TWS true wireless earphones - under $25
4.5 STARS - For under 25 dollars, the Redmi Buds 3 Lite delivers crisp sound, good call quality, and enough battery life in earbuds so tiny you can easily take them to bed.
Redmi Buds 3 Youth Edition/ Lite version specs and features:
Note: the Redmi Buds 3 Lite and Redmi Buds 3 Youth Edition are the same
Bluetooth 5.2 with AAC codec
IP54 waterproof rating (rain en dust proof)
5 hours playtime on a single charge
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 2 times
Comes with three ear tips and USB-C cable
$20 - $25 - Check price on Amazon US, Amazon UK, other Amazon countries or AliExpress
Below this Redmi Buds 3 Youth Edition review, you will find comparisons of the Redmi Buds 3 Lite vs QCY T17, QCY T13, Edifier X3s, and SoundPEATS Mini.
All reviews on Scarbir.com are unsponsored and honest. You can support my quest to find great affordable audio by buying via the links on this site or via PayPal.
Design, comfort and battery life
Ultra-compact earbuds have been all the rage the last weeks, as you see from recent reviews on the SoundPEATS Mini, Earfun Free Pro 2, QCY T17, and Edifier X3s on Scarbir.com.
Yet the Redmi Buds 3 Lite, also called Redmi Buds 3 Youth Edition, goes further. These are even smaller than the other models and are among the most compact wireless earbuds you can buy. They are completely round from the outside and inside, and disappear well into your ears when you put them in. These earbuds are comfortable to wear and great for sleeping - as they also last the entire night when you're playing white noise or relaxing music on the lowest volumes.
On moderate volumes, the earbuds still last a usable 5 hours on a single charge. They're also IP54 water and dust-proof, so you can take them out safely for a run.
And the rubber ear wings around the earbuds? They're not in the way, don't stab your ears, don't even make the earbuds fill up your ears - they're probably just here to grab the earbuds out of your ears or the case easier.
The charging case is much slimmer than the regular Redmi Airdots 3 and easily slides into any jeans pocket. It scratches easily and looks very generic aside from the Redmi branding on the back near the USB-C port, but it's no big deal for the price point. The lid closes sturdy enough, and the case can recharge the earbuds two times fully before needing new power itself.
Controls and connectivity
The Redmi Buds 3 Lite (Youth Edition) controls are clever for sleeping purposes, as they don't respond to a quick single touch. You won't easily control the earbuds on accident, but still, pausing by holding down the touch panel feels overcomplicated.
That said, you can't return a track or change the volume - the control scheme is very limited:
Hold L or R to play/pause music
Double-tap L or R to skip to the next song
Triple-tap L or R to activate the voice assistant
Hold L and R both to (de)activate the gaming mode
As you can see, the controls work the same on both earpieces, whether you're listening to one side while you're charging the other, or go into stereo mode when you take the charged bud out again.
The Buds 3 Lite doesn't have voice prompts but confirms the connection with a beep and affirms the game mode this way. There are three uplifting beeps on activation, two slower ones on deactivation. Music doesn't automatically pause when you take an earbud out.
Overall connectivity is good. The Redmi Buds 3 YE takes a little while to pair and connect to your device, but connection strength is good, also up to 9-10 meters away from your device.
Calling and watching movies
Unfortunately, the gaming mode on the Buds 3 Lite isn't as good as on the also tiny-sized Edifier X3s. It speeds up the sound effect in games only a little bit, and there's still a noticeable delay - the sound always comes after what you see on screen.
Happily, watching videos is a flawless experience, with perfect synchronization between audio and video on iPhone and Android.
Taking a call is doable too. Your voice could use a little more volume, but it sounds clear, even when there is chatter around you. Background noise sounds is reduced well, in both phone and video calls like Microsoft Teams and Zoom meetings. Heavy wind drags your voice away, however.
Also read: The best wireless earbuds under $25
Sound quality of Redmi Buds 3 Lite: Crisp
The Redmi Buds 3 Lite Youth Edition has a crisp sound with a bass that won't stand in the way of anyone.
