This year, in the budget audio segment, it’s Redmi Buds 6 vs Realme Buds Air 6, with both companies going all out like two gloves on a boxing match.
It comes down to an affordable way of getting premium features such as active noise cancellation, a longer battery life, and good audio quality.
As with many technologies, Xiaomi and Realme have been continuously pushing the bar for affordable earbuds and thus the rivalry between these two is more heated than ever.
So, which one truly deserves your attention? Let’s dive into a detailed comparison to help you make the right choice.
Table of Contents
Design and Comfort
Both models sport the in-ear design with silicone tips designed to provide a secure fit. The Redmi Buds 6 weigh just 5g on each earbud and have an IP54 rating for water and dust resistance. The glossy white charging case however is easily scratched and marked, and will probably not age well.
Like the Realme Buds Air 6, they take a similar approach and give you an upgraded IP55 rating for more durability against dust and water. Lightweight, the earbuds themselves are comfortable, but the fit isn’t always great for long wear after several hours.
Winner: as overall lighter and more comfortable fit, Redmi Buds 6
Sound Quality
Xiaomi has equipped the Redmi Buds 6 with a pair of dual drivers, namely 12.4mm titanium diaphragms and 5.5mm ceramic drivers which are meant to provide crisp, clear highs and good bass. 360-degree spatial audio adds another layer of audio that really elevates the listening when you’re deciding on it for immersive content.
However, it does suffer audio clarity issues as volumes rise, and begins to distort the trebles.
Along comes the Realme Buds Air 6 with a single 12.4mm driver, designed to deliver the bassy side of tracks. However, while this gives them great mileage across pop and EDM, mids and highs are muddy, and slow tracks are flat.
Obviously, the Redmi Buds 6 have a more refined sound profile versus Redmi Buds NS, particularly since ANC is on.
Winner: Buds 6, right because it brings better sound clarity as well as spatial audio.
Noise Cancellation
Both models are equipped with active noise cancellation. The Redmi Buds 6 provides ANC up to 49dB, which in turns minimizes low frequency background noise. Indoor, it’s good enough but in noisy outdoor environments it’s not so good.
The Realme Buds Air 6, however, up the ante with 50dB ANC and a Smart Mode to dynamically adjust your noice cancellation based on environment. The ANC performance is slightly better, but can flatten an audio experience in songs with good instruments.
Winner: For better noise cancellation, Realme Buds Air 6.
Connectivity and Features
The Redmi Buds 6 come with Bluetooth 5.4 for dual-device connectivity and the ability to switch between two devices. But with various devices, connectivity problems pop up all the time and cause interruptions. For the plus side, the companion app lets you customize the EQ settings and includes the feature of a remote shutter for taking photos.
The Realme Buds Air 6 using Bluetooth 5.3, so no dual device support, but a smoother experience. Realme Link app is simple, with customizable EQ presets, a gaming mode for low latency audio, plus additional toggles for ANC levels. The whole thing is more polished.
Winner: More reliable connectivity with realme Buds Air 6.
Battery Life
But battery performance can be a deciding factor for many users, and we enjoyed the return of solid results with both earbuds.
The Redmi Buds 6 promise up to 42 hours of total playback time, with ANC enabled real world usage on par with about 26 hours. Earbuds take roughly 6.5 hours to last, without ANC, and around 5 hours when you activate ANC.
With ANC, however, the Realme Buds Air 6 have a slightly longer total battery life of 40 hours. When ANC is off the earbuds manage 8 hours, but with Max ANC enabled you only get around 4 hours.
The overall difference here is marginal but the Realme Buds Air 6 provide better performance during usage of ANC.
Winner: For better ANC enabled battery performance – Realme Buds Air 6.
Redmi Buds 6 vs Realme Buds Air 6: Specs Comparison
| Specification | Redmi Buds 6 | Realme Buds Air 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ₹2,999 | ₹3,299 |
| Drivers | 12.4mm Titanium + 5.5mm Ceramic | 12.4mm Dynamic |
| Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) | Up to 49dB | Up to 50dB |
| Transparency Modes | 3 Levels | Available |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Low Latency Mode | ~60ms | 55ms |
| Battery Life (Earbuds) | Up to 10 hours (ANC off) | Up to 8-10 hours |
| Battery Life (With Case) | Up to 42 hours (ANC off) | Up to 40 hours |
| Fast Charging | 10 mins for up to 4 hours playback | Supported |
| Water and Dust Resistance | IP54 (Earbuds only) | IP55 (Earbuds only) |
| Companion App | Xiaomi Earbuds App | Realme Link |
| Dual-Device Connectivity | Supported | Not Supported |
| Special Features | 360° Spatial Audio, Sound ID Customization | Hi-Res Audio, LHDC 5.0 Support |
Final Thoughts
Each is the Realme Buds Air 6 or the Redmi Buds 6, each bringing interesting features to the table.
When it comes to sound quality, spatial audio and comfort, the Redmi Buds 6 are top notch and would appeal to people who really don’t care about hardware and a strong price tag.
The Realme Buds Air 6, on the other hand, feature better ANC performance and longer ANC enabled battery life as well as a smoother connectivity experience, and may just appeal to those who prefer practicality over style.
Related:
- Xiaomi Redmi Buds 6 Pro vs Realme Buds Air6 Pro
- Realme Buds Air 6 Pro vs Redmi Buds 5 Pro
- Redmi Buds 5 Pro vs Realme Buds Air 5
- Realme Buds T300 vs Redmi Buds 5
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.
