As someone who often commutes, I’ve realized there’s one thing I hate more than being stuck in traffic: loud, noisy passengers.
Makes me really miss the time when we were all just starting to go out right once the pandemic chilled out. Back then, there were signs all over the place in the MRT telling people to keep it down, and guards weren’t shy about telling folks to quiet down if they were talking a bit too loud or too much.
As if running late isn’t enough to raise my stress levels, having to listen to people gossiping, whining, or even fighting? That’s more than enough to give me a nagging headache.
Plus, I’m at a point in my life where I just crave for some peace and quiet, no matter where I am. It’s not like I’m trying to be a loner or anything; but sometimes, I just really want to enjoy my music and drown out all that other noise.
And that’s exactly why noise-canceling earbuds are such a lifesaver. These little gadgets have skyrocketed in popularity, and it’s no wonder why. They’re like being in your personal quiet bubble, cutting out all that unwanted noise so you can just focus on your music, podcast, or just the sweet sound of nothing at all.
Your own silent sanctuary.
Unlike before when noise-canceling tech was pretty pricey and seemed like something only the fancy folks could afford, now, it’s a whole different story. These earbuds are way more budget-friendly, making them accessible to just about everyone. And trust me, once you’ve tried them, there’s no going back.
And that’s why the realme Buds Air 5 has earned its place in my everyday carry—no matter how small my bag is. I’ve tried a bunch of different noise-canceling earbuds from my partner, but these “buddies” have quickly climbed to the top of my favorites list. They're not just about silencing the world around you; they offer so much more, and at a price that doesn’t burn a hole in your wallet.
So yeah, these little buds are pretty much one of the best ones when it comes to affordable and high-quality audio gear and here’s why.
Chic Design and Comfortable fit: Straight out of the box, the realme Buds Air 5 comes in a compact and lightweight charging case, at just 45.5 grams, is sleek and designed to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand. Opening the lid at a precise 105°, you'll find the earbuds nestled inside, each weighing a mere 4.4 grams. The engineers at realme have done their homework, ensuring that these buds are designed to fit a variety of ear sizes, and comes with several eartips so you could choose the best fit. The buds are lightweight, and the buds and stem design fit snugly in the ear canal. And though you might feel it may loosens up a bit after a few heavy jerks or if you headbang to your favorite song, rest assured it will still not fall off that easily.
The glossy finish adds a touch of elegance, though it's worth noting that it could be a bit slippery to the touch. Durability isn’t compromised, as the case proves to be sturdy, surviving a few accidental drops unscathed. Thoughtful design elements like the USB-C charging port and a handy pairing button at the bottom of the case enhance its functionality, ensuring that you are always connected with ease.
You can choose from either Arctic White or Deep-Sea Blue variations but each one has a black interior to make it different from other similar shaped cases. I am quite worried though about its glossy finish as it does attract a lot of smudges and prone to scratches. The realme buds air 5 also come with IPX5 waterproofing, which means they can withstand sweat from heavy workouts but I won’t recommend using it under heavy rains just to be safe.
Superb Sound Quality: Now, onto the good stuff—the sound quality. With a 12.4mm Large Audio Driver, coated in titanium for added durability and sound clarity, the audio quality is nothing short of impressive. The audio produced is robust, clear, and crisp, creating an immersive soundscape for the listener. Furthermore, the integration of Dolby Atmos support ensures a surround sound experience that captivates and envelops, whether you’re indulging in music, gaming, or video content.
I’ve come to appreciate Christina Perri’s Thousand Years and have the song “Both Sides Now” on repeat and its like hearing them for the first time again because of how good it sounds.
I’ve been mentioning noise cancelation and its one of the most notable features of the realme Buds Air 5. It has 50dB Active Noise Cancellation, employing dual-mic noise cancellation and a robust 6-core noise cancellation chip. These earbuds diligently work to mitigate external noise, providing a sanctuary of sound even in the bustling urban environment of the Philippines. This feature marks a 19% improvement from the Buds Air 3, showcasing realme's commitment to audio excellence.
Additionally, the Smart Adaptive Noise Cancellation feature intelligently adjusts the level of noise cancellation based on your surroundings, ensuring a seamless listening experience. I don’t even have to max the volume as 60% is usually enough to drown out the noise even when I am on the MRT
Touch Controls and Connectivity: The realme Air Buds 5 has embedded intelligent touch gestures that replace having to manually input the command to a phone or a connected mobile device. The controls are very easy to learn and are quite intuititive--Double Tap to Play / Pause music or Answer / Hang Up a call; Triple Tap to skip to the next song; Long Press on one side for 2s to switch on noise cancellation mode or reject a call. The gestures are also customizable via the realme Link App to allow volume adjustment, voice assistant activation, game mode activation, previous song playback.
Speaking of the realme Link app, it further expands functionality, offering battery status, firmware updates, EQ customization, and control customization, despite occasional connectivity issues. Game Mode, Smart Wear Detection, and support for Dolby Atmos (on select phones) are notable additions, though the absence of multipoint connection is felt.
In terms of connectivity, the Buds Air 5 stands tall with its integration of Bluetooth 5.3 technology, ensuring a stable connection up to 10 meters, even when on the move. The dual antenna switching technology furthers this stability, and with a super low latency of 45ms in Gaming Mode, your audio and visuals are in perfect harmony. This also contributes to a more stable connection with potentially less latency. Bluetooth transmitted audio is compatible to A2DP, HFP, and SPP.
Pairing it for the first time is quite easy as it is able to detect and connect to a compatible device right out of the box in just one click with Google Fast Pair.
Battery Life: With up to 38 hours of total playback time, the Buds Air 5 is built to keep up with your on-the-go lifestyle. The earbuds themselves can last up to 4.5 hours with ANC turned on and the volume at 50%, and up to 7 hours with ANC turned off. Combine that with the charging case, and you've got yourself a total of 22 hours with ANC on, and an impressive 38 hours with ANC off.
Final Thoughts:
With its impressive noise cancellation, superb audio quality, and thoughtful design, it stands out as a top contender in the market. Whether you’re commuting through the busy streets, enjoying a workout, or simply relaxing at home, these buds are sure to elevate your audio experience. The realme Buds Air 5 truly has given me the instant silent sanctuary I need wherever and whenever I want—be it in a coffee shop, restaurant, train, or even just our room when I don’t want to be disturbed.
realme Buds Air 5 is priced at PHP 3,499 SRP
Available in Colors: Deep Sea Blue and Arctic White
Available at realme Lazada and Shopee Flagship Stores and at all realme physical stores nationwide.
