REDMI Buds 8 Review: The Sound You Don't Expect from a 49 Euro Earbud
Xiaomi has launched the new REDMI Buds 8 in Italy at a price of €49.99, targeting the segment that most determines the commercial success of a pair of true wireless earbuds. The lineup also includes a more expensive Pro version and a more economical Lite version, but the intermediate model aims to convince the broader audience. With 11mm drivers, ANC up to 50 dB, and a total battery life of 44 hours with the case, the test revealed an experience that rarely suggests the price tag, with only expected compromises on the more extreme noise cancellation.
Index:
- Design, ergonomics, and features
- Technical data
- Audio quality
- Noise cancellation and calls
- Battery life, connectivity, and smart features
- Price and final considerations
Design, Ergonomics, and Features
The packaging of REDMI Buds 8 follows the now-familiar visual language of the Redmi range: a white box, a prominent product render, and the model name clearly visible. Inside, you find the charging case, USB-C cable, user manual, and three pairs of silicone tips in sizes S, M, and L, with the M already mounted on the earbuds.
The case adopts rounded lines, borrowed from the Pro model of the same series. The result is a device that fits well in your pocket and, in the Green color tested for this review, provides a pleasant tactile sensation, far from the anonymous plastic often found in this price range. Those preferring more neutral tones can choose from Black or White, the other two colors available in the Italian market.
On the front of the case, the embossed REDMI logo is present, while the bottom side features the USB-C charging port and the reset button for pairing. A thin LED strip, referred to as the battery indicator 2.0 in Xiaomi terminology, shows the charge status when the lid is opened. It’s a small detail, but also a convenient element for those who don’t want to pull out their smartphone just to check how much battery remains.
Each earbud weighs 5 grams, for a total system weight (earbuds plus case) of 44.5 grams: numbers that translate into a noticeable lightness from the first use, even during light movement or activity. The design is semi in-ear with a short stem, conceived by Xiaomi based on human ear models to ensure stability without excessive pressure on the canal.
In the test, the fit proved to be good, although after two or three hours of continuous listening, a slight fatigue is felt, a common feeling for many in-ear designs of this type. The IP54 certification protects the earbuds from dust and splashes, sufficient for workouts and light rain, but not for immersion in water.
Technical Data
The heart of the sound proposal of REDMI Buds 8 is an 11mm dynamic driver with Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification, usable on devices compatible with the LHDC codec. Support also covers AAC and SBC, ensuring practically universal compatibility with Android and iOS smartphones, regardless of the high-resolution codec.
On the noise cancellation front, Xiaomi claims a maximum depth of 50 dB and a cancellation bandwidth of up to 4 kHz, figures obtained under separate testing conditions according to the measurements of the Chinese National Institute of Metrology. Connectivity relies on Bluetooth 5.4, with a declared range of 10 meters in open space without obstacles.
Each earbud measures 30.59 x 21.33 x 23.2 mm with the M tip mounted, and has a battery capacity of 54 mAh. The case adds 475 mAh for mobile recharges, with a 5V/150mA input for the earbuds and 5V/500mA for the case itself. The IP54 protection degree concerns only the earbuds, not the charging case.
Technical specifications - REDMI Buds 8
- Product Type: Semi in-ear True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
- Driver: 11mm Dynamic, Hi-Res Audio Wireless
- Audio Codecs: SBC, AAC, LHDC
- Noise Cancellation: ANC up to 50 dB, bandwidth up to 4 kHz, 3 adaptive levels
- Microphones: Triple, with AI noise reduction and wind resistance up to 12 m/s
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4, 10m range, multipoint, Fast Pair (Android)
- Battery Life: 11h earbuds / 44h with case (ANC off), 6.5h earbuds / 28h with case (ANC on)
- Battery: 54 mAh per earbud, 475 mAh for the case
- Charging: USB-C, fast: 10 min = 4 hours of music or 1.5 hours of calls
- Resistance: IP54 (earbuds only)
- Earbud Dimensions: 30.59 x 21.33 x 23.2 mm (M tip)
- Weight: 5.0 g per earbud, 44.5 g for the complete system
- Colors: Black, White, Green
Audio Quality
This is where REDMI Buds 8 surprises more than any other department. At first listen, it’s hard to believe you are holding a pair of earbuds priced at €49.99: the sound delivered has a fullness and clarity typically associated with products positioned at significantly higher price points.
The bass is very present, even at high volumes, without sounding bloated or tiring the listening experience after a few hours, a balance that many competitors at this price point cannot achieve. Vocals are slightly recessed in the mix compared to lows and highs, a tuning choice that prioritizes the overall soundstage rather than foreground vocalization. The highs remain clear, never distorted even in the most frantic passages.
