We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-17 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a straightforward everyday pair with a two-year warranty and a rubberized, low-key build, choose Maxell True; if you need the longest battery life, the strongest noise cancellation on paper and app-based sound tuning, choose XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8.
• Maxell True — biggest strength: Dual noise handling with both ENC for your voice on calls and ANC for blocking out the world, plus a 2-year manufacturer warranty and a rubberized in-ear build.
• Maxell True — biggest trade-off: The battery story is modest. 20 hours total with the case and a 5-hour single-charge figure, with 5 hours to recharge — the Redmi beats it on endurance.
• XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8 — biggest strength: 8 hours per charge / 36 hours with the case, 42dB hybrid ANC, a much larger 12.4mm driver and app-based EQ tuning.
• XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8 — biggest trade-off: Only a 1-year warranty, plastic-and-silicone materials, and the extra features lean on the Xiaomi Earbuds app to unlock.
• Pick Maxell True if you want fuss-free touch controls, a warranty that covers you longer and a design that disappears in your ear.
• Pick XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8 if you want maximum listening time, deeper noise blocking and the ability to shape the sound yourself.
The Maxell True is built around a simple promise: block out what you don't want to hear, and make sure you're heard when you talk. It does that with two separate systems. ANC handles the listening side, cutting down surrounding noise so a commute, a busy open office or a noisy kitchen doesn't sit on top of your music or podcast. ENC handles the talking side, isolating your voice from wind, traffic and nearby chatter so calls come through clearly from your end.
The spec sheet reads like a product designed for reliability over spectacle. Bluetooth 5, a 10-metre range, touch controls for music, calls and your voice assistant, and a dynamic 6mm driver in a rounded-tip, rubber-enclosed shell at just 2.4 ounces. The charging case supports wireless charging, which is a genuinely convenient touch if you already drop your phone on a pad at night. Battery life lands at 20 hours total with the case and 5 hours per charge, with a 5-hour recharge time.
In my opinion, this is the pair for someone who wants a dependable daily driver and doesn't want to think about it. The 2-year manufacturer warranty is the standout detail here — double the coverage of the Redmi, and a real confidence signal for a set of buds you'll toss in a bag every day. The rubber enclosure and rounded-tip shape suit people who find stick-style buds fiddly. Who should skip it? Anyone who lives on long-haul flights or marathon work sessions. Five hours per charge is fine for a commute and a workday of intermittent use, but it isn't a battery champion, and the 6mm driver won't deliver the low-end weight a bigger driver can.
The Redmi Buds 8 Lite is the spec-forward option, and it's not subtle about it. The headline is 42dB hybrid active noise cancellation — a measurable figure that tells you Xiaomi is targeting serious isolation, not a token ANC mode. Around that sits a 12.4mm dynamic driver, roughly double the diameter of the Maxell's, which in practical terms usually means more authority in the bass and more headroom in the treble.
Battery is where it pulls clearly ahead: 8 hours on a single charge, 36 hours total with the case, and a 10-minute quick charge that yields 2 hours of playback. Recharging the buds takes about an hour. If you're the type who forgets to plug things in, that quick-charge behaviour is the feature you'll actually notice.
The rest of the package is modern and software-led. Bluetooth 5.4, SBC and AAC codec support for broad device compatibility, Google Fast Pair for quick pairing, and dual mics with AI noise reduction that Xiaomi says handles wind up to 6m/s. There's an app — the Xiaomi Earbuds app — where you can adjust EQ and pull firmware updates. Multiple ear tip sizes ship in the box, and the stick-style, plastic-bodied design keeps the weight at 39g total.
Who should skip it? Anyone who wants a set-and-forget product with no app involved, or who values a longer warranty over more features — this carries a 1-year manufacturer warranty. And if you prefer a rounded, rubberized bud over a stick design, the fit philosophy here is different.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for noise cancellation on paper → XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8. 42dB hybrid ANC is a specific, quantified claim; the Maxell lists ANC without a figure.
• Best for call clarity in wind → XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8. The dual-mic AI system is rated to handle wind up to 6m/s.
• Best for voice isolation on calls generally → Maxell True. Its ENC system is the core pitch, and it pairs with ANC rather than replacing it.
• Best for sound customization → XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8. App-based EQ and firmware updates; the Maxell is controlled entirely by touch.
• Best for quick top-ups → XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8. 10 minutes gets you 2 hours; the Maxell needs 5 hours for a full charge.
• Best for warranty peace of mind → Maxell True. 2 years versus 1 year.
• Best for low-effort daily use → Maxell True. Wireless charging case, touch controls, no app required.
• Best for a bigger, punchier driver → XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8. 12.4mm versus 6mm.
If I were buying for myself, I'd take the XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8. The battery gap is the deciding factor for me — 36 hours total and a 10-minute charge that buys 2 hours of music solves the one annoyance that ruins wireless earbuds. Add 42dB hybrid ANC, a 12.4mm driver and app EQ, and it simply does more, for longer.
That said, the Maxell True has a real case: a 2-year warranty, a rubberized build, wireless charging and ENC-tuned calls. If you want zero setup, no app, and coverage that lasts twice as long, that's your pair. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit — the gap between these two is what usually settles it.
FAQ
The Redmi Buds 8, clearly. It gives 8 hours per charge and 36 hours with the case, versus 5 hours and 20 hours for the Maxell True. The Redmi also recharges far faster.
I can only compare what's published. Xiaomi quantifies its hybrid ANC at