Redmi Buds 5C Review: Reliable and Affordable Earbuds for Everyday Use

Introduction

Are you on the hunt for reliable and affordable earbuds without compromising on quality? The Redmi Buds 5C might just be what you’re looking for. Priced at just Rs 1,999, these budget-friendly earbuds promise a range of features and performance that could make them a strong contender in the affordable TWS segment. In this Redmi Buds 5C review, we’ll dive deep into their design, features, performance, and overall value.

Product Overview

The Redmi Buds 5C have recently hit the market with several intriguing specifications. Designed to offer a compelling mix of functionality and affordability, these earbuds come with hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC) up to 40dB, 12.4mm dynamic titanium drivers, and a robust IP54 rating for water and dust resistance. Competing against established brands like Boat and Noise, these earbuds aim to make a mark in the budget TWS market.

Design and Features: Compact and Comfortable

• Size and Weight:
  • Buds: 31 x 21.4 x 23.45mm
  • Case: 57 x 55.95 x 26.85mm
  • Weight: 4.2g per bud, 38.5g total with case
• Water and Dust Resistance: IP54 rating (for earbuds only)
• Colors: Symphony Blue, Bass White, Acoustic Black

The Redmi Buds 5C feature a compact, ergonomic design that’s comfortable for extended wear. The charging case has a square design with rounded edges, making it easy to hold. The sturdy lid provides a satisfying click when closed. Available in Symphony Blue, Bass White, and Acoustic Black, the Redmi Buds 5C offer a premium look, particularly in Symphony Blue. The case includes a small LED light for connectivity status and a USB Type-C port for charging.

The earbuds themselves draw inspiration from the AirPods Pro (2nd gen) with their stem design. Lightweight and comfortable, they come with additional ear tip sizes to ensure a secure fit. Although they stay in place during casual use, they might feel a bit loose during vigorous exercise.

Also Read: iQOO Z9x 5G Review: A Budget Smartphone with Impressive Features

App and Specifications: Easy-to-Use Interface

• Driver: 12.4mm dynamic Titanium drivers
• Companion App: Xiaomi Earbuds (available on Android and iOS)
• Gesture Controls: Customizable touch gestures

The Redmi Buds 5C are paired with the Xiaomi Earbuds app, which is available on both Android and iOS platforms. This app allows users to manage various functions easily. The interface is user-friendly, displaying crucial information such as battery percentage and noise cancellation modes.

The app also offers customizable gesture controls for single, double, and triple taps on each earbud. Users can adjust functions like volume control, play/pause, and noise cancellation. The app supports custom EQ settings, firmware updates, and a find-my-earphones feature, although signing in with a Xiaomi account is required.

Performance and Battery Life: High on Bass, Dependable Battery

• ANC: Up to 40dB
• Battery: 45mAh per bud, 480mAh charging case
• Charging: Wired via USB Type-C
• Bluetooth: 5.3

In terms of performance, the Redmi Buds 5C deliver a balanced approach with a strong emphasis on bass. The hybrid ANC feature is effective, reducing ambient noise in indoor settings and offering decent performance outdoors. The earbuds support three ANC modes: Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Off.

The earbuds come with five different EQ modes: Standard, Enhance Treble, Enhance Bass, Enhance Voice, and Custom. The Enhance Bass mode is particularly impressive, providing a robust bass response, though it may overshadow mids and highs in certain tracks. At high volumes, some distortion and uneven sound separation were noticeable.

Battery life is one of the strong points of the Redmi Buds 5C. The earbuds offer up to 7 hours of playback on a single charge and up to 36 hours with the charging case. During testing, ANC usage reduced the battery life to approximately 4 hours per charge, but turning off ANC extended it to around 6 hours. The case charges quickly in about 50 minutes, though fully charging the case takes over two hours.

Call quality is good, with dual mics and AI-based ENC providing clear communication. However, isolation from very loud environments, like busy roads, may be less effective.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Affordable Price: At Rs 1,999, the Redmi Buds 5C are budget-friendly and offer good value.
• Effective ANC: Hybrid ANC up to 40dB provides solid noise reduction.
• Comfortable Fit: Ergonomic design and multiple ear tip options ensure comfort for extended use.
• Impressive Battery Life: Up to 36 hours of playback with the case is notable for this price range.

Cons:

• Sound Quality Limitations: The bass-heavy sound may overpower mids and highs; some distortion at high volumes.
• No IP Rating on Case: While the earbuds are IP54 rated, the case lacks water and dust resistance.
• No Active Noise Cancellation in Case: ANC is only available in the earbuds themselves.