Living With the Redmi Buds 6 Active for 4 Months Pros Cons and Verdict
The Kenyan market offers a wide variety of wireless earbuds, making it essential to choose one that includes all the necessary features. Key considerations should include noise cancellation, touch controls, an equalizer, and a companion app that allows you to customize the earphones' settings.
To put this theory to the test, I will review a pair of earbuds from Xiaomi called the Redmi Buds 6 Active. I aim to determine whether they are worth your money and explain why budget earbuds are a worthwhile investment in 2025. I have been using these earbuds for four months, and I will share the pros and cons based on my experience.
Design and Comfort
First, before you decide to go all in and spend your hard-earned money on buying earbuds regardless of how cheap they are, you must consider the comfort and design.
Some earbuds come with rubber tips, while others do not. Earbuds equipped with rubber tips generally provide better bass response, offer a secure and stable fit, and often include customizable comfort options, as the eartips are available in various sizes.
On the other end of the spectrum, earbuds that don’t come with rubber tips have increased situational awareness, where they don’t block the ear canal, making you aware of your surroundings. They also tend to have a more natural sound, good comfort to some users, and are better for phone calls in a quiet environment. I personally prefer the design of these types of earbuds
In regard to the Redmi Buds 6 Active, I appreciated the overall packaging. The earbuds come in a white case, but there are various color options available, including black, white, blue, and pink.
The build quality is good; it feels lightweight in the hand and is very compact. It's made of plastic, and after four months of use, including some accidental drops, it has only acquired a few scratches without any cracks.
When I first started using the earbuds, the comfort was good; however, after long sessions of wearing them, I could feel some slight pain in my ear canal, mainly because they don’t have rubber tips for cushioning.
Features and Connectivity
The Redmi Buds 6 Active feature Bluetooth 5.4 and connect within approximately 3 seconds. These earbuds come with customizable touch controls.
I haven't set up many gestures on my device. The only one I consistently use is the double-tap to skip to the next song. However, I've noticed that I need to apply a bit of force while double-tapping, which makes my ear uncomfortable. As a result, I often skip to the next song using my phone instead.
They have an IP x64 rating against water splashing. This is particularly useful during workouts and in light rain, but they should not be submerged in water as they are not waterproof.
One thing that I appreciate about these earbuds is the dual-microphone noise reduction for good voice clarity, which filters out ambient noise. I put this to the test, and I could hear the other person on the call without straining.
I've only encountered connectivity issues when listening to music with my phone in my pocket. If I place my hands in the same pocket, it interferes with the reception, causing the music to stutter frequently.
Sound Quality
The sound quality is good, although not the best in class. These buds don’t support Active Noise Cancellation, which is the biggest downside. If you want a personalised audio experience, you can get it by using the dedicated app,
In the app, you can access several equalizer modes, including Standard Mode, Enhance Mode, Enhance Bass, Enhance Voice, and Boost Volume. However, I found that even after trying all of these modes, the volume was still not loud enough, especially in noisy environments.
I tested various music genres and found Hip-Hop to be punchy with clear mids and highs; however, if you listen for a long time, your ears might feel muffled. Treble was good, but not the best; I preferred bass over treble.
Battery Life and Charging
Xiaomi claims that the earbuds provide 6 hours of use on a single charge, or up to 30 hours when stored in the charging case. I haven't used the earbuds for a full 6 hours continuously, but they do last a long time, especially if you keep placing them back in the case for charging.
I can go for weeks without needing to charge the case when I'm using the buds less frequently. After four months of use, the battery still holds strong.
If you don’t Frequently use the buds, they can last for a very long time; however if you frequently use the buds, they won’t complete the 6 hours of music on a single charge as advertised.
The charging case takes between 1 hour to hour and 30 minutes to fully charge, which is a drawback. However, a positive feature is that it charges through a USB Type-C port, whereas many generic earbuds in this price range still use the older micro USB connection.
Durability and Everyday Use
The durability of the earbuds is quite good. I accidentally dropped them, and they still work perfectly with no issues. Although I don’t typically go to the gym, so I can’t comment on how well they handle sweat, I do wash dishes.
Sometimes, the earbuds lose their grip, and I have to adjust them using my wet fingers. Thankfully, due to their IPX4 rating, the earbuds continue to function well despite this.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- They are affordable
- Easy to configure
- Durable
- Long battery life
- Dual mic for noise reduction
Cons
- They are not loud enough
- Takes a long time to charge
- There is no active noise cancellation
- They might cause slight pain after wearing them for a long time.
Price and Value
The Reemi Buds 6 Active are priced at KES 2,000, which is slightly cheaper than many competitors. While it offers a good value, some brands, like Orimo, include Active Noise Cancellation at this price point.
These earbuds are ideal for first-time buyers seeking affordability. However, if you are transitioning from premium earbuds, they may feel like a downgrade.
Final Verdict - Should you Buy the Redmi Buds 6 Active?
My experience with the Redmi Buds 6 Active after four months has been positive. Since these are my first-ever earbuds, I do not plan to replace them anytime soon.
If you are a student, a casual listener, maybe you attend Zoom meetings, or if you are on a budget, then by all means, get these earbuds. If you want more advanced features, such as Active Noise Cancellation, then you might want to spend more.
FAQ
- Does the Redmi Buds 6 Active have Active Noise Cancellation? No, they don’t have Active Noise Cancellation
- How long does the battery last? This depends on your usage
- Are Redmi Buds 6 Active good for gaming? Yes, my experience during gaming is actually good; there is no lag
- Are Redmi Buds 6 Active waterproof? No, they are not waterproof; however, they are IPx4 rated.
