There is a new pair of wireless earbuds in the tech pool — Redmi Buds 5. Not everyone wants to spend an arm and a leg to get good earbuds, and this one shows that you don’t have to.

There is not much I can say in terms of design. It’s a compact case that fits easily into any pocket. There is a matte finish across the case, so you won’t notice fingerprints or smudges. The earbuds themselves have stems that are of perfect size and there is a light indicator inside the box to show pairing status. There are two microphones on each bud to tackle phone calls and noise cancellation. What I don’t like is the glossy finish inside the box.

There is IP54 rating on the buds, so it can tackle splashes and sweat. Ideally, you should wear it to the gym or during runs. Users get the latest Bluetooth 5.3, so there is stable connectivity and Google Fast pairing support. Simply open the lid and you’ll see a pairing pop-up on your Android phone.

The fit is snug and that’s important because there is active noise cancellation. Each bud weighs around 5.3g, making them light and comfortable for hours of usage.

Obviously, the sound department is where all the attention is. It comes with 12.4mm dynamic titanium drivers that offer a good audio experience, especially at a low price. The sound can get very loud without distorting vocals but I wouldn’t recommend that you push the volume beyond 80-85 per cent because that’s where sound quality takes a slight hit.

Instrument separation is quite good and clarity is maintained across whatever genre of track you are listening to. The default bass level is impressive but if you want more, switch to “enhance bass” mode to enjoy any kind of party music. I usually keep it to “enhance voice” because I listen to a lot of podcasts.

A big feature of the sound cans is hybrid noise cancellation, which is possible up to 45dB. It can cut out most white noises by 70-odd per cent, like the whirring of fans and the sound of engines. There is a transparency mode to enhance the sound around you, making you aware of your surroundings. The levels of ANC as well as transparency can be adjusted from the app.

The microphones on the buds are good enough for phone calls. Inside the confines of one’s room, the quality is good but if you are on a crowded street, it’s better than average. The feature I liked is how it tackles wind noise without compromising sound quality.

Equally good are the tap gestures that can make the earbuds go between ANC and transparency modes or increase/decrease volume. Redmi has also kept in-ear detection support that will pause music as soon as you take the earbuds out of your ears.

Though inexpensive, there is support for dual-device pairing. It allows you to pair the buds between two devices and this is helpful for those who constantly move between devices. If you keep ANC off, you will get around 10 hours of battery life on a single charge or 38 hours with the case.

What we don’t like is the lack of custom equalizer support. Do I see myself buying one? During morning walks it’s handy to have an inexpensive pair of earbuds, especially if you tend to lose them. Overall, Redmi Buds 5 (Rs 2,999) has managed to pack enough features and a solid soundscape without breaking the bank.