Any verdict on Redmi’s new TWS Bluetooth earbuds has to factor one key variable – price. The Redmi Buds 4 Active have just debuted alongside the Xiaomi Pad 6 and land at an introductory price of Rs 1,199 (before they hit the regular MRP of Rs 1,399). That’s a price tag that might have been unthinkable when the first Apple AirPods landed in 2016. A lot has changed in 7 years, Indian brands like Boat and Noise are now among the best-selling earbuds in the world. It’s homegrown brands like Boat that Xiaomi is gunning for with these budget earbuds that might cost about the same as a visit to your neighbourhood Starbucks with your buddy.

Matte appeal  

Redmi’s choice of a matte finish for these earbuds is a smart move. It lends it a premium appeal. We dig the pebble-shaped case and the stem-shaped design for the earbuds. It gives these buds an extra degree of stability and ensures they don’t pop out of your ears even during a fast walk or run as I discovered. We checked out the Air White colour variant, the buds also come in a Bass Black colour way if white ain’t your thing. The buds and the case are ultra-light and should slip into your tightest pair of jeans.  

Effortless pairing  

I connected these earbuds with an iPhone and the Xiaomi Pad 6. Pairing was seamless; no pairing buttons to press or hold on to. Both the iPhone and the tab detected these earbuds and hooked up in quick time. I also used the Xiaomi Earbuds App with the Pad 6 but the app doesn’t offer any customisation options. The additional settings button only offers the option to switch to low latency mode, handy for gamers at this price point. You can’t tweak the equaliser settings or the controls for the earbuds with the app.  

ENC and Bass Pro 

We normally check out entry-level earbuds in crowded streets. The Buds 4 Active did a decent job of insulating me from the traffic sounds with volume levels at about 60%. Most brands call it ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation), especially when their buds don’t come with ANC (Active Noise cancellation). Like other buds at this price point, The Buds 4 Active don’t shut out external sounds but the ENC solution works reasonably well for music and calls. Redmi has kitted these buds with 12mm Bass Pro drivers. Sound quality is good for the price, with an accent on Bass (that most Indian consumers prefer) especially at the 50-60% levels but does get tinny when you push it over the edge.  

The Redmi Buds 4 Active are a dependable buy if you’re looking for a pair of TWS earbuds under Rs 1,500. They deliver bang for your buck and won’t let you down if you have expectations that match the money you’re spending on them.  

The Redmi Buds 4 Active cost Rs 1,399 and come in Bass Black and Air White. There’s a launch offer of Rs 1,199 (Available until June 23, 20223)