The bass in the 3 Lite is a friend-to-all. There's a nice steady bass thump that doesn't overrule the music, but gives drums and electronic music plenty of energy. The sub-bass - the deepest bass tones you can feel as much as hear - can go fairly deep and rumbles controlled. However, when a hip-hop or dance song pushes the bass strongly out of itself, it can become a bit shaky.
The treble is the dominant part of the sound, however. Higher instruments - like violins and trumpets - and female and higher male vocals sound loud and clear. The highs go on for quite a while, but cymbals and vocals become a bit thin if you listen to music on high volumes.
The good thing about the elevated higher frequencies is it creates airiness too. Music sounds crisp and 'airy', especially in more acoustic, easygoing instrumental or classical songs. You can hear and separate instruments and effects coming from your left and right.
In between the bass and treble, the mid-tones aren't the most pronounced. Lower female and male vocals can't quite grasp the lowest notes, and guitars and piano play could also sound more natural. These tones receive more space in songs with fewer highs. That's why the Redmi Buds 3 Lite sounds warmer and very nice in genres like smooth jazz, blues, and soul.
The Redmi Buds 3 Lite can be a bit thin in the treble, but it delivers a straightforward and crisp sound which may just surprise you for its super friendly price.
Redmi Buds 3 Lite comparisons
Redmi Buds 3 Lite vs QCY T17: Which is better?
The Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 Lite and QCY T17 both cost $20, and while they look around the same size from the pictures, the QCY is a bit bigger in reality. The Redmi is more comfortable to wear, but the QCY has up to 2,5 hours longer battery life per charge, and you can change its controls via the free QCY app. Both handle video and phone calls surprisingly well for their small price point.
The QCY T17 and Redmi Buds 3 Youth Edition are quite alike when it comes to music. Both have a steady mid-bass and lean towards treble. The Redmi has a 'wider' sound with more details from your left and right, but the QCY gives vocals more space. The T17 sounds a bit fuller, as it brings out lower tones a bit better and keeps the highs more in control. As a result, the QCY T17 is more pleasant to listen to, more balanced.
QCY T17 review ($20)
Redmi Buds 3 Lite vs QCY T13: Quick comparison
If you're looking for ultra-cheap wireless earbuds with an engaging sound and a little less treble, the QCY T13 may be a better choice than the Redmi Buds 3 Lite. The T13 bass is heavier and slams harder, and vocals are fuller and sound less bright than on the Redmi. The Redmi has more clarity in the sound and has better left-right separation, but the T13 boasts a friendlier character - it's easier to listen to in the long run. Besides, it also lets you change the controls via the free QCY-app and has better battery life, at 7,5 hours per charge.
QCY T13 review ($25)
Redmi Buds 3 Lite vs Edifier X3s
The Edifier X3s costs around $10-15 more than the Redmi Buds 3 Lite but is a worthy alternative if you have the money. Not only does the Edifier have up to 8 instead of 5 hours of playtime on a single charge, it also has a better gaming mode that minimizes the delay in sound effects further when you're playing. The X3s has a fuller and punchier bass and more weight in the lower mid-tones, making the sound warmer. The Redmi sounds a bit flatter, more balanced than the Edifier, with more clarity in the treble area. Still, the Edifier sounds more around you, and with its added bass, it's a more engaging listen as well.
Edifier X3s review ($35)
Redmi Buds 3 Lite vs SoundPEATS Mini
The SoundPEATS Mini costs $40 instead of $20, and what do you know: its earbuds are still a bit bigger than the Redmi Buds 3 Lite ones. Both are great for in-bed use and sleeping, have IPX5 waterproof rating, and reduce background sounds when you're calling well. The SoundPEATS does throw in 2,5 hours extra of playtime life per charge and has a more energetic sound, with stronger boosted mid-bass and more prominent higher vocals. The Redmi presents vocals more natural, however, and the Buds 3 Lite also puts instruments and details more specific on your left and right.
SoundPEATS Mini review ($45)
Verdict
For under 25 dollars, the Redmi Buds 3 Lite delivers crisp sound, good call quality, and enough battery life in earbuds so tiny you can easily take them to bed.
4.5 stars - Great
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I bought the Redmi Buds 3 Youth Edition/ Lite Version myself to test and review. My reviews are unsponsored and non-commercial. I test and review all audio products equally honest - read about it here.
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