Many users, when they first encounter the ecosystem of the Chinese tech giant, are often confused in names. The question of what the wireless headphones are called is not accidental for beginners, because the brand uses a complex system of sub-brands and serial designations. In official retail and on store shelves, you can find devices under the Mi, Redmi, Black Shark and just Xiaomi brands, which creates an illusion of chaos in the nomenclature.
In fact, all products are divided into distinct segments, focused on different audiences and budgets. True Wireless Stereo (TWS) headsets from this manufacturer have earned a reputation as one of the best in the ratio of price-quality. Understanding the differences between series will help you not overpay for unnecessary features or, conversely, choose a professional solution for games and sports.
In this article, we will take a look at all the existing lines, explain the logic of naming and help you decide on the choice. You will learn how budget "plugs" differ from flagship models with active noise cancellation. We will also look at the key features of each series so that you can confidently navigate the range.
Main classification: Mi, Redmi and Xiaomi
The main thing to know when looking for an answer to the question of what are called wireless headphones shaomi is the division into sub-brands. For a long time, the main flagship brand was Mi, under which came premium models with advanced technologies. However, after the company rebranded in 2021, the Mi logo gradually fades into history, giving way to a single brand Xiaomi for top devices.
In parallel, there is the Redmi brand, which is responsible for the mass segment and budget solutions, and the headphones in this series are often called "people's" because of their availability and high reliability. Despite the lower price, they often inherit older sibling technologies such as low latency or support for high-resolution codecs.
โ ๏ธ Note: When buying, pay attention to the logo on the case. 2-3 The Xiaomi logo indicates a new generation of devices.
The Black Shark lineup is a sub-brand that specializes exclusively in gaming accessories and smartphones, and their headphones are aggressively designed, RGB-illumination and minimal sound latency, which is critical for shooters and competitive games.
So when you choose a device, you're actually choosing the price segment: Xiaomi's flagships offer the best sound and materials, Redmi the optimal balance, and Black Shark the specialized gaming chips.
Xiaomi Basic and Youth Edition: Entrance ticket to the world of TWS
The most affordable models often fall into the category of Youth Edition or Basic, and they are most often referred to when looking for cheap wireless headphones, shaomi, designed for those who just want high-quality sound without the bells and whistles like active noise cancellation or wireless charging.
They are structurally classical. TWS-It's a touch-controlled headset, and it's usually made of glossy plastic, which, unfortunately, gets scratched quickly, but it's got a pretty decent stuffing inside it: Bluetooth. 5.0, standard-based moisture protection IPX4 near 4-5 battery-hour.
- ๐ง Lightweight and compact case allows you to wear the device in your jeans pocket.
- ๐ Basic sweat protection makes them suitable for easy runs.
- ๐ฐ The low price makes it easy to replace the device in case of loss of one of the headphones.
It's important to understand that you don't expect deep bass or detailed high frequencies in this segment, and the sound here is tuned to the mid-range, which is ideal for podcasts, audiobooks and calls, and for music, it's an everyday option, but not for audiophilia.
Secrets of budget models
If you just need a workhorse for transportation or office, the Basic series is a great choice. They connect easily to any smartphone and donโt require complex setup.
Redmi Buds line: people's choice and sales hits
The Redmi Buds series is perhaps the most popular answer to the question of what the mid-range wireless headphones are called: the models are numbered (3, 4, 5) and often have modifications of Active, Pro or Lite, and this is where the real flight of the imagination of engineers in terms of functionality begins.
Unlike the baseline series, it features Active Noise Canceling (ANC), a microphone system that analyzes external noise and generates antiphase, drowning out the hum of an aircraft or subway. In the Pro models, noise reduction can reach 35-40 dB, which is comparable to premium-brand devices.
Key features of the Redmi Buds series:
- ๐ฑ Instantly pairing with Xiaomi phones and MIUI TV.
- ๐ฎ Game mode low delay (about) 60-80 miss).
- ๐ง๏ธ Improved water protection, allowing them to be used in the rain.
โ ๏ธ Attention: Noise reduction mode significantly reduces battery life. ANC You do not need it, it is better to turn it off through the application to save charge.
