When Xiaomi dropped their new Buds 5, everyone was talking about them. They promised fancy features like great sound and noise cancellation that could go toe-to-toe with Apple’s AirPods but at a much friendlier price.
Naturally, I was curious – could these budget-friendly earbuds really be as good as they say?
Well, I’ve been using the Xiaomi Buds 5 for a few weeks now, and I’m ready to spill the beans on whether they’re actually worth all the fuss.
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- Affordable price
- Good sound quality
- Effective ANC
- Compact, lightweight design
- Long battery life
- No wireless charging
- No customizable EQ
- No silicone tip options
The Xiaomi Buds 5 are impressive budget-friendly wireless earbuds that punch above their weight. They offer good sound quality, effective noise cancellation, and a comfortable semi-in-ear design. With features like wear detection and multi-point connectivity, they provide excellent value for money despite minor drawbacks like the lack of wireless charging.
Table of Contents
Xiaomi Buds 5 Specifications
- Bluetooth version: 5.4
- Supported codecs: AAC, SBC, aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, LC3
- Driver type: Dynamic drivers
- Frequency response: 16 Hz – 40 kHz
- Water resistance: IP54 (earbuds only)
- Battery capacity: 35 mAh (per earbud), 480 mAh (charging case)
- Playtime: Up to 6.5 hours (ANC off), 3.5 hours (ANC on)
- Total playtime with case: Up to 39 hours
- Charging time: About 1 hour (earbuds), 1 hour 10 minutes (case)
- Charging port: USB-C
- Weight: 4.3g (per earbud), 36.6g (charging case)
- Dimensions: 30 x 17 mm (earbuds), 53 x 53 x 24 mm (case)
- Microphones: 6 (3 per earbud)
- Controls: Touch-sensitive stems
- Features: Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, Wear detection
- App support: Xiaomi Earbuds app (iOS and Android)
- Color options: Black, White, Blue
Unboxing and First Impressions
Unpacking the Xiaomi Buds 5 was an enjoyable experience. The packaging is simple but elegant, with a thick white cardboard box showcasing an image of the earbuds and a brief description. Inside, you get the earbuds themselves, a USB-C charging cable, and a quick start guide.
The earbuds feel light, weighing just 4.3 grams each, and the case itself is compact and weighs 36.6 grams. It’s slightly smaller and lighter than the previous Buds 4 model. I appreciate Xiaomi’s attention to detail here.
The box and earbuds are designed to fit comfortably in your pocket without causing any discomfort. For me, the compact design is a win, as I often find larger cases awkward to carry around.
One minor issue is that the lid of the case has noticeable play when opened. It’s made from plastic, and while it closes with a satisfying snap, it doesn’t feel as premium as the rest of the design.
The hinge mechanism feels a bit fragile, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it wore out after prolonged use. Still, for its price, this is a small trade-off.
Design and Build Quality
Xiaomi Buds 5 comes in three color options: black, white, and blue. While the design doesn’t differ much from previous models, there are subtle changes. The case now has a square shape with rounded edges, unlike the oval design of the Buds 4.
I personally like the matte plastic finish, which makes it feel less prone to fingerprints, though the blue version features a glossy lid. For me, the matte version was more appealing in everyday use.
The build quality is decent for the price. The earbuds themselves are comfortable but require some adjusting during use. I’d recommend getting silicone tips for a better, more secure fit if you’re like me and prefer a tighter seal.
The material feels durable, and despite the lightweight design, the Xiaomi Buds 5 doesn’t feel cheap.
However, I would’ve liked the controls to be a bit easier to use—the earbuds require a firm press for commands, and at times, I found myself struggling to get the right response.
The Xiaomi Buds 5 comes with an IP54 water resistance rating. While this isn’t enough to withstand submersion in water, it does protect the earbuds from light splashes, sweat, and dust.
I tested this out by running them under a light stream of water for about 30 seconds, and they worked perfectly fine after drying. That said, I wouldn’t recommend using them in heavy rain or during intense workouts in wet conditions.
Sound Quality and Performance
The Xiaomi Buds 5 truly shines in sound performance. Equipped with ultra-sensitive dual magnetic blocks and Harman-tuned audio, the sound is clear, well-balanced, and surprisingly rich for a product at this price range.
Xiaomi has incorporated the aptX Lossless codec support, and the earbuds deliver a solid sound experience with dynamic drivers that range from 16Hz to 40kHz.
For everyday users, the Xiaomi Buds 5 offers more than enough sound quality for music, podcasts, or calls. I found the mids to be particularly impressive, with clear vocals that were neither too sharp nor too muted.
The bass is strong, but not overwhelming, which is perfect for those who enjoy a balanced sound signature. Highs, on the other hand, are crisp and bright, but without the harshness you sometimes get from budget earbuds.
Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation and Wind Suppression
Perhaps one of the standout features of the Xiaomi Buds 5 is its adaptive active noise cancellation (ANC). The ANC on these earbuds exceeded my expectations, especially given their affordable price point. Whether in a busy café or on a windy commute, the earbuds did a fantastic job of drowning out ambient noise.
Xiaomi’s six built-in microphones, paired with wind suppression technology, ensure clear and stable calls. Even in outdoor environments, I found the call quality impressive, and the wind suppression worked well enough that I didn’t have to shout or constantly adjust the fit to be heard.
Additionally, Xiaomi included a 360° spatial audio with a head-tracking function. While the spatial audio was fun to experiment with, especially when watching movies, it felt gimmicky at times when used for music.
For video content, however, the head-tracking feature was a pleasant surprise, adding an immersive quality that I wasn’t expecting.
Connectivity and Features
Bluetooth 5.4 ensures a stable connection, and I didn’t experience any noticeable dropouts during my usage. Whether walking around the house or moving between rooms, the connection remained strong.
The earbuds also support multipoint connection, allowing you to connect two devices simultaneously, which is perfect for those like me who constantly switch between their phone and laptop.
The companion app, Xiaomi iLabs, offers additional customization options. Here, you can control ANC levels, adjust equalizer settings, and even set up specific commands for playback and call controls.
While the app is useful, it’s only available if your earbuds are set to the China region, which may be a downside for some users.
Battery Life
Battery life is one of the major selling points of the Xiaomi Buds 5. Xiaomi claims up to 65 hours of battery life with the charging case, and up to 39 hours for the earbuds alone.
In my testing, I found that with ANC and spatial audio turned off, I could comfortably get about 5 hours of continuous playback. With ANC turned on, this number drops slightly, but it’s still impressive for such a compact pair of earbuds.
Charging is quick, with a full charge of the earbuds taking just over an hour. Unfortunately, the Xiaomi Buds 5 does not come with wireless charging, which may be a dealbreaker for some. For me, though, the USB-C fast charging more than makes up for this.
Xiaomi Buds 5 Review: Final Thoughts
At its price point, the Xiaomi Buds 5 offers a ton of value. With excellent sound quality, adaptive noise cancellation, and long battery life, it’s hard to argue against these earbuds.
They may not have all the premium features of Apple’s AirPods, but for those looking for a more affordable alternative, the Xiaomi Buds 5 delivers on almost every front.
If you’re using a Xiaomi smartphone, you’ll get even more out of these earbuds, thanks to the integration with Xiaomi’s Hyper OS.
While there are a few downsides, like the lack of wireless charging and somewhat fiddly controls, they’re small sacrifices when you consider the overall package.
Would I call the Xiaomi Buds 5 an AirPods killer? Maybe not quite—but they come impressively close for the price, and that’s no small feat.
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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.
