Xiaomi is expanding its Buds 6 lineup beyond China, officially rolling out the wireless earbuds to global markets.
Priced at £99.99 in the UK and €119.99 in Europe, the Buds 6 are clearly targeting the competitive mid-range segment, where features are just as important as the price tag.
A lighter semi-in-ear design focused on comfort
Instead of going with a sealed in-ear fit, Xiaomi sticks to a semi-in-ear design here, similar to standard AirPods. That means no silicone tips, and a more relaxed fit that’s generally better for long listening sessions.
This time, Xiaomi has refined the shape. The stem is about 12% thinner, and the sound outlet has been slightly reduced to ease pressure on the ear.
Each earbud weighs just 4.4 grams, making them light enough to forget you’re even wearing them.
The case comes in four finishes: Graphite Black, Pearl White, Titan Gray, and Nebula Purple.
Focus on sound quality with aptX Lossless support
Audio is where the Buds 6 try to punch above their price. They’re equipped with an 11mm triple-magnet dynamic driver and a 24K gold-plated diaphragm, a combination aimed at delivering cleaner and more detailed sound.
They also support Qualcomm’s aptX Lossless codec, capable of streaming audio at up to 2.1 Mbps on supported devices. Xiaomi has partnered with the Harman Golden Ear Team for sound tuning, and there’s an adaptive audio system that adjusts output based on the shape of your ear.
ANC is here, but with expected limitations
Yes, the Buds 6 include active noise cancellation, but there’s a catch. Because of the semi-in-ear design, they don’t form a tight seal, so you won’t get the same level of isolation as traditional in-ear earbuds.
Instead, the ANC focuses more on reducing background noise like traffic or low-frequency hum. A three-microphone setup also improves call quality and helps manage wind noise at speeds of up to 12m/s.
Cross-platform features and a unique recording trick
One of the more interesting additions is broad ecosystem support. The Buds 6 work with both Apple’s Find My network and Google’s Find Hub, which is still pretty rare and makes them more flexible than most rivals.
There’s also a built-in recording feature — tapping the charging case three times can start recording audio instantly, even with the lid closed. It’s a small but surprisingly useful extra.
Battery life and extras
Battery life is solid for the price. You get up to six hours of playback on a single charge, with the case pushing total usage to around 35 hours.
The earbuds are rated IP54 for dust and splash resistance and support multipoint Bluetooth, so you can stay connected to two devices at once without constantly switching.
Xiaomi is also adding a three-month Spotify Premium trial for new users, available through its earbuds app until August 2026.
Early verdict
The Xiaomi Buds 6 bring a strong mix of comfort, sound quality, and useful extras at a competitive price. Features like aptX Lossless and dual ecosystem tracking help them stand out, but the semi-in-ear design means ANC performance may not match fully sealed alternatives.
For users who value comfort and open-fit design, though, these could be one of the more interesting options in the mid-range right now.
Source: Xiaomi
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.
