Switching from the Apple ecosystem to the Xiaomi ecosystem means replacing everything, and I’ve finally gotten my hands on Xiaomi’s new headphones! Despite mixed reviews online after their release, I took the plunge and purchased them. My original headphones were the AirPods Pro 2, so after testing the Buds 5 Pro for a day or two, I decided to write a detailed comparison review for anyone considering making the switch.
❗️❗️First things first: Don’t set your expectations too high! Unless you can live with its flaws, this isn’t the purchase for you!
**Design:**
I opted for the Titanium Gold version, which features a glossy lid paired with a matte gray body. Compared to the AirPods Pro 2, the design is more understated but undeniably sleeker. The tactile experience of the Buds 5 Pro’s matte finish feels far more premium than the somewhat plasticky texture of the AirPods Pro 2. It’s definitely a step up in terms of build quality.
**Comfort:**
The fit is similar to that of the AirPods Pro, meaning if you’re comfortable with the AirPods Pro 2, these should feel just as good. They sit comfortably in your ears without causing discomfort, provided you choose the right size of ear tips. No pinching here!
**Sound Quality:**
This is undoubtedly the most critical factor for most people. Personally, after tweaking the settings, I found the Buds 5 Pro’s sound quality superior to the AirPods Pro 2. With its three-driver setup, the bass is deeper and more impactful, while the mid and high frequencies remain crisp without being harsh.
The overall soundstage has noticeable depth, and the tuning adds character that the AirPods Pro 2’s neutral “bland water” profile lacks. However, it’s essential to adjust the equalizer settings via the Xiaomi Headphones app; otherwise, the sound can feel闷(muffled) and lacking clarity.
**Noise Cancellation:**
If sound quality is top priority, noise cancellation comes a close second. In my opinion, the Buds 5 Pro slightly edge out the AirPods Pro 2 in terms of active noise cancellation (ANC). Adaptive noise cancellation performs well, adjusting quickly to different environments.
However, in transparency mode, you’ll need to enable the “Environmental Enhancement” option to come anywhere near the clarity offered by the AirPods Pro 2. Otherwise, it might feel less effective, especially during conversations when you’ll have to remove the headphones to fully hear what others are saying. 😅
**Wind Noise:**
This is where the Buds 5 Pro stumble a bit. Their logic seems to be detecting wind noise and then activating wind reduction. While the wind reduction itself works decently, the delay in activation creates an issue. For instance, while walking, there may be moments of hesitation when wind levels fluctuate.
On bikes, the initial burst of wind noise can be overwhelming before the system kicks in after a couple of seconds. This contrasts sharply with the AirPods Pro 2, which adapts almost instantly. If you can tolerate this slight lag, it’s not a dealbreaker.
**HyperOS Connectivity:**
Here lies one of the biggest disappointments. Simply put, it works—but not very well. Audio switching only happens seamlessly when the first device pauses playback. If Device 1 is still playing, you cannot switch to Device 2 (though this is still better than the AirPods Pro 2, which doesn’t support cross-Android device switching).
Furthermore, switching between devices only works partially. When putting on the headphones, they intelligently connect to whichever device is playing audio. However, there’s a chance you won’t be able to control the headphones from that specific device! For example, if your tablet is in your bag but you want to manage the headphones from your phone, there’s a possibility it won’t work. Frustrating, right?
In summary, the Buds 5 Pro offer some compelling upgrades over the AirPods Pro 2 in areas like design and sound quality, but their shortcomings in connectivity and certain features mean they aren’t perfect replacements. Proceed with caution!
Sebastian Boyd 
Dorothy Fernandez 
Amy Miles
I was on the fence about these too, but your comparison to the AirPods Pro 2 is really helpful. It sounds like the sound quality is decent, but the noise cancellation could be better. For the price, I’d want those issues ironed out. Thanks for breaking it down so honestly!