Xiaomi Buds 5
In recent months, we’ve seen brands shift their focus toward open in-ear form factors, a design that caters to users who seek comfort without the pressure of in-ear silicone tips. Xiaomi’s Buds 5 follows this trend, offering a refreshing take on True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds. Despite lacking the “Pro” label, these flagship buds come packed with premium features, including 11mm dual-magnet dynamic drivers, sound tuning by Harman Kardon, and aptX lossless audio support.
For a competitive price of €99, Xiaomi Buds 5 aim to deliver high-end sound and useful features like Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and dual-device pairing. But can these earbuds truly stand out in a saturated market? Let’s dive into the details to see how well Xiaomi’s latest offering performs and whether they’re worth the asking price.
Design and Build Quality
Xiaomi Buds 5 comes in three stylish color options: Graphite Black, Ceramic White, and Titan Gray, with the latter being our review sample. The design of the earbuds reflects Xiaomi’s focus on aesthetics. With smooth curves and a dual-tone finish, these earbuds manage to blend a minimalist look with a premium touch. The predominantly matte exterior is contrasted by a glossy swooping line that wraps around the stems, giving the buds a sleek and modern appearance.
Weighing in at just 4.2 grams per earbud, the Buds 5 are remarkably lightweight. This, combined with their semi in-ear design, makes them feel unobtrusive, even during prolonged listening sessions. One notable feature is the squeeze gesture pad located near the bottom of the stems, which adds convenience for controlling media playback and managing calls.
The earbuds boast an IP54 rating, meaning they’re resistant to dust and water splashes. This makes them a suitable choice for daily commutes or light activities, but they might not hold up well during intense workouts or under heavy sweat. Despite this, the build quality feels sturdy, and the earbuds sit well in the hand, offering a pleasant tactile experience.
The charging case deserves special mention. At just over 36 grams, it’s lightweight and compact, resembling the design of the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro. Its round corners ensure it slides into pockets with ease, even fitting into smaller spaces like the coin pocket of your jeans. A unique feature is the shiny top half of the case, which can double as a tiny mirror—a quirky yet practical touch. The magnetic closure is strong, keeping the earbuds securely in place when not in use.
Comfort and Fit
Comfort is subjective when it comes to earbuds, and the semi in-ear form factor of the Xiaomi Buds 5 is a double-edged sword. For those who dislike the tight fit of silicone ear tips, these earbuds will be a breath of fresh air. The lightweight construction allows for hours of use without causing ear fatigue, making them perfect for all-day wear.
However, the open design also means that the fit is not as secure as traditional in-ear buds. This is especially noticeable during physical activities. While the Buds 5 are comfortable for casual use, they are prone to falling out during sudden movements or exercise, limiting their versatility. For those with smaller ear canals or an active lifestyle, this might be a deal breaker.
In our experience, adjusting the angle of the earbuds with an upward twist improved the fit slightly, but the sense that they could pop out remained. Users looking for a stable fit during runs or gym sessions may want to consider earbuds with in-ear silicone tips instead.
Features and Technology
Despite their sleek and minimalist design, the Xiaomi Buds 5 are packed with features that aim to enhance your listening experience. Let’s break them down:
Audio Quality and Drivers
The Xiaomi Buds 5 feature 11mm dual-magnet dynamic drivers, which are fine-tuned by Harman Kardon to deliver rich sound. They support high-bitrate streaming through the aptX Lossless codec, making them ideal for users who appreciate high-quality audio. These buds cover a wide frequency range of 16Hz to 40kHz, ensuring you hear every detail, from deep bass to crisp highs.
Xiaomi has also included Harman AudioEFX tuning, which creates a balanced sound signature. The default sound profile brings out strong, punchy bass, without sacrificing mid-range clarity or high-end detail. Instrument separation is a highlight here, especially noticeable in genres like classical or jazz. The overall soundstage is lively, making these buds a great companion for music lovers across various genres.
