Wireless earbuds are everywhere, but picking the right pair can feel like a gamble.
The Xiaomi Redmi Buds 6 Pro and Anker Soundcore P40i are two heavy hitters in the budget-to-midrange category, each with killer features and a few quirks.
I’ve been using both for weeks, testing them during commutes, workouts, and late-night music sessions.
They’re both awesome, but they shine in different ways. Let’s break it down to see which one’s the better buy for you in 2025.
Design and Build
Both earbuds come with sturdy, matte plastic cases that feel high-quality for their price. They both have a sleek, modern vibe, but each brings something unique to the table.
The Redmi Buds 6 Pro’s case is compact and polished, slipping easily into your pocket with a solid hinge, though it’s prone to light scratches.
On the other hand, the Anker Soundcore P40i’s case is a bit bulkier but doubles as a phone stand, which is awesome for watching videos on the go—it’s got a grippy bottom for stability, but it also picks up small scratches.
They both feature stemmed earbuds with touch controls, but the P40i adds a tactile nub on the stems, making taps easier to nail.
The Redmi Buds have a neat trick: a sensor that pauses music when you remove an earbud, saving battery and adding convenience. The P40i doesn’t have this feature.
For water resistance, both are solid for workouts—the Redmi Buds are IPX4-rated (good for sweat and light rain), while the P40i steps it up with an IPX5 rating, handling heavier splashes better.
Winner? The P40i edges out slightly with its phone stand and tougher water resistance, but the Redmi’s auto-pause sensor and sleeker case keep it close.
Comfort
They both prioritize comfort with lightweight designs and multiple ear tip sizes, but there are differences.
The Redmi Buds 6 Pro come with three ear tip sizes, offering a secure fit that stays put during runs.
On the other hand, the P40i includes five ear tip sizes, and its oval-shaped tips mold better to your ears, making them a tad comfier for long sessions—like a 4-hour flight with no ear fatigue.
Both are great for extended wear, but the P40i feels slightly better for most ear shapes, though without stabilizing wings, you might need to adjust them during intense workouts.
The Redmi Buds can feel a bit less comfy after a couple of hours if the fit isn’t perfect.
Winner? The P40i takes the lead for comfort thanks to more tip options and a better ear fit.
Sound Quality
Both earbuds deliver awesome sound for their price, but cater to different tastes.
The Redmi Buds 6 Pro pack dual drivers and Hi-Res Audio with LDAC support, giving you crisp highs, rich mids, and deep bass—perfect for jazz, classical, or EDM. They get louder than the P40i and offer a 360° surround sound mode (via the app) that makes movies feel epic.
On the other hand, the P40i’s 11mm drivers and BassUp tech bring thumping bass that’s great for hip-hop or electronic tracks. Its mids are solid, but highs can get sharp at max volume.
Both sound clear across genres, but the P40i needs app tweaks (via its equalizer) to balance the bass-heavy profile, while the Redmi’s volume and detail shine out of the box.
Winner? The Redmi Buds 6 Pro win for louder, more detailed audio, especially for audiophiles. The P40i’s great for bass lovers but requires some EQ fiddling.
Noise Cancellation
They both offer active noise cancellation (ANC), but the Redmi Buds 6 Pro pull ahead.
With 55dB ANC, they’re beasts at muting low-frequency sounds like bus engines and even handle chatter better than most budget earbuds. I tested them on a noisy train, and it was like the world vanished.
The P40i’s adaptive ANC, on the other hand, is solid for constant noises like office hums but lets more voices or sudden sounds (like footsteps) slip through.
Both have transparency modes to hear your surroundings, adjustable via their apps, but the Redmi’s ANC is noticeably stronger in chaotic settings.
Winner? The Redmi Buds 6 Pro dominate for noise cancellation, making them the go-to for loud environments.
Apps and Features
They both come with slick companion apps that let you customize your experience.
The Redmi Buds 6 Pro work with the Xiaomi Airbuds app, which lets you tweak ANC, transparency mode, touch controls, and sound effects. You also get dual-device pairing for easy switching between your phone and laptop, plus 360° surround sound for immersive audio.
The P40i pairs with the Soundcore app, which offers a killer equalizer with 22 presets, ANC adjustments, and touch control customization. It also has Game Mode for low-latency gaming and Movie Mode for better video and audio, plus a fit test to check your ear tip seal.
