When looking for budget-friendly true wireless earbuds (TWS), both the Soundcore R50i and the Redmi Buds 5 offer attractive features at affordable prices.
Deciding between them comes down to your specific needs—whether it’s sound quality, battery life, or additional features like noise cancellation.
In this detailed comparison, we’ll put them side by side to help you figure out which one is best suited for you.
Table of Contents
Soundcore R50i vs Redmi Buds 5: Specs Comparison
| Feature | Soundcore R50i | Redmi Buds 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver Size | 10mm | 12.4mm |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Frequency Range | 10 Hz – 20 kHz | Not specified |
| Water Resistance | IPX5 | IP54 |
| Active Noise Cancellation | No | Yes (up to 46dB) |
| Transparency Mode | No | Yes (3 modes) |
| Touch Controls | Yes | Yes |
| Earbud Battery Life | 10 hours | 10 hours (8 hours with ANC) |
| Total Battery Life (with case) | 30 hours | 38 hours (30 hours with ANC) |
| Charging Port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Fast Charging | Not specified | Yes (10 min charge for 4 hours use) |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Multi-device Connection | No | Yes |
| Gaming Mode | Yes | No |
| EQ Customization | 22 presets | Basic audio effects |
| Price (Approx. USD) | $25 | $36 |
Design and Comfort
When comparing the designs of the Soundcore R50i and Redmi Buds 5, both offer unique approaches that cater to different tastes.
The Soundcore R50i follows the familiar AirPods-style design, with an extended stem and silicone tips for a secure fit. The silicone tips also provide some passive noise isolation.
The earbuds are lightweight, making them comfortable for long listening sessions, and the IPX5 water resistance makes them perfect for workouts, although they are not waterproof for swimming.
The charging case is slightly larger than most TWS cases, which might be a downside if you want something more compact, but it includes a lanyard for easy carrying.
On the other hand, the Redmi Buds 5 offers a more compact, sleek design.
The charging case is small and has a matte finish that resists fingerprints and scratches, making it a better option for those who prioritize portability.
The earbuds themselves are lightweight, similar to the Soundcore R50i, and they fit securely during activities like running or cycling.
They also offer IP54 ratings for both dust and water resistance, which provides a bit more protection than the Soundcore R50i.
However, the touch controls on the Redmi Buds 5 can be a bit hit-or-miss due to the larger touch area, making them less precise than the R50i’s controls.
Overall, Redmi Buds 5 have the advantage of portability and slightly better protection with IP54 ratings, but if you prefer a more secure fit and functional touch controls, the Soundcore R50i might be the better option.
Sound Quality
Sound quality is one of the most important factors in choosing earbuds, and this is where the Redmi Buds 5 and Soundcore R50i diverge significantly.
The Soundcore R50i offers decent audio performance with its 10mm drivers, delivering clear and crisp vocals. This makes it particularly good for voice-heavy content like podcasts and phone calls.
However, when it comes to bass, the R50i falls short. Even with the BassUp feature enabled, the low frequencies don’t deliver the deep thump that some users might expect.
For instrumental or orchestral music, the R50i tends to blend instruments together, lacking clarity in more complex tracks.
In contrast, the Redmi Buds 5 provide a more well-rounded audio experience, thanks to their larger 12.4mm drivers.
The bass response on these earbuds is strong, which makes them more enjoyable for bass-heavy music genres like hip-hop or EDM.
The titanium-plated polymer drivers ensure that the highs and mids remain clear, although there is some audio leakage at higher volumes.
For users who enjoy a dynamic sound profile with rich bass and detailed treble, the Redmi Buds 5 clearly outperform the Soundcore R50i.
In summary, the Redmi Buds 5 deliver superior sound quality, especially for music enthusiasts, while the Soundcore R50i excels in voice clarity but lacks in bass depth.
Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode
Another key difference between the two earbuds is the inclusion of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).
The Soundcore R50i does not feature ANC, relying solely on its snug fit for passive noise isolation.
This might work well enough in quieter environments, but in noisy places like public transport or busy streets, the lack of ANC becomes noticeable.
For users who don’t need active noise cancellation, the Soundcore R50i might still suffice, but it’s not ideal if you’re constantly in loud environments.
The Redmi Buds 5, on the other hand, come equipped with Hybrid ANC, capable of reducing ambient noise by up to 46dB.
This feature makes a significant difference in noisy settings, allowing you to focus on your music or calls without distractions.
In addition, the Redmi Buds 5 also include a transparency mode, which lets you hear your surroundings without taking off the earbuds—perfect for outdoor activities where you need to stay aware of traffic or other hazards.
The ANC and transparency modes can be easily toggled using the touch controls, making it a more versatile choice for users who need these features.
In this category, the Redmi Buds 5 clearly outshine the Soundcore R50i, offering a more premium listening experience with the addition of ANC and transparency mode.
Battery Life and Charging
When it comes to battery life, both the Soundcore R50i and Redmi Buds 5 offer impressive performance, but with some differences.
The Soundcore R50i provides up to 10 hours of playback on a single charge, and the charging case adds an additional 20 hours, giving you a total of 30 hours of use. It takes about 2 hours to fully charge the earbuds, which is fairly standard for TWS earbuds in this price range.
The Redmi Buds 5 also boast strong battery life, offering 10 hours of playback without ANC and about 7.5 hours with ANC enabled.
The charging case provides up to 38 hours of total playback without ANC, or 30 hours with ANC.
One advantage of the Redmi Buds 5 is the fast charging feature, which gives you 4 hours of playback after just 10 minutes of charging—ideal for when you’re in a hurry.
While both earbuds perform well in terms of battery life, the Redmi Buds 5 edge out the Soundcore R50i thanks to their fast charging capability and the ability to last longer with ANC disabled.
Connectivity and Features
Both earbuds are equipped with Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring a stable and strong connection.
The Soundcore R50i pairs easily via the Soundcore app, which also allows access to 22 preset equalizer modes and a gaming mode that reduces lag, making it a good choice for gamers.
You can also customize the touch controls through the app, giving you more flexibility in how you interact with the earbuds.
Similarly, the Redmi Buds 5 offer seamless pairing, especially with Android devices, thanks to Google Fast Pair.
A notable feature of the Redmi Buds 5 is the dual-device pairing, which allows you to connect to two devices simultaneously. This is useful if you frequently switch between your phone and laptop or tablet.
However, the Redmi Buds 5 lack a dedicated gaming mode, which might result in some lag during gaming sessions.
In terms of features, the Soundcore R50i offers more customization options for gamers, while the Redmi Buds 5 caters to users who need multi-device connectivity.
Price and Value for Money
The Soundcore R50i is priced at around $25, making it a highly affordable option for budget-conscious users.
The Redmi Buds 5 are priced slightly higher at $36, but for the extra cost, you get a much richer set of features.
Anker Soundcore R50i vs Redmi Buds 5: Final Verdict
Choosing between the Soundcore R50i and the Redmi Buds 5 comes down to what features matter most to you.
However, if you prioritize superior sound, active noise cancellation, and multi-device pairing, the Redmi Buds 5 is the better investment. The higher price tag is justified by its Hybrid ANC, longer battery life, and fast charging.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly pair of TWS earbuds with decent sound quality, responsive touch controls, and good battery life for everyday use, the Soundcore R50i is a solid option. It lacks some premium features, but at its price point, it delivers good value for money.
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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.
