Huawei’s FreeBuds line is likely one of the most underrated earbuds on the market. They strike a balance between stylish design, strong performance, and affordable prices.
The Huawei FreeBuds 6 and FreeBuds 5 are open-fit earbuds with many shared features. However, they also have key differences that might influence your buying decision.
Here, I’ll compare the newly launched FreeBuds 6 to the FreeBuds 5 to help make your decision easier.
Design and Build
Both the FreeBuds 6 and FreeBuds 5 sport Huawei’s distinctive open-fit design, which avoids silicone ear tips for a more airy and less intrusive fit compared to in-ear models.
The charging case for both models is nearly identical, featuring an egg-shaped, pebble-like design with a glossy finish, a Huawei logo on the front, a USB-C port, and a pairing/reset button.
However, the earbuds themselves cannot be interchanged between the cases due to slight internal differences.
The FreeBuds 6 and FreeBuds 5 earbuds share a similar aesthetic, with a futuristic, organic shape inspired by Prince Rupert’s drops (also known as Batavian tears).
The FreeBuds 5, introduced in April 2023, come in Ceramic White, Frost Silver, and Coral Orange, with a glossy, reflective finish that’s prone to smudges.
The FreeBuds 6, launched in 2025, are available in Black, White, and Purple, maintaining a glossy finish but reportedly better at resisting fingerprints.
A subtle but significant difference lies in the earbuds’ size and shape. The FreeBuds 6 are slightly smaller and feature a more ergonomic nozzle angle, improving how they sit in the ear.
Additionally, the FreeBuds 6 include optional silicone caps (similar to those in the FreeBuds 5) to enhance fit, but their refined design makes them feel more secure.
Both models are lightweight, with the FreeBuds 5 weighing 5.4g per earbud and the FreeBuds 6 slightly heavier at 5.4g due to internal upgrades.
Both carry an IPX4 rating for splash resistance, though the FreeBuds 6 are listed with an IP54 rating, offering marginally better dust and water resistance.
Verdict: The FreeBuds 6 offer minor design refinements, including a more ergonomic fit and slightly better resistance to environmental elements, but the overall aesthetic is nearly identical to the FreeBuds 5.
Comfort and Fit
Comfort is crucial for open-fit earbuds, as they don’t form a seal like in-ear models.
The FreeBuds 5 were praised for their airy comfort but criticized for feeling loose during movement, with some users noting they shifted during activities like walking or workouts.
Huawei addressed this in the FreeBuds 6 by tweaking the nozzle’s angle and including silicone caps that significantly improve grip. These changes make the FreeBuds 6 more secure, even during high-intensity activities like running, which was a weak point for the FreeBuds 5.
The FreeBuds 5 rely on their organic shape and optional silicone caps to stay in place, but their fit is less stable for active use. The FreeBuds 6’s design improvements make them a better choice for users who prioritize a secure fit without sacrificing the open-fit comfort.
Verdict: The FreeBuds 6 are noticeably more comfortable and secure, especially for active use, thanks to their ergonomic tweaks and better-fitting silicone caps.
Connectivity
Both the FreeBuds 6 and FreeBuds 5 use Bluetooth 5.2 and support high-resolution audio codecs like LDAC, alongside SBC and AAC.
The FreeBuds 6 add compatibility with Huawei’s proprietary L2HC codec, but this is only relevant for Huawei devices running EMUI or HarmonyOS.
Both earbuds support multipoint connectivity, allowing seamless switching between two devices, and feature Huawei’s AI Life app for customization on Android and iOS.
The AI Life app enables adjustments to ANC modes, touch controls, and equalizer settings.
However, the FreeBuds 6 stand out with a fully customizable equalizer, allowing users to fine-tune frequencies to their preference, whereas the FreeBuds 5 are limited to preset options (Default, Bass Boost, Treble Boost, Voices). B
oth models offer fast pairing with Huawei devices via a pop-up prompt, but non-Huawei devices require manual Bluetooth pairing. Latency is low enough for gaming when using LDAC, though it may increase range and latency slightly compared to SBC or AAC.
