I’m back with another exciting earbud comparison! Today, we’ll be looking at the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 5 Pro vs Realme Buds Air 5 Pro.
Many of you have asked for this particular comparison, so I’m eager to dive in.
I’ll share my thoughts on which earbuds are the better pick and explain all the differences between them, helping you make a well-informed choice.
Redmi Buds 5 Pro vs Realme Buds Air 5 Pro: Specs Comparison
| Specification | Xiaomi Redmi Buds 5 Pro | Realme Buds Air 5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Xiaomi | Realme |
| Model | Redmi Buds 5 Pro | Buds Air 5 Pro |
| Design | TWS Earbuds | TWS Earbuds |
| Type | In the Ear | In the Ear |
| Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.3 | Yes, 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Range | 10 m | 10 m |
| USB | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Assistant | Yes, Siri/Google | Yes |
| Water Resistant | Yes | Yes, IPX5 Rated |
| Monaural | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | Touch | Touch |
| Music Controls | Pause/Play | Pause/Play |
| Call Controls | Accept/Reject calls | Accept/Reject calls |
| Switch between Call and Music | Yes | Yes |
| Deep Bass | Yes | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz (Min) – 20 kHz (Max) | 20 Hz (Min) – 40 kHz (Max) |
| Driver Unit | 12.4 mm | N/A |
| Driver Type | 10mm piezoelectric ceramic tweeter + 11mm titanium-plated dynamic subwoofer | 11mm bass driver + 6mm tweeter |
| Noise Reduction | AI Call Noise Reduction | N/A |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Yes, 52dB-ANC | Yes, 50dB-ANC |
| Battery Capacity | 470 mAh (Case) | 460 mAh (Case), 60 mAh Per Earbud |
| Battery Life | 38 hours with Case (ANC Off), 10 hours (Earbuds with ANC Off) | 40 hours with Case (ANC Off), 11 hours (Earbuds with ANC Off) |
| Charging Time | 1.5 hours (Case) | N/A |
| Additional Features | N/A | 40ms Low Latency, Type-C Charging, LED Battery Indicator, Dual Device Connectivity |
| Sales Package | 1 U Earbuds, Charging Case, Charging Cable, User Manual | 1 Pair of Earbuds, Charging Case, Type C Charging Cable, User Guide, Additional Ear Tips |
Xiaomi Redmi Buds 5 Pro vs Realme Buds Air 5 Pro: Design and Build
Let’s start with the design and build of these two earbuds. Both the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 5 Pro and the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro feature sleek and modern designs.
The Redmi Buds 5 Pro have a matte finish, which makes them less prone to smudges and scratches compared to the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro.
Both earbuds have similar elements on their cases, such as LED indicators on the front, USB Type-C charging ports at the bottom, and reset buttons (located on the Redmi Buds on the right side and on the Realme Buds on the left side). The brand logos are also placed differently on each case.
Regarding the earbuds themselves, both models are made of lightweight and comfortable plastic.
They come with interchangeable silicone tips in three different sizes, ensuring a secure fit even during physical activities.
Additionally, both sets of earbuds feature touch controls, customizable through their respective mobile applications, which I’ll discuss later.
Both models have pressure sensors for automatic pause and play when you remove or put in the earbuds.
In terms of water resistance, the Redmi Buds are rated IP54, while the Realme Buds have an IPX5 rating. Despite this slight difference, both models can handle sweat and light rain without any issues.
Also See: Xiaomi Redmi Buds 5 Pro vs Redmi Buds 4 Pro
Xiaomi Redmi Buds 5 Pro vs Realme Buds Air 5 Pro: Customization and Connectivity
Moving on to customization and connectivity, both earbuds offer a comprehensive set of features.
They both support Bluetooth 5.3 and can use the LDAC and AAC codecs, ensuring high-quality audio transmission. However, it’s worth noting that LDAC may not be available on iOS devices.
One notable difference is that the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro supports Google Fast Pair, providing a quick and hassle-free connection process when used with Android devices.
On the other hand, the Redmi Buds offer a similar pop-up feature but exclusively for Xiaomi smartphones.
Both earbuds can be controlled and customized using their respective mobile applications. For the Redmi Buds, you can use the Xiaomi Earbuds app, available on both Android and iOS. It allows you to personalize touch controls, manage noise cancellation settings, and even update firmware.
For the Realme Buds, you can use the Realme Link app on both Android and iOS. This app offers a wide range of customization options, including touch controls, noise cancellation modes, equalizer settings, and even a spatial audio mode.
In my experience, the Realme app offers slightly more comprehensive customization options.
Xiaomi Redmi Buds 5 Pro vs Realme Buds Air 5 Pro: Battery Life
Now, let’s talk about battery life. While Xiaomi doesn’t provide specific battery capacity details for the Redmi Buds, they claim a maximum playback time of up to 10 hours with ANC turned off and 6.5 hours with ANC activated. Additionally, the charging case can provide a total of up to 38 hours of playback.
On the other hand, the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro offer up to 11 hours of playback time with ANC turned off, and the charging case can provide up to 40 hours of total playback.
In my personal usage, I found the Realme Buds to have slightly longer battery life than the Redmi Buds.
Xiaomi Redmi Buds 5 Pro vs Realme Buds Air 5 Pro: Active Noise Cancellation (ANC):
Both earbuds feature active noise cancellation, and they come with three different ANC modes.
The Realme Buds Air 5 Pro can cancel up to 50 decibels of noise, while the Redmi Buds 5 Pro claim to cancel up to 52 decibels. In practical use, the Redmi Buds outperform the Realme Buds when it comes to ANC.
The Redmi Buds provide a more effective noise-cancelling experience, especially in noisy environments. However, both earbuds perform well in this regard.
Xiaomi Redmi Buds 5 Pro vs Realme Buds Air 5 Pro: Sound Quality
In terms of sound quality, the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro are slightly better tuned, offering a well-balanced audio profile with more prominent mids and highs.
They come with a 11mm woofer and a 6mm micro planar driver for excellent audio performance.
The Redmi Buds 5 Pro, on the other hand, use a dual-coaxial driver setup consisting of a 10mm piezo electric ceramic tweeter and an 11mm titanium-plated dynamic driver.
While the Redmi Buds deliver excellent sound quality as well, they may lack the same level of refinement in the mid and high frequencies when compared to the Realme Buds.
Ultimately, both earbuds provide great audio quality, and the differences are subtle. Your preference in sound signature may determine which one you prefer.
Xiaomi Redmi Buds 5 Pro vs Realme Buds Air 5 Pro: Final Verdict
To conclude, choosing between the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 5 Pro and the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro can be challenging because both earbuds offer outstanding features and performance.
However, considering the prices, I personally lean towards the Redmi Buds due to their superior ANC and microphone quality.
That said, your decision may come down to personal preferences. If you prioritize slightly better sound quality and a more comprehensive app experience, the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro might be the better choice for you.
Keep in mind that prices and availability can vary, so I recommend checking for the latest deals and discounts for both models before making your final decision.
I hope this comparison has been helpful in guiding your choice between the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 5 Pro and the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro.
If you have any questions or need further clarification, please feel free to ask in the comments section below.
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.
Ummm ever you compare the soundquality redmi buds 5 pro, with Realme buds air 5, which is more good at the sound quality, i want to buy redmi buds 5 pro, but when i see the realme is not bad to,but yeaa i dont know yet the sound quality, so yaa i just want to make sure the soundquality, which is better