Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro Review - More than meets the eye

As a seasoned name in wireless audio, Xiaomi is stepping up again with the Buds 5 Pro, its newest flagship earbuds. They’re loaded with premium capabilities like triple drivers, adaptive ANC, aptX Lossless support, seamless device switching, and head-tracking sound.

The unit we’re reviewing is the Titan Gray color option. Xiaomi has gone with a more rectangular charging case this time, featuring a glossy mirror finish on the lid and a matte finish on the lower section for contrast.

Physical Traits

Comfort, to me, means being able to forget you’re wearing earbuds, and the Buds 5 Pro definitely pulled that off. At one point during a flight, I started looking for them before realizing they were still in my ears playing music.

They’re super lightweight and stayed comfortable the whole four hour ride. The silicone tips are soft, so even though they’re in ear, they never caused discomfort or pressure. Plus, the Xiaomi Earbuds app has a fit test to help pick the right tip size.

Normally, when earbuds feel this comfortable, it means the silicone tips aren’t sealing tightly. But even with that relaxed fit, the Buds 5 Pro deliver some of the most effective noise cancellation I’ve experienced in a pair of earbuds.

Features

For a lightweight pair of earbuds, the Buds 5 Pro are surprisingly powerful when it comes to noise cancellation. Given the fact that i could not hear the flight's engine noise and what not. So great job on that!

Audio Quality

Unfortunately, the Buds 5 Pro don’t quite match the wider, more open soundstage found in pricier competitors. The audio presentation can feel somewhat restricted. That said, Xiaomi offers a workaround through the app. With the default setting turned off, users can switch to either Adaptive Sound or Immersive Sound, both designed to expand the listening experience and add a greater sense of depth. It’s an interesting approach that noticeably enhances audio immersion.

The app also includes several useful sound presets and a customizable EQ for those who prefer more precise tuning.

Unique Selling Point

On their own, the Buds 5 Pro lean more toward delivering a wide array of tech-driven features rather than focusing solely on sound quality. What you’re getting is one of the most customizable and comfortable sets of earbuds currently available.

For added control, the Buds 5 Pro incorporate gesture inputs on the stems. Through the app, users can assign actions like tapping, swiping, or pressing and holding to manage playback. These gestures can even double as a remote camera shutter.

In theory, the gesture system offers a high level of customization, which is great. But in actual use, squeezing the stems doesn’t feel very natural. It took me some time to figure out the right amount of pressure to trigger the controls, and even now, it often feels like I need to grip the stems quite firmly just to activate features like noise cancellation.

Conclusion

That said, they aren’t cheap. Priced at MYR 679, they sit firmly in the premium bracket. Whether they’re worth the investment really comes down to your priorities. If pure audio performance is what matters most, they may or may not hit that mark depending on your expectations. For my use case, where sound quality takes priority, they edge close enough to be worth considering.