The Huawei Freebuds 5i are very comfortable earbuds that sound great, last a long time and have good active noise cancellation. For around 100 euros, they offer a strong price-performance ratio that puts pressure on the competition.
Last summer, Huawei performed brilliantly in the test with the Freebuds Pro 2. The sound and the active noise cancellation were particularly convincing. You can currently get the plugs for just under 150 euros, which is a very good price for the quality. If you want to pay even less, the Freebuds 5i now have a cheap alternative for 100 euros. ntv.de tried to see if you could hear the difference.
The Freebuds 5i come in a small transport case that weighs around 34 grams and, like its predecessors, is reminiscent of a flattened egg. It has space in every trouser pocket. The new matt surface feels pleasant and is insensitive to grease streaks.
The earphones weigh only 5 grams each and have become significantly smaller compared to the 4i. So the plugs sit even more comfortably in the ears – you actually don’t feel them at all. The earphones are also a little less sensitive, they are protected against dust and moisture according to protection class IP54.
Because the in-ear style places less strain on the silicone tips, one of the three sizes available usually achieves a good seal on the ear canal. You can quickly find out whether this is the case with a pass test in the app.
If the Freebuds 5i fit well, you will be rewarded with a strong sound from the 10 millimeter drivers. On a fairly wide stage, it is very balanced, with well-defined mids, pleasant basses that are not exaggerated, and clear highs. Overall, the sound is at a high level, even if it’s not quite as rich as the Freebuds Pro 2 or as finely differentiated as the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3. In the 100 euro class, you will hardly find anything better.
The plugs provide a particularly large number of details when listening to material with Sony’s high-resolution LDAC codec. The earphones do not support aptX, in addition to the SBC standard, only AAC is available. For smartphones with Android 13, LDAC will only be available after an announced update.
As long as you are not in absolute silence or are streaming from a provider without the appropriate codecs (Spotify) anyway, high-resolution sound with earphones plays a subordinate role. Effective noise cancellation is more important when you’re on the go, and the Freebuds 5i’s ANC (Active Noise Reduction) is good, especially in the lower frequencies. In Ultra mode, it significantly suppresses constant noise such as in trains or at the window of a busy street. Keyboard clatter or voices are muffled, but remain more clearly audible.
If you want to get a little more of the environment, the ANC modes “Balanced” or “Low” are available in addition to a transparency mode (attention). There is no automatic adjustment of the noise suppression, such as with the Freebuds Pro 2. Another shortcoming is the relatively high susceptibility of the ANC to wind noise. The earphones cut a fine figure during phone calls in noisy surroundings, and your own voice and that of the caller are always easy to understand.
The connection with Bluetooth 5.2 is stable even over longer distances, with two devices being able to be connected at the same time. To switch between them, open the clear Huawei AI app. There you will also find a simple equalizer that you can use to boost bass or treble. There is also the option of finding lost earphones using a ringtone.
The app also explains how to control the earphones. It’s simple and uncomplicated: With two taps on the outside of the buds or a longer touch you can control playback and phone calls, start a digital assistant or switch between transparency mode and ANC. The volume is changed by swiping up or down on an outside. Since the earbuds have wear detection sensors, playback will automatically pause when you take out a bud.
While the endurance of the Freebuds Pro 2 is not a highlight, there is nothing wrong with the runtimes of the Freebuds 5i. The earphones last up to six hours with ANC activated, and almost eight hours without noise cancellation. With a fully charged case, you have a total of around 18.5 hours with ANC, without it you get around 28 hours. Empty plugs can play music for up to four hours after 15 minutes in the box. The case does not offer inductive charging.
Overall, the Huawei Freebuds 5i already offer excellent value for money. The sound and ANC are similar to those of significantly more expensive earphones, the plugs are comfortable and the endurance is good. Bargain hunters should wait a little longer or take advantage of a promotion. With a little patience or luck you can get the Freebuds 5i for well under 100 euros.
