Redmi Buds 5C Review: Affordable TWS For Everyday Audio Needs

The tech company Redmi has recently introduced a new set of budget-friendly TWS earbuds to its wearable collection in India. The Redmi Buds 5C has been launched, complementing the already available Redmi Buds 5A. These new earbuds feature 12.4mm dynamic drivers, up to 40Db active noise cancellation, extended battery life, and several other enhancements. Given the fierce competition in this market segment from brands such as Noise, boAt, JBL, and Realme, it remains to be seen whether the Redmi Buds 5C can establish a strong foothold. This review aims to explore that question.

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Redmi Buds 5C Review

Redmi Buds 5C Review: Design & Fit

Despite being positioned in the budget-friendly segment, the Redmi Buds 5C offers an appealing design. The case exudes a premium vibe that defies its price point. It feels great to hold, featuring a soft matte finish that adds a touch of elegance. The design is pill-shaped, and I received it in a lovely symphony blue hue. This gentle baby blue color sets it apart from the usual blacks and whites on the market. The frosted blue finish is undoubtedly the most appealing among the three available shades. Personally, I have a preference for pill-shaped cases; they not only look fantastic but also fit comfortably in the hand thanks to their rounded edges. The lid is robust and snaps shut with a satisfying click, ensuring the earbuds are securely stored. Weighing in at just 38.5 grams, the case is lightweight and compact, making it incredibly convenient for on-the-go use.

The case boasts a sleek LED light on the front that resembles a straight line, illuminating and blinking when you either open it or connect it to charge. At the bottom, you’ll find a USB-C port alongside a button for easy manual pairing. On the back, the Redmi logo is elegantly engraved, adding a touch of sophistication.

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 Now, let’s dive into the design and construction of the earbuds. The Redmi Buds 5C features a design reminiscent of Apple AirPods. These charming little earbuds come equipped with magnets on the bottom, allowing them to attach to the charging case securely. Each bud is fitted with a touch sensor and a short stem, ensuring a snug fit in the ears. Inside the box, you’ll find two additional pairs of ear tips to customize the fit based on your ear size. I wore these buds for extended periods, and they remained comfortable and securely in place without any slipping.

The only downside is that the case has no IP Rating, though the buds are IP54-rated for protection against splashes.

Redmi Buds 5C Review: Connectivity, Control & Features

The Redmi Buds 5C is compatible with the Xiaomi Earbuds App, which can be downloaded on both iOS and Android devices. The app features an intuitive interface that enhances the user experience with the earbuds. It provides detailed information on the battery status of both the earbuds and the charging case, and it enables users to customize touch controls, adjust audio settings, locate their earbuds, and toggle between transparency and noise cancellation modes, among other functionalities. Earbuds that integrate with an app typically offer a wider range of features compared to those without such support.

 The Redmi Buds 5C are equipped with SBC and AAC codecs, as well as features like Google Fast Pair and dual device smart connection. These true wireless earbuds also utilize Bluetooth 5.3, offer customizable EQ settings, and include dual microphones with AI noise cancellation technology. Pairing the earbuds is straightforward; simply activate Bluetooth on your device and open the case containing the earbuds. They will connect to your smartphone in just a few seconds, providing a smooth experience. I tested them with a Redmi 10 smartphone, and they performed excellently.

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The touch controls on the Redmi Buds 5C provide various functions such as music playback, toggling active noise cancellation, and switching to transparency mode. However, their performance can be inconsistent. The absence of audio feedback when tapping the buds often leaves me uncertain about whether the action was successfully registered. Incorporating some form of sound or confirmation would enhance the overall user experience.

The Buds are equipped with an audio-sharing feature, enabling two pairs of Redmi Buds 5C to connect to compatible Xiaomi devices for a shared listening experience. This is particularly useful when you and another person both own Xiaomi phones and wish to use the same set of earbuds. However, it is important to note that there is no support for multipoint connectivity or wear detection.

