Xiaomi Buds 5 Review: Are They Worth the Hype?
Discover Xiaomi Buds 5: sleek design, powerful sound, and exceptional comfort for an immersive listening experience.
Xiaomi is well-known for a variety of products including massagers, fitness monitors and smartphones. Their headphones such as Xiaomi Buds 5, aren’t as popular, though. Although they belong to Xiaomi’s premium audio line, these earbuds are nonetheless reasonably priced when compared to other brands.
Xiaomi Buds 5 have some great features, but there are also some downsides. Biggest problem is their fit. Without silicone tips or a design to keep them in place, they tend to slip out easily especially during physical activities. Even others I had test them said fit felt loose. This makes them better suited for sitting still, rather than moving around.
Additionally, app has bugs, and key features like ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) and custom settings don’t always work unless you manually reconnect the buds. Other issues include average noise cancellation, battery life and call quality.
However, they do offer good sound quality with a bass-heavy, yet balanced audio. The earbuds also support high-quality audio codecs, and the Harman Kardon tuning adds a nice touch to the music. There are some handy features, like an audio-recording function, gesture controls and a lightweight case.
Xiaomi Buds 5 have some appealing qualities, poor fit and buggy app may turn some users away.
Xiaomi Buds 5 Specification
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 🛠️ Driver Size | 11mm |
| 🎧 Noise Cancellation | Active noise cancellation available |
| 🔋 Battery Life | 6.5 hours (buds), 39 hours (case) |
| ⚖️ Weight | 45 grams |
| 📶 Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| 🎵 Frequency Range | 16Hz – 40kHz |
| đź’§ Water Resistance | Not Available (NA) |
Xiaomi Buds 5 Price and Release Details
Along with other devices like the Mi Smart Band 9 and other smart-home appliances, Xiaomi Buds 5 were formally introduced in September 2024. At ÂŁ69.99 (about $90 USD or AU$140 AUD), they are presently offered throughout Europe.
At this price point, Xiaomi Buds 5 fall into the “best cheap earbuds” category and compete with other affordable options like CMF Buds Pro 2, OnePlus Buds Nord 3 Pro, Sony WF-C510 and Earfun Air Pro 4. Given Xiaomi’s track record, there’s a chance a Pro version could be released in the future, offering even more features for a higher price.
Currently, the earbuds are limited to the European market. Xiaomi tends to skip the U.S. for many of its products, so it’s unlikely Buds 5 will launch there. However, Australian customers might see them hit stores eventually, as Xiaomi has a history of releasing some of its audio products in that region.
The aim of the affordably priced Xiaomi Buds 5 is to provide good value as an alternative to more costly earbuds from leading audio brands.
Xiaomi Buds 5 Features
Xiaomi Buds 5 have some nice features but also some downsides. Noise cancellation (ANC) is basic and only reduces background noise a little. Earbud design doesn’t help block noise well either.
Battery life is average. Buds last 6.5 hours without ANC and about 5 hours with it. Case extends total use to around 30–39 hours, depending on ANC use.
App has issues. You have to reconnect the earbuds manually every time, which is annoying. Until you reconnect, features like ANC and settings won’t work.
The app includes useful features like gesture controls, battery checks, ANC adjustments and a lost-earbud finder. It also has an equalizer with presets like Enhance Voice. However, “Dimensional Audio” setting is bad—it makes music sound weird.
A standout feature is built-in audio recording. You can record directly from buds and use a gesture to start recording. It’s great for quick voice notes but check local recording laws.
Xiaomi Buds 5: Design
Xiaomi Buds 5 have a few design drawbacks. They don’t come with silicone tips which would help them stay in place better. As a result, the earbuds often slip out, especially when walking or moving around. This makes them less suitable for activities like exercising or cooking, as constant adjustments can be frustrating.
Each earbud has a small button on the stem for controls like single, double or long presses. While the buttons require a firm press, a light click confirms the action worked. Earbuds are lightweight at 4.2g and have an IP54 rating which protects them from dust and splashes but not full water immersion.
Carrying case is shiny and stylish with a compact clamshell design. It fully exposes the earbuds, making them easier to remove compared to other cases. Case weighs 36.6g, charges via USB-C and matches color of the earbuds which are available in silver, white or black.
Xiaomi Buds 5 Sound quality
Xiaomi Buds 5 offer great sound for their price. They have 11mm drivers and support different audio codecs like AAC, SBC and aptX Lossless. The sound is tuned by Harman Kardon, which makes it rich and balanced.
When I first used Buds 5, I was impressed by the strong bass, which is rare for in-ear earbuds. Default sound setting, Harman AudioEFX, focuses on lower sounds, giving the audio a warm feel. Some people may love this while others may prefer a different sound. You can change sound using presets in app.
Sound quality is great with no noticeable distortion and treble & mids are still clear. However, sound quality drops if earbuds start to slip out of your ears. App has an equalizer with presets like more bass or clearer vocals, and the default mode gives the best balanced sound.
Xiaomi Buds 5 Value
Xiaomi Buds 5 offer great value for their price. When I first tested them, I expected them to cost more than they actually do. This shows how impressive their audio quality and features are for price range.
Buds 5 are a good option because of its feature set and Harman Kardon tuning, which enhance sound quality. Even while the sound may not be to everyone’s liking, it performs admirably overall, particularly for earbuds at this price range.
However, there’s a possibility of a Pro model being released soon. Xiaomi’s Pro earbuds usually come with silicon tips which could solve the fit issues I experienced with the standard Buds 5. If you can wait, a Pro version might be a better option.
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Pros and Cons of Xiaomi Buds 5
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 🎵 Lively and energetic audio | 👂 Unstable fit in ears |
| 📦 Compact and practical case | 🛠️ Issues with the app |
| 🗣️ Useful voice recording tool | 🔋 Battery life could be better |
Conclusion
Xiaomi Buds 5 have some frustrating flaws, like a poor fit and a buggy app which make them hard to recommend. Bass lovers might enjoy the sound quality but annoyances overshadow the good features, leaving a disappointing impression.
