How to distinguish the original Xiaomi AirDots 2 from a fake: 12 proven ways

Xiaomi AirDots 2 wireless headphones (also known as Redmi AirDots 2) remain among the most popular budget headphones. TWS-And according to AliExpress and Wildberries, up to 40 percent of all products with these headphones in 2026 are counterfeit, and the fakes have become so swollen that even experienced users can fool them: copy not only the design, but also the brand packaging, serial numbers, and sometimes even firmware.

In this article, we’ll look at 12 reliable ways to distinguish the original AirDots 2 from a fake — from visual inspection of the box to audio tests and Bluetooth connection. You’ll learn what little things to look for when buying (even if the seller shows “certificates”), how to check headphones through the official Mi Home app, and why some fakes can explode when charging (yes, this is not a myth).

1.Packaging Check: 5 Parts That Copy Worst

Fake AirDots 2s often come in boxes that are seemingly indistinguishable from the original, but there are 5 key elements that counterfeiters copy with errors that are easy to check before buying.

• 📦 Barcode and serial number: The original packaging has a laser-printed barcode (not erased by the nail), and the serial number matches what is shown on the headphones and in the Mi Home app. Fakes often have a blurred or painted barcode.
• 🖼️ Hologram: In the original, the hologram on the box changes color when tilted (from green to blue), and for fakes it is either absent, or it is a regular sticker without effect.
• 🔍 Text on the back: The Chinese inscriptions must be clear, without blurred characters. MIUI POP — Fakes often have typos in this logo.
• 📏 Box sizes: The original packaging has exact dimensions 10.5 × 6.5 × 3.2 Fakes are often a little wider or narrower (the difference in the 1–2 mm already suspicious).
• 🎨 Color palette: The original box is made in matte white with a slight grayish hue. Fakes are usually bright white or yellow.

If the seller refuses to show the package on the video or sends a photo only on one side, this is 100% cause for suspicion. The original AirDots 2 always sells in a sealed box with factory film (its edges should be evenly cropped, without bubbles).

2. External inspection of headphones: what should alert

Even if the packaging looks perfect, check the headphones themselves. Counterfeiting often shows the quality of the plastic, the location of the buttons and the labels.

Pay special attention to the case charging indicators: the original one has a straight white light, fakes often have a bluish or yellow tint, and check the magnets in the case — in the original AirDots 2, headphones are attracted to nests with a slight click, and fakes have weak or no magnets.

⚠️ Warning: Some fakes are equipped with low-quality lithium-ion batteries that can swell or even ignite when charged.°C (can be checked with an infrared thermometer or an application like Thermal Camera), this is an excuse to return the goods.

3.Sound test: how fakes give themselves away

Sound is the hardest thing to copy. The original AirDots 2 has 7.2mm speakers that support SBC and AAC codecs, whereas fakes often have cheap 6mm drivers without proper audio processing.

• 🎵 Bass: Originally, they're deep, but they're not "bullying." Turn on a bass amplifier track (e.g., "Seven Nation Army" - The White Stripes) - if the basses are "smeared" or wheezing at maximum volume, it's a fake.
• 🔊 Maximum volume: The original outputs up to 95 dB without distortion. Fakes have a maximum of hissing or crackling.
• 🎤 Microphone: Call from your headphones in a quiet room. In the original, your voice will be clear, in fakes, with echoes or noises.
• 🔄 Sound delay: Watch YouTube videos and clap your hands - if the sound of cotton is more than 100ms late, it's fake (the original has a delay) ~60-80 ms).

For accurate testing, use the Audio Test (Android) or Frequency Sound Generator (iOS) app. Run the test at 20Hz (bass) and 16kHz (high frequencies): the original headphones reproduce both ranges without distortion, fakes "cut" extreme frequencies.

4.Verification through the Mi Home app: hidden tags of the original

The official Mi Home app (or Xiaomi Wear for newer versions) is one of the most reliable ways to spot a fake. The original AirDots 2 has a unique firmware that can't be faked. Here's how to check:

1. Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
2. Open Mi Home and find the device in the list (should appear as Redmi AirDots 2).
3. Check the firmware version: the original version starts with V4.7.1_ Fakes often have versions of the type V1.2.3 or lack of information at all.
4. Go to the headphone settings: the original allows you to configure Double-tap action (double-touch action), for fakes this option is not.

If the app doesn't find the headphones or shows them as Unknown device, it's a total fake. Also note the device icon - the original should have it with the Mi logo, not the abstract headphone icon.

5. Bluetooth and Connection: Where Counterfeiting "Stumbling"

The original AirDots 2 uses a Realtek RTL8763B chip with Bluetooth 5.0 support, while counterfeits often have cheap Jieli AC69xx chips with Bluetooth 4.2.

• 📱 Bluetooth Version: On Android, go to Settings → Bluetooth → Settings (cog next to AirDots 2) → Version of protocol. Must be 5.0 or AVRCP 1.6.
• 🔄 Autoconnect: The original automatically connects to the last device when the case is opened. For fakes, you often need to manually initiate the connection.
• 🎧 Separate connection: In the original, you can use the headphones separately (for example, only the right one.
• 📶 Communication range: The original holds communication up to 10 meters without interference. Counterfeiting begins to "brake" at a distance of 3-5 meters.

For a deep check, use the Bluetooth Scanner (Android) or LightBlue (iOS) app. in the original AirDots 2 MAC-address begins with 78:59:3E or 88:0F:10 — These are Xiaomi's factory prefixes. MAC-addresses are usually random (for example, 00:1A:7D).

⚠️ Attention: Some fakes mimic Bluetooth 5.0 in settings, but in fact use an outdated protocol. To detect fraud, turn on your headphones and run a data rate test via Bluetooth Throughput Tester. ~300 KB / s, fakes - less than 150 KB / s.

6.Serial number and check on the Xiaomi website

Each original AirDots 2 has a unique serial number (S/N) that can be checked on Xiaomi's official website.

1. Find the serial number on the package (under the barcode) or on the inside of the case.
2. Go to mi.com/global/verify (or order.mi.com/site/product/auth for Chinese version).
3. Type the serial number and captcha. The original device will show with the production date and the TWSEJ03LS (for the global version) or TWSEJ02LS (for the Chinese version).

If the site displays an error "Invalid SN" or shows another model (for example, TWSEJ01LS, which refers to the first version of AirDots), you are a fake. It is also worth checking the IMEI case (if indicated) through the service imei.info - the original it must belong to Xiaomi Communications Co Ltd.

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If the serial number is erased or not readable, try finding it in Bluetooth settings: on Android, the device information sometimes displays the "Serial Number" line.

7.Price and place of purchase: how not to run into a fake

The easiest way to avoid counterfeiting is to buy AirDots 2 from Xiaomi’s official stores or from trusted retailers, but even there are grey shipments, here are the current prices for 2026 and signs of fraud:

If the price of AirDots 2 is below 1,800 ₽, It's almost guaranteed to be fake, and you should also be wary if the seller is a fake:

• 🚩 Claims headphones are "new but without a box".
• 🚩 Offers a “store guarantee” instead of the official one from Xiaomi.
• 🚩 Ships goods from China without a track number.

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The only way to buy the original AirDots 2 is for less than 2,000. ₽ — wait for the official sale on mi.com or in branded stores (for example, on Black Friday").

FAQ: Frequent questions about AirDots 2 fakes