Wireless earbuds have come a long way, and budget options are now packing features once reserved for premium models. The Redmi Buds 6 Pro is Xiaomi’s latest entry, boasting active noise cancellation, dual-device connectivity, long battery life, and a sleek design all at an affordable price. But how do they stack up in real-world use? Are they a bang for your buck or just another pair of budget earbuds? Let’s break it all down and see if the Redmi Buds 6 Pro is the right pick for you!
DESIGN & BUILD Quality:
let’s talk about the design. The Redmi Buds 6 Pro follows a minimalist yet stylish aesthetic, making them look premium despite their budget-friendly tag. The charging case is compact, lightweight, and easily pocketable, featuring a smooth matte finish that feels comfortable and secure in hand. Xiaomi has prioritized ergonomics, ensuring that both the case and earbuds offer a sleek, modern look while remaining practical. The earbuds themselves adopt a stem-style design, reminiscent of Apple’s AirPods, but with a slightly more refined and unique touch. The inclusion of silicone ear tips greatly improves passive noise isolation, making for a better audio experience in noisy environments. Xiaomi also provides multiple ear tip sizes, ensuring that users can find the perfect fit for their ears.
Another important aspect is durability. These earbuds come with an IP54 rating, meaning they can withstand dust, light splashes, and sweat. This makes them a solid choice for workouts or outdoor use. However, if you sweat heavily or need something for intense workouts, you might want to look for higher water resistance ratings, such as IPX7.
Audio Quality and Sound Performance:
Now, let’s get to the most important part—the sound quality. The Redmi Buds 6 Pro comes with 10mm dynamic drivers, which promise deep bass, clear mids, and crisp highs. But do they deliver? Well, the answer is yes—for the most part!
The bass response is punchy and warm, making these great for genres like hip-hop, EDM, and pop. Vocals are clear and well-balanced, so if you love listening to podcasts or acoustic music, you’re in for a treat. The highs, however, can sometimes sound a bit sharp at maximum volume, but this isn’t a deal-breaker.
These buds also support AAC and SBC codecs, ensuring decent audio quality over Bluetooth. Unfortunately, there’s no support for high-resolution codecs like aptX or LDAC, but for the price, it’s hard to complain. Overall, the Redmi Buds 6 Pro punch well above their weight in terms of sound quality, making them a solid pick for casual listeners and budget-conscious audiophiles.
ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION (ANC)
One of the standout features of the Redmi Buds 6 Pro is Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). Xiaomi claims it can reduce noise by up to 40 dB, which is quite impressive for budget-friendly earbuds. While high-end ANC earbuds dominate in this area, Xiaomi’s implementation is surprisingly effective for the price.
In real-world usage, the ANC works well at blocking out low-frequency noises like engine hums, air conditioners, and background chatter, making these earbuds great for commuting or working in a café. However, it struggles a bit with higher-pitched sounds, such as keyboard clicks or sudden loud noises.
The buds also come with a transparency mode, which allows ambient sound to pass through, making it easier to stay aware of your surroundings. Whether you’re walking in traffic or having a quick chat, this feature adds convenience. While not on par with premium options, the ANC is still one of the best at this price point.
CALL QUALITY & Phone PERFORMANCE:
If you take a lot of calls, the Redmi Buds 6 Pro won’t disappoint. With six microphones and AI-powered noise reduction, they effectively reduce background noise, making conversations clearer. In quiet environments, call quality is excellent—voices sound natural and well-defined, ensuring smooth conversations.
In noisy settings, like a bustling coffee shop or a windy street, the AI noise reduction works well but isn’t flawless—some background noise can still be heard. However, it’s significantly better than many other earbuds in this price range.
For casual calls, Zoom meetings, or even gaming chat, the Redmi Buds 6 Pro delivers a solid performance. While they might not match premium earbuds in call clarity, they punch above their weight, making them a great budget-friendly option.
BATTERY LIFE & Charge
Now, let’s talk about battery life—a crucial factor for any wireless earbuds. Xiaomi claims the Redmi Buds 6 Pro can last up to 6 hours with ANC on and 9 hours with ANC off on a single charge. With the charging case included, the total battery life extends to an impressive 36 hours. This puts them ahead of many competitors in the same price range, making them a reliable choice for long listening sessions.
In real-world usage, these numbers hold up quite well. With moderate volume levels and ANC turned on, you can expect around 5 to 5.5 hours per charge, which is still great for budget-friendly earbuds. If you turn ANC off, you get closer to the advertised 9-hour mark.
Another big advantage is fast charging. A quick 10-minute charge gives you about 2 hours of playback, making it super useful when you’re in a rush. However, one drawback is the lack of wireless charging. While this would have been a nice addition, it’s not a dealbreaker given the affordable price.
CONNECTIVITY AND FEATURES
The Redmi Buds 6 Pro comes packed with modern connectivity features, making them a solid choice for both casual listeners and tech enthusiasts. They support Bluetooth 5.3, which ensures a stable, lag-free connection with minimal interference. Whether you’re using an Android, iOS, or Windows device, the pairing process is quick and hassle-free. For Xiaomi and other Android users, Google Fast Pair makes setup even smoother, instantly recognizing the buds and syncing them with your Google account.
For gamers and video watchers, there’s a low-latency mode designed to reduce audio delay. While it’s not on par with premium gaming earbuds, it’s good enough for casual mobile gaming and YouTube binge sessions, keeping audio and visuals in sync.
One standout feature is dual-device connectivity, allowing you to connect to two devices simultaneously. This means you can switch between your phone and laptop seamlessly, without the hassle of manually disconnecting and reconnecting.
The touch controls are customizable, letting you adjust playback, skip tracks, and activate voice assistants. However, like many budget earbuds, the touch sensitivity can be a bit finicky, sometimes registering unintended taps.
COMPARISON WITH COMPETITORS
When comparing the Redmi Buds 6 Pro to the competition, they hold up quite well. Against the Nothing Ear (Stick), the Redmi Buds offer better ANC and longer battery life, but they lack the sleek, transparent design that makes the Nothing Ear (Stick) stand out. Compared to the OnePlus Nord Buds 2, Xiaomi’s earbuds provide a more balanced sound profile and dual-device connectivity, while OnePlus excels in-app customization for personalized controls.
If you’re considering the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2, they offer slightly better ANC and an overall refined experience, but at almost twice the price. For budget-conscious buyers, the Redmi Buds 6 Pro delivers the best value, combining strong audio performance, ANC, and long battery life at an affordable price.
So, should you buy the Redmi Buds 6 Pro? Let’s break it down. These earbuds offer good sound quality with punchy bass, making them a great choice for casual listeners and bass lovers alike. Active noise cancellation (ANC) is quite effective for the price, helping to block out background noise during commutes or work sessions. Comfort is another strong point—the lightweight and stylish design ensures a snug fit for long listening sessions. Plus, the battery life is impressive, with fast charging ensuring you’re never without music for long. Features like dual-device connectivity and low-latency mode make them even more versatile, especially for gamers and multitaskers.
However, there are a few drawbacks. The lack of high-resolution audio codec support means audiophiles might not get the best sound experience. Additionally, wireless charging is absent, which could be a downside for those who prefer a cable-free lifestyle. Some users might also find the touch controls overly sensitive, leading to accidental pauses or track skips. Despite these minor cons, the Redmi Buds 6 Pro offers excellent value for money, making them a solid choice for budget-conscious buyers looking for feature-packed wireless earbuds.
