Redmi Buds 8 Review: Affordable Performance Meets Everyday Needs

Xiaomi aims to prove that decent sound quality and effective noise cancellation don’t have to cost a fortune. The Redmi Buds 8 are presented as a testament to this philosophy. For under $50, these earbuds offer adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Hi-Res Audio certification, six microphones for clear calls, and impressive battery life. But do these claims hold up against the rigors of a noisy train, an even louder airplane, and hours of continuous music playback? This is our in-depth review of the Redmi Buds 8.

Understanding the Redmi Buds 8 Family

To begin, it’s helpful to understand where the Redmi Buds 8 stands within Xiaomi’s product lineup, as their naming conventions can sometimes be confusing. The model reviewed here, the Redmi Buds 8, sits below the Redmi Buds 8 Pro. The Pro version typically features a triple driver setup and a superior soundstage, but also comes at a significantly higher price. Xiaomi also offers the Redmi Buds 8 Active, a more budget-friendly, semi-in-ear variant that lacks full ANC. Additionally, the Redmi Buds 8 Lite represents the most economical option, with less effective noise reduction. The Redmi Buds 8, therefore, strikes a balance as the core model—positioned above the Active and Lite, but below the Pro. It appears to be a reasonable compromise for those seeking genuine ANC without paying a premium for a flagship audio experience.

Design and Build Quality

The Redmi Buds 8 are classic true wireless stereo (TWS) in-ear headphones, delivered with a color-matched charging case. Xiaomi states that their design is based on extensive ear shape modeling, and the package includes ear tips in multiple sizes, which is crucial for both comfort and ANC effectiveness. Their construction follows a standard design: a main unit that fits into the outer ear, housing the silicone ear tip that extends into the ear canal. A stem extends downwards, featuring a touch-sensitive area for controls. The earbuds are dotted with sensors and various openings, indicating the placement of microphones. Each earbud is crafted from glossy plastic and weighs a mere 5 grams, making them comfortable for several hours of wear without ear fatigue. The entire set, including the earbuds and case, weighs approximately 44.5 grams. The charging case features a comfortably rounded design, allowing it to easily slip into a pocket. It boasts a sturdy hinge and a front-facing LED indicator. Charging is done via a USB-C port located at the base, next to a subtle button used for pairing with a smartphone or computer. The interior of the case is precisely molded, ensuring the earbuds can only be inserted correctly and preventing them from accidentally falling out when the case is open. The earbuds are rated IP54, meaning they are resistant to dust, splashes, and sweat. This makes them suitable for activities like running, gym workouts, or training in light rain, though they are not designed for immersion or heavy downpours. The Redmi Buds 8 are available in three colors: black, white, and green. The package includes small (S), medium (M), and large (L) ear tips. However, wing tips for added stability during intense movement are not included, which some users might find useful.

Wearing Comfort

In daily use, the earbuds sit comfortably and securely in the ears, even staying put during activities like running. During a multi-hour flight, I found them to be comfortable for extended periods of wear. Their lightweight design, combined with a snug, sealing in-ear fit, allows for hours of music listening without a feeling of pressure in the ear canal. However, it’s important to note that the Redmi Buds 8 are designed for individuals who appreciate a tight seal for effective noise isolation. Those who dislike pressure in their ears or are looking for something to wear all day at a desk might prefer a different type of headphone. For example, over-ear headphones offer even greater environmental sound isolation, while clip-on headphones prioritize open ear canals over noise reduction. If you are exploring other wearable tech, consider checking out our review of the Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Lite budget smartwatch.

Active Noise Cancellation in Practice

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), once a premium feature, is now available in more affordable headphones. Xiaomi states that the Redmi Buds 8 offer adaptive ANC up to 50 dB, with three adjustable reduction levels. This includes a special algorithm that detects wearing conditions and ear canal structure, automatically adjusting the noise cancellation intensity to block unwanted ambient sounds. For optimal ANC performance, correctly sized ear tips are essential. Initially, with the pre-installed medium ear tips, the seal didn’t provide effective noise suppression on a train. Switching to the small ear tips improved the seal in the ear canal significantly, leading to a noticeable improvement in noise cancellation. The earbuds didn’t create a complete “bubble of silence,” but they were highly effective at muting constant, monotonous background noises such as office air conditioning, airplane engine hum, or traffic sounds. While they didn’t eliminate these sounds entirely, they muffled them sufficiently to make them far less distracting. ANC was less effective against sudden, unpredictable noises like passing ambulances, nearby conversations, or a crying child. It’s worth noting that enabling ANC reduces the battery life from 11 hours to approximately 6.5 hours on a single charge. The Redmi Buds 8 also feature a transparency mode with three variants: standard, one that enhances vocal clarity, and another that amplifies ambient sounds, allowing you to stay aware of your surroundings.

