If you are looking for wireless earbuds in the budget segment, you must have noticed two devices that are quite popular in the market these days: the Realme Buds Air 5 and the QCY HT05. Both of these earbuds offer quite attractive set of features for the price.
This article will delve into the contrasting Bluetooth connectivity, battery life, comfort, noise cancellation, microphone quality, sound quality, gaming latency, and price aspects of these two earbuds. At the end of it, you will have a better grasp of which one would better suit your needs.
Price
At the time of writing this article, the Realme Buds Air 5 cost approximately $40. The QCY HT05 is more affordable at around $30.
Best Deals:
Realme Buds Air 5: View on AliExpress
QCY HT05: View on AliExpress
Realme Buds Air 5 vs QCY HT05: Specs comparison
| Specification | Realme Buds Air 5 | QCY HT05 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Battery Life (ANC off) | ~5 hours | ~7.5 hours |
| Noise Cancellation | Up to 50dB | Up to 40dB |
| Water Resistance | IPX5 | IPX5 |
| App Support | Realme Link | QCY App |
| Earbud Weight | 4.2g each | 4.5g each |
| Charging Port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Price (approx) | $40 | $30 |
Realme Buds Air 5 vs QCY HT05: Detailed Review
Comfort and Fit
Comfort is subjective, but we found both of these earbuds fairly comfortable to wear for extended periods.
The Realme Buds Air 5 had a slight edge in our experience – they felt a little more secure and lower-profile in the ear compared to the QCY HT05. Your mileage may vary depending on your ear size and shape.
Bluetooth Connectivity
The Realme Buds Air 5 feature Bluetooth 5.3, while the QCY HT05 uses a slightly older but still very capable Bluetooth 5.2.
Both provided solid wireless connectivity in our testing with minimal dropouts. One advantage of the Realme Buds is that they are compatible with the Realme Link app for additional customization options. The QCY earbuds work with the QCY app.
Active Noise Cancellation
The QCY HT05 provides active noise cancellation up to 40dB, while the Realme Buds Air 5 are rated for up to 50dB noise reduction.
In practice, the Realme buds did seem to block out a bit more ambient noise, especially lower frequencies. But the ANC on the QCY HT05 was no slouch and definitely helped reduce distractions.
Microphone Quality
Microphone quality is critical for making calls and using voice assistants. In testing, the Realme Buds Air 5 delivers clear and crisp audio, making it a reliable choice for communication.
The QCY HT05 also performs well, but the Realme Buds Air 5 has a slight advantage in terms of clarity and noise reduction during calls.
Sound Quality
This is where the Realme Buds Air 5 really shine. They produce impressive audio quality for wireless earbuds in this price range, with punchy bass and detailed highs.
The Realme Link app allows you to further tune the sound signature to your liking. While the QCY HT05 also sound quite good, with loud maximum volume and solid bass, the Realme buds are the clear winner in overall fidelity. They are some of the best-sounding budget wireless earbuds I’ve tested.
Gaming Latency
For gamers, low latency is essential to ensure that audio cues are in sync with the on-screen action.
Both earbuds perform well in this aspect, but the Realme Buds Air 5 has a slight advantage, offering a more seamless and lag-free gaming experience.
Battery Life
With active noise cancellation (ANC) turned off, the Realme Buds Air 5 provide around 5 hours of continuous music playback on a single charge, depending on your volume level.
The QCY HT05 fares a bit better, offering approximately 7.5 hours with ANC off, also depending on volume. Both have respectable battery life for this class of earbuds.
Realme Buds Air 5 vs QCY HT05: Final Verdict
I enjoyed using both the Realme Buds Air 5 and QCY HT05 and think they offer a lot for the money. But if I had to pick a winner, it would be the Realme Buds Air 5.
The combination of better sound quality, effective noise canceling, newer Bluetooth version, and handy app support gives them the edge in my book – albeit at a higher price.
The QCY HT05 are still a fantastic buy though, especially if you want to spend less. With their long battery life, capable ANC, and more than respectable sound, most people would be very happy with them.
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Realme Buds Air 5 vs Baseus Bowie M2s
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.