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Redmi Buds 5C Review: Sound & ANC

When considering the key features of an audio device, performance stands out as the most critical element. In a single word, the performance of the Redmi Buds 5C can be described as ‘satisfactory.’ These earbuds are fitted with 12.4mm dynamic titanium drivers, delivering an impressive audio experience. Users can choose from five distinct audio profiles through the accompanying app, allowing for a tailored listening experience. The available sound profiles include Custom, Enhance Voice, Enhance Bass, Enhance Treble, and Standard.

During my review of the earbuds, I spent several hours scrolling through Instagram reels on my phone. The audio quality was impressive, whether I was watching lesser-known gems or content from various creators, with sound clarity being exceptional. The volume level, set at around 40%, was also quite suitable.

In addition to reels, I enjoyed Pakistani shows on YouTube, series on Netflix, and music on Spotify. Tracks like ‘Pasoori’ from Coke Studio, “Believer” by Imagine Dragons, “Ishq” from Lost and Found, and “Soni Soni” from Ishq Vishq Rebound were particularly enjoyable, as the earbuds accentuated every beat and rhythm, enhancing the overall listening experience.

Powerful songs became even more engaging with the enhanced bass and treble. However, while the bass is impressive, it occasionally usually overshadows the mids and highs, and at higher volumes, the sound can become distorted, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, the audio quality remains good considering its price point.

Call quality is ok as well. The buds come with dual microphones that have AI-based ENC to offer isolation from ambient noise. When I took a call in a noisy environment, the voice of the person on the other end was precisely audible. There were no complaints in terms of audio or call quality.

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Let us discuss the Active Noise Cancellation feature found in the Redmi Buds 5C. The manufacturer asserts that these earbuds provide up to 40dB of ANC performance. The accompanying app offers three settings: Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Off. In indoor settings, noise cancellation effectively minimizes ambient sounds. However, when used outdoors, the earbuds can reduce traffic noise but do not eliminate it entirely.

The Transparency mode blends ANC with standard audio, allowing users to remain aware of their surroundings while enjoying their music. This feature performed well during my evening walks, enabling me to appreciate both my environment and the audio. Given the price of under 2000, the ANC functionality is quite satisfactory.

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Redmi Buds 5C Review: Battery Life & Charging

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On paper case of the buds packs a 480mAh battery while each bud packs a 45mAh battery. Redmi claims that Buds 5C will offer a long 36 hours of runtime on a single charge with the case. Buds alone have been claimed to offer 7 hours of battery life on a single charge. During my usage, these claims proved to be underwhelming. This is because buds alone offered a playback time of around 4.5 hours with ANC turned on and around 5.5 hours with ANC turned off. This is less than what Redmi claims.

With the charging case, I experienced around 31 hours of playback time on a single charge which is pretty impressive for a Buds priced under 2000. As for charging, the buds when placed inside the case charge from 0 to 100% in under 50 minutes. The charging for the case is slow as it took over 2 hours to recharge from 0 to 100%. Since battery life is decent, charging time doesn’t prove to be too much of a bother.

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Redmi Buds 5C Review Verdict: Should You Buy?

Smartprix Rating: 7.7/10

Sound: 7.5/10  

Design and Comfort: 8/10  

Connectivity: 8/10  

App: 8/10  

Playback Controls: 7/10  

Noise Cancellation: 6.5/10  

Calling: 7/10  

Battery and Charging: 7/10

The Redmi Buds 5C presents a well-rounded option that effectively balances affordability and performance. These earbuds feature decent active noise cancellation (ANC), app compatibility, an attractive and compact design, extended battery life, and satisfactory sound quality. While the touch controls can be inconsistent, and audio may become distorted at higher volumes, the charging case requires over two hours to fully charge. Nevertheless, at a competitive price of Rs. 1799, the Redmi Buds 5C represent a solid choice. If you enjoy a strong bass experience, these earbuds may suit you well; however, for a more balanced audio experience, you might consider TWS options from brands like Realme, OPPO or OnePlus.