Wireless earbuds have come a long way, and 2024 has introduced two standout options in the affordable flagship category: the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 6 Pro and the Realme Buds Air6 Pro.
Both pack advanced features like active noise cancellation (ANC), spatial audio, and impressive battery life.
But which one truly deserves your attention?
Let’s take a closer look to find out.
Table of Contents
Design and Comfort
The Redmi Buds 6 Pro feature a sleek design with a compact case available in Jade Green, White, and Black. The earbuds themselves are lightweight and designed for long-term comfort.
Meanwhile, the Realme Buds Air6 Pro sport a stylish titanium look with a compact oval case that’s equally pocket-friendly. They come in two stunning colors: Silver Blue and Titanium Twilight. With an IP55 rating, the Realme buds are resistant to dust and water splashes, making them ideal for workouts and outdoor activities.
Both earbuds are comfortable for extended use, but the Realme Buds Air6 Pro edges out slightly with its premium finish and robust build.
Sound Quality
The sound quality is where both earbuds truly shine.
The Redmi Buds 6 Pro come equipped with a triple-driver system featuring a 6.7mm piezoelectric ceramic driver and an 11mm titanium-coated dynamic driver. This combination delivers crisp treble, rich mids, and bass that’s decent enough for most listeners.
Xiaomi’s “Golden Ears” team has done an excellent job fine-tuning the audio, giving it a well-balanced profile and enhanced high-frequency clarity compared to the previous generation.
On the flip side, the Realme Buds Air6 Pro opt for a dual-driver setup with an 11mm woofer and a 6mm planar tweeter, designed for high-fidelity sound.
With LDAC support and a dynamic bass boost feature, the audio is vibrant and customizable, allowing you to tweak the EQ and bass levels using the Realme Link app.
While both earbuds offer impressive audio performance, the Realme Buds Air6 Pro stands out for its ability to cater to individual sound preferences, making it a great pick for audiophiles who like more control over their listening experience.
Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Modes
Xiaomi’s Redmi Buds 6 Pro take ANC to new heights with their Deep Space Noise Reduction 2.0, offering up to 55dB noise cancellation.
Realme’s Buds Air6 Pro are not far behind, delivering up to 50dB of ANC, supported by a dedicated noise-canceling chip and six microphones.
Both models effectively reduce background noise, making them great for commuting and office use.
However, transparency mode performance varies. The Redmi Buds 6 Pro’s transparency mode is subpar, with noticeable occlusion effects.
In comparison, the Realme Buds Air6 Pro also struggles with transparency mode, producing a faint hissing sound.
While neither excels here, the Realme model marginally outperforms its Xiaomi counterpart.
Connectivity and Features
Connectivity is an area where both earbuds perform exceptionally well.
The Redmi Buds 6 Pro come with Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint connectivity, making it easy to switch between devices without any hassle.
Similarly, the Realme Buds Air6 Pro also support dual-device pairing and include Google Fast Pair for a seamless connection experience.
The Redmi Buds 6 Pro bring extras like spatial audio, LHDC 5.0, and a gaming mode with an ultra-low latency of just 20ms.
Meanwhile, the Realme Buds Air6 Pro offer 55ms low-latency mode for gamers, personalized sound profiles, and the innovative MindFlow mode, which provides soothing white noise effects for relaxation.
Both earbuds cater well to users who need flexibility and multitasking, but Realme’s added customization options and unique features make it stand out a bit more.
Call Quality
The Redmi Buds 6 Pro’s three-mic setup effectively blocks wind noise and ensures clear calls, even in noisy environments.
Similarly, the Realme Buds Air6 Pro utilize six microphones and de-wind technology to deliver excellent voice clarity during calls.
Both earbuds excel in call quality, making them suitable for professionals and frequent callers alike.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is one of the most important features for wireless earbuds, and both models perform really well here.
The Redmi Buds 6 Pro offer up to 36 hours of total playback with the charging case, and they support fast charging, giving you 2 hours of listening time from just a 5-minute charge.
The Realme Buds Air6 Pro, however, go a step further, offering up to 40 hours of playback.
They also support fast charging, but with an even better result—7 hours of use after only 10 minutes of charging.
If you need earbuds that last a bit longer, the Realme Buds Air6 Pro might be the better choice.
Redmi Buds 6 Pro vs Realme Buds Air6 Pro: Specs Comparison
| Category | Xiaomi Redmi Buds 6 Pro | Realme Buds Air6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Design | In-ear design with rounded stems; available in Jade Green, White, and Black. | In-ear design with stem; available in Titanium Twilight and Silver Blue. |
| Drivers | Triple drivers: 6.7mm piezoelectric ceramic dual driver + 11mm titanium-coated dynamic driver. | Dual drivers: 11mm dynamic driver + 6mm micro-planar tweeter. |
| Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) | Up to 55dB with Deep Space Noise Reduction 2.0. | Up to 50dB Smart Active Noise Cancellation. |
| Audio Codecs | MIHC, LHDC 5.0, LC3. | LDAC, AAC, SBC. |
| Battery Life | Up to 36 hours with charging case; 9.5 hours on a single charge. | Up to 40 hours with charging case; approximately 7 hours on a single charge. |
| Fast Charging | 5-minute charge provides 2 hours of playback. | 10-minute charge provides up to 7 hours of playback. |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3; supports multipoint connectivity. | Bluetooth 5.3; supports dual-device connectivity and Google Fast Pair. |
| Latency | 20ms ultra-low latency in gaming mode. | 55ms low latency in gaming mode. |
| Special Features | Spatial audio, dynamic head tracking, wireless microphone function with 130m range (Gaming Edition). | 360° Spatial Audio Effect, personalized audio algorithm, MindFlow mode with white noise effects. |
| Water Resistance | IP55 | IP55 |
| Price | Standard: CNY 399 (~$55); Gaming Edition: CNY 499 (~$68). | CNY 469 (~$65). |
Final Verdict
Both the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 6 Pro and Realme Buds Air6 Pro offer incredible value in their own ways.
If you’re looking for an affordable option with solid ANC, great sound quality, and good all-around features, the Redmi Buds 6 Pro is a fantastic choice.
However, if you don’t mind spending a bit more on premium features like customizable sound, longer battery life, and a sleeker build, the Realme Buds Air6 Pro might be the better fit for you.
At the end of the day, your choice boils down to what matters most to you: budget-friendly performance or a more feature-rich experience.
Either way, both earbuds deliver exceptional value and punch well above their price range.
Best Deal:
Redmi Buds 6 Pro: View on AliExpress
Realme Buds Air 6 Pro: View on AliExpress
Related:
- Realme Buds Air 6 Pro vs Redmi Buds 5 Pro
- Realme Buds Air6 Pro vs OnePlus Buds 3
- Realme Buds Air 6 Pro vs Buds Air 5 Pro
- Redmi Buds 6 vs Redmi Buds 5 Pro
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.
