Is the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 worth the upgrade from the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 6?
Verdict
Downgrade
The Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 actually scores 13.8 points below the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 6, so on aggregate review consensus this is a step backwards. It loses ground on sound (7.5 to 5.5) and battery (8.0 to 6.5). On paper: codecs SBC, AAC to SBC, AAC, aptX. Worth checking: battery life goes 10 h to 5 h and active noise cancelling goes Yes to No. It is at least $8 cheaper, so the lower score comes with a saving. Only worth it if a specific feature above matters more to you than overall quality does.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound7.55.5
- Battery8.06.5
- Calls6.55.0
- Value8.57.0
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | Redmi Buds 6 | Redmi Buds 3 | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 10 h | 5 h | |
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | No | |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, aptX | |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.2 | |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | No | |
| Battery incl. case | 42 h | 20 h | |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 1 | |
| Microphones | 4 | 2 | |
| Quick charge | 10 min → 4 h | 10 min → 1.5 h | |
| Driver | 2-driver hybrid | 12 mm dynamic |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "Redmi Buds 6 to Redmi Buds 3". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across true wireless and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.