Xiaomi Buds 5 review: The next step in accessible audio
Xiaomi Buds 5
Pros
- Great value for money
- Comfortable fit, even during extended use
- Solid battery life with up to 39 hours including the case
- Balanced sound with decent bass, mids, and highs
- Dual-device connectivity works smoothly
Cons
- The pinch controls can be a bit finicky at first
- Semi-in-ear design limits ability to fully block out external noise
About a year and a half ago, I shared my review of Xiaomi’s Buds 4 Pro, a premium audio experience with a matching premium price tag. Today, Xiaomi has launched their Buds 5, and what immediately stands out is the price. Selling for less than half the cost of the Buds 4 Pro, Xiaomi seems to be aiming for a broader audience this time. Despite the significant price cut, these new earbuds still pack in a surprising amount of tech.
Now that I’ve had the chance to experience the Buds 5 firsthand, it’s clear that Xiaomi has focused on design, comfort, and functionality. So, let’s dive into what makes these earbuds stand out.
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Xiaomi Buds 5 review: Design, hardware
The first thing that caught my eye when unboxing the Xiaomi Buds 5 was the design of the charging case. It has this sleek, space capsule-inspired look that feels both futuristic and compact. A tiny indicator light sits towards the middle, and at the very bottom, there’s a USB-C connector for charging. Right next to that, almost hidden, is the pairing/reset button. The minimalist design works well, and everything has a clean, seamless appearance.
Inside the case, the buds are stored upright, held securely by powerful magnets. The same magnetic closure ensures the case won’t accidentally pop open, so there’s no need to worry about losing the buds when they’re not in use. I’ve been using them for a while, and despite my bag occasionally bumping around, nothing has ever slipped out.
The design of the buds themselves is very ergonomic. They adopt a semi in-ear shape with a flat, square-ish stem. While the look may seem slightly odd at first, I found it adds a bit of character to the otherwise clean appearance.
The buds fit comfortably in my ears, and I never felt any pressure or discomfort, even during prolonged use. As someone who often falls asleep listening to podcasts, I appreciated that they stayed put without causing any irritation.
A subtle yet functional feature of these buds is the pinch control system located on the stem, also referred to as intelligent gesture control. This area allows you to control various functions, like playing or pausing music, answering calls, and even adjusting the volume. While it takes a bit of practice to get used to the controls—especially when trying to respond quickly to a call—the tactile click and customizable settings make it feel intuitive over time. It’s a slight learning curve but one that feels natural the more you use it.
Weighing just 4.2 grams each, the buds are lightweight, making them easy to wear for long periods without feeling bulky. The semi-in-ear design contributes to this comfort, offering what Xiaomi calls a “non-sensory” experience, meaning you barely feel them in your ears.
Xiaomi Buds 5 review: Under the hood
When it comes to the technology inside, Xiaomi hasn’t skimped on features, even with the Buds 5 retailing at just €99.99.
One of the main differences from previous models is the use of Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive codec, which replaces the LDAC codec found in the Buds 4. In simple terms, aptX Adaptive helps deliver higher-quality audio with better consistency, reducing lag and static, especially when streaming. This codec is particularly useful if you’re someone who switches between listening to music and watching videos since it keeps everything synced smoothly.
The Buds 5 also have a few more technical improvements. Xiaomi has partnered with Harman to integrate their AudioEFX tuning, which promises a more balanced sound experience across different types of content. While I won’t dive into the audio quality just yet, it’s a nice addition that points towards a premium sound experience.
The inclusion of 3Mic AI call noise reduction is another standout feature. The buds use three microphones to pick up your voice while blocking out background noise, making it easier to have conversations in the hustle and bustle of real life. If you frequently take calls on the go, this can be a real advantage, especially in crowded areas.
Plus you now get the option to record audio directly from the headphones and sync to the smartphone app for later listening. That’s definitely a novelty for this type of product.