Both apps are user-friendly, but the P40i’s app feels a bit more polished, while the Redmi’s dual-device feature is a big win for multitaskers.
Winner? It’s a tie—the P40i’s app has more sound tweaks, but the Redmi’s dual-device pairing is clutch.
Microphone
Both earbuds have decent mics, but one’s better for calls. The Redmi Buds 6 Pro use AI noise cancellation to keep your voice clear in quiet settings, but in noisy or windy spots, some background noise sneaks in.
They’re fine for casual calls. On the other hand, the P40i’s six mics with an AI algorithm shine, especially outdoors.
They handle wind and crowd noise better, making your voice stand out on Zoom or phone calls. I tested both, and the P40i was noticeably clearer in a busy park.
Winner? The P40i takes it for better call quality in tough conditions.
Price: What’s the Cost?
Both are budget-friendly, but the P40i is the cheaper option.
The Redmi Buds 6 Pro costs around $95 USD (depending on the market), the P40i, on the other hand, runs about $62 USD.
Both offer great bang for your buck, but the P40i’s lower price makes it more accessible.
Winner? The P40i wins for affordability, especially if you’re watching your wallet.
Battery Life
Both earbuds have impressive battery life, but the P40i is slightly better.
The Redmi Buds 6 Pro give you 9.5 hours per charge (ANC off, less with ANC on) and 36 hours total with the case. Their auto-pause sensor helps save juice when you pop an earbud out.
The P40i, on the other hand, offers 12 hours per charge (10 with ANC on) and an insane 60 hours total with the case—enough to last weeks with casual use.
Both charge via USB-C, but the P40i also supports wireless charging, which is super convenient if you’ve got a charging pad.
Winner? The P40i crushes it with longer battery life and wireless charging.
Redmi Buds 6 Pro vs Anker Soundcore P40i: Specs Comparison
| Specification | Redmi Buds 6 Pro | Anker Soundcore P40i |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Audio Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC (Hi-Res Audio) | SBC, AAC |
| Driver Size | Coaxial Dual Drivers (11mm + 6mm) | 11mm |
| Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) | Up to 55dB, Adjustable via App | Adaptive ANC, Multi-Scene & Manual Modes (Levels 1-5) |
| Transparency Mode | Yes, Adjustable | Yes, Adjustable |
| Battery Life (Earbuds, ANC Off) | 9.5 hours | 12 hours |
| Battery Life (With Case, ANC Off) | 36 hours | 60 hours |
| Battery Life (Earbuds, ANC On) | ~6-7 hours | 10 hours |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C, Wireless Charging |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 (Splash Resistant) | IPX5 (Water Jet Resistant) |
| Microphones | 3 per earbud, AI Noise Cancellation | 6 (3 per earbud), AI Noise Cancellation |
| Weight (Earbuds + Case) | ~49g | ~62g |
| App Support | Xiaomi Airbuds App (EQ, ANC, Touch Controls, 360° Surround) | Soundcore App (22 EQ Presets, ANC, Game/Movie Modes, HearID) |
| Special Features | 360° Surround Sound, Auto-Pause Sensor, Dual-Device Pairing | 2-in-1 Case/Phone Stand, Game Mode (Low Latency), Multi-Device Pairing |
| Colors | Space Black, Lavender Purple | Black, Navy, White |
Which One’s for You?
Both the Redmi Buds 6 Pro and Anker Soundcore P40i are awesome, but here’s how to choose:
Pick the Redmi Buds 6 Pro if you want the best noise cancellation for noisy places, louder, richer sound for music lovers, and cool features like auto-pause and dual-device pairing. They’re worth the extra cash if audio quality is your top priority.
Pick the Anker Soundcore P40i if you need crazy battery life (60 hours!), love the phone stand case, want better call quality, and prefer a cheaper price. They’re a steal for all-around performance.
They both bring a lot to the table, but it depends on what you value most. The Redmi Buds 6 Pro are the champ for sound and noise cancellation, perfect for music nerds or commuters in loud cities.
On the other hand, the Anker Soundcore P40i offers unbeatable battery life, a practical phone stand, and great value for less money. I lean toward the P40i for its affordability and long-lasting battery, but if sound and ANC are your thing, the Redmi’s hard to beat.
Best Deal:
Redmi Buds 6 Pro: View on AliExpress
Anker Soundcore P40i: 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.
