TWS true wireless earphones - Under $75
FOUR STARS - The Redmi Buds 4 Pro is a full package with multipoint connection, a terrific Transparency mode, great gaming performance, and balanced sound. But it doesn't tick all boxes.
Xiaomi Redmi Buds 4 Pro specs and features:
Bluetooth 5.3 with AAC codec
IP54 waterproof rating (rain, sweat, dust proof)
6,5 hours listening on a single charge (ANC on)
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 4 times
Comes with 3 sets of ear tips and USB-C cable
$70 - Check latest price on AliExpress
Below this Redmi Buds 4 Pro review, you will find comparisons of the Redmi Buds 4 Pro vs Redmi Buds 4, Soundcore Life P3, 1more ComfoBuds Pro, and SoundPEATS Air3 Pro.
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Design, comfort and battery life
There's nothing spectacular about the design of the Redmi Buds 4 Pro. Xiaomi's newest wireless earbuds come in white or grey and look like any other new model, except for a shiny line over the stems.
It attaches its delightfully short stem to an oval earpiece that lies diagonally in your ears. It's a proven concept, and once again, these earbuds are light and comfortable to wear for hours. They fit snugly, and you can sport with them too, thanks to the IP54 sweat, dust, and rain-proof rating.
Like the earbuds, the case lacks character - but that's good too. It's just as flat and pocketable as any AirPods-like model, and that's splendid: you can slide the case into a jeans pocket without discomfort. The earbuds can easily picked up from it, and a multi-colored single LED-light shows the remaining case battery up front.
The case can recharge the earbuds four times before needing new power via USB-C, and each charge gives the earbuds around 6,5 hours with ANC on. That's a usable performance.
Controls and connectivity
Without a doubt, the multipoint connectivity is the Redmi Buds 4 Pro's best feature. You can connect these earbuds to two Bluetooth devices at the same time and automatically switch between the sound. This works when you play music on one device and start a video on another, for instance, or when you receive a call. There are occasions on which you double-tap the earbuds to resume music playback on your phone, and it launches the music player on your laptop instead, but most of the time, it works more reliable than the AirPods Pro's.
Standard connectivity is solid, too, with quick pairing and connecting. There are very rare hiccups between the left and right earbud, but it's nothing too severe.
Just like on the regular Redmi Buds 4, the controls are disappointingly limited. Double-tap either bud to play/pause music, triple-tap to skip to the next song and hold to switch between ANC and Transparency mode (ANC off is not included). While the touch panel responds well to your input, switching ANC functions doesn't always work. You'll get a beep, but nothing changes in the ANC setting. This doesn't happen too often, but it's strange at least.
Calls, movies and Games
The Redmi Buds 4 Pro is fantastic for games. It automatically detects when you're playing a game and then activates its low-latency mode, and wow - does it perform. Sound effects feel in sync with the action on your screen, and while the sound isn't the most detailed, you can notice from what direction your enemies are coming in a game like Call of Duty Mobile. Video playback is also flawless.
You can have a great phone or video call with the Redmi Buds 4 Pro… in quiet areas. In calls, things can become tricky in crowded office spaces and outdoors. The Redmi reduces noises around you wonderfully, AND these noises don't drown your voice - but the standard voice output is just a little too soft in these circumstances to make you very audible. The other may really have to concentrate on what you're saying because of this reason.
ANC Noise cancelling of Redmi Buds 4 Pro
The Active Noise Cancelling on the Redmi Buds 4 Pro is mostly capable of reducing background noise. Distant traffic and chatter are softened by the effect, but as soon as you have noise nearby, the ANC doesn't feel very effective. This goes for sounds like chatter, door slams, or a radio playing nearby. It reduces some volume, but it's not enough to bring rest to your head in a crowded office. Throw in some music as well and you'll quickly forget your surroundings, however.
Like on the regular Redmi Buds 4, the Transparancy mode is natural and convincing. It lets you easily hear and locate traffic around you when you're playing music up to moderate volume, without blowing the highs up too much and making them sound too metallic. It's not just the recognisable sound effect from activating the function that lets you know you're in the Transparency mode: the effect itself is noticeable as well.
With a long tap on the earbuds, you can only switch between ANC and Transparency. You can't turn ANC off from the earbuds. However, this isn't a big problem, as the ANC mode does a great job of filtering out wind noise - a very nice feature for when you take these earbuds for a run.
Also read: The best wireless ANC earbuds
Sound quality of Redmi Buds 4 Pro
The Redmi Buds 4 Pro are the most balanced sounding wireless earbuds from the brand so far, finally providing this model with a pleasant, friendly sound.
Happily, it also doesn't forget the strengths of the previous models. The Buds 4 Pro still has a good clarity in the sound. Higher-pitched male and male vocals are crisp and take up a forward, prominent position, and there's space around them and other higher instruments - like violins and trumpets - as well.
