Redmi has introduced yet another budget-friendly true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds—the Redmi Buds 5C—aimed at offering premium features without a hefty price tag. Priced at ₹1,799, these earbuds boast Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) up to 40dB, 12.4mm dynamic titanium drivers, a long-lasting 36-hour battery life, and customizable sound profiles.
At this price point, the Redmi Buds 5C compete with popular brands like Boat, Noise, and Boult, all of which have established themselves in the affordable TWS market. But does the Redmi Buds 5C offer enough to stand out? Can it truly deliver on its promises of immersive sound and effective noise cancellation? Let’s dive into this in-depth review to see if these budget earbuds are worth your money.
7.9/10 Redmi Buds 5C |
Sound Quality Comfort & Fit Build Quality Battery Life Call Quality Active Noise Cancellation Value For Money The Redmi Buds 5C offer an impressive set of features for their ₹1,799 price tag, making them a strong contender in the budget TWS market. With Hybrid ANC up to 40dB, customizable sound profiles, and decent battery life, they provide great value for money. The comfortable fit and companion app support further enhance the experience. However, they aren’t without drawbacks. Bass lovers may find the low-end slightly lacking, and call quality could be better compared to some rivals. Additionally, while the earbuds have an IP54 rating, the charging case lacks water resistance, which might be a concern for some users. |
Key Specifications
- Driver Size: 12.4mm Dynamic Titanium Drivers
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20KHz
- Microphones: Dual Mic AI Noise Reduction
- Noise Cancellation: Hybrid ANC (up to 40dB) with three modes
- Bluetooth Version: 5.3
- Battery Life: 7 hours per charge (ANC off), 36 hours with the case (ANC off)
- Charging Port: Type-C, quick charge support
- Water Resistance: IP54 (earbuds only)
- Weight: 4.2g per earbud, 38.5g with case
- Price: ₹1,799
Redmi Buds 5C Design & Fit
Despite being a budget-friendly offering, the Redmi Buds 5C surprises with a premium and elegant design that feels far more refined than its price suggests. The charging case is pill-shaped with a soft matte finish, giving it a sleek and sophisticated look. The material feels smooth to the touch, making it pleasant to hold. At just 38.5 grams, the case is lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry in your pocket or bag without adding bulk.
The case features a straight-line LED indicator on the front, which lights up and blinks when the case is opened or connected to charge. At the bottom, there is a USB-C charging port alongside a physical pairing button, which comes in handy for manual Bluetooth pairing. The Redmi logo is subtly engraved on the back, adding a touch of branding without being too flashy.
When it comes to the earbuds’ design, the Redmi Buds 5C takes inspiration from Apple AirPods, featuring a short stem and an in-ear design. The earbuds are equipped with magnets at the bottom, ensuring they attach securely to the case for charging. Each bud is also fitted with a touch sensor, allowing for easy control of music, calls, and ANC settings.
Comfort is another area where these earbuds excel. Redmi includes two additional pairs of ear tips in the box, allowing users to customize the fit based on their ear size. The earbuds sit snugly in the ears, providing a secure and comfortable fit, even during extended listening sessions. Whether you’re using them while commuting, working out, or simply relaxing, they stay in place without causing discomfort.
However, one notable drawback is that while the earbuds themselves are IP54-rated for dust and splash resistance, the charging case has no official IP rating. This means you need to be cautious about exposing the case to moisture or dust, as it may not offer the same level of durability as the buds.
Redmi Buds 5C App Features & Controls
One of the standout aspects of the Redmi Buds 5C is its companion app support. The Xiaomi Earbuds app, available on Android and iOS, enhances the overall user experience by allowing greater control over various functions. The app features a clean and user-friendly interface, making it easy to navigate even for first-time users.
The app provides the ability to customize the touch gestures on the earbuds, giving users more control over their listening experience. Each earbud supports single tap, double tap, and triple tap gestures, which can be assigned to different functions such as:
- Play/Pause music
- Skip tracks forward or backward
- Volume up/down
- Answer or reject calls
Additionally, the press-and-hold gesture is dedicated to toggling between Noise Cancellation modes (ANC On, Transparency Mode, and ANC Off), ensuring a seamless listening experience.
