Xiaomi’s latest flagship earbuds, the Buds 5 Pro, have stirred up plenty of debate since launch.
At $235, they sit in the premium bracket and come loaded with features: a triple-driver system, lossless audio support, powerful noise cancellation, and even a built-in recorder.
But then Xiaomi went a step further and announced a Wi-Fi edition, adding even more confusion for potential buyers.
So, what sets the two apart, and more importantly, which one should you buy?
Design and Comfort
On the outside, both versions look and feel identical. The Buds 5 Pro keep the familiar in-ear stem design, paired with a compact glossy case.
Comfort is solid — you can wear them for a couple of hours before mild fatigue kicks in — though the shiny finish quickly picks up scratches and fingerprints.
Build quality is decent, with IP54 dust and splash resistance, but it’s not the most durable choice if you’re rough with your gear.
In short: if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them both. No design differences between the standard and Wi-Fi models.
Sound Quality
This is where things get interesting. The Buds 5 Pro come with a three-driver setup:
- an 11mm dynamic driver for bass,
- a ceramic tweeter for mids,
- and a planar driver for treble.
Out of the box, the sound is V-shaped: strong bass, slightly recessed mids, and crisp but not overly bright highs.
The low end is full and textured, which makes hip-hop and EDM sound engaging, but vocals can feel pushed back compared to rivals.
The soundstage is also on the narrow side, lacking the openness you get from something like the Realme Buds Air 7 Pro.
Now, the Wi-Fi edition introduces support for Xiaomi’s Xpen Wi-Fi Audio — streaming at up to 4.2 Mbps. In theory, this means near-lossless quality.
In practice, the benefit is currently locked to a single device: the Xiaomi 15 Ultra smartphone. On any other phone, the Wi-Fi model sounds nearly identical to the standard Buds 5 Pro, with only marginal differences in detail.
So yes, the Wi-Fi model has higher potential, but unless you’re a Xiaomi flagship user, you won’t hear much of it.
Noise Cancellation and Transparency
Both earbuds offer excellent ANC, blocking out up to 80–85% of outside noise. They don’t quite match Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 or Sony’s WF-1000XM5, but they come surprisingly close.
Transparency mode is good enough for quick conversations, especially with the voice enhancement option turned on.
Here, there’s no difference at all between the two versions.
Features and Extras
This is one of the most feature-packed earbuds Xiaomi has ever made. You get:
- Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint pairing
- Google Fast Pair and Swift Pair on Windows
- A built-in recorder (2 hours per earbud, 4 hours total)
- Real-time translator (works only on HyperOS devices)
- Wireless and fast charging
The Wi-Fi edition’s only real trick is the higher bitrate streaming. Outside of that, both versions are identical.
Battery Life
Battery life is solid across the board. The standard Buds 5 Pro last about 8 hours per charge (40 with the case), while the Wi-Fi version pushes that to 10 hours (42 with the case). It’s an improvement, but not one that changes the overall experience.
Price and Availability
Both versions are priced at $235 USD, though the Wi-Fi model is harder to find and mainly promoted as a companion to the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro vs Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi: Key Specs
| Feature | Buds 5 Pro | Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi |
|---|---|---|
| Audio Codec | AptX Adaptive, AAC, SBC | Xpen Wi-Fi (up to 4.2 Mbps, Xiaomi 15 Ultra only) |
| Battery Life | 8h + 40h case | 10h + 42h case |
| Noise Cancellation | Yes (up to 85% noise blocked) | Same |
| Extra Features | Recorder, Translator (HyperOS only) | Same |
| Price | $235 | $235 |
Which One Should You Buy?
Here’s the bottom line:
- If you own a Xiaomi 15 Ultra, the Wi-Fi model might be worth considering. You’ll get the full benefit of the high-bitrate streaming, which could squeeze out more detail and clarity.
- For everyone else, the standard Buds 5 Pro is effectively the same product. The Wi-Fi feature is locked away, and you’re not missing much.
That said, the bigger question is whether either version is worth $235. The Buds 5 Pro sound good — but not exceptional for the price. Cheaper rivals like the OnePlus Buds 4 or the Realme Buds Air 7 Pro deliver more balanced audio without the heavy bass bias, and they don’t lock key features behind brand-exclusive software.
Where to Buy?
Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro: View on AliExpress
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.
