Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro review: Premium sound, powerful ANC & smart extras
Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro
Pros
- Rich, well-balanced sound with triple-driver setup
- Strong ANC up to 55dB with adjustable levels
- Fast charging gives 4.5 hours of playback in 10 minutes
- Dual-device connectivity for easy switching
- Long battery life (up to 40 hours with case)
Cons
- Swipe controls take time to get used to
- AI transcription & translation will not be available until Q2 2025
Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro: One minute review
The Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro get a lot right—great sound, solid noise cancellation, and some smart extras that feel useful. The triple-driver setup makes music sound rich and well-balanced, with punchy bass and crisp highs. ANC is no joke either, cutting out up to 55dB of background noise so you can tune out distractions. Battery life is solid at 40 hours with the case, and if you’re in a rush, a quick 10-minute charge gives you 4.5 hours of playback. In the ear the buds are comfortable, and once you get used to the press and swipe controls, they’re easy to use.
Of course, they’re not perfect. Some of the AI-powered extras, like gesture-based recording, are cool but not something everyone will use. Also, features like AI-powered transcription and translation will not be available until Q2 2025.
Still, if top-tier sound and strong ANC are what you’re after, these deliver without the crazy price tag of some flagship earbuds. The Bluetooth version is priced at EUR 200, while the Wi-Fi edition comes in at EUR 230.
View on Xiaomi.
Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro review: Look and feel
My first thought when I picked up the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro? These feel like a premium pair of earbuds. I have the titan gray version, and the matte finish gives it a sleek, high-end look without being flashy. If gray isn’t your thing, they also come in graphite black and ceramic white, so there’s a bit of variety to choose from.
In the box you’ll find a little bag with a few different sized silicone tips. Try them out and find the one that feels snug in your ears. If you fire-up the accompanying smartphone app, it has a walk-through session that helps you find the perfect fit.
I find the buds to be pretty comfortable. They don’t feel jammed into my ears, which I appreciate as I tend to wear earbuds when I drift off to sleep at night. They’re a bit heavier than the regular Buds 5 at 5.6 grams each, but honestly, I didn’t notice the difference once they were in. The build feels solid, nothing cheap or flimsy, and they sit comfortably without feeling like they’ll fall out every time I move.
One thing that takes some getting used to are the press and swipe controls. It’s a bit of trial and error until you get the hang of it. By tapping and swiping you can do lots of stuff like adjust volume, skip tracks, switch ANC modes and more.
The case is compact enough to slip into a pocket without feeling bulky. There’s a single indicator LED light and on the underside the charging entry point and next to it a pairing button. The overall feel is sleek and well-designed, with smooth edges, and a style that doesn’t try too hard but still looks and feels premium.
Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro review: Battery life
Battery life on the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro is definitely a strong point, especially if you hate charging your earbuds all the time. You get up to 8 hours of playback on a single charge, which is plenty to last through a full workday, a long flight, or even a night of sleep. Of course, that depends on your settings—turning on ANC will drain the battery faster, but that’s the case with any earbuds.
If you’re always on the move, you’ll love the charging case. It boosts battery life to 40 hours, so you can go days—maybe even a week—without needing to plug in, depending on how much you use them. That’s for the Bluetooth version, but there’s also a more expensive Wi-Fi edition. It bumps the earbud battery from 53mAh to 64mAh, giving you up to 10 hours of playback on a single charge while keeping the same 570mAh charging case.
Fast charging is another big plus—a quick 10-minute charge gets you around 4.5 hours of listening time, which is great if you’re in a rush. The USB-C port makes wired charging quick and hassle-free. Whether you’re using them for work, travel, or just everyday listening, you won’t have to worry about running out of power.
Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro vs Buds 5: Technical specs comparison
Now let’s compare the Pro to the non-Pro model which I reviewed in late-2024. As its name implies, if you’re after a more premium experience, the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro are the way to go.
That version comes packed with triple drivers, including a dynamic driver, PZT tweeter, and planar driver, which means richer, more detailed sound across all frequencies. In comparison, the Buds 5 stick with a single dual-magnet driver, which still sounds good but doesn’t offer quite the same level of depth.
Noise cancellation is also a differentiator. The Pro cancels out up to 55dB of noise with multiple ANC levels, while the standard Buds 5 max out at 46dB. That’s still decent, but if you’re in really loud environments, the Pro will do a better job of keeping the outside world at bay. Plus, the Pro has three transparency modes, while the Buds 5 don’t have any.
Battery life is similar between the two, but the Pro has the edge when it comes to quick charging. As mentioned, just 10 minutes plugged in gives you 4.5 hours of playback. On the non-Pro you get less than half of that – 2 hours.
Then there are the extras. The Pro model has AI-powered transcription and translation, gesture-based audio recording, and aptX Lossless support for better streaming quality. The Buds 5, on the other hand, keep things simpler.
