Are these the best noise-cancelling earbuds under Rs 3,000?

First impressions and performance

For the review, I got the Redmi Buds 6 in the cool Ivy green shade. The colour is muted with a case sporting a matte finish and a glossy band on the bezels. The case is compact and completely disappears into your pockets, and I could snap it open with just one hand. Coming to the earbuds, they offer a comfortable fit during extended listening sessions. I found the lightweight design to be comforting as you experience no fatigue while wearing them for longer periods. While the earbuds come with an IP54 rating, the case is not, so you may need to keep it safe and dry. 

When it comes to audio experience, the dual-driver setup offers rich sound that has well-defined bass and clear treble. I found the sound profile to be balanced. The device comes with four EQ modes allowing users to fine-tune their listening experience. The speakers deliver dynamic performances when it comes to different genres of music, from reggae to rock. I revisited ‘Liquor Store Blues’ by Bruno Mars, a song that was a mainstay on my playlist in the 2010s. On the Redmi Buds 6, the song came to life, transcending time, as it truly felt like a song that dropped on Spotify a week ago. Even the recent hits, ‘Birds of a Feather’ by Billie Eilish and ‘30 for 30’ by SZA and Kendrick Lamar, sounded transformative. The diverse sound profile of the Buds 6 lets you cherish old ghazals by legends Ghulam Ali and Mehdi Hassan, with all the ‘raag and taal’ delivered in their authentic intensity. 

The Redmi Buds 6 in the cool Ivy green shade. (Image: Bijin Jose/The Indian Express)

 Switching from the audio experience, another aspect of the Redmi Buds 6 is its noise cancellation system. The earbuds come with 49b Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation, and I must say this is something that truly stands out. The company claims that it can block up to 99.6 per cent of environmental noise. I tried the ANC on my recent Indigo flight to Delhi, and the noise cancellation performed admirably. Do not expect a premium experience as spotted on Sony and Apple; however, the Buds 6 holds themselves steady as a remarkably well-designed earbuds for everyday use. I was impressed by the wind noise reduction that maintains call clarity even in noisy conditions.

 The Buds 6 also pack some nifty features like the Sound ID that creates a customised audio profile based on your hearing experiences. There is 360-degree spatial audio support that enhances the immersive quality of music and videos. I tried the Redmi Buds 6 with an Android smartphone and an iPhone; it worked well. However, I strongly recommend using the official app to navigate through the features and personalise your experience. 

 Battery life 

The Redmi Buds 6 come in a compact form factor without compromising on the battery life. I am thoroughly satisfied with the battery performance of the device. The claimed 42-hour overall battery life (including the charging case) holds up well in regular use.

I found the 10-hour continuous playback per charge to be particularly useful for long listening sessions. The fast charging capability is good, as with just 10 minutes of charging, one could enjoy four hours of playback. This feature came in handy twice, as I forgot to charge the device overnight. The charging case comes with Cloud Glow Light Effects, which can show the battery level, making it easier to track and juice it up. 

Should you buy Redmi Buds 6?

As an overall package, from sound quality to features to battery life, the Redmi Buds 6 is a great value for money. Full marks to Xiaomi for yoking in features that are usually seen in more expensive earbuds. The Redmi Buds 6 offer performance levels that will satisfy most users’ needs. While the device has an MRP of Rs 4,999, it is currently available for Rs 2,799 on Amazon and other e-tail platforms. The device may have some connectivity hiccups and slightly limited codec support, but given the price point, it is an excellent choice.