2023-05-27 13:11:00
Don’t want to go broke for wireless headphones? Here are two affordable models in addition to being on sale, but between the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 Lite and the Realme Air Buds 2 Neo, which pair to choose?
For some years, the true wireless have become widely democratized and have since seen their prices reduced. Some manufacturers are designing headphones that are even more accessible to satisfy small budgets. Xiaomi is never very far from offering good value for money products, like these Buds 3 Lite. For their price, you should not expect an impressive sound experience, but offer great benefits for their price. Among other references, we also find the Buds Air 2 Neo from Realme, which are just as interesting. For less than 20 euros, which of these two pairs of headphones to choose? We will try to enlighten you in your choice through this comparison by detailing each of the qualities and disadvantages of the two devices.
Wireless headphones on sale for less than €20
Design and comfort
Let’s start with the Xiaomi Buds 3 Lite, here the brand has chosen to opt for a button format, that is to say without a stem. Leaving aside their stem format, known from Apple’s AirPods, Xiaomi focuses above all on sobriety and simplicity. They offer a real in-ear format with silicone tips that nestle in the ear canal. The Buds 3 Lite provide good support in the ears, are very comfortable to wear, including during a long listening session (4.2 g each). They can also be used without fear during your sports sessions, being IP54 certified, they are resistant to splashes and dust. As for the case, its small dimensions (60 × 46 × 23.7 mm) allow you to slip it easily into your pocket and carry it around with you everywhere.
Regarding the Buds Air 2 Neo from Realme, we are also faced with headphones in particularly discreet button format with a small touch of midnight blue. With their intra format, they will adapt perfectly to the shape of your ear thanks to the various silicone tips provided. Light, they will be able to be forgotten during long listening sessions. And if you have any doubts regarding the resistance, know that they are IPX5 certified and will resist splashes or sweat. For the case that houses the headphones, it will slip easily into your pocket with its oval pebble shape.
Sound quality and features
The Xiaomi Buds 3 Lite do not have active noise reduction, but thanks to their silicone tips, they provide good passive isolation in the vast majority of cases without pushing the volume. On the other hand, we are entitled to an ambient noise cancellation system during calls. Result: you get a clearer conversation with your interlocutor and without being disturbed by the noise around you. For the audio part, it will be necessary to be satisfied with transducers of 6 mm in diameter. The SBC and AAC codecs are included and will however be sufficient if you listen to your songs on streaming platforms. The audio quality will be largely satisfactory, without of course being measured by headphones true wireless more upscale.
Conversely, the Realme Buds Air 2 Neo offer active noise reduction technology. This is possible thanks to the presence of two microphones, which act to reduce ambient noise, up to 25 dB according to the manufacturer. Obviously, you should not expect the same performance offered by the best headphones on the market – we are thinking, for example, of the AirPods Pro 2 or the Sony WF-1000XM4. But for this affordable price, we will forgive this difference. We haven’t had the opportunity to test this model, but overall they should be able to attenuate ambient noise such as the fan or the engine of a car, except for voices. We also appreciate the presence of a Transparency mode which allows you to hear what is happening around you without having to remove your headphones – practical in certain situations such as crossing a pedestrian crossing or listening to an announcement at the station.
On the audio side, the Realme headphones offer a balanced sound reproduction, broadcast thanks to the speakers – or transducers – 10 mm in diameter in each of the two headphones. Realme adds a “Bass Boost+” algorithm supposed to generate more intense bass and a clearer stereo effect. Otherwise, they are compatible with the classic codecs that are Bluetooth SBC and AAC, but we will not be able to find aptX or LDAC. We are also entitled to a game mode reducing latency up to 88 ms so that the audio is well synchronized with the content viewed (game or film).
Autonomy
Regarding the duration of use of the headphones, Realme stands out from its rival. With the case, the autonomy can go up to 28 hours, and up to 20 hours of playback with the ANC mode activated. The Buds Air 2 Neo are capable of lasting up to six hours with active noise reduction, and seven hours without. According to the brand, these data were obtained with the volume set to 50%, in AAC quality. In fact, they are not the most enduring on the market, but given their price, this score is satisfactory. For recharging, the manufacturer announces that it only takes 10 minutes to recover three hours of additional listening.
On the side of the Buds 3 Lite from Xiaomi, the autonomy is below the Realme headphones. Even if the Chinese firm provides 5 hours of consecutive listening, the case allows it to recover only 18 hours, which is recharged via USB-C. This figure may also vary depending on the conditions of use. This data will therefore have to be revised downwards, but if you only use these headphones during your journeys to work, this is still more than enough.
Xiaomi or Realme? Which pair of headphones to choose?
After having detailed the qualities and the defects of its wireless headphones, it is time to take stock to help you in your choice.
The result is undoubtedly les Realme Buds Air 2 Neo manage to do better than its Chinese rival on certain points: first the autonomy offered by the box, which is more substantial (28 additional hours, once morest 18 for those of Xiaomi), but also on the audio part. If Xiaomi’s Buds 3 Lite do not have active noise reduction, Realme’s headphones benefit from it and are therefore able to suppress ambient noise to a minimum, even if the result will be anecdotal. There is even a transparency mode to stay tuned. Far from being up to some more high-end references, it’s nice to have this feature for this price.
For the Xiaomi Buds 3 Lite, you will have to settle for a noise cancellation function, only during your calls. You will at least have clear telephone conversations with your interlocutor. They offer good passive isolation thanks to their silicone tips. This product will be especially suitable for small budgets wishing, for example, to offer their teenager the first wireless headphones. They will fulfill this role effectively, without shining too much and offering a correct sound reproduction to listen to your favorite playlist.
If the wireless earphones from Xiaomi or the Realme brand have not convinced you, there are other models available on the market. To discover them, we invite you to consult our guide to the best inexpensive wireless headphones now.
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