Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro Sound Testing – Full Review

Introduction:

Apple and Samsung dominate the premium wireless earbuds market, but Xiaomi isn’t going down without a fight, and its latest weapon is the Buds 3T Pro. Xiaomi’s latest active noise-cancelling earphones are a direct successor to last year’s Xiaomi Flipbuds Pro and will compete with the AirPods Pro and Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro.

ANC, wireless charging, head tracking, multi-point pairing, and a sleek matte design are premium features. Are they sound, and should you get them as your next pair of earbuds?

Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro Design:

Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro are wireless in-ear earbuds, but they have distinct designs. The buds have a mostly matte texture that is pleasant to the touch and effectively repels fingerprints. There are also shiny pieces that run the length of the stems. The casing has a matte surface throughout, adding grip and making it less susceptible to scratches.

Carbon Black is the colour of our review unit, which has a dark blue tint to it and shifts colour. The buds sit upright in the shell, and Xiaomi designed them as light as possible, with each earbud weighing 4.9 grams and the case plus buds totalling 51 grams.

The Buds 3T Pro’s slim profile and ergonomic design are important selling points, as these are among the most comfortable earbuds I’ve tried in recent memory. I listened for several hours without experiencing any strain on my ears, which I haven’t shared with nearly every pair of earbuds I’ve tried.

The pressure-sensitive sensors at the bottom of the stems control the playback and ANC modes on the buds. I prefer the latter management style, but squeeze controls also work well. Instead of the single tap touch controls seen on other earbud types, you must squeeze the branches. However, there is no option to regulate the playback volume, which is inconvenient.

The case is made of high-quality materials and closes with a sturdy snap. When open, the lid can support the entire case, a well-known feature of quality earphones. The case measures 65 x 48 x 24mm and fits comfortably in most tiny trousers pockets. It has a USB-C charging connector, a pairing button on the bottom, and wireless charging.

The pressure-sensitive sensors at the bottom of the stems control the playback and ANC modes on the buds. I prefer the latter style of controls, but squeeze controls also work well. Instead of the single tap touch controls seen on other earbud types, you must squeeze the branches. However, there is no option to regulate the playback volume, which is inconvenient.

A built-in earbud app for newer Xiaomi phones has controls for switching between transparency and noise cancellation modes and gesture control remapping and battery status indicators for the buds and their case. I’ve said it before, and I’ll repeat it: it’s past time for Xiaomi to provide a companion app for non-Xiaomi phones.

Xiaomi claims that the Buds 3T Pro’s Bluetooth 5.2 connection can last up to 10-meter distances. They support the SBC and AAC codecs and two Android, iOS, or Windows devices connected at the same time. This feature worked quite well when linked to a phone and a laptop, with audio switching between the two devices requiring a few seconds to catch up.

In-ear detection, which pauses media as soon as you remove the buds from your ears, is another typical function offered by practically all contemporary earbuds, and it works beautifully here. Xiaomi also touts head tracking and spatial audio, albeit these technologies are limited to a few recent Xiaomi phones and are more gimmicks than objective functions.

Fit and Sound Quality:

The 10mm dual-magnet dynamic drivers of the Buds 3T Pro have a sectional DLC coating. They sound well, providing a wide range of sounds without over-emphasizing one feature over another. The bass is noticeable but not overbearing, and the voices are clear. At higher volume levels, there is no distortion, which is good because the Buds 3T pro aren’t the loudest earphones on the market.

Competitors like Samsung’s Buds Pro are substantially louder at equal volume levels, and I’ve observed more bass and more excellent sound isolation from Samsung and Sony’s premium earbuds.

Compared to the Redmi Buds 3 Pro and an older pair of Samsung Galaxy Buds+ I had lying around, the Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro has a noticeably more balanced sound profile. Even when coupled with one of Xiaomi’s smartphones, the earbuds still don’t have any sound modifying options.

The call quality is acceptable, and it falls short of Apple and Samsung’s premium earbuds. Even though I was indoors in a pretty peaceful location, persons on the other end of the line reported clear reception of my voice despite a lot of background hissing noise.

Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro Battery Life:

Xiaomi claims that the Buds 3T Pro has a 6-hour battery life, with the case extending that to 24-hours. We discovered that these statements were confirmed in our testing, as the Buds 3T Pro lasted three weeks of moderate use before needing to be recharged.

A full charge takes 70 minutes, and you can use any Qi charger or phone that supports reverse wireless top-ups to receive wireless charging.

Verdict:

Buds 3T Pro are a good-sounding pair of wireless earbuds with a well-crafted design and, by far, the most comfortable fit of any in-ear buds I’ve tried. They don’t let you down in terms of sound quality, having a well-balanced profile that isn’t overly bass-heavy.

Although Apple and Samsung earbuds are louder and produce objectively superior sound, the Buds 3T Pro are more comfortable in my ears than the AirPods Pro or Galaxy Buds Pro, especially during extended listening periods.

The Buds 3T Pro’s ANC feature works, but the earbuds don’t produce a strong enough seal, reducing their effectiveness. The battery life is adequate, and the call quality is sufficient but not exceptional. If you have a Xiaomi phone, these earbuds are the best option for supported features and are a significant upgrade over previous TWS models.