Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro in the test: smart features, solid sound, weak noise canceling

XIAOMI BUDS 5 PRO

March 02, 2025 at 6:07 p.m.

With the Buds 5, Xiaomi presents 5 in new in-ear headphones. They obviously offer some innovative features in the test but unfortunately also weaken.

With the Buds 5 Pro, Xiaomi is launching new in-ear headphones, which should convince with high-quality sound, intelligent noise suppression and innovative functions. This sounds like a real high-end product on paper, but in the practical test there are some weaknesses. We tested the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro in detail and checked whether you can keep up with the competition from Apple, Samsung or Huawei.

Design and workmanship: high quality, but with weaknesses

The Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro are available in the colors Ceramic White and Titan Gray and rely on a mixture of shiny and matt surfaces. The design looks modern and elegant, the processing quality is of high quality. The earphones themselves are pleasantly light with a weight of 5.6 grams and sit safely in the ear thanks to various silicone attachments supplied.

Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro

Unboxing der Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro

The loading case is compact and well made, but reveals a significant weakness. In the fall test from a height with an outstretched arm, the case opened in three out of three attempts, so that the headphones fell out. Since the buds only adhere magnetically in the case and are not additionally fixed mechanically, there is a risk that they will be lost quickly in the event of a fall. Other manufacturers such as Apple, Samsung or Huawei solve this much better.

Setup and app: fast, but not without Xiaomi account

Setting up the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro is uncomplicated. Immediately after opening the packaging, you are guided by a QR code to the Xiaomi Earbuds app for iOS or Android. The app is clearly structured and offers numerous adjustment options for the sound.

Xiaomi Busds 5 Pro App

However, there is a restriction: firmware updates can only be checked if you register with an Xiaomi account. All other functions can also be used without registration. If you want to be on the safe side that your headphones are always up to date, you have to register.

Sound quality: good, but not outstanding

The Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro rely on a coaxial triple driver system, consisting of an 11 mm dynamic driver for rich bass, a PZT tweeter for clear heights and a planary driver for a wide frequency spectrum. Supported by Harman Audioefx-Tuning and Qualcomm Aptx Lossless technology, the headphones offer clean and powerful playback.

In the test with various Dolby atmos and Lossless tracks from Apple Music, there was a differentiated picture. While basses were played powerfully and voices precisely reproduced, the last nuance lacked the brilliance and richness of detail. This was particularly striking in the remastered version of “Hotel California”, which sounded much more alive on other premium headphones.

The various equalizer presets in the app bring only small sound differences. The best choice remains the preset Harman Audioefx vote. If you want, you can adapt the sound even finer via the custom equalizer, but large jumps are not to be expected.

Noise canceling: disappointingly weak

A big criticism is active noise suppression. Xiaomi advertises with a hybrid ANC technology that is supposed to hide up to 55 dB ambient noise. In direct comparison with the Huawei Freebuds Pro 4, however, the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro clearly disappointed.

Even in the highest ANC level, office talks were only dampened minimally. The difference between the lowest and the highest level was hardly noticeable, as was the adaptation via adaptive mode. Other manufacturers such as Apple, Sony or Huawei offer significantly better performance here.

A future firmware update may improve noise suppression, but in the current version the noise canceling remains average at best.

Consistent function: practical or worrying?

One of the most unusual features of the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro is the integrated recording function. Talks and ambient noise can be recorded using a triple pressure on the charging case.

At first glance, this is an exciting function – be it for important meetings, notes or situations in which you would like a recording to be recorded. But there is a big problem here.

Legal warning – but not consistently implemented

Before using the function for the first time, a data protection note appears that points out:

• The recording function should be used responsibly
• The rights of others must not be violated
• Users are responsible even for legal consequences

Xiaomi also promises that both participants are informed when a recording is started or ended. But our test showed: That is not true!

Test: recording without notification of the conversation partner

We tested the function by having a conversation about Slack and activating the recording. Result:

• We appeared to have an indication that the recording was started.
• However, our interlocutor received no notification!

This means that the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro record talks in their current software version without the other person experiencing it. This is a massive data protection problem and could even be illegal in many countries.

Xiaomi has to improve!

In the current form, this function opens the door for improper use – be it in the job or in private life. Xiaomi should urgently improve here and make sure that the interlocutor is bindingly informed.

The battery life of the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro is solid. Without ANC, the earphones last up to eight hours, with a loading case you get a total playing time of up to 40 hours. Thanks to the quick charging function, ten minutes of loading time are enough for 4.5 hours of music playback.

The Bluetooth 5.4 connection is stable, and dual device connectivity is also offered. Users can therefore switch seamlessly between two connected devices, for example between the smartphone and the laptop.

Conclusion: many features, but not competitive

The Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro are an interesting product in many ways. They offer good sound quality, smart functions and a solid battery life. However, noise suppression is disappointingly weak and the problematic recording function could ensure data protection discussions. In addition, there is the weakness of the charging code, which opened several times in the fall test. These details drop the buds 5 per competition.