The global wireless headphone market has almost tripled in the last 5 years, and Xiaomi is confidently taking one of the leading places in it. The brand offers dozens of models - from budget Redmi Buds to premium Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro, but such a variety often puts customers at a loss. How not to get confused in the characteristics, how do TWS differ from neck earphones, and why the same model can sound different on iPhone and Android?
This article will help you to put everything on a shelf: from decoding technical terms to step-by-step configuration instructions. We analyzed 15 popular Xiaomi models (2020-2026), studied reviews of 200+ users and found a key pattern: 80% of headphone problems are associated with the wrong model for specific tasks. For example, Xiaomi AirDots Pro is perfect for calls, but lose SoundPEATS Air3 (the same manufacturer!) as music.
Types of headphones Xiaomi: what are different and what are suitable for
The first thing to decide on is the design type of headphones, and Xiaomi has three main types of headphones, and each one solves its own problems:
- 🎧 TWS (True Wireless: Fully wireless headphones without a connection cable (example: Redmi Buds 4 Pro). Pros: maximum freedom of movement, compactness. Cons: risk of losing one earphone, less autonomy.
- 🔗 Neckbands are connected by a flexible cable that is worn around the neck (example: Xiaomi Mi Neckband Bluetooth.
- 🎵 Wires - with a cable and a connector of 3.5 mm or USB-C (Example: Xiaomi Mi Basic. Pros: no sound delay, no charge. Cons: limited mobility, risk of wire break.
It's important to understand that the type of headphones directly affects the functionality of the headphones, TWS-The models support touch control, and the neck ones are often equipped with a built-in battery to recharge on the go. If you need headphones for running, look for Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic with protection IP54 — They're not afraid of sweat and rain.
2. Key characteristics: what to look at when choosing
When buying Xiaomi headphones, salespeople and reviews often focus on marketing chips (like “LDHC technology”), but the actual sound quality depends on other parameters.
| Characteristics | What does it mean? | Optimal value |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency range | Range of sounds played (the wider, the better the bass and tops) | 20–20,000 Hz (standard) or 20–40,000 Hz (Hi-Res) |
| Impedance | Resistance of headphones (affects volume and load on the amplifier) | 16–32 Ohms (for smartphones), 50+ Ohms (for professional equipment) |
| Codecs. | Sound compression algorithms (affect quality and latency) | SBC (basic), AAC (for iOS), /LDAC (for Hi-Res) |
| Time of autonomy | How many work on one charge (taking into account the case) | 5-8 hours (headphones), 20-30 hours (with case) |
One of the most common myths is that the bigger the driver, the better the sound. In practice, the diameter of the speaker (for example, 10 mm vs 14 mm) affects the bass, but does not guarantee the purity of the sound. For example, Xiaomi Air 2 SE with a 14.2 mm driver loses in detail Redmi Buds 4 Pro with a 10 mm driver, but wins in low-frequency power.
⚠️ Note: If you use headphones with iPhone, pay attention to codec support AAC. Models without it (e.g. Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones Basic 2) will sound worse due to forced use SBC.
3. Device Compatibility: Why Headphones May Not Work
Problems with connecting Xiaomi headphones often arise due to incompatibility of Bluetooth protocols or features of the operating system.
- 📱 Android (MIUI): Better compatibility with models Xiaomi/Redmi. All codecs are supported, including LDHC (Bluetooth devices 5.0+).
- 🍎 iOS: All models work, but without LDHC/aptX. Maximum — AAC (medium-quality).
- 💻 Windows/macOS: You may need to manually install codec drivers aptX/LDAC.
- 🎮 Game consoles: PS5 Nintendo Switch only supports the SBC (sound worse).
If Xiaomi headphones don’t connect to iPhones, try:
- Reset the headphone settings (click the button on the case for 10-15 seconds).
- Remove them from the Bluetooth device list and reconnect them.
- Update the headphone firmware through the Mi Home app (if available).
How to check the version of the headphone firmware?
Xiaomi’s gaming headphones, such as Black Shark JoyBuds Pro, are optimized for low latency (88 ms in Game Mode), but on iPhone, this mode may not work due to Apple’s limitations.