Verdict: The FreeBuds 6 edge out slightly with the addition of L2HC and a customizable equalizer, but connectivity performance is nearly identical for non-Huawei users.
Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode
Active noise cancellation (ANC) is a highlight for both models, though the FreeBuds 6 take a step forward.
Both use Huawei’s Open-Fit ANC 3.0, but the FreeBuds 6 benefit from a more advanced system and better ear fit, resulting in more effective noise reduction.
The FreeBuds 6’s improved nozzle angle and optional silicone caps create a better seal, enhancing ANC performance in noisy environments like subways or busy streets.
The FreeBuds 5’s ANC is decent but less effective due to their looser fit, struggling with high-frequency noises like voices or car horns.
Both models offer multiple ANC modes (Dynamic, Cozy, General, Ultra) and a Transparency (Awareness) mode for hearing ambient sounds.
The FreeBuds 6’s Transparency mode is notably better, allowing clear conversations even at a distance of 2–5 meters, and automatically switches to Transparency when one earbud is removed.
The FreeBuds 5’s Transparency mode is functional but less refined.
Verdict: The FreeBuds 6 provide superior ANC and Transparency mode performance, largely due to their improved fit and advanced algorithms.
Microphone Performance
Both the FreeBuds 6 and FreeBuds 5 are superior in call quality, making them suitable for noisy environments.
Each model features a tri-mic configuration, but the FreeBuds 6 have a slight edge in canceling background noise, such as traffic or wind, resulting in clearer voice transmission.
The FreeBuds 5 perform admirably, with clear and natural vocals, but the FreeBuds 6’s microphones are marginally better at isolating the user’s voice in challenging conditions.
Verdict: The FreeBuds 6 offer slightly better microphone performance, particularly in noisy or windy environments.
Sound Quality
Sound quality is where the FreeBuds 6 is a bit better. It features a dual-driver system with an 11mm dynamic driver and a planar diaphragm driver, delivering a frequency response of 14Hz–40kHz.
This setup provides punchy bass, detailed mids, and clear highs, with a focus on vocal clarity for both male and female voices.
However, the default sound profile can be slightly bright, with elevated mids and highs that may feel strident during extended listening. This can be mitigated using the customizable equalizer in the AI Life app.
The FreeBuds 5, equipped with a dual-magnetic dynamic 11mm driver, emphasize low frequencies but lack the same level of detail in mids and highs. Their sound is robust but less balanced, with vocals sometimes overshadowed by bass.
Both models support high-resolution audio via LDAC, but the FreeBuds 6’s dual-driver setup and improved tuning make them more versatile for various genres, especially for users who value vocal clarity and mid-range detail.
Verdict: The FreeBuds 6 deliver superior sound quality with better balance and detail, though their brightness may require EQ adjustments for some users.
Battery Life
When it comes to battery life, both models do okay but don’t match up to the top performers out there.
The FreeBuds 6 claim up to 5.5 hours of playback with active noise cancellation (ANC) off and 32 hours with the charging case, compared to the FreeBuds 5’s 5 hours and 30 hours, respectively. With ANC on, the FreeBuds 6 offer around 3.5–4 hours per charge, while the FreeBuds 5 manage about 3.5 hours.
In real-world testing, the FreeBuds 6 deliver approximately 4.5 hours with ANC off and 3–3.5 hours with ANC on, while the FreeBuds 5 typically achieve 4–4.25 hours without ANC.
Both models support fast charging via USB-C, with a 5-minute charge providing about 2 hours of playback.
The FreeBuds 5’s 505mAh case supports wireless charging, and while the FreeBuds 6’s case is also 505mAh, it’s unclear if wireless charging is retained (assumed to be similar based on shared features).
Neither model’s battery life is exceptional compared to competitors offering 8–9 hours per charge, but the FreeBuds 6’s slight edge makes them more reliable for extended use.
Verdict: The FreeBuds 6 offer a marginal improvement in battery life, but neither model stands out in this category compared to top competitors.
