TWS true wireless earphones - $25 to $50
THREE STARS - Only months after the Redmi Buds 6-lineup, Xiaomi releases the Redmi Buds 7S. Unfortunately, these half-in-ear wireless earbuds haven't got a single thing particularly going for them.
Redmi Buds 7S and features:
Bluetooth 5.4 with AAC codec
IP54 waterproof rating (water and sweat proof)
6,5 hours playtime on a single charge
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 4 times
Has: app support
Doesn't have: ANC, multipoint connection, spatial audio, wireless charging
Comes with USB-C cable, English manual
$25 - $50 - Buy on AliExpress
In and underneath this Redmi Buds 7S review, you will find comparisons of the Redmi Buds 7S vs Redmi Buds 6 Active, Oppo Enco Air3, Huawei Freebuds 2 SE and Soundcore K20i.
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Design, comfort and battery life
It's only been a few months since Xiaomi released the latest models of its Redmi Buds 6-lineup of budget earbuds. A great lineup, with higher rankings on Scarbir.com than ever before.
The highly affordable Redmi Buds 6 Active half-in-ears got the lowest score out of the bunch, yet still scored 4 out of 5 stars. What does the Redmi Buds 7 do to beat it?
It looks quite good on paper. The Redmi Buds 7S boasts 6,5 hours of battery life on a single charge (instead of 5 hours on the 6 Active) and a higher IP54 waterproof rating - against IPX4 splashproof of the previous model.
The charging case has the size of the regular Redmi Buds 6 rather than the 6 Active, meaning its bigger to carry. Available in white, black or mint green, its plastic lid has a faux-leather print seen on the back of old Samsung Galaxy phones.
The case is bigger than all kinds of competitors, like the Huawei Freebuds 2 SE, SoundPEATS Air5 Lite, and Oppo Enco Air3.
Like the Redmi Buds 6 Pro, the length of the charging LED-light on the case shows how much battery the case has left - a very neat trick. It can recharge the earbuds four times fully before needing new power via USB-C itself.
It's the not the quickest recharging case, although 10 minutes of charging still give you 10 minutes of new playtime.
Wireless charging isn't supported.
Most important of all, the Redmi Buds 7S provide a snug and tight enough fit, while they're comfortable to wear for long periods of time. That's not a surprise, as these earbuds have the same shape as the 6 Active.
The Redmi Buds 7S provides a comfortable fit and good waterproof rating, but it comes in a case that is larger than most AirPods-like half-in-ears.
Controls, connectivity and app support
The most important addition of the Redmi Buds 7S over the Redmi Buds 6 Active is the dual-device multipoint connectivity. You can connect the 7S to two devices at the same time.
Unfortunately, the earbuds switch a bit too easy between your devices. Even when you don't actively push play on your other device, your earbuds may already jump to it. Xiaomi didn't fix this problem from the previous generation.
You also need the Xiaomi Earbuds app for iPhone or Android (check the availability in your country before you buy!) to active the function.
With the Xiaomi Earbuds app, you get the following features:
Check a battery indication of the L and R earbud
Choose between Balanced ANC, Deep ANC, and ANC off
Change the controls for the single, double, triple tap and hold command
Choose between four sound equalizer presets
(De)activate automatically picking up calls
(De)activate in-ear detection/ auto-pause music
(De)activate multipoint connection
(De)activate Dimensional audio, which tempts to place the music more ‘around’ you
Find your earphones by playing loud alarms on them
It's great that you can fully customize the controls, letting you add volume controls to whatever type of controls you like. Being able to (de)activate auto-pause/play is convenient too.
Having the Xiaomi Earbuds app is mandatory to get the most out of the Redmi Buds 7S. Sadly, the multipoint connection is a bit oversensitive.
Phone and video calls
Calling with the Redmi Buds 7S fares better than with many previous earbuds from the band, but not under all circumstances.
Your voice sounds natural and clear, and also has enough volume.
Surrounding noise is left out of calls well; sounds of passing traffic, sudden sounds like door slams, and conversations are barely audible or totally inaudible on the line. They also don't make your voice dip too much.
Walking around indoors when you're calling induces a bit of wind noise, but your voice doesn't dip too much because of it.
With some actual wind, your voice immediately becomes much lighter and thinner - but even then, you're still audible.
Xiaomi finally stepped up their game when it comes to call clarity.
Video and games playback
As you may expect from modern earbuds, video playback on the Redmi Buds 7S is flawless.
When playing games, there's decent synchronization between sounds effects and the action on your screen. There is a slight delay in games still.
In a demanding game like Call of Duty mobile, the earbuds show a moderate amount of spatial information. You can't place footsteps around you precisely, but you will clearly hear them coming from your left and right.
Unfortunately, the shortcomings in the sound (more on that later) also apply to games: sound effects like gunshots and explosions lack impact.
ANC quality of the Redmi Buds 7S
The Redmi Buds 7S is the next Chinese budget half-in-ear wireless earphone that claims it has Active Noise Cancelling (ANC). Well…
Boasting great ANC without rubber ear tips that enclose in your ears, is something that's still only managed by the Apple AirPods 4.
The ANC on the Redmi Buds 7S is nearly a farce. On by default, it only shaves off some volume from constant background sounds - like the humming of a fridge or an AC unit, or wind chasing through trees.
But there's still way too much noise left to call this Active Noise Cancelling usable.
It can perhaps help you concentrate on the music a bit easier, but don't expect to get anymore out of this function.
The ANC on the Redmi Buds 7S is nearly a marketing lie.
