True Wireless
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)
84Great
$120
Full review dataApple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) vs Xiaomi Buds 5: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) - Great overall at around $125.
True Wireless
Xiaomi Buds 5
66Good
$96
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)
Sound8.5
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery7.5
Calls8.0
Value7.5
Xiaomi Buds 5
Sound7.0
Noise cancelling5.0
Battery5.5
Calls7.0
Value6.5
Specifications
| Spec | Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) | Xiaomi Buds 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $120 | $96 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | 66 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2022 | 2024 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 11 mm | 11 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz | 16 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 16 Ω | - |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.x |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, LC3 |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Latency | - | 73 ms |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 6.5 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 3.5 h |
| Battery incl. case | 30 h | 39 h |
| Quick charge | - | 10 minutes = 2.5 hours |
| Wireless charging | Yes | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | Yes |
| ANC type | adaptive | - |
| Transparency mode | Yes | - |
| Companion app | Yes | - |
| Custom EQ | No | - |
| Wear detection | Yes | - |
| Controls | both | - |
| Voice assistant | Siri | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 10.6 g | 8.4 g |
| Case weight | 50.8 g | 36.6 g |
| Water resistance | IP54 | none |
| Foldable | No | - |
| Detachable cable | No | - |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 3 |
| Call noise reduction | - | AI noise reduction |
What reviewers said
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)
These wireless earbuds deliver strong active noise cancellation and a natural-sounding transparency mode, making them a solid pick for Apple users. With around 6 hours of playback per charge and a case that boosts total listening time to 30 hours, they offer dependable daily use. The IP54 rating adds some protection against sweat and splashes, while Bluetooth 5.3 ensures a stable connection for most devices.
- Pro:Excellent active noise cancellation
- Pro:Natural transparency mode for ambient awareness
- Pro:Decent battery life with case
- Con:No multipoint connection
- Con:Limited to AAC codec
- Con:No custom EQ in app
Xiaomi Buds 5
The Xiaomi Buds 5 are a budget-friendly true wireless option that aims to rival pricier competitors with solid audio quality and a comfortable fit. While they deliver immersive sound and reliable call performance, their active noise cancellation is underwhelming and touch controls feel unresponsive. Overall, they offer good value on paper but fall short of their full potential in execution.
- Pro:Immersive, engaging sound signature
- Pro:Comfortable and lightweight earbud design
- Pro:Reliable call quality with AI noise reduction
- Con:Active noise cancellation is not very effective
- Con:Touch controls are sluggish and unresponsive
- Con:Battery life with ANC is below average
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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