Price and Availability
The FreeBuds 6 retail for €159 in Europe and are not officially available in the US, though they can be found through third-party sellers, with occasional discounts lowering the price to around €139.
The FreeBuds 5, being an older model, are available for approximately €110.
Best Deals:
Freebuds 6: View on AliExpress
Freebuds 5: View on AliExpress
Huawei FreeBuds 6 vs Huawei FreeBuds 5: Specs Comparison
| Category | Huawei FreeBuds 6 | Huawei FreeBuds 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Open-fit, droplet-shaped, slightly smaller with ergonomic nozzle angle, glossy finish, optional silicone caps | Open-fit, droplet-shaped (Prince Rupert’s drop-inspired), glossy finish, optional silicone caps |
| Colors | Black, White, Purple | Ceramic White, Frost Silver, Coral Orange |
| Weight | Earbuds: 5.4g each; Case: 45g | Earbuds: 5.4g each; Case: 45g |
| IP Rating | IP54 (earbuds, dust and splash resistant) | IPX4 (earbuds, splash resistant) |
| Driver | 11mm dynamic driver + planar diaphragm driver | 11mm dual-magnetic dynamic driver |
| Frequency Response | 14Hz–40kHz | 16Hz–40kHz |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, L2HC (Huawei devices only) | SBC, AAC, LDAC, L2HC 2.0 (Huawei devices only) |
| ANC | Open-Fit ANC 3.0, Dynamic/Cozy/General/Ultra modes | Open-Fit ANC 3.0, Dynamic/Cozy/General modes |
| Microphones | 3 per earbud, improved noise cancellation | 3 per earbud |
| Battery Life (Earbuds) | 5.5h (ANC off), ~3.5–4h (ANC on) | 5h (ANC off), ~3.5h (ANC on) |
| Battery Life (Total with Case) | 32h (ANC off), ~20h (ANC on) | 30h (ANC off), ~18.5h (ANC on) |
| Charging | USB-C, wireless charging (assumed based on FreeBuds 5) | USB-C, wireless charging (Qi-certified) |
| Fast Charging | 5 min charge = ~2h playback | 5 min charge = ~2h playback |
| Controls | Double-tap (play/pause, answer/end call), swipe (volume), long-press (ANC modes) | Double-tap (play/pause, answer/end call), swipe (volume), long-press (ANC modes) |
| App Support | Huawei AI Life (iOS/Android), customizable 10-band EQ | Huawei AI Life (iOS/Android), preset EQs (Default, Bass Boost, Treble Boost, Voices) |
| Connectivity Features | Multipoint, fast pairing (Huawei devices), wear detection | Multipoint, fast pairing (Huawei devices), wear detection |
Should You Upgrade?
If you already own the FreeBuds 5, upgrading to the FreeBuds 6 may not be necessary unless you prioritize a more secure fit, improved ANC, or enhanced sound quality with customizable EQ.
The FreeBuds 5 are still competent for casual use, especially at their lower price point. For new buyers, the FreeBuds 6 are the clear winner, offering meaningful improvements in comfort, noise cancellation, and audio performance for a modest price increase.
Final Recommendation:
Choose the Huawei FreeBuds 6 if you’re buying new or value the latest features.
Choose the FreeBuds 5 if you’re on a tighter budget and can live with a less secure fit and slightly less advanced ANC and sound.
Related:
- Huawei FreeBuds SE 3 vs SE 2: Should You Upgrade?
- Huawei FreeBuds Pro 4 vs FreeClip vs FreeBuds SE 3: Which Should You Choose?
- Huawei FreeBuds 6i vs FreeBuds 5i: What’s the Difference?
- Huawei FreeBuds 5 vs FreeBuds Pro 2: Which Should You Buy?
Nick, the Co-founder of Earbuds Arena, is a seasoned freelance tech journalist with over ten years of experience covering wearables, apps, headphones, and gadgets. When he’s not immersed in the tech world, you’ll likely find him unwinding with video games, going for a run, or enjoying a game of soccer on the field.