Feature | Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro | Xiaomi Buds 5 |
|---|---|---|
Design | Semi-in-ear | Semi-in-ear |
Weight (per earbud) | 5.6 (±0.1g) | 4.2g (±0.2g) |
Color options | Graphite Black, Ceramic White, Titan Gray | Black, White |
Drivers | Dual-amplifier coaxial triple-driver (11mm dynamic driver, PZT tweeter, Planar driver) | 11mm dual-magnet driver |
Noise cancellation (ANC) | Up to 55dB with multiple modes | Up to 46dB with multiple modes |
Transparency modes | 3 Transparency Modes | No |
Audio codec support | aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, AAC, SBC, LC3 | AAC, SBC |
Bluetooth version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
Bluetooth range | Up to 10m | Up to 10m |
Dual-device connectivity | Yes | Yes |
Battery life (earbuds only) | Up to 8 hours | Up to 6.5 hours |
Battery life (with case) | Up to 40 hours | Up to 39 hours |
Fast charging | 10 mins = 4.5 hours playback | 10 mins = 2 hours playback |
Charging port | USB-C | USB-C |
Control method | Press and swipe controls | Pinch controls |
Special features | AI-powered transcription & translation, Qualcomm aptX Lossless, Harman AudioEFX tuning, gesture-based audio recording | Harman AudioEFX tuning and built-in dimensional audio |
Companion app | Xiaomi Earbuds app | Xiaomi Earbuds app |
Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro review: Functionality
How to use
You’ll find these are hassle-free buds. Everything works and is pretty straightforward. But there are a few features worth getting familiar with to get the most out of them.
First, pairing is as easy as opening the case near your phone—just follow the on-screen instructions, and you’re good to go. If you’re using a Xiaomi phone, the earbuds will pop up with a quick-connect prompt, making the process even faster. For other devices, just head to your Bluetooth settings, find the Buds 5 Pro, and pair them manually. The earbuds support dual-device connectivity, so you can stay connected to your phone and laptop at the same time without constantly switching.
Once they’re paired, the press and swipe controls take a little getting used to. By default, pressing either earbud once will play or pause music. There are also gestures for answering calls, activating the voice assistant, skipping tracks, and switching between noise cancellation and transparency modes.
You need to press towards the bottom of the stem as this is where the controls are. The trickiest part for me was figuring out the volume controls—they require a swipe motion starting from the bottom of the buds, which isn’t the most intuitive at first. You’ll hear a slight click when you are successful.
All of this is customisable in the Xiaomi Earbuds app. Diving into this lets you unlock the full potential of these earbuds. The app also lets you fine-tune ANC levels, set up transparency modes, and even personalize the sound profile (Herman AudioEFX, Herman Master, Decrease Bass, Enhance Treble, Enhance Voice and Audiophile). Features like AI-powered transcription and translation will be available starting in 2025 Q2 so I wasn’t able to test those.
A feature worth a mention is the audio recording function. You can set up a gesture to start and stop recordings, making it easy to capture voice notes on the go. Depending on your phone’s connection and compatibility, you might even be able to record calls, device audio, or ambient sounds, which could be useful in certain situations. I found the ambient audio comes through really clear and the buds also do a good job at recording device audio. The transfer from headphones to the smartphone is done in seconds.
Sound quality & noise cancellation
Finally we get to sound quality – an important feature for earphones. I must say, these are amongst the best sounding buds I have tried.
That’s not really a big surprise considering they pack a triple-driver setup. The combination of an 11mm dynamic driver, a PZT tweeter, and a planar driver creates a balanced and detailed sound across all frequencies. The bass is deep and punchy without overpowering the mids, vocals come through with clarity, and the highs have a crispness that makes everything feel more immersive. Whether you’re listening to bass-heavy electronic music, acoustic tracks, or podcasts, the audio remains clear and rich.
With support for aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive, streaming quality is excellent if you have a compatible device. Harman AudioEFX tuning also helps deliver a more polished and natural sound, making these earbuds a great choice for audiophiles who want something refined but still fun to listen to.
The previously mentioned Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi edition introduces next-generation Wi-Fi audio transmission, achieving speeds up to 4.2Mbps. This is double the standard Bluetooth transmission rate. This feature enables studio-grade lossless audio when paired with compatible Xiaomi devices like the 15 Ultra.
The noise cancellation is also impressive, offering up to 55dB of ANC with multiple levels to adjust based on your surroundings. Whether you need to block out city traffic, office chatter, or just want some peace and quiet, the Buds 5 Pro do a great job of isolating sound. The wide 5kHz ANC range helps reduce a variety of background noises, making them useful in different environments. Just make sure to choose the correct silicone tip size as this helps with noise cancellation.
The three transparency modes (Regular, Enhance voice and Enhance ambient sound) are a nice touch. They make it easier to pay attention to the world around you, whether you’re walking through busy streets or need to hear an announcement. Overall, the combination of excellent sound and strong noise cancellation makes these earbuds a great option for both casual listening and more immersive audio experiences.
View on Xiaomi.
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