Redmi Buds 6 vs Redmi Buds 6 Pro: Why would I pay extra for the more expensive model?

It hasn’t been long since I tested the affordable wireless headphones Redmi Buds 6, which Xiaomi brought to the Czech Republic earlier this year along with the Redmi Note 14 series. However, along with them, the Pro model also arrived at my home, offering better features, but understandably at a higher price. While in this particular case, the controversial rule of more expensive = better could automatically apply, let’s take a closer look at the advantages of the more advanced model.

Better Build Quality and More Appealing Design

It’s not exactly a dogma that more expensive versions of products look nicer compared to their cheaper siblings, but specifically in the battle between Redmi Buds 6 and Redmi Buds 6 Pro, this statement is definitely true. I could still tolerate the look of the case itself for the classic “sixes”, but personally, I – quite strongly – prefer the build quality of the Pro version.

The base version opens like a pizza box, and in the long run, I don’t have much confidence in the lid’s hinge. The opening mechanism on the Pro version not only feels sturdier but also allows for easier removal and reinsertion of the earbuds. Both cases are, in any case, made of plastic – matte on the outside, glossy on the inside – and feature a prominent LED indicator, which deserves a thumbs up.

Xiaomi also opted for a matte design for the body of the Redmi Buds 6 Pro, whereas the base version uses a glossy surface. Is this a big problem? Not really, but the fact is that the cheaper model simply doesn’t feel as premium as the more expensive one. However, when wearing the Redmi Buds 6, I feel a slightly greater comfort in my ears, although both models rely on a design with a stem and silicone eartip (but it’s not a huge difference).

More Convenient Controls

Controlling the Redmi Buds 6 Pro is a bit more practical. The touch surfaces are practically the same in terms of size and accuracy, but the more expensive model can distinguish between tapping and swiping. This means that by swiping up or down, you can adjust the volume level accordingly. It’s intuitive and pleasant. 

More Advanced Noise Cancellation

One of the main advantages of the Redmi Buds 6 is its truly solid noise cancellation. The Pro version takes this to an even higher level, as it promises up to 55dB ANC (instead of 49dB), to which it adds two more bonuses. The first is the personalized ANC function, with which the cancellation should adapt to your ears.

The second additional feature is automatic ANC level adjustment, which depends on your surroundings. So, if you’re just sitting at home at your computer listening to music, a lower level will be set automatically. In busy city streets, it will jump higher. When manually adjusting the intensity, the Redmi Buds 6 limits you to three levels, whereas the Pro version offers twenty of them.

Significantly Better Sound

When choosing wireless headphones, sound quality is, of course, one of the main determining factors. Even if I were to forget all the aforementioned advantages of the Redmi Buds 6 Pro, the audio itself would convince me that paying extra makes sense. While the base model plays decently for its price, the Pro version is a step above. Compared to overly bassy classics (a typical phenomenon for cheaper headphones), it offers a more balanced and detailed sound. Furthermore, the user doesn’t have to “tinker” with the equalizer as much to achieve the desired experience (with the Redmi Buds 6, for example, I can’t imagine not boosting the treble).

When one looks at the technologies Xiaomi used for each model, it actually starts to make sense. The Redmi Buds 6 rely on a two-speaker system, whereas the Redmi Buds 6 Pro use three – they have one more piezoelectric speaker, which should lead to those better highs.

In Terms of Battery Life, the Tables Turn

While the Pro model won in almost all the points mentioned above, the base variant offers slightly better battery life. With a fully charged case, it specifically boasts 40 hours, while the earbuds themselves offer up to 10 hours of playback. In the case of the Pro model, we get 36 hours and 9.5 hours, which are still excellent values, and in practice, you probably won’t notice this difference. Nevertheless, it’s good to mention it.

Verdict

The Xiaomi Redmi Buds 6, priced at 1 199 Kč, are decent headphones if you want to save money and don’t feel the need to invest more than a few hundred into headphones. However, if you don’t mind paying a bit more, I would definitely go for the Pro model at 1 599 Kč. The price difference is only four hundred crowns, which, given the additional features and qualities the more expensive model provides, is not such a hefty sum. Besides delivering better audio, the Redmi Buds 6 Pro offer more advanced ANC and a more refined design for both the earbuds and the case. Apart from a slight decrease in battery life, they have simply improved almost everything possible.

Which headphone model would you choose?