The separation between instruments in the soundstage is one of the most convincing points: finer details of the musical message remain perceivable even in more complex transients, those swift and intricate passages that often challenge budget drivers. The listening experience spanned very different genres, from contemporary pop to the Eagles, through Dire Straits and Skid Row, even venturing into heavy and thrash metal with Iron Maiden and Metallica. In every context, the earbuds were enjoyable, without noticeable drops in tonal coherence.
The maximum available volume is high and usable without perceptible distortions, another element that helps sustain more aggressive genres without losing compactness. For those wanting to tweak the sound signature, there are five predefined EQ modes to choose from: Balanced, Treble Boost, Volume Boost, Bass Boost, and Voice Boost, or one can build a custom curve via the Xiaomi Earbuds app or, on HyperOS smartphones, directly from the Bluetooth menu. The Sound ID feature, reserved for devices with HyperOS, allows for audio calibration based on individual listening profiles after a brief guided test.
Noise Cancellation and Calls
The ANC of REDMI Buds 8 features three adaptive levels, designed to recognize the type of ambient noise and adjust accordingly. In real-world testing, conducted on the street and on public transport and not just in controlled environments, noise cancellation proved to be good in everyday contexts: traffic, background noise in the subway, and general chatter were significantly attenuated.
There remains room for improvement in extreme and unpredictable noise cancellation, where the earbuds still provide good attenuation without reaching the results of high-end solutions costing €150 and up. Considering the price of €49.99, the overall balance remains highly positive.
The transparency mode, available in three variants (regular, voice emphasis, ambient sound emphasis), delivers a natural external sound, useful when needing to hear announcements or conversations without removing the earbuds.
Regarding calls, the AI noise reduction using triple microphones and wind resistance declared up to 12 m/s translated into voice quality exceeding expectations. Callers reported hearing the voice clearly even in noisy environments like the subway or bus, free from the muffled effect that plagues many budget headphones during mobile calls.
The performance was consistent both when stationary and in motion, a detail not always maintained by budget solutions when background noise changes rapidly, such as when getting off public transport or entering a crowded venue.
Battery Life, Connectivity, and Smart Features
With ANC off, each earbud delivers 11 hours of playback, becoming 44 hours in total counting the charges offered by the case. Activating noise cancellation reduces the battery life to 6.5 hours for a single charge and 28 hours total, a decrease consistent with what one expects from a continuously active ANC system.
The fast charging feature allows recovering up to 4 hours of music playback or 1.5 hours of calls with just 10 minutes of charging, provided that the case has at least 20% battery remaining.
Wireless charging is absent, a comprehensible omission considering the price and not being penalizing due to the speed of wired charging.
Calculating quickly, the charging case alone allows for three additional complete recharges of the earbuds beyond the initial one, a margin that in daily practice translates into several days of autonomy even without access to a USB-C outlet. This is a significant factor for those who travel frequently or work outside and don’t want to carry a charger.
During the review period, no pairing issues, sudden disconnections, or instability with the Xiaomi Earbuds app arose: the experience remained smooth from start to finish. The audio/video synchronization did not show perceivable latency, an important aspect for those watching streaming content or gaming directly from their smartphones.
Bluetooth 5.4 enables multipoint connections to two devices simultaneously, convenient for those frequently switching between laptop and smartphone, and the Audio Share feature allows sharing audio with a second pair of compatible earbuds. Fast Pair is supported on Android smartphones for near-instant pairing (tested on Pixel 10 Pro XL), while the Xiaomi Earbuds app, also available on iOS, centralizes the management of the equalizer, ANC intensity, earbud fit tests, and sound localization.
In daily use, switching between notebook and smartphone via multipoint proved immediate, without needing to repeat pairing each time a device change occurs. For those alternating between video conference meetings and mobile calls, this feature truly simplifies the routine, more than a specification left on paper.
Price and Final Considerations
In Italy, REDMI Buds 8 are available at a price of €49.99, positioned in the middle of a lineup that also includes a more expensive Pro version with dual co-axial drivers and even more advanced ANC, and a more economical Lite version with reduced microphone and noise cancellation features. This placement puts the intermediate model in close competition with much of the market under €50.
Our testing revealed a product that makes few necessary compromises for the price requested. The audio quality is the true strong point, able to stand up to more expensive products for bass fullness, treble clarity, and instrumental separation. Calls impress for clarity even in noisy environments, battery life comfortably covers multiple days, and the app adds a personalization feature that is sure to please.
The packaging adheres to precisely what is stated on the official website, without differences between what was promised and what was found in the box: at the same price, few competitors offer the same balance between audio quality, battery life, and call quality.
The most suitable audience remains those using earbuds for daily commuting, light workouts, and work video calls, scenarios where call quality and battery life are more crucial than extreme noise cancellation. Those regularly in noisy environments, such as construction sites or frequent airports, may find a high-end ANC product more suitable.
The only area where REDMI Buds 8 falls short is in wireless charging, where high-end solutions remain out of reach. For those seeking balanced true wireless earbuds, with high-profile sound and - above all - without additional expenses, REDMI Buds 8 easily come out on top.