Xiaomi recently released its new TWS earbuds in the Philippines, the Redmi Buds 4 Pro. It boasts Hi-Res audio and 43dB Active Noise Cancellation for under PHP 4K. Is this one of the best budget earbuds with ANC you can get for the price? Find out below.
Out of the box, the Redmi Buds 4 Pro looks like your typical TWS earbuds. It comes in this pebble-shaped case made of plastic with a glossy finish. It has an LED notification on the front and USB-C port for charging and a multi-function button at the bottom.
Open the case and you’ll see the earbuds. Again, the design is typical. Seems like a lot of TWS earbuds in the market were inspired but the Apple AirPods Pro, but we’re not too picky on that part. It features a feed-forward mic at the top, a feedback mic in the earpiece, and a talk mic on the stem. The stem has this silver strip on the exterior to highlight the touch control area, as well as to make the device more attractive.
Before you start using the Redmi Buds 4 Pro, you need to download the Xiaomi Earbuds app and make sure that your smartphone’s Bluetooth is on. When you open the charging case, the earbuds will automatically appear in the app. Just tap on it and follow the pairing process. Everything is done in under 3 minutes.
The app gives you access to its wide range of features which includes the battery monitor, noise cancellation profiles, adaptive noise cancellation controls, gestures, audio effects, ear tip fit test, in-ear detection, dual connection via Bluetooth 5.3, and Find your earphones. Update firmware is also available, but you need to log in with your Xiaomi account first.
In the ears, the Redmi Buds 4 Pro’s ergonomics are snug and comfortable. The ear tips are soft but firm enough to provide a proper seal. It’s also not heavy on the ears and has IP54 dust and water resistance so you can take it with you during workouts.
When it comes to sound quality, we’re impressed with its performance given its asking price. It is equipped with a 10mm aluminium alloy dynamic driver for bass and a 6nm titanium dynamic driver for treble. uses a Balanced profile by default which produces a full and rich sound but is a bit harsh on the highs. Vocals are emphasized but cymbals sound sibilant. We switched to the Enhance bass profile and we found it more pleasant as the sibilance is toned down and enhances the lows for more fullness, especially when playing bassy tracks. There’s also the Immersive sound toggle which simulates a surround experience.
For noise cancellation, we’re also impressed with the performance. We have a fan running beside us but as soon as turn the 43dB NC on, the hum of the fan was suppressed. It also has Adaptive noise cancellation which automatically adjusts the depth of the NC based on your location, as well as dual transparency mode which makes you aware of your surroundings and enhances voices when you’re talking to someone face to face.
Another thing that impresses us is the battery life. Most earbuds can provide 4 to 6 hours of playback, but in the case of the Redmi Buds 4 Pro, it can last up to 9 hours on a single charge, which can be extended up to 36 hours with the charging case. A 5-minute charge can provide up to 2 hours of playback. Charging is done via wired USB-C. Unfortunately, no support for wireless charging.
The Xiaomi Redmi Buds 4 Pro may look like your typical TWS earbuds but its features and performance is far from that. The ANC technology is effective, the sound quality is impressive (after minor adjustments), and has a long battery life. Lastly, it won’t break the bank at PHP 3,999. This combination of features is rare in the market, making the Redmi Buds 4 Pro one of the best out there for the price.