Connectivity and Pairing
Xiaomi Buds 5 support Bluetooth 5.4 for faster and more stable connections. The inclusion of Snapdragon Sound and Google Fast Pair simplifies the pairing process for Android users, ensuring a seamless connection to your devices. One of the standout features is the ability to pair with two devices simultaneously, allowing users to switch between their phone and laptop with ease. This dual-device pairing worked flawlessly during our tests, making it highly convenient for multitasking.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
One of the more ambitious features of the Buds 5 is their active noise cancellation, which Xiaomi claims can reduce ambient noise by up to 40dB. However, the semi in-ear design limits how effective ANC can be. Without the airtight seal provided by in-ear tips, the Buds 5 struggle to block out low-frequency sounds like air conditioning units or background chatter. While they do offer some level of noise reduction, it’s not as pronounced as you’d find on in-ear competitors like Sony’s WF-1000XM5 or Apple’s AirPods Pro 2.
That being said, the triple-microphone array does a commendable job of reducing environmental noise during calls, even in windy conditions. Xiaomi’s AI noise reduction claims to handle winds up to 12m/s, making these buds a solid choice for outdoor calls.
Audio Recording and Other Smart Features
One of the more unique features of the Buds 5 is the built-in audio recording function. The earbuds can record up to 3 hours of audio, which is stored directly on the buds. This feature is great for taking quick notes or recording meetings on the go without reaching for your phone. The recordings are stored in the Ogg format and can be easily transferred to your phone via the Xiaomi Earbuds app.
Speaking of the app, it’s a must-download if you want to unlock the full potential of these buds. The app allows you to assign custom gestures for media playback and volume control. It also provides EQ settings, including a 10-band custom equalizer, so you can tailor the sound profile to your liking. Additionally, Xiaomi has included a low-latency mode, which reduces connection latency to 73ms, making the buds suitable for gaming and watching videos.
Performance and Sound Quality
When it comes to sound, the Xiaomi Buds 5 deliver a strong performance. The bass is punchy without being overpowering, while the mids and highs are well-balanced, resulting in a lively and engaging soundstage. Whether you’re listening to bass-heavy genres like hip-hop or more intricate compositions like classical music, these buds handle it all with ease. Instrument separation is impressive, and the overall sound quality is above average for earbuds in this price range.
However, the ANC performance falls short. The lack of a proper ear seal limits the effectiveness of noise cancellation, making it difficult to drown out lower-frequency sounds. If ANC is a top priority for you, these may not meet your expectations. For casual listening in moderately noisy environments, the ANC will suffice, but don’t expect the same level of isolation you’d get from higher-end models.
Call quality is decent, with clear voice pickup in quiet settings. In noisier environments, the microphones struggle a bit, though they still perform better than many competitors in this price bracket.
Battery Life
Xiaomi claims up to 6.5 hours of playback with ANC turned off, extending to 39 hours with the charging case. In our real-world tests, we found these claims to be slightly exaggerated. With ANC on, we managed around 5 hours and 15 minutes of continuous playback. While this is decent, it falls short of Xiaomi’s advertised numbers.
The case supports quick charging, offering 2 hours of playback after just 10 minutes of charging, which is a handy feature when you’re in a pinch. However, we’d like to see longer battery life in future iterations.
Final Verdict
At €99, the Xiaomi Buds 5 offer a compelling package, particularly for users who prioritize comfort over a snug fit. The sound quality is impressive for semi in-ear earbuds, and the inclusion of high-bitrate streaming, dual-device pairing, and unique features like audio recording set them apart from the competition. However, the semi in-ear design won’t suit everyone, especially those seeking a secure fit for active use or superior ANC performance.
If you’re looking for comfortable earbuds with great sound quality and don’t mind sacrificing a tight fit or top-tier noise cancellation, the Xiaomi Buds 5 are a solid option. But if ANC and a secure fit are your top priorities, you might want to explore other options in this price range.