Sound Quality

The Redmi Buds 8’s audio is delivered by a single 11-millimeter dynamic driver, supporting a frequency range up to 40 kHz. These earbuds boast Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification and support LHDC, AAC, and SBC codecs. How do these earbuds sound in practice? Tracks like Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” or The Chemical Brothers’ “Under the Influence” confirm that the Redmi Buds 8 have a slightly bass-heavy sound profile, making them well-suited for hip-hop, pop, and electronic music. They also perform admirably with more classical pieces, such as Hans Zimmer’s compositions, although it’s apparent that higher frequencies are handled slightly less expertly than mid and low tones. I found the mid-range tones particularly impressive, as this is where most human voices reside. In songs like Agnes Obel’s “The Curse” or Adele’s “Easy On Me,” the vocalists’ voices sounded remarkably authentic, devoid of artificial or digital coloring. Vocals did not blend into the instrumentation; they clearly stood at the forefront, even in tracks like Jamie Bower’s “Paralysed” or Leonard Cohen’s “You Want It Darker.” In the latter, Cohen’s deep, rumbling bass voice was satisfyingly clear and separated from the background, holding its own against bass instruments. The Xiaomi Earbuds app offers five preset equalizer options and a customizable manual EQ, allowing users to fine-tune the sound to their personal preference. However, it’s important to remember that this is still a single-driver design, not the triple-driver system found in the more expensive Redmi Buds 8 Pro, which can offer a significantly better soundstage. For comparison with other premium audio devices, you might want to check out the Nothing Headphones A review.

Microphone and Call Quality

For calls, Xiaomi has integrated a system of six microphones distributed across both earbuds, complemented by active noise reduction. The Redmi Buds 8 are equipped with beamforming technology, which intelligently targets the user’s voice while effectively suppressing ambient noise. During calls in noisy urban traffic, my interlocutors reported hearing me loudly and clearly, with the sound of passing cars effectively reduced to a minimum, ensuring excellent call clarity for the price point.

Connectivity Options and Application

Connectivity is handled by Bluetooth 5.4, supporting simultaneous connection to two devices. This allows for seamless switching between two phones or between a laptop and a phone. Additional features include automatic audio pausing when the earbuds are removed from the ears, audio sharing with a second pair of earbuds, and a low-latency gaming mode. Configuration and customization are managed through the Xiaomi Earbuds app, available for Android (version 6.0 and above) and iOS (version 14 and above). The app provides a detailed overview of the earbuds’ charge status, allows adjustment of the equalizer, ANC levels, and control gestures, and even helps locate misplaced earbuds with a sound (though this function does not work when the earbuds are inside the charging case).

Battery Life

Battery life is one of the standout features of the Redmi Buds 8. Without ANC enabled, a single earbud offers up to 11 hours of playback, and the charging case extends the total listening time to an impressive 44 hours. When Active Noise Cancellation is engaged, these figures drop to approximately 6.5 hours for the earbuds and 28 hours with the charging case. The charging case is equipped with a USB-C port and supports fast charging. The absence of wireless charging is not surprising, nor is it expected at this price point.

Redmi Buds 8 Specifications and Pricing

Here’s a breakdown of the Redmi Buds 8 specifications: * Product Type: In-ear, True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds * Colors: Black, White, Green * Driver: Dynamic, 11 mm * Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 40 kHz * Audio Certification: Hi-Res Audio Wireless * Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4 * Supported Codecs: SBC, AAC, LHDC * ANC: Maximum reduction depth up to 50 dB; operating range up to 4 kHz; average reduction depth 24.9 dB * ANC Modes: Deep, Balanced, Light, and Adaptive; Transparency mode available * Microphones: Three microphones per earbud, with AI noise reduction for calls * Wind Noise Reduction: Declared effective up to 12 m/s wind speed * Earbud Battery: 54 mAh * Charging Case Battery: 475 mAh * Charging Port: USB-C * Battery Life: Up to 11 hours (ANC off); Up to 44 hours (ANC off, with case); Up to 6.5 hours (ANC on); Up to 28 hours (ANC on, with case) * Water and Dust Resistance: IP54 for earbuds * Single Earbud Dimensions: 30.59 × 21.33 × 23.2 mm * Single Earbud Weight: Approx. 5.0 g * Total Weight (with case): Approx. 44.5 g The Redmi Buds 8 were initially launched with an official price point of approximately 199 Polish Zloty (around $50 USD or €45 EUR). However, in practice, they can often be found for even less, sometimes around 169 Polish Zloty, making them an incredibly cost-effective option for a solid headset with functional ANC and Hi-Res Audio certification.

Redmi Buds 8 Review: Summary and Our Opinion

The Redmi Buds 8 are earbuds that, for under $50, offer features typically associated with much more expensive models. This includes adaptive ANC up to 50 dB, Hi-Res Audio certification, six microphones for calls, and sufficient battery life for a full day of intensive use. From a subjective perspective, I rate the wearing comfort, the effectiveness of noise reduction in various transport environments, and call quality very positively. If you’re looking for earbuds that will perform well during daily commutes or remote work, effectively blocking out distracting ambient sounds, this set is an excellent choice. However, these are not the earbuds to choose if your priority is neutral, audiophile-grade sound with a soundstage comparable to higher-end equipment. This simply isn’t their target price segment. Source: Original review content. Opening photo: Jolanta Szczepaniak.

About Post Author