Redmi Buds 6 vs Buds 5 Comparison: Know the Differences

Not long ago, Redmi introduced the Redmi Buds 5 to the Indian market. Just a few months later, the company followed up with the launch of the Redmi Buds 6, boasting improvements in certain areas.

It raises important questions: Do these improvements truly make a significant difference? And was there a real need to launch the Redmi Buds 6 so soon?

Here’s the Redmi Buds 6 vs Buds 5 comparison to help you decide which offers better value for money and which one you should choose.

Redmi Buds 6 vs Buds 5 Specifications

Redmi Buds 6 vs Buds 5 Differences

• Case Design

At first glance, the case of the Redmi Buds 6 appears almost identical to that of the Buds 5. However, upon closer inspection, there are subtle differences—most notably, the bar-style LED.

Previously located inside the case on the Buds 5, it has now been placed outside the Buds 6.

This change adds convenience. Checking the battery status is now much easier, as you no longer need to open the case. It can be accessed directly from the outside.

• Sound Quality

The Redmi Buds 5 comes equipped with a 12.4mm titanium driver, whereas the Redmi Buds 6 takes it a step further with a 12.4mm titanium driver paired with a 5.5mm micro piezoelectric driver, making it a dual-driver setup.

This additional driver is intended to enhance sound quality by improving bass and adding clarity to the highs.

However, in real-world usage, the 5.5mm driver doesn’t make a significant difference. While the Buds 6 does offer slightly enhanced sound quality with a better soundstage, improved crispness, and a marginally richer bass, these changes are subtle and not groundbreaking.

For casual listeners, the sound profiles of the Redmi Buds 5 and Buds 6 may appear nearly identical. Only with closer scrutiny can the slight improvements in the Buds 6 be noticed.

Do note that both earbuds deliver balanced audio with clear vocals and decently crisp trebles. The bass is rich and sufficient, but neither model is designed for bass enthusiasts who seek deep, heavy bass.

As highlighted in our Redmi Buds 6 review, enabling ANC on the Buds 6 can slightly narrow the soundstage and cause a loss of detail.

Overall, the Redmi Buds 6 offers enhancements in sound quality, but the differences are hardly noticeable, making the Buds 5 an equally good option for most users.

• ANC

The Redmi Buds 5 features 46dB ANC, while the Redmi Buds 6 offers 49dB ANC. Although a 3dB difference might not seem significant on paper, even a single dB can make a noticeable impact as we move up the noise-cancellation scale.

In our testing, the 46dB ANC on the Buds 5 performs well but leaves room for improvement. While it effectively cancels most ambient noise, higher-pitched sounds remain audible.

With the Buds 6 and its 49dB ANC, high-pitched noises are still noticeable but feel more distant and less intrusive. Whether it’s under a running fan, near an AC, or while commuting on the metro, the Buds 6 delivers better overall noise cancellation.

While the difference in ANC performance may seem small on paper, the real-world performance of the Redmi Buds 6 is noticeably superior.

• Bluetooth Version

The Redmi Buds 6 comes equipped with Bluetooth 5.4, offering a slight advantage over the Buds 5, which features Bluetooth 5.3.

While the real-life difference in connectivity may not be immediately noticeable, the Buds 6 benefits from slightly more stable connections. Bluetooth 5.4 also provides lower latency and faster data transfer, resulting in smoother audio transmission during use.

Additionally, Bluetooth 5.4 is more power-efficient, contributing to slightly better battery life. It also offers enhanced security features such as encrypted data transmission, improved GATT security levels, and Periodic Advertising with Response (PAwR).

For most users, the technical details may not matter much, but in simple terms, Bluetooth 5.4 is a small yet meaningful upgrade over Bluetooth 5.3.

• Battery Life

You’ll get the same battery life on both the Redmi Buds 6 and Buds 5, which is:

• 7.5 hours at 75% volume with ANC OFF (on the earbuds only)
• 5 hours at 75% volume with ANC ON (on the earbuds only)

However, when using the case, the Redmi Buds 6 offers an additional 4 hours of battery at 50% volume.

In our opinion, the difference in battery life is negligible, as the extra battery life on the Buds 6 is only a slight improvement in real-world usage.

• Call Quality

Both the Buds 6 and Buds 5 feature two mics per earbud with AI ENC.

While call quality is largely similar on both, the Buds 6 offers a slight improvement. This is due to the 9m/s noise reduction on the Buds 6, which provides slightly better call clarity compared to the 6m/s noise reduction on the Buds 5.

It’s worth noting that call quality on both earbuds is quite good in indoor settings but tends to be average in noisy outdoor environments.

You might also like the Realme Buds T310 vs T300 comparison.

Redmi Buds 6 vs Buds 5 Similarities

• Earbuds Design & Build

While there is a minor difference in the case’s design, the earbuds themselves are identical in both models.

Both the Buds 6 and Buds 5 feature a stem-style design, with the earbuds tilted at a 45-degree angle for improved fit and comfort.

The build quality is also the same, with both earbuds feeling solid in hand, despite being made of plastic.

• Fit and Comfort

Due to the similar design, the fit and comfort are identical on both models.

You can wear both sets of earbuds for hours without experiencing discomfort. After using both, we found no issues with comfort on either model.

However, users with very small ears may face some challenges, but in general, most people will find both models comfortable.

Additionally, the earbuds on the Buds 6 weigh 5 grams, while the Buds 5 weigh 5.1 grams. The 0.1-gram difference is negligible and doesn’t impact comfort.

• Features

Most features on both models are the same, including dual connection, in-ear detection, app support, touch controls, and more. All of these features function well on both the Buds 6 and Buds 5.

However, there is one notable difference: the Buds 6 supports 360° spatial audio.

Apart from that, the features are identical on both models.

You might find the Neckband vs TWS earbuds comparison interesting.

Pricing

As of this comparison, the Redmi Buds 6 is available for Rs 2799, while the Buds 5 is priced at Rs 2499.

With just a Rs 300 difference, the Buds 6 offers better value, thanks to improved ANC, slightly better sound, and marginally better battery life.

However, there are rumors that Redmi may increase the price of the Buds 6 to Rs 2999. At that price, the Redmi Buds 5 would become a better value-for-money option, offering almost the same experience as the Buds 6.

Also check out the Mivi vs boAt comparison.

Conclusion: Which one should you buy?

In simple words, the decision comes down to pricing. If the price difference is Rs 300 and the Redmi Buds 6 is available for Rs 2799, then the Buds 6 is the better option.

However, if the Buds 6 is priced at Rs 2999, then the Buds 5 becomes the better choice, as the improvements in the Buds 6 do not justify the Rs 500 price difference.

Before purchasing either of these earbuds, keep in mind that both emphasize sound clarity and deliver a balanced sound profile.

If you prefer deep, heavy bass and an enhanced audio experience, there are better alternatives from brands like OnePlus, Realme, or even boAt.

Best Alternatives to Redmi Buds 6 and Buds 5

In our honest opinion, these are the best alternatives to the Redmi Buds 6 and Buds 5, as they all deliver a solid audio experience along with a variety of additional features.

FAQs

That concludes our Redmi Buds 6 vs Buds 5 comparison. If you still have any questions, feel free to ask in the comment section.

Also, share your thoughts on whether you agree or disagree with this comparison.