Sound quality of Redmi Buds 7S
Xiaomi prides itself with a highly spatial sound on the Redmi Buds 7S, but forgot to add bass and balance out the sound.
Do you know the sound that earbuds have when you have the wrong size of rubber ear tips for you? So the mids and highs are a bit too prominent and you don't really get a sense of the bass? That's the sound the Redmi Buds 7S has.
There's a strong mid-bass slam, but the bass has very little weight. It doesn't feel full and doesn't feel deep.
You may get more power from the bass when you actively push the earbuds in your ears - but for me personally, smiling once is enough to lose that tight fit and the bass weight again.
Now, half-in-ears have a personal fit, so your mileage may vary, but the Redmi Buds 6 Active with the same shape of earbuds delivers a fuller bass with a regular fit, and so do almost all competitors.
Many clip-ons earbuds that fail to produce a weighty bass, compensate for this with boosted lower mid-tones, so darker electronic tones and instruments give the music warmth and fulness. But that's not the case here. Lower-mids are textured, and kept at a natural level - not at all boosted.
The Redmi Buds 7S instead focuses on the mids and treble, which are prominent and clear. Mid-tones like guitars and piano play sound crisp, and both female and male vocals are forward and appear natural.
There's a big sense of space in the sound, with wonderful detail. Music feels further away from you than average, and not in a bad way. Especially in acoustic genres and classical pieces, music can sound airy, with details coming from your left and right.
But at higher volumes (which start only halfway the volume bar on your phone with the Buds 7S!), the treble can run too hot. A little overbearing for comfortable listening.
As always, the Xiaomi Earbuds app delivers a handful of alternative equalizers. Sadly though, the EQ presets don't find the perfect balance in the bass with the natural mids and airy treble - that really only happens when you push the earbuds further in your ears.
The Redmi Buds 7S has the potential to sound great, with textured lows, natural mids and a big, airy sound. But it seems Xiaomi applied this sound to earbuds that don't go deep enough in your ears for it - ultimately giving the Buds 7S an airy, but also a much too shallow sound.
—> These are the best sounding wireless earbuds from $25 to $100
Redmi Buds 7S comparisons
Redmi Buds 7S vs SoundPEATS Air5 Lite
Coming off from the Redmi Buds 7S, listening to the SoundPEATS Air5 Lite feels like coming home.
Music on the SoundPEATS simply offers more comfort - with better controlled treble, a fuller and warmer vibe thanks to the boosted lower tones, and a deep and punchy mid-bass. The Redmi still has its specialties to go against it, though, as it sounds more open and more natural in the mids.
The Xiaomi has 1,5 hours per charge extra playtime and has a more stable fit, as the SoundPEATS moves inside and perhaps even out of your ears a bit easier. Both have clear calls and multipoint; the SoundPEATS has better controls out of the box and makes playing games a more immersive experience.
$40 - $50 - See price on Amazon US, your Amazon country or AliExpress
Redmi Buds 7S vs Redmi Buds 6 Active
The Redmi Buds 6 Active is the previous release in half-in-ears from Xiaomi, and it costs half of the Redmi Buds 7S.
The Redmi Buds 7S continues on where the Buds 6 Active left off. The newer model offers 6,5 instead of 5 hours playtime per charge, has a higher IP54 instead of IPX4 waterproof rating, and adds multipoint connection too. AND clearer calls.
The Buds 6 Active has a sweeter, smaller charging case.
It's questionable if the Redmi Buds 7S is worth the higher price when you mostly listen to music. The Buds 7S has way more spaciousness and a sense of detail in the music, but as said, its treble can be a bit overbearing. That isn't the case on the Buds 6 Active, that mainly puts its effort in a mid-bass slam and boosted lower-mids. It sounds more comfortable.
$20 - See price on Amazon US, your Amazon country or AliExpress
Redmi Buds 7S vs Huawei Freebuds 2 SE
The Huawei Freebuds 2 SE doesn't have multipoint connection, but does come with 2,5 hours more playtime per charge than the Redmi Buds 7S.
The Redmi handles phone calls in the wind a tad better, the Huawei has a smaller case.
Comparing these two on sound, you'll notice the qualities of the Redmi Buds 7S. Its mids are clearer, there's better instrumental separation, and the sound feels bigger and more around you. The Freebuds 2 SE does have more bass weight, however, and boosts its lows further to create a more balanced sound.
$30 to $40 - See price on Amazon US, your Amazon country or AliExpress
Redmi Buds 7S vs Oppo Enco Air3
The Oppo Enco Air3 is over two years old by the time the Redmi Buds 7S releases, but it's still a better choice at the same price.
What the Redmi lacks in the lows, the Oppo immediately delivers. The Enco Air3 has a fuller mid-bass and more pronounced lower mid-tones, which give the music more warmth and more body. The Oppo may not have the spaciousness of the Redmi, but it's a much more balanced and comfortable listen.
The Oppo doesn't have ANC - just like the Redmi then - and competes on multipoint connection, customisable controls, and call quality. This oldie but goodie is still a better choice.
I've also reviewed the Oppo Enco R3 - check it out here.
$30 - $60 on your Amazon country or AliExpress
Verdict: Redmi Buds 7S
The Redmi Buds 7S is a frustrating product. On one hand, the increased battery life, multipoint connection, and clearer calls are good additions to Xiaomi's previous budget half-in-ear wireless earbuds.
But at the same time, the brand concentrated on adding almost worthless Active Noise Cancelling instead of optimizing the potential great sound for the fit these earbuds provide.
There are better choices you can make for this price.
Three STARS - Worth considering
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I bought the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 7S myself to test and review. My reviews are 100% independent and non-commercial - read about it here.
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