This Xiaomi has a moderately airy vibe, without extending the highs endlessly. Treble is cut off before it becomes harsh or too bright. Higher vocals are capable of reaching the lower tones as well, and it gives them a natural tonality - even though there's a whisp of metalness in higher vocals and upper-mids. Center-mids like guitars and piano play, too, didn't sound this natural on a Redmi pair before.
Still, there's something light in the sound, and that's because the Buds 4 Pro doesn't rely on the lows much. Lower mid-tones like drums and darker electronic lines aren't elevated, which is good for the balance in the sound - but less for the energy in it. The bass, too, is rather slim. The mid-bass is often limited to a slam instead of a heavy thump, and that's for the better too - as songs that push the bass, meet muddiness quickly.
The Redmi Buds 4 Pro may not be the ideal performer to make you tap your foot to dance and electronic genres, but its newfound cleanliness makes it the best sounding pair of Xiaomi earbuds to date.
Redmi Buds 4 Pro comparisons
Redmi Buds 4 Pro vs Earfun Air S: Which multipoint earbuds are better?
There are very little affordable wireless earbuds with multipoint connectivity and ANC. The Earfun Air S is one of them… and not just any one. The Redmi Buds 4 Pro has 1,5 hours longer battery life on a single charge, its Active Noise Cancelling is slightly stronger, and it has a more natural Transparency mode. However… the Earfun Air S is better where it counts: it has better microphone output and provides clearer phone and video calls, both indoors and outside. It's a killer combination with the multipoint connectivity, that works just as flawless as on the Redmi - it means you can just enter and take a phone or video call anytime, whether it's your laptop or phone. It also has a more engaging sound, with deeper bass, slightly warmer vocals and more air in the treble.
Earfun Air S review ($70)
Redmi Buds 4 Pro vs Redmi Buds 4: Which is better?
Costing around $30 less, the regular Redmi Buds 4 has slightly weaker Active Noise Cancelling than the Redmi Buds 4 Pro. The Pro softens mid-tones in the background better, making it more effective in reducing distant traffic and chatter. Both models have the same natural Transparency mode, but the regular Redmi Buds 4 puts your voice through clearer in phone and video calls.
The biggest differences between the Redmi Buds 4 and Redmi Buds 4 Pro are the design (stemless vs stems) battery life (normal: 4 hours, Pro: 6,5 hours) and the Pro's excellent multipoint connection, which the regular version lacks.
Redmi Buds 4 Pro sound is also more balanced, with a cleaner midrange, earlier rolled-off highs and a warmer undertone. The mid-bass isn't the tightest on both the regular Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro, but furthermore, the Pro's sound is more refined.
Redmi Buds 4 review ($40)
Redmi Buds 4 Pro vs Soundcore Life P3
The Soundcore Life P3 is the most requested comparison on Scarbir.com, and it's easy to see why: it's a highly regarded, affordable $80 offering from this very popular brand. The Life P3 has even longer battery life than the Redmi Buds 4 Pro (7 instead of 6,5 hours with ANC on), and its noise cancelling is slightly more effective, while the microphone output in phone calls is louder. Redmi's Transparency mode is more effective, and it's the only one to offer multipoint connection, but Soundcore strikes back with great app support, offering customisable sleep sounds, different ANC settings, and 22 equalizer presets that can tweak the already much more energetic, bass heavy, and thick sound of the Life P3.
Soundcore Life P3 review ($80)
Redmi Buds 4 Pro vs 1more ComfoBuds Pro
The Redmi Buds 4 Pro may have multipoint connection and a fantastic gaming mode, but the 1more ComfoBuds Pro performs better in the basics. Its ANC is noticeably stronger than the Redmi's (and still one of the best under $100). The ComfoBuds Pro has a more metallic effect to its Transparency mode, but it's about as effective the Redmi's. The ComfoBuds Pro call quality is a step up, delivering clear and crisp phone and video calls both inside and outdoors. And so is the sound: while both share characteristics like a midrange with a tonality in between warm and cold, the 1more's bass is more boosted and engaging, and highs are more opened up, giving vocals more space and energy.
Redmi Buds 4 Pro vs SoundPEATS Air3 Pro
The Redmi Buds 4 Pro feels as a slightly more expensive product than the comparably priced SoundPEATS Air3 Pro. Redmi's shorter stems and less shiny, fingerprint-attractive finish are a little nicer. It has multipoint connection whereas the SoundPEATS doesn't, and the Buds 4 Pro Transparency mode is more effective and more natural. Its ANC leaves out more wind noise, while the ANC on the Air3 Pro is stronger and better in softening both distant and nearby sounds. The SoundPEATS handles phone and video calls better too, and has all the desired controls straight on the earbuds. The choice lies in your preference of sound signature. The Redmi Buds 4 Pro has a balanced and more open, yet more metallic sound with a slim bass; the Air3 Pro has a warmer sound with stronger mid-bass.
Verdict
The Redmi Buds 4 Pro shows spending $70 on wireless earbuds won't set you back in features. It's a full package with multipoint connection, a terrific Transparency mode, great gaming performance and balanced sound.
Four stars - Good
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