Xiaomi Redmi Mi AirDots - review of wireless headphones

Xiaomi firmly holds the position of the manufacturer of "top for their money". The Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic (Redmi Airdots) TWS wireless headphones presented in this review are another confirmation of this - the functionality of competitors at a record price.

What can a solution from the largest manufacturer offer for about $ 23?

Headphones

Specifications

Appearance and management

For the stated operating time (4 hours of continuous listening to music), the dimensions of the headphones are pleasantly surprising.
Small and neat vertical-type headphones made entirely of quality plastic with only a mechanical panel for control. And the indicator light of the current status.

If you look closely, you can find a microphone hole on each. The design is classic and provides replaceable ear pads included in the kit. Traditionally, there are three pairs of them: medium in size on the headphones themselves, and small and large in a separate bag.

The plastic is matte, which is why it quickly becomes covered with fingerprints and willingly collects scratches. Each earpiece weighs a little, a couple of times "managed" to lose it in clothes.

The button on each earbud has several functions:

• Single press - pause / play music and receive an incoming call;
• Double press - call the voice assistant;
• Second hold - reset incoming;
• Three-second hold - turn off the headphones.

The last function was especially useful to me: when going for a run I want to take a minimum of things with me and even a small case will be inconvenient to carry.

The indicator lights work in two positions: blink white when connected and glow red when placed in a charging case.

Sound

For my money, a very cool sound.

Buying headphones at this price, I was ready in advance for a simple sound and tight bass. Yes, at maximum volume everything turns into a mess and delivers almost physical pain when listening, but at medium volume, tracks from services such as Apple Music and Yandex.Music sound very good. Low frequencies were especially successful, everything higher is tolerable and at a discernible level.

Electronic, dance music, pop and hip-hop are very comfortable to listen to, which is not to say about rock compositions. Alas, the sound is mixed into one heap, although the presence of the same bass eliminates the desire to switch the track.

The in-ear design easily allows you to listen to music at a comfortable level - and this is about 70% of the volume.Credit goes to good sound insulation and a snug fit in the ear.

Of course, the headphones will not fit well in every ear. Nobody canceled the anatomical features, but personally they fit perfectly with me. I bought them especially for running and they coped with this task perfectly. No dropping out even with strong shaking.

For those who do not like in-ear headphones, Roskachestvo published a list best bluetooth headphones 2019, which includes overhead and full-size models.

Microphone

You can use AirDots as a headset. But your interlocutor will have to listen attentively. Yes, extraneous sounds are well cut off by electronics, but this does not help the voice - everything falls into a common heap and something has to be repeated several times. In extreme cases, it will do, but I would not recommend using them on an ongoing basis, like handsfree.

Autonomy

The claimed battery life is up to 4 hours. In practice, I was unable to achieve more than three and a half continuous listening. And this is at a volume level slightly above average.

In fact, I have not experienced any cases of complete and unexpected discharge of the headphones. Full charge requires a little over an hour in a caseperhaps on a long journey this will be an important factor. But for the scenario home - work - evening run, Xiaomi is completely fine with me.

Case

Appearance

The material of the case is exactly the same as that of the headphones - soiled, matte plastic. Even before the purchase, I met a lot of reviews about the flimsy of the lid. Specifically, my case does not crunch, it does not feel monolithic in the hand.

The size of the case is comparable to the size of Apple Airpods and is easy to carry in your pocket. Of course, it will stick out, but I did not feel any inconvenience. Unless it scratches quickly, it will be noticeable when worn with keys or small change.

The case itself is devoid of any buttons. Only indicator light, solid red when charging. You will not be able to find out the remaining charge. On the back, uncovered, there is a charging connector.

The mechanism of the magnetic lid cannot be called flimsy, it “grabs” quickly and does not creak. You don't have to be afraid that the headphones will fall out of the case somewhere in the backpack.

Autonomy

For a week of using the headphones, I managed to find out that the charge of the case is enough for about 2.5 full charging of the headphones. In practice, with my daily routine, I only have to charge the case once a week. In 2 hours, the case is fully charged. Is it worth mentioning that there is no wireless charging or NFC here?

pros

1. Price... The decisive buying factor. A very worthy option for 1,500 rubles;
2. Brand name... Trust in Xiaomi budget solutions only grows every year
3. Sound... AirDots copes with its main function perfectly
4. Convenience... For supporters of in-ear headphones, the fit will be comfortable
5. Autonomy... For me personally, it is up to par

Minuses

1. Body materials... They are very easily soiled and prone to scratches
2. Conversation quality... It seems there is a microphone, some kind of noise reduction, but it will be better for the interlocutor if I switch to a smartphone
3. Switching tracks... Here it is absent, but the call of the voice assistant is provided, which I personally use a little less often than never
4. Signal stability... Once every half hour or hour, the signal of the right earpiece disappears for a moment. Practically non-annoying, but stable
5. Case charge... You won't be able to find out the remaining charge, just put it on charge

General conclusion: for their price, these headphones are the undisputed leaders in their "weight category". I advise.