Other notable features include Bluetooth 5.4 dual device connectivity. This lets you seamlessly switch between two devices like your phone and laptop.
Battery life on the Xiaomi Buds 5 is pretty solid, especially considering their lightweight design and all the tech packed inside. On a full charge, the buds themselves offer around six and a half hours of playback. That’s almost enough to last a full night of sleep. Or to go through a day of occasional use, without needing to plug them in which is convenient.
If you are on the go, you’ll appreciate the charging case. It extends battery life of the buds up to 39 hours. It’s not a feature that grabs attention right away, but it’s one of those things you’ll come to appreciate after using them regularly.
Technical specs
Design | Lightweight, semi in-ear design |
Colors | Titan Gray, Ceramic White, Graphite Black |
Weight | Single bud: 4.2 grams, With charging case: 45 grams |
Battery | 6.5 hours on a single charge up to 39 hours with charging case (Type-C charging port) |
Noise cancellation | Semi-in-ear wide-frequency active noise cancellation, triple-mic with AI noise reduction handles 12m/s winds for clearer calls |
Dynamic drivers | 11mm dual-magnet with a black polymer coating |
Wireless range | 10m (open space free of obstacles) |
Bluetooth | 5.4, dual-device connectivity |
Audio | Audio codec: SBC, AAC, aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive ANC levels: 2 (Deep and Balanced) Qualcomm aptX Lossless and Hi-Res Audio supported Harman AudioEFX tuning |
Water resistance | IP58 dust and water resistance (buds) |
Xiaomi Buds 5 review: Setup, features
Pairing
To begin pairing your Xiaomi Buds 5, start by opening the charging case lid while the buds are inside. Then press and hold the button on the charging case for a few seconds until the LED indicator starts flashing, signaling that the earbuds are ready to pair.
On your smartphone or other Bluetooth-enabled device, navigate to the Bluetooth settings and look for “Xiaomi Buds 5” in the list of available devices. Tap on it to complete the pairing process. It’s as simple as that.
During my time with them, I’ve found the automatic reconnection doesn’t work every time. On occasion I did need to manually reconnect, and even then it was quick and hassle-free.
For a richer experience, I recommend you download the Xiaomi Earbuds app from your device’s app store. Once installed, open the app and follow the on-screen instructions to connect your Buds 5. The app will guide you through any firmware updates and allow you to customise various settings, including touch controls, ANC modes and more.
The range is solid as well, allowing me to wander from one room to the next in my apartment without the connection dropping off. After a few minutes of inactivity, the earbuds enter a passive connection state, and if you leave them untouched for longer, they’ll power down to save battery.
You don’t even need the Xiaomi Earbuds app, which is a nice touch for users who prefer not to clutter their phones with extra apps. But I do recommend you install the smartphone software as it allows you to use the full range of features.
Functionality
As far as features, the buds offer plenty.
To start of you get touch controls. To play or pause music, simply squeeze the bottom end of either earbud. You can skip to the next track, turn the volume up or down and more by pressing, double pressing, triple pressing or pressing and holding the earphones. These gestures can be customized in the Xiaomi Earbuds app to suit your preferences.
There’s also an option to take calls automatically. This means incoming calls will be diverted to your earphones if you are wearing them. It’s worth taking some time to go through all the settings in the app and perfect everything to your liking.
The Xiaomi Buds 5 also feature smart wear detection. When you remove an earbud from your ear, your music or video will automatically pause. Placing the earbud back in your ear resumes playback. This feature can be toggled on or off in the app settings.
The Xiaomi Earbuds app offers additional features, including a “Find My Earbuds” function that plays a sound from the misplaced earbud to help locate it. Useful for people like me who have a collection of earbud cases with only one earbud in them…
Finally, let’s not forget the audio recording. This is a real novelty. You can record up to 90 minutes of audio on the buds and transfer them over to the smartphone app for listening. In the app, simply select “Save all to phone”.
