The Xiaomi Buds 5 are one of Xiaomi’s latest offerings in true wireless headphones, designed to deliver a quality audio experience at a competitive price. Let’s take a detailed look at the different aspects of these earphones.
Design and Comfort
The Xiaomi Buds 5 feature a modern, understated and compact design. The case has a glossy finish and small size, designed to fit comfortably in your pocket. The earbuds have an ergonomic, lightweight shape designed to fit in the ear with several interchangeable grommets that improve stability and comfort, even for long-time wearers. The design is waterproof, with IPX4 certification, so they resist sweat and water splashes, a useful feature for those who use them during physical activity.
Audio Quality
One of the strengths of the Xiaomi Buds 5 is the audio quality. Equipped with the latest dynamic drivers, the earbuds offer balanced sound reproduction. The bass is deep and present without overpowering the high frequencies, while also maintaining good clarity in the mids and highs. With support for the Hi-Res Audio-certified LDAC audio codec, users can listen to high-quality files, appreciating greater nuance and detail than other wireless earbuds. This makes them suitable not only for casual listening, but also for those seeking good sound fidelity.
Active Noise Cancellation
The Xiaomi Buds 5 offer multi-level adjustable active noise cancellation, up to a maximum of 40 dB of reduction, allowing you to choose the level of isolation best suited to the situation. In tests in noisy environments, such as public transportation or crowded offices, ANC proved effective in reducing constant and persistent noises, such as fan hum or background noise, allowing for a more immersive listening experience. In addition, the Transparency mode allows external sounds to be heard without removing the earphones, which is ideal for crossing streets or remaining aware of your surroundings.
Microphones and Call Quality
The Xiaomi Buds 5 include three microphones on each earpiece, designed to improve voice quality during calls. Ambient noise reduction technology ensures that voice is clear even in crowded environments, minimizing background sounds and wind.
Even during calls on the move, such as walking outdoors, sound quality is maintained at good levels, making these earbuds suitable for both professional use and casual conversations.
Connectivity and Smart Features
Bluetooth 5.3 connection provides stability and speed in connection, with improved range and very low latency, especially useful for watching videos or playing games without lag between audio and video. The multipoint function allows the earbuds to be connected to two devices at the same time, enabling quick switching between your phone and computer. The Xiaomi Earbuds app offers customization options such as adjusting the equalizer and ANC settings, as well as being able to activate other smart features, including touch controls to change tracks, answer calls or activate the voice assistant.
Autonomy and Charging
The Xiaomi Buds 5’s autonomy is one of their strengths. With ANC on, they offer about 5-6 hours of continuous listening, increasing to about 7 hours with ANC off. The charging case allows about three full recharges, bringing the total battery life to about 28 hours, which proves sufficient for a week of moderate listening without the need for frequent recharging.
Charging is via USB-C, also supporting fast charging: it only takes a few minutes in the case to get up to an hour of playback.
Value for Money and Competition
In terms of value for money, the Xiaomi Buds 5 are an attractive proposition compared to competitors. They offer many of the advanced features found on high-end earbuds, but at a much lower cost. Compared to premium models such as the Apple AirPods Pro or the Sony WF-1000XM4, the Xiaomi Buds 5 are in a more affordable price range, with some limitations in premium features but with an overall performance that makes them highly competitive.
For users looking for excellent audio performance and ANC at an affordable cost, the Xiaomi Buds 5 are an attractive option that is hard to beat.