For audiophiles or those who prefer a specific sound profile, the app includes a custom equalizer (EQ) setting. Users can choose from five different sound profiles to fine-tune their listening experience based on their preferences. Whether you enjoy heavy bass, balanced audio, or a vocal-focused sound, the app allows you to optimize the audio output accordingly.
The Xiaomi Earbuds app also allows users to check for firmware updates, ensuring that the Redmi Buds 5C stays up-to-date with the latest software improvements and bug fixes.
Another handy feature is Find My Earphones, which helps locate misplaced earbuds by playing a loud sound when activated. This is particularly useful for those who often misplace their earbuds.
While the app provides several useful features, one drawback is that it requires users to sign in with a Xiaomi account to access the full range of functionalities. If you don’t have an account, you will need to create one to use features like firmware updates and Find My Earphones.
Redmi Buds 5C Sound Quality & ANC Performance
When it comes to budget-friendly true wireless earbuds, sound quality is often a hit-or-miss affair. However, the Redmi Buds 5C does a commendable job of delivering balanced audio without overemphasizing bass, a common issue with low-cost earbuds.
Audio Performance
Many budget earbuds tend to boost bass to compensate for other shortcomings, but that’s not the case with the Redmi Buds 5C. The 12.4mm Dynamic Titanium drivers ensure that the bass is present but not overpowering, maintaining a clean and balanced sound signature. Whether you’re listening to pop, classical, or electronic music, the earbuds manage to keep the audio clear without any unnecessary muddiness.
During my testing with tracks like
“Oxytocin” by Billie Eilish, “Like That” by Doja Cat, and “Like a Prayer” by Madonna, the
highs were crisp, and the vocals remained distinct, making the listening experience enjoyable. However, the
lows felt slightly weak, which might be noticeable for bass-heavy music lovers. That said, the overall clarity is impressive for the price range.
ANC & Call Performance
One of the standout features of the Redmi Buds 5C is its Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) up to 40dB, which is rare in this price segment. Xiaomi provides three ANC modes:
- ANC On: Blocks out external noise for an immersive listening experience.
- Transparency Mode: Lets in ambient sound, making it useful for outdoor use or conversations.
- ANC Off: Standard listening mode with no noise cancellation.
In real-world testing, the ANC proved effective in reducing common background noises such as the hum of a fan, AC, and mild traffic sounds. While it won’t match the premium ANC of high-end earbuds like the AirPods Pro or Sony WF-1000XM4, it does a great job considering its budget-friendly pricing. If you’re someone who frequently commutes or works in noisy environments, the ANC feature will certainly enhance your experience.
For calls, the dual microphones with AI noise reduction help in minimizing background noise, making conversations clearer. In quiet environments, call quality is decent, and the other person can hear you clearly. However, in noisier surroundings, while background noise is reduced, your voice may not sound entirely natural to the listener. This is a common issue with budget earbuds, but the Redmi Buds 5C still performs competitively within its price range.
Battery Life & Charging
Redmi claims that the Buds 5C can last 7 hours on a single charge (without ANC) and up to 36 hours with the charging case. However, in real-world usage, the battery life is slightly lower than advertised. With ANC turned on, the earbuds last around 4.5 hours, while turning ANC off extends playback to approximately 5.5 hours.
The charging case provides an additional 31 hours of backup, which is still impressive for a budget TWS. Fast charging support is a plus—placing the buds in the case for just 10 minutes provides up to 2 hours of playback. A full charge takes 50 minutes for the earbuds and over 2 hours for the case, which is reasonable considering its extended battery life.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy Redmi Buds 5C?
The Redmi Buds 5C offer an impressive set of features for their ₹1,799 price tag, making them a strong contender in the budget TWS market. With Hybrid ANC up to 40dB, customizable sound profiles, and decent battery life, they provide great value for money. The comfortable fit and companion app support further enhance the experience.
However, they aren’t without drawbacks. Bass lovers may find the low-end slightly lacking, and call quality could be better compared to some rivals. Additionally, while the earbuds have an IP54 rating, the charging case lacks water resistance, which might be a concern for some users.
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