- Excellent, detailed sound quality
- Compact design
- Strong mic performance for calls
- Useful smart features
- Weak battery life with ANC
- Average noise cancellation
The Xiaomi Buds 6 impress with rich, balanced sound and surprisingly useful smart features that go beyond basic earbuds. Battery life and ANC could be better, but for the price, they deliver an experience that feels closer to premium than budget.
I’ve been using the new Xiaomi Buds 6 for a couple of weeks now, and to be honest, my feelings about them are all over the place. Some days, I’m genuinely impressed, while other days, I find myself a bit frustrated. That pretty much captures the essence of this review.
Last year, I tried out the Buds 5 and was quite pleased with them, especially considering the price. This time around, Xiaomi didn’t just make minor tweaks; they’ve made some significant changes. Some of these changes are fantastic, but one of them leaves a bit to be desired.
Let’s dive in!
Xiaomi Buds 6 – Specifications
| Product Type | Semi in-ear True Wireless Earbuds |
| Driver | 11mm triple-magnet driver (gold-plated) |
| Frequency Response | 16Hz – 40kHz |
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Audio Codecs | AAC, SBC, aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, LC3 |
| Connectivity Range | Up to 10 meters |
| Water Resistance | IP54 (dust & splash resistant) |
| Battery (Earbuds) | 35mAh |
| Battery (Case) | 475mAh |
| Battery Life (ANC Off) | Up to 6 hours (35 hours with case) |
| Battery Life (ANC On) | Up to 3.5 hours (20 hours with case) |
| Charging Port | USB Type-C |
| Weight (Earbud) | 4.4g each |
| Case Weight | 34.5g |
Design & Build
If you’ve checked out the Buds 5, the Buds 6 won’t really throw you for a loop. They’ve kept the same case and overall shape, which isn’t a bad thing at all. The case is compact, fits nicely in your hand, and has all the essentials: a status light, a USB-C port, and a pairing button.
However, there’s a nice upgrade in the finish. The glossy top of the case now features a coating that’s much more resistant to scratches than before. The matte bottom remains unchanged from last year, which I’ve always appreciated.
As for the earbuds, there’s one noticeable tweak. They now have a small vent opening near the Xiaomi logo on the stem, replacing the previous opening that was located inside the earbud.
All the sensors are now tucked away inside, so they’re out of sight. I’ll explain why this is important later, as it actually impacts the sound quality. For now, just know that the wear sensors are spot on. Take an earbud out, and the music pauses. Put it back in, and the music resumes. It works flawlessly every time.
These earbuds are semi-open, similar to the shape of the AirPods 4. They don’t have silicone tips, which makes them comfortable enough for me to wear even at the gym.
However, I did notice they slipped out a couple of times during certain exercises, which is something I don’t usually experience with tip-style earbuds. Just a heads-up if you’re someone who’s active. Plus, without silicone tips creating a seal, they don’t block outside noise at all—definitely not like in-ear buds do.
One little detail I really like, which is back from last year, is the tiny “L” and “R” printed right where the sound comes out. It’s a small touch, but it adds a nice flair.
My only real gripe about the design is personal preference. The touch controls work by pressing the stem instead of tapping it, and I’m more of a tap person. But that’s just me; you might prefer it this way. You can slide up and down on the stem to adjust the volume, and if you’re not a fan of the default gestures, you can customize them in the app.
They’re rated IP54, so they can handle sweat and light rain without a hitch. Plus, they come in a variety of colors.
Features and Connectivity
The Buds 6 might not bring a ton of groundbreaking tech to the table, but let’s be honest—the Buds 5 were already pretty impressive. You’ll enjoy Bluetooth 5.4, lossless audio at 24-bit/48kHz, and Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification. So, if your phone is up to speed, you’ll be treated to the best sound quality your music has to offer.
Pairing with Android is a breeze thanks to Google Fast Pair, and the Xiaomi Earbuds app is available for both Android and iPhone users.
