Xiaomi isn't one to do things by halves. With the Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi, the Chinese brand isn't content to simply iterate on an existing formula; it aims to shake up the established order. The star of the show, of course, is that famous Wi-Fi connectivity, powered by Qualcomm's XPAN technology. On paper, the promise is enticing: a speed that can climb up to 4.2 Mbps for 24-bit/96kHz audio, extended range within your home network, and rock-solid stability. We start to dream of being able to wander around our house, from the kitchen to the living room, without ever losing the thread of a podcast or a piece of music.
Design and comfort: discreet elegance, the finish in question
Aesthetically, the Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi are not lacking in allure with their stem design and golden touches. They are lightweight and comfortable, even over time.
However, Xiaomi isn't really taking any risks with its earphones, and the build quality doesn't hold any big surprises. It is very decent in terms of the earphones while the case struggles to move away from a "cheap" appearance, which contrasts a little with the premium ambition displayed.
No bad surprises however and this case proves to be rather solid, getting away without the slightest scratch during our test (and a nice fall on a hard floor). The Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi adds IP54 certification.
Wi-Fi: between dream and reality
While the idea of "lossless" sound freed from the constraints of Bluetooth is enough to make audiophiles salivate, the current implementation tempers the enthusiasm. For now, this optimal Wi-Fi experience (4.2 Mbit/s) is mainly the preserve of the lucky owners of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. For others, even within the Xiaomi ecosystem, the speeds may be lower (lossless audio quality 2.1 Mbit/s on the Xiaomi 15, Xiaomi MIX Flip) or the functionality unavailable. The Chinese brand assures that "other models will be added later".
For our test, we were able to rely on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra and we paired the Buds 5 Pro with smartphones from other brands. And like any emerging technology, we still encountered a few teething bugs such as unexpected sound cutouts, or even desynchronization between the earphones in Wi-Fi mode. However, the experience remains generally positive in terms of connectivity.
Everything is adjustable from the companion application, Xiaomi Earbuds, available on Android (via Google Play) and iOS (via the App Store). It centralizes many features, such as fine adjustments of the ANC and transparency mode, access to an audio equalizer (EQ) offering various presets (including Harman AudioEFX profiles) as well as manual customization. The application also allows you to customize certain gesture controls, activate or deactivate functions such as spatial audio, adaptive sound and adaptive volume. It is also through this method that you can perform a fitting test of the tips, or export audio recordings made with the earphones.
Xiaomi's progress in terms of software user experience is real. The application is welcoming, clear, and the numerous settings are accessible. A main tab provides all the main information, including the charge level, the ANC function, and the mode.
And the sound in all this?
Beyond Wi-Fi, what are these Buds 5 Pro really worth in terms of acoustics? Xiaomi has pulled out all the stops with a triple-transducer coaxial system (dynamic for bass, ceramic for midrange, and planar for treble) and a dual amplifier. As a bonus, the Chinese brand benefits from sound tuning carried out by the Harman Golden Ear team.
Unfortunately, this long list of promises doesn't do everything, and there's no real sonic slap. The Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi don't sit at the same table as industry benchmarks like the AirPods Pro 2 or the Sony WF-1000XM5 (or even the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro).
Despite a very solid technical base, Xiaomi still lacks balance in its choices and The Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi's unique architecture is an additional obstacle. The two earbuds don't always sound like they're playing for the same orchestra, especially on challenging pieces. The highs sometimes try to overdo it a bit, while the bass, on the other hand, lets itself be carried away a bit too much and lacks punch. As for the mids, they're a pleasant surprise and play a beautiful score.
Switching to the Harman Master profile helps achieve the best sound signature (in my ears), but it doesn't transform the Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi into audiophile headphones. But what about the aptX Lossless or Wi-Fi codec? Even with a good-quality source, you hear the same flaws (and the same qualities) as with the basic codecs.
If we could hear ourselves a little better given the promises, the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi are not lacking in merit, and the sound they produce is clearly not bad. However, you can find a few pairs of earphones that don't promise as much on paper and sound better.
Silence, it reduces (and rather well)
On the active noise reduction (ANC) side, the Buds 5 Pro hold their own with honors. Xiaomi announces up to 55 dB of attenuation, and in fact, it's particularly effective against constant and low-frequency noise, like the roar of an airplane engine and in an urban environment. In this area, Xiaomi's earphones are truly excellent and it only takes more complex and variable noises to encounter some difficulties. Furthermore, we note that the silicone of the tip offers excellent passive isolation.
Transparency mode, meanwhile, blows hot and cold. While it allows you to remain aware of your surroundings, it lacks the finesse and naturalness to be completely convincing.
Calls: a clear voice... except in the event of a noise storm
With three microphones per earpiece and an AI dedicated to ambient noise reduction, we expected calls of exemplary clarity. In a quiet environment, this is generally the case. But as soon as the hubbub intensifies, the voice can become difficult to hear for the person you are talking to, as the AI doesn't work miracles. A shame for earbuds that claim to be premium. On the plus side, however, wind noise management is rather well controlled according to several testimonials.
Battery life: marathon runner on Bluetooth, sprinter on Wi-Fi?
Battery life is a key criterion, and Xiaomi announces up to 10 hours of listening time on a single charge. In Bluetooth mode, the Buds 5 Pro lasts for about 8 to 10 hours of listening time (ANC on or off), and up to 40 hours with the case. This is solid and, above all, in line with the manufacturer's promise. In Wi-Fi mode, endurance runs out more quickly and it will be difficult to exceed 5 hours of listening time.
This significant difference may raise questions about the actual consumption of this technology, but the results are quite promising. The Wi-Fi connection via Qualcomm's XPAN is, as promised, quite reasonable in terms of energy consumption and we obtain better results than with earphones that rely on the LDAC codec (Bluetooth). However, it still consumes more power than traditional Bluetooth.
Discover the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro (Wi-Fi)
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