Finding good-sounding earbuds at a reasonable price can be tough. While things have improved with more audio brands entering the market, it’s still a challenge. I’ve been using Xiaomi’s latest Redmi Buds 5 for about a month now. They have really impressed me with their premium features and great performance. There are a few shortcomings, but nothing major. So, are the Redmi Buds 5 worth buying under Rs 3,000? Read our detailed review to find out.

Practical design and extremely comfortable

The Redmi Buds 5 come in a square case with a plastic build. The case has a soft matte finish, which unfortunately makes it prone to fingerprints and smudges. It’s possible that the former and the smudges were more noticeable on my white variant. If white isn’t your style, there’s also a black and lavender option available.

The Redmi Buds 5 are incredibly lightweight and fit comfortably in my ears. They are so light that sometimes I forget I am wearing them! Each earbud weighs just 5.12 grams. The dimensions of the earbuds are 29.52 x 21.44 x 23.45 mm, and they sit comfortably in the ears. I wore it daily during my 9-hour shift and during my daily walks. In every scenario, the buds ensured a secure fit. The charging case is compact, measuring 61 x 50 x 24.60 mm, and weighs just 42.47 grams with the earbuds. This makes it easy to carry around, perfect for someone like me who is always on the go.

Overall, the design is practical, you can easily put the earbuds case in your jeans pocket. They really resemble the OnePlus Buds 3, but it is much lighter and cheaper than them.

Good audio quality and powerful ANC

The highlight of the Redmi Buds 5 is the sound quality. The 12.4mm titanium drivers deliver crisp highs and deep, punchy bass. I listen to a wide variety of music from rock to classical and the Redmi Buds 5 handle everything with clarity and detail. Whether it’s the intricate details of a classical piece, in this case it was an old classical song me at the feast or the heavy beats of classic rock, Bohemian Rhapsody, These earbuds reproduce sound faithfully. However, I noticed that the sound gets distorted at higher volumes. This isn’t a big deal for me as I usually listen at moderate levels, but it’s something to keep in mind if you like to listen to your music loud.

One of my favorite features is the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). It really makes a difference, especially when I’m in noisy environments like cafes or public transport. The ANC modes are well-tuned for different situations, whether I need to be fully immersed or just be aware of my surroundings. The Deep Noise Cancellation mode is perfect for flights or bustling areas, while the Balanced mode works great for outdoor activities. The Light mode lets me focus on my work in quiet environments like the library or at home.

The ANC is so effective that at times when I was in the newsroom, I couldn’t hear my colleagues calling me. This is a testament to how well these earbuds can isolate you from outside noise. However, this level of noise cancellation can also be a disadvantage in some situations. It is important to be cautious when using ANC in crowded areas where you need to be aware of your surroundings for safety reasons.

For calls, the dual-mic AI voice enhancement works wonders. It cuts out background noise so the person on the other end can hear me clearly, even when I’m on a busy street. Transparency mode is also handy, especially when I need to hear announcements or have a quick chat without taking the buds out. Notably, transparency doesn’t turn on automatically, you have to turn it on manually from the Xiaomi app.

The app offers several customizable options

I like how customizable these earbuds are with the Xiaomi Earbuds App. I can change the ANC settings, choose from different audio effects like enhanced treble or enhanced bass, and even check if the ear tips are fitting correctly. The best part here is that once you make a change on the app, it will stay the same until you change the settings again. The app also helps me find my buds if I lose them, which happens more often than I’d like to admit. It’s intuitive to use, and I appreciate the extra functionality it adds to my Redmi Buds 5.

Good battery life and solid connectivity

The battery life has been great. On a full charge, I get about 10 hours of playtime, which is more than enough for my daily use. With the charging case, I can extend this to about 38 hours, which means I never have to worry about the battery running out. The fast charging feature is also very beneficial – just 5 minutes of charging gives me up to 2 hours of listening time, which is perfect for last-minute gym sessions or short trips.

Connecting to my devices is very easy with Bluetooth 5.3. I can switch between my phone and laptop without any hassle, and the connection remains stable even when I’m moving around. The touch controls on the buds are intuitive, allowing me to play/pause music, adjust the volume. It can also activate the voice assistant with a simple tap or swipe. It’s a small feature, but it makes using the Redmi Buds 5 easy and enjoyable.

Should you buy the Redmi Buds 5?

If you are looking for earbuds that offer great sound quality, effective noise cancellation, and great battery life, the Redmi Buds 5 are a great choice. They have quickly become my go-to for everyday use, whether I’m working, working out, or chilling at home. Plus, they are affordable compared to other premium brands, which makes them great value for money.

I highly recommend trying out the Redmi Buds 5 – they might surprise you with their performance and features!