The Active models, which are often legged like the AirPods, have transparency, and they allow the world to hear without removing the headphones from the ears, which makes it safer to walk around.
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For the best sound quality in the Xiaomi Earbuds app, be sure to choose the equalizer profile that suits you or set it up manually.
Redmi Buds is the middle ground. You get 90 percent of the functionality of the flagships for half the price, and for most users, this is the most rational acquisition.
Xiaomi and Mi True Wireless series
The top of the evolution is Xiaomi (formerly Mi True Wireless) models, which are the latest in the companyโs development, using expensive materials such as ceramic emitters, zinc alloy housings and memory-effect foam embroideries.
The sound in these models is certified by organizations like Hi-Res Audio Wireless and LDAC, which means it supports high-bitrate data transmission, which allows you to hear details that are not available in a normal Bluetooth broadcast. Dynamic range is wider, bass is deeper, and high frequencies do not cut your ear.
Comparison of characteristics of flagship and medium models:
| Characteristics | Redmi Buds (Middle Segment) | Xiaomi/Mi True (Flagship) |
|---|---|---|
| Codecs. | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LHDC |
| Noise suppression | Up to 35 dB | Up to 40-48 dB (Adaptive) |
| Materials | Plastic. | Metal, Ceramics |
| Charging. | USB-C | USB-C + Qi Wireless |
In addition, flagships often support multipoint โ the ability to connect to two devices simultaneously. You can watch video on a tablet, and when you call in on a smartphone, the sound will automatically switch to the call.
Autonomy is also high, with up to 9 hours on a single charge and over 30 hours on a case. Some models support fast charging: 10 minutes in a case gives 2 hours of music.
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Flagship models are justified only if you have a source of high-quality sound (Hi-Res player or flagship smartphone) and you appreciate premium materials.
Black Shark Game Solutions and Special Series
The Black Shark series is a special mention, created by gamers for gamers, and unlike music models, it's not so much frequency bands that it's more responsiveness and microphone communication.
The main feature is ultra-low latency. If a typical TWS has a latency of 150-200 milliseconds, Black Shark's game models reduce it to 45-60 milliseconds or even lower, in shooters it's the difference between "I shot earlier" and "I was killed."
The design of these devices often resembles spaceships or cyberpunk elements, RGB-The backlight of the case and the headphones, all of which attract attention, but you have to be prepared that the battery in the backlight mode will go down faster.
- ๐ฎ Special mode for games is activated by triple touch or through the app.
- ๐๏ธ Improved noise-canceling microphones for clear communication with the team.
- ๐ Optimized energy consumption for long gaming sessions.
There are also special versions, such as Porsche Design or limited editions in collaboration with Disney, which are uniquely designed and often come in collectible packaging, making them interesting for fans of the brand.
โ ๏ธ Warning: Gaming headphones may be less comfortable for long-term wear due to the shape of the case and the headphones themselves, which are often larger than conventional headphones.
If you don't play mobile shooters every day, overpaying for the Black Shark series doesn't make sense. Regular Redmi or Xiaomi will handle games at a casual level quite decently.
How to choose and connect: practical tips
When choosing a model, it is important to build on your needs: for sports, water protection and a tight fit, for the office, noise cancellation, and for the home, comfort and working time. Don't chase the top if you have enough basic functionality.
Connecting devices is as simple as possible. For Xiaomi and Redmi phones, just put an open case to the unlocked screen of the smartphone, you will see animations with a charge of the case and each headphone separately. For other Android smartphones and iOS, the process is standard: turn on Bluetooth, find the device in the list and connect.
โ๏ธ Pre-purchase check
For advanced settings, be sure to download the Xiaomi Earbuds app (or Mi Buds).
- Update the headphone firmware.
- To set up the gestures of control (touching, clamping).
- Change the equalizer profile.
- Look for lost headphones on the map (if they were online).
Sometimes users have a problem with desynchronizing the left and right earbuds, and in this case, a factory reset helps, and you usually need to pinch the touch zones on both earbuds simultaneously for 10-15 seconds until the indicators blink.