Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 Pro Wireless Earbuds: Flagship-Level Noise Cancellation at an Unbeatable Price
Published on June 10, 2023, 5:12 p.m.
Looking for wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation at an affordable price? Enter the Redmi Buds 3 Pro from Chinese tech giant Xiaomi. Packed with flagship features like hybrid ANC and wireless charging, these earbuds aim to deliver premium quality without the premium price tag. Let’s dive into the details in this comprehensive review.
Overview
The Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 Pro Wireless in-Ear Headphones were released in August 2021 as an upgrade over the popular Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 Pro Wireless in-Ear Headphones. Available in sleek black or gray colors, they connect via Bluetooth 5.2 and feature 9mm composite drivers for detailed sound. Xiaomi claims these buds can block up to 35dB of ambient noise, on par with more expensive competitors.
Key Features
- Hybrid active noise cancellation: Uses both feed-forward and feedback mics to block ambient sound
- Adaptive noise control: AI algorithm adjusts ANC levels based on your surroundings
- Transparency mode: Lets outside sound in so you can hear announcements or have conversations
- 6 hours battery life: Up to 28 hours total with charging case
- Fast and wireless charging: Case supports both USB-C and wireless Qi charging
Design
The Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 Pro Wireless in-Ear Headphones sport a sleek, minimalist design. The earbuds feature a matte plastic finish that comes in black or gray, with subtle Redmi branding. The pill-shaped charging case is compact enough for pockets and bags. While the earbuds don’t look premium, their understated style matches a wide variety of outfits.
Ease of Use
Overall, the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 Pro Wireless in-Ear Headphones are easy and intuitive to use. Bluetooth pairing is quick and the touch controls are responsive. Noise cancellation and transparency modes are activated by long presses on the earbuds and work well. The one downside is you must use the Xiaomi app for firmware updates and adjustable settings.
Noise Cancellation and Transparency
Easily the highlight feature of the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 Pro Wireless in-Ear Headphones is the adaptive noise canceling. Using feedback and feed-forward microphones, it actively cancels outside sounds whether you’re on the subway, plane, or walking in the park. An AI algorithm adjusts the level of ANC based on your environment. For times when you need to hear your surroundings, transparency mode lets ambient sound pass through the earbuds.
Battery Life and Charging
With a low-power chip onboard, Xiaomi touts a strong battery life of 6 hours playback on the buds themselves and up to 28 hours total including the charging case. The case supports both fast charging via USB-C and wireless charging for added convenience.
Audio Quality
Each earbud contains a 9mm composite driver tuned to deliver clearer treble and richer bass compared to previous Redmi models. While audio quality can’t match more expensive flagships, early reviewers report very solid sound across different music genres.
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.2 provides a stable wireless connection to smartphones and tablets. Switching between paired devices is easy, though multipoint pairing to use both simultaneously is not supported. Range is solid at around 10 meters or 30 feet.
Controls
Each earbud has a touch-sensitive surface for controlling music, calls, and noise cancellation. Double tap to play/pause, triple tap to skip tracks forward, and long press to cycle ANC modes. The touch controls are customizable using the app.
Water Resistance
With an IPX4 rating, the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 Pro Wireless in-Ear Headphones can withstand splashes of water and sweat. You can confidently wear them for workouts without worrying about moisture damage. However, they aren’t suitable for submersion.
Use Cases
The Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 Pro Wireless in-Ear Headphones excel in these scenarios:
- Commuting: ANC helps block engine noise on the subway or plane
- Working from coffee shops: Eliminates background chatter so you can focus
- Exercising outdoors: Locks in your workout music, not the ambient sounds
- Relaxing at home: Enjoy your playlists without interruptions
User Feedback Analysis
The Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 Pro Wireless in-Ear Headphones have received largely positive reviews from owners. On Amazon, these wireless earbuds hold a 4.5 out of 5 star rating with over 4,400 global reviews.
The comfortable fit and impressive active noise cancellation seem to be the highlights for many buyers. As one reviewer raved, “The noise cancellation is amazing for the price! It really blocks out background sounds whether I’m on a plane or walking in the city.”
When it comes to audio quality, most are satisfied with the balanced sound profile. As described by one user, “The sound is very crisp and clear with nice separation between lows, mids, and highs.” However, more discerning audiophiles feel the sound lacks some richness and detail compared to premium options.
A common complaint is occasional hissing or static noises when the noise cancellation feature is enabled. As explained by one owner, “After a few weeks, a faint hissing sound started appearing in the right earbud whenever ANC was on.” A few others also reported connection dropouts when first using the earbuds.
Regarding battery life, the advertised 6 hours of continuous playback seems accurate based on testing. Combined with the charging case, users appreciate getting over a full day’s worth of listening before needing to recharge. The fast charging support via USB-C and Qi wireless is also popular.
When it comes to call quality, the 3-mic setup does a great job at isolating the user’s voice and minimizing background noise. As one reviewer tested, “Callers said I sounded very clear even when I was walking downtown with lots of street noise around me.”
Overall, if you’re seeking noise-cancelling earbuds on a budget, the consensus is the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 Pro Wireless in-Ear Headphones punch far above their weight class and deliver tremendous value. As summed up nicely by one comment, “These earbuds perform as well as brands costing 2-3 times more. An amazing deal!”
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Great noise cancellation for the price
- Long battery life with quick charging options
- Fun color options with sleek styling
- Solid connectivity and call quality
Cons:
- Audio can’t match premium wireless earbuds
- No wireless charging on the earbuds themselves
- occasional hissing sound from ANC reported
Value
With hybrid ANC, wireless charging, long battery life, and sleek style, the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 Pro Wireless in-Ear Headphones punch far above their weight class and price point. For under $50, these earbuds deliver tremendous value rivaling models double their cost.
Conclusion
For under $50, the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 Pro Wireless in-Ear Headphones pack impressive noise cancellation and battery life into a sleek and compact design. While the audio doesn’t quite measure up to pricier options, these Xiaomi wireless earbuds deliver excellent value and are easy to recommend for both Android and iOS users.
Specifications
- Driver: 9mm composite dynamic driver
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2
- Battery life: Up to 6 hours (earbuds), 28 hours total (with case)
- Noise cancellation: Hybrid ANC up to 35dB
- Water resistance: IPX4 splash proof
- Earbud weight: 4.5g each
- Charging: USB-C, Qi wireless charging for case
What’s in the Box
The Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 Pro Wireless in-Ear Headphones come with:
- Redmi Buds 3 Pro earbuds (left and right)
- Charging case
- USB-C cable
- Extra ear tips (large and small)
- User manual
How to Use
- Open the charging case next to your phone to pair via Bluetooth
- Put the earbuds in and select the right sized ear tips for comfort
- Use the touch controls to play/pause music, answer calls, or enable noise cancellation
- Pop the earbuds back into the charging case when not using to conserve battery
- Charge the case with the USB-C cable or any Qi wireless charger
