The Redmi Buds 6 Pro have raised the bar in the mid-range true wireless earbud market, especially compared to other earbuds in the price range. They come packed with premium features like improved spatial audio, excellent active noise cancellation (ANC), and seamless multipoint connectivity; functions that you typically only find on higher-end earbuds. These earbuds are designed for a wide range of use cases. This doesn’t mean they are perfect, and there is certainly room for improvement, particularly in bass performance, Transparency mode, and gesture controls.
The spatial audio on the Redmi Buds 6 Pro is undoubtedly one of the standout features of the earbuds. This technology creates an immersive 3D soundstage, making it feel like the audio surrounds you. Even compared to the Pixel Buds Pro 1, the spatial audio on the 6 Pro is more refined, offering a much richer, more dynamic listening experience.
The improvement in spatial audio is particularly noticeable when watching videos or playing games, where sound positioning becomes more accurate and lifelike. The audio feels like it’s coming from various directions, creating an immersive experience. However, while the effect is impressive for movies and gaming, music listeners may find the spatial audio less impactful, as its impact is not always as pronounced for music.
Call quality on the Redmi Buds 6 Pro is excellent, especially in noisy environments. The microphones do a great job of isolating your voice from background noise, ensuring that your calls are clear and intelligible, whether in a quiet space or a bustling city street. This has always been a big sticking point for me regarding headsets and earbuds because the microphone quality is usually subpar, but that isn’t the case here.
“The spatial audio on the Redmi Buds 6 Pro is undoubtedly one of the standout features of the earbuds.”
One standout feature is the ability to toggle between ANC and Transparency mode while on a call. This is incredibly useful in noisy environments, as you can block out background sounds or stay aware of your surroundings. In quieter settings, the clarity of your voice is superb, making the buds an excellent choice for professional calls or casual conversations.
While the ANC excels at eliminating constant, low-frequency noise, it doesn’t perform as well at higher-pitched sounds like human speech or sudden, sharp noises. For the most part, however, the ANC on the Redmi Buds 6 Pro is among the best in this price range that I have experienced.
One of the standout features of the Redmi Buds 6 Pro is its seamless multipoint connectivity. The buds can be connected to two devices at once, allowing for automatic switching between them. For example, if you’re listening to music on your laptop and get a call on your phone, the audio will automatically switch to the call without interruption. Once the call is over, the audio will return to the laptop without you pausing or disconnecting anything manually.
This seamless experience is a significant advantage for users who regularly switch between devices. Whether working from home, multitasking with different devices, or switching from your laptop to your phone, the multipoint connectivity works flawlessly. It adds a lot of convenience to the user experience.
Regarding sound quality, the Redmi Buds 6 Pro has a more dynamic and well-rounded sound, with better clarity in the mids and highs. Vocals and instruments come through more clearly, making the overall soundstage feel more expansive and rich.
That being said, the bass performance is disappointing. While there’s undoubtedly bass presence, it’s muddy and lacks the punch some users might expect from higher-end earbuds. Genres like EDM, hip-hop, or bass-heavy rock don’t deliver the deep, tight bass response. This muddy bass can be a letdown, especially for those prioritizing a balanced or bass-forward sound.
Despite this, the overall sound quality is still solid for the price, with a good balance of clarity and detail across the mids and highs. The Redmi Buds 6 Pro offers a satisfying audio experience for general listening, though bass enthusiasts may want to look elsewhere.
The Transparency mode on the Redmi Buds 6 Pro is one area where the earbuds fail to meet expectations. While the ANC is fantastic, the Transparency mode leaves much to be desired. In real-world use, the Transparency mode feels unnatural, as it amplifies the sound inside your head more than the external environment. This can make you feel disconnected from your surroundings, which is the opposite of what Transparency mode is supposed to achieve. If you need to stay aware of your environment (e.g., when walking on busy streets or exercising), this poor Transparency performance may be a dealbreaker.
The gesture controls on the Redmi Buds 6 Pro, particularly for volume adjustment, are another area where these earbuds fall short. The volume control is activated by swiping on the outside of the buds, but the placement feels awkward. The controls are not always responsive, and I often find myself swiping multiple times to get the desired volume adjustment. This is frustrating, especially when adjusting the volume on the go.
“The Redmi Buds 6 Pro are a solid pair of true wireless earbuds with excellent spatial audio, effective ANC, seamless multipoint connectivity, and solid overall sound quality.”
The position of the gesture control is not as ergonomic as it could be. Ideally, the swipe controls for volume should be placed on the inside or edge of the stem, similar to what OnePlus and Samsung have done with their earbuds. This would make the gestures more intuitive and easier to use during normal wear.
Additionally, there is a noticeable delay in feedback when performing gestures. When you tap, double-tap, or swipe to trigger an action, the sound feedback feels delayed, which makes the process feel less responsive. This lag between the action and the feedback sound detracts from the overall user experience.
The Redmi Buds 6 Pro are a solid pair of true wireless earbuds with excellent spatial audio, effective ANC, seamless multipoint connectivity, and solid overall sound quality. They perform well in most areas and offer a premium feel at a reasonable price. However, the bass performance leaves something to be desired, the Transparency mode is lacklustre, and the gesture controls are frustratingly slow and poorly positioned.
