Redmi Buds 6: Affordable ANC Earphones That Could Use a Connectivity Boost

Redmi Buds 6 true wireless stereo (TWS) earphones made their debut earlier this month and are now up for purchase in India. They were introduced in India alongside the Redmi Note 14 5G series smartphones. Promising a total battery life of up to 42 hours, they feature 360-degree spatial audio and hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC) of up to 49dB. These earbuds can connect to two devices at once and are designed with an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance. The price point in India is set at Rs. 2,999. Let’s see if they are worth your attention.

Redmi Buds 6 Design and Features: Stylish and Lightweight

Dimensions — 31.13 x 21.34 x 23.5mm (Buds); 61.01 x 51.71 x 24.80mm (Case)
Weight — 5g (Each bud); 43.2g (Case)
Water and dust resistance — IP54 (Earphones only)
Available Colours — Ivy Green, Spectre Black, Titan White

The Redmi Buds 6 earphones feature a classic in-ear design, accompanied by ear tips in three sizes. The medium-sized tips are pre-installed, along with two additional pairs—one small and one large—in the packaging. Among these options, I found the medium size to provide the best fit. They are not the most comfortable earphones I’ve experienced, but certainly not the least comfortable either. I managed to wear them for a few hours at a time without significant discomfort.

The in-ear design of the Redmi Buds 6 provides a satisfactory fit

The touch controls on the Redmi Buds 6 function smoothly and are user-friendly. The sensors are located near the top of the stem. Similar to many other brands, you can customize various tap gestures for different commands via the companion app, which will be discussed in the next section. The earphones are stored on their sides within the case, with the charging connectors situated on the inner side closest to your face while wearing them.

The small, magnetic charging case is equipped with a USB Type-C port and features a flow design LED on the front. The pairing button is conveniently positioned on the right side, with the “Redmi” logo displayed on the top. The flow LED not only adds a visual flair but also serves a functional purpose, displaying the battery level when the case is closed or when the pairing button is activated. This allows you to check the battery status without needing to open the app each time.

The Redmi Buds 6 earphones have an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, although the case itself lacks any ingress protection ratings. While my review unit is white and might be more prone to visible dust and smudges, the case does tend to collect noticeable dirt and marks.

The Xiaomi Earbuds app presents a straightforward and user-friendly layout

Redmi Buds 6 App and Specifications: Sufficient

Driver — 12.4mm + 5.5mm
Companion App — Xiaomi Earbuds
Gesture controls — Yes

The Redmi Buds 6 are compatible with the Xiaomi Earbuds application, which features a user-friendly design. The home screen displays the battery percentage of both the earphones and the charging case (when open), along with the noise cancellation modes. The available modes include Noise Cancellation, Off, and Transparency. In transparency mode, users can select from two levels of noise cancellation and environmental sound mixes. More details on these modes will follow.

Additionally, the app enables customization of various gestures for different functions. You can set up single, double, and triple taps, as well as press-and-hold actions for each earbud. These gestures allow you to manage music playback and ANC features. The press-and-hold action can also be utilized to take photos.

The Redmi Buds 6 can function as a remote shutter control. However, this feature is unavailable while dual-device connectivity is active. When connected solely to your smartphone, you can press and hold either earbud to take a picture almost hands-free. This proves to be convenient, especially in situations where you would typically rely on a timer.

The flow LED design on the charging case indicates its battery level

The Redmi Buds 6 incorporate 12.4mm titanium diaphragms and 5.5mm micro-piezoelectric ceramic drivers. They boast up to 49dB of ANC and are claimed to deliver a total battery life of up to 42 hours. The charging case houses a 475mAh battery, while each earbud contains a 54mAh cell. The earphones also have an IP55 rating for dust and liquid resistance. They support Bluetooth 5.4 and dual-device connectivity.

Redmi Buds 6 Performance and Battery Life: Moderately Adequate

ANC — 49dB
Battery — 54mAh (Bud), 475mAh (Case)
Fast Charging — Yes (10 minutes for up to four hours of playback claimed)
Bluetooth — Bluetooth 5.4

Featuring dual-driver systems, the Redmi Buds 6 TWS earphones offer reasonably tuned sound quality that stands out in the under Rs. 3,000 price segment. The bass response is commendable, though at volumes exceeding 50 percent, some sounds—especially higher frequencies—can become distorted. Tracks like Good Times Bad Times by Led Zeppelin or Hush by Deep Purple maintain clarity, but might sound congested during high guitar or vocal segments.

The customizable equalizer available through the Xiaomi Earbuds app allows for adjustments that improve the sound quality to some degree. The app features preset EQ settings to enhance bass, treble, or vocal clarity in specific tracks. The earphones also support 360-degree spatial audio, which creates a more immersive listening experience, albeit with a trade-off in battery life.

The earbuds’ charging connectors are located internally

The app facilitates control over various ANC levels. When ANC is active, the Redmi Buds 6 successfully reduces most common background noises. Even the hum of a fan in a quiet room is noticeably diminished. In busy environments, they are capable of blocking out most unwanted sounds. However, outdoor users may prefer to remain alert to their surroundings, which can be achieved through the transparency mode. This mode provides two sub-presets: one for enhancing voice and another for amplifying ambient sounds.

The dual-microphone setup of the Redmi Buds 6 is adequate for brief phone calls. A notable drawback, however, involves the connectivity. Though they utilize Bluetooth 5.4 and can connect to two devices simultaneously, audio playback on the primary device may stop after receiving a call. Video playback can often require refreshes for sound to resume. This issue occurs frequently, whether with calls or playing multimedia on the secondary device, leading to frustration during my testing. I ultimately preferred using these earphones with a single device at a time.

The manufacturer claims that with ANC active, the Redmi Buds 6 can provide up to 26 hours of playback, with 6.5 hours on a single charge for the earphones. Throughout my review period with ANC engaged at 50 percent volume, the earphones lasted approximately five hours and 20 to 30 minutes. Without ANC, the expected playback time is up to 10 hours on the earbuds alone and up to 42 hours using the charging case. During my testing without ANC at the 50 percent volume level, the earbuds provided between eight hours and 56 minutes and nine hours and 23 minutes of usage. Although these figures do not entirely align with the advertised numbers, they are still decent overall. With light usage, a single charge of the case could last up to four working days (though, of course, this depends on your interpretation of light usage).

The dual driver units offer moderate audio tuning satisfaction

Redmi Buds 6: Final Thoughts

If you’re on a budget and seeking ANC earbuds for casual everyday use, the Redmi Buds 6 could be a solid choice. Priced at Rs. 2,999, they deliver balanced sound, an acceptable fit, and decent ANC capabilities. While the battery performance isn’t quite as good as advertised, it remains reasonable. You’ll need to overlook some occasional connectivity problems and be cautious to prevent smudges on the case.

Nonetheless, if you find yourself with a bit more budget to spend, specifically an additional Rs. 300, consider the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro (Review) priced at Rs. 3,299. For a slight increase in investment, you’ll gain a more robust build, superior battery performance, and improved dual-device connectivity. These earphones also come with an IP55 rating, as opposed to the IP54 rating of the Redmi Buds 6. While this difference may not significantly affect casual use, you should note that the Nord Buds 3 can provide up to 44 hours of total playback from a single charge, which may be a key factor in your decision.