The feature records either the ambient audio or the device audio, but not both at the same time. So it will record you having a conversation with some else in a real world environment. But if the other person’s voice is coming through the headphones, you will need to choose to either record your own voice or that person’s voice.
Xiaomi Buds 5 review: Sound quality & noise cancellation
Xiaomi says their new buds offer CD-level sound performance with rich detail and minimum sound distortion. This very much parallels my experience.
The Buds 5 pack custom dual-magnetic speakers with a large 11mm design and a black polymer coating. The speakers offer a wide frequency range of 16Hz to 40kHz, delivering deep bass and clear treble. The 0.5mm amplitude design enhances bass power while keeping vocals smooth and clear.
The Qualcomm QCC3081 chip inside supports aptX Adaptive, which adjusts automatically for either high-fidelity audio or low-latency performance. It offers up to 420kbps in optimal conditions, providing richer details, and achieves low latency of around 80ms for synchronized audio during gaming.
There is great attention to detail in separating various elements, ensuring each layer is distinct and harmonious. The headphones balance vocals and accompaniment naturally, allowing emotions to come through clearly.
One of my gripes with Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro was that I could not turn the sound volume up as much as I would have liked to. There is no such problem with this new version. Which is useful in outdoor, noisy environments. Volume transitions are handled smoothly, and the separation between primary and background audio is sharp and well-defined.
Beyond that, there’s a dimensional audio feature, aiming to recreate a 360-degree sound experience similar to what you might encounter in theaters or live concerts. This technology attempts to provide a more immersive listening experience by simulating surround sound through the earbuds. It’s not perfect but it does offer a bit of an experience.
A part of this is the optional head tracking. When activated, the system registers your head position as you start playback. As you turn your head, the soundstage shifts accordingly, resulting in sounds becoming more pronounced in one ear and quieter in the other based on your head movement.
Overall, my experience with the Xiaomi Buds 5 aligns well with the company’s claims of excellent sound quality. The clarity across all frequencies, along with the strong bass and smooth treble, provides a rich and immersive listening experience.
Noise cancellation
Finally, the Xiaomi Buds 5 also come with 3Mic+ AI call noise-canceling technology, featuring active noise cancellation that adjusts to the environment by detecting surrounding sounds and tailoring the noise reduction levels in real time.
Users need to activate the noise-canceling mode manually. This can be done via the touch control or through the smartphone app. The app also allows you to choose between Balanced and Deep noise cancellation levels or select Adaptive Noise Cancellation.
Thanks to a blend of advanced noise suppression algorithms and a specially designed structure, I would say the earbuds manage to effectively cut down on both background and wind noise. This ensures uninterrupted calls whether you’re navigating a busy city street or in a breezy outdoor setting. The buds also function well in reducing consistent noise often experienced, for example, if you were working on a computer in a busy coffee shop,
Granted, this tech will not totally cancel out external noise. That’s largely because of their semi-in-ear design. But they do offer a nice balance between noise reduction and comfortable wearing.
Xiaomi Buds 5 review: Should you buy them?
The €99.99 Xiaomi Buds 5 offer impressive value, striking a balance between affordability and feature-rich performance. These earbuds deliver solid sound quality with rich detail and minimum sound distortion. The comfortable semi-in-ear design allows for extended wear, making them suitable for long listening sessions.
Other key strengths include the robust battery life, providing 6.5 hours with buds and up to 39 hours of total playtime with the charging case. Plus the touch controls, effective active noise cancellation for their class and dual-device connectivity. And let’s not forget the audio recording feature, which is a nice add-on.
Mind you – the Xiaomi Buds 5 aren’t perfect. The pinch controls can be finicky at first, for example. And while features like dimensional audio and head tracking are included, they’re still more of a novelty.
All things considered, the device is an excellent choice for consumers looking for a well-rounded pair of wireless earbuds. Buds 5 offer a compelling mix of comfort, sound quality, and features at a price point that’s hard to beat.
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