4.Sound customization: How to improve quality through Equalizer and MIUI
Even the most expensive Xiaomi headphones can sound mediocre if you don’t adjust the equalizer and Bluetooth settings. Here’s a step-by-step guide for smartphone owners on MIUI:
☑️ Optimizing the sound on Xiaomi
For models with LDHC support (e.g. Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro):
- Go to Settings → Bluetooth.
- Click on the icon. ⚙️ near the connected headphones.
- Select Sound Quality → LDHC (if the option is missing, your device does not support codec).
For fine-tuning the sound, we recommend Wavelet (free on Google Play).
- 🎛️ Set up a 9-band equalizer for a specific genre of music.
- 🔊 Apply presets for different models of headphones (there are profiles for Xiaomi).
- 🎧 Enable surround sound virtualization (effect) 3D-audio).
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi headphones with hybrid noise maker (for example, FlipBuds Pro), the equalizer may conflict with the system ANC. If after setting up there are wheezing, turn off ANC or reset the equalizer settings.
5. Common Problems and Their Solutions
Even the most reliable Xiaomi headphones can fail. TOP-5 squandering and how to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| One earpiece is down. | Battery in the headphone was discharged, contamination of the case contacts | Clean contacts with alcohol, reset settings (clamb the button on the case for 20 seconds) |
| Permanent communication breakdowns | Interference from other devices, weak Bluetooth signal | Reconnect headphones, disable other Bluetooth devices, update firmware |
| Poor quality of microphone | Pollution of the microphone membrane, incorrect position of the headphone | Clean the microphone hole with a needle, put the earphone on correctly (the microphone should be closer to the mouth) |
| Fast battery discharge | Battery wear, background processes (e.g. ANC) | Disable the ANC, reset settings, replace the battery (in the service center) |
| Headphones don't charge in the case | Oxidation of contacts, case failure | Clean contacts with a strip, check the charging cable, replace the case |
If Xiaomi headphones stopped turning on after falling or getting moisture, do not try to disassemble them yourself - this will lead to a loss of warranty. In most cases, it is enough to dry the device in rice for 24-48 hours (if there is no visible damage).
💡
To check if the headphones are charging in the case, flash a flashlight on the indicator inside the case, and if it flashes red, it's charging, and green, it's charging.
How to distinguish the original from a fake: 7 signs
Fake Xiaomi headphones are found even in official stores (for example, on AliExpress or Wildberries).
- 📦 Packaging: The original is matte, with a clear logo stamping, often glossy, blurry fonts.
- 🔍 Serial number: The box and headphones must match SN-Code (checked through Mi Home).
- 🎵 Sound: Fakes often lack support LDHC/aptX, bass".
- ⚡ Charging: Original charges in 1-1.5 hours, fakes - more than 3 hours.
- 📱 Appendix: Fakes are not defined in Mi Home or show an incorrect model.
- 💰 If headphones are sold for 30-50% cheaper than the average market price – it is a fake.
- 🛠️ Build: There are no backlashes in the original, all the elements fit tightly.
The most reliable way to check is to download the official Mi Home app and try to plug in the headphones, and if the model is not detected or if it shows a device not supported error, you're 100% fake.
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Buy Xiaomi headphones only from official dealers (list on the site mi.com) or in trusted stores with a guarantee of return. Even Ozon and Wildberries come across fakes!
7. TOP-5 models Xiaomi in 2026: what to choose for the task
We analyzed RTINGS.com tests, user reviews and prices to rank the best Xiaomi headphones for different scenarios:
| Model | Better for you. | Pluses | Cons | Price (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Buds 4 Pro | Music and films | Hi-Res audio, LDHC, ANC, 10 mm driver | Average Autonomous Time (6 H) | ~5 000 ₽ |
| Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro | Calls and office | Adaptive ANC, 3 microphones, support for aptX | High price, big case. | ~9 000 ₽ |
| Xiaomi Air 2 SE | Sport and fitness | IP54, light (4.5 g), 14.2 mm driver | No ANC, weak microphone | ~3 500 ₽ |
| Black Shark JoyBuds Pro | Games | Latency 88 ms, Game Mode, 11 mm driver | Inconvenient for long-term wear | ~6 000 ₽ |
| Redmi Buds 3 Lite | Budgetary decision | Price, 12 hours of autonomy, IP54 | Mediocre sound quality and microphone | ~1 500 ₽ |
If you need headphones exclusively for calls, look for Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic – they have the best among the budget models noise cancellation on the microphone thanks to DSP technology.