Inside the app, you can tweak touch controls, choose between two levels of Active Noise Cancellation (or turn it off), update firmware, select sound presets, and finally, enjoy a custom equalizer—something the Buds 5 were missing.
There’s even a spatial audio toggle, though I’ve never really warmed up to that feature in any earbuds, and this one is no different for me.
The standout new feature is the built-in storage for recordings. You can easily record voice memos or even phone calls directly from the earbuds, so there’s no need to reach for your phone to get started. It may seem minor, but I can see quite a few people finding it super handy.
Another addition I’m really excited about is the support for both Apple Find My and Google Find Hub. If you misplace an earbud, you can track it down just like you would with an AirTag. Fingers crossed that Xiaomi rolls this out across more of their products soon.
Throughout my testing, the connection was rock solid. No dropouts, no lag, and multipoint connectivity worked seamlessly. Plus, the latency is low enough for gaming, even without a dedicated gaming mode.
Microphones
The mics really stood out to me. Since these earbuds can now record calls and voice memos, Xiaomi clearly put real work into the mic quality, and it shows.
I tested indoors, in a room with a lot of echo and a fan running above me, and outdoors on a windy day.
In both cases, my voice came through clear. Echo was handled well. Wind noise too.
If you make a lot of calls, these are some of the best mics I’ve used at this price.
Noise Cancellation
I won’t spend too long here, since these are semi-open earbuds, so ANC was never going to be dramatic. It’s a step up from the Buds 5, and you can notice it.
But don’t expect it to compete with proper in-ear ANC buds, that’s just not realistic with this design.
Where it helps most is background noise, like on a plane or a loud train. In those situations, it does a decent job.
Sound Quality
This is where the Buds 6 really shine, and it’s the main reason I’d still recommend them.
Xiaomi redesigned the internals with a new 11mm gold-plated triple magnetic driver, with a frequency range from 16Hz to 40kHz. That’s a big upgrade on paper, and you can hear it.
A lot of this comes down to that sealed shell I mentioned earlier. The Buds 5 had a vent opening that let sound leak out, which hurt bass control. By closing that up, Xiaomi could tune the driver much more precisely.
The result is bass that hits hard without sounding messy, and clarity that genuinely surprised me, especially in the mids. In-ear buds at a similar price will still sound better overall, mostly because they seal your ear properly.
But the Buds 6 get surprisingly close to earbuds in the $200 to $250 range, think Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5 or Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. For open-style earbuds, that’s genuinely impressive.
Battery Life
Here’s the weak point. Xiaomi actually put a smaller battery in the case this year. The earbuds keep the same size battery as before, but the case dropped to 475 mAh.
Xiaomi says you’ll get about 3.5 hours with noise cancellation on, or 6.5 hours with it off. With the case, they claim up to 35 hours total.
In my own testing, using them the way I always do, ANC on, volume around 50%, I got closer to 3 hours. A bit less than what Xiaomi promises.
Three hours might be enough for a workout. But it’s not much for a full day. And keep in mind, batteries wear down over time, so this number will only get smaller as the earbuds age.
There’s also no wireless charging at all. Just USB-C. This is the one thing I really hope Xiaomi fixes next time.
Final Thoughts
The Xiaomi Buds 6 are priced at €120 in Europe, and unfortunately, they’re not available worldwide just yet. However, you might snag them for a better deal during sales.
All in all, these earbuds really shine in several areas. The sound quality is surprisingly impressive for the price point, and the microphones perform exceptionally well.
Plus, the new features like Find My tracking and built-in recording are genuinely handy, not just flashy add-ons. They’re also comfortable enough for everyday use or even a workout.
That said, the battery life is a bit of a letdown. With active noise cancellation on, you’re looking at just three hours on a fresh pair, which isn’t much. And that duration tends to dwindle as time goes on.
If Xiaomi can improve this in the next iteration and perhaps include wireless charging, they could easily become a top recommendation without any reservations.
For now, if you prioritize fantastic sound, solid mics, and practical features over long battery life, the Buds 6 are definitely worth considering. Just be prepared to plug them in more often than you might prefer.
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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.
