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Updated: 2026-10-04 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a workout-ready bundle that pairs secure ear-hook sports buds with a separate set of ANC wireless earbuds, choose Avantree E171; if you need stronger hybrid noise cancellation, longer battery life and app-based sound tuning in a single pair, choose XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8.
• Avantree E171 — biggest strength: it's a two-item bundle built around secure, ear-hook sports earbuds with a built-in mic, plus wireless ANC earbuds with a case battery display.
• Avantree E171 — biggest trade-off: its ANC is rated to cut up to 24dB of environmental noise, and total playtime tops out at 24 hours with the case.
• XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8 — biggest strength: 42dB hybrid ANC, a 12.4mm dynamic driver, app-based EQ, and 8H/36H battery with fast charging.
• XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8 — biggest trade-off: it's one pair of earbuds, so you don't get the separate wired sports set that the Avantree bundle includes.
• Pick Avantree E171 if you want a gym-and-running setup with a wired mic option and a spare ANC pair in the box.
• Pick XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8 if you want the more capable all-rounder: deeper noise cancellation, longer runtime, and customizable sound.
The Avantree E171 is really two products in one box. You get a pair of sports earbuds with a built-in microphone, and you get a set of active noise-cancelling wireless earbuds for music and calls while commuting. The headline feature is hybrid ANC rated to block up to 24dB of environmental noise — enough to take the edge off a train carriage or a busy street, but not a "silence the world" level of cancellation.
The sports side is where the design thinking shows. The earbuds use an ear-hook shape with silicone enclosures and ship with three sizes of silicone tips, so you can dial in a snug fit that stays put while running, jogging or lifting. The tuning is described as well-balanced with solid bass and an emphasis on mids and highs — a sensible choice for spoken audio and general listening, though the brand itself notes that if you want extra-strong bass you should look at larger headphones. That's an honest bit of positioning, and it tells you these are tuned for clarity rather than thump.
Battery-wise, you're looking at 6 hours per charge and 24 hours total with the charging case, plus a battery display on the case so you can see charge status at a glance. Controls are touch-based with call control. Buy these if you want a sporty, secure-fitting set for the gym plus a separate ANC pair for the commute, all in one purchase. Skip them if maximum noise cancellation, app-based EQ or the longest possible runtime are your priorities.
The XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8 is the more technically loaded pair. The 42dB hybrid active noise cancellation figure is the standout — it's a substantially higher cancellation rating than the Avantree's 24dB, and for commuting, open-plan offices or flight cabins that difference is the whole point of buying ANC in the first place. Hybrid ANC means the system uses microphones on both the outside and inside of the earbud, which is why it can suppress more of the steady drone around you.
Sound hardware is a 12.4mm dynamic driver with a 20Hz–20,000Hz frequency range and 32-ohm impedance. That's a large driver by earbud standards, and the spec sheet claims powerful bass alongside detailed treble. What separates this pair from most budget ANC buds is the Xiaomi Earbuds app: you get customizable EQ settings and firmware updates, so you can shape the sound to your taste rather than accepting the factory tuning.
Calls are handled by a dual-microphone system with AI noise reduction, rated to cope with wind interference up to 6m/s. Battery is the other big win: 8 hours on a single charge, 36 hours total with the case, and a 10-minute quick charge that yields 2 hours of music. Bluetooth 5.4 and Google Fast Pair make pairing painless, and SBC/AAC codec support covers the vast majority of phones. The stick-style, plastic-bodied design is lightweight, and multiple ear tip sizes are included for fit.
Buy these if you want one pair that does everything well — strong ANC, long battery, app tuning and reliable calls. Skip them if you specifically need the secure ear-hook fit of a dedicated sports bud, or if you'd rather have two separate sets in the box.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for noise cancellation → XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8. 42dB hybrid ANC versus up to 24dB on the Avantree.
• Best for battery life → XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8. 8H per charge and 36H total, against 6H and 24H for the Avantree.
• Best for gym and running → Avantree E171. The ear-hook design and three tip sizes are built for a secure fit during movement.
• Best for sound customization → XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8. App-based EQ and firmware updates beat a fixed tuning.
• Best for call clarity in wind → XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8. The AI dual-mic system is rated for wind up to 6m/s.
• Best for getting two sets at once → Avantree E171. The bundle pairs wired sports buds with ANC wireless earbuds.
• Best for a battery readout on the case → Avantree E171. The charging case includes a battery display.
I'd buy the XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8. In my opinion, the 42dB hybrid ANC, the 8H/36H battery with 10-minute fast charging, the 12.4mm driver and the app-based EQ make it the stronger single purchase for most people who want hybrid ANC earbuds for commuting, work and everyday listening. The Avantree E171 is the better pick only if you specifically want a secure ear-hook sports set and a second ANC pair bundled together. If you're purely chasing quiet and runtime, the Xiaomi wins. As always, check the current price on Amazon before deciding, since value shifts with whatever each listing is going for.
what is hybrid anc earbuds
Hybrid ANC means the earbuds use microphones on both the outside and the inside of the ear to capture ambient noise, rather than only on the outside. That dual-mic approach lets the system cancel a wider range of sound, which is why hybrid models like these two are rated in decibels of noise reduction — up to 24dB on the Avantree E171 and 42dB on the XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8.
what is anc earbuds
ANC stands for Active Noise Cancellation. These earbuds use microphones and onboard processing to actively counter incoming environmental noise, which is most effective against steady sounds like engine drone, air conditioning or train rumble. Both products here use active noise cancellation, controlled by touch on the earbuds.
what are hybrid anc earbuds
They're earbuds whose noise-cancelling system combines feedforward and feedback microphones — one set listening to the outside world, another listening near your ear canal. The benefit is stronger, more consistent cancellation than a single-mic design. The XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8 uses this approach to reach its 42dB rating, while the Avantree E171 uses hybrid ANC for up to 24dB.
what are anc earbuds
ANC earbuds are in-ear headphones that actively reduce surrounding noise so you can hear your music, podcasts or calls more clearly at lower volumes. The two pairs here differ mainly in how much they cancel and how long they last: the Avantree E171 offers 6H/24H battery and touch controls, while the XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8 offers 8H/36H battery, app-based EQ and Bluetooth 5.4.
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