a unique appearance and the earbuds’ ergonomic design makes them easy to carry around in your pocket. The sound quality is generally good, and it should appeal to most customers. Additionally, the ANC feature works well in most situations. These earbuds are a great option for people who prioritise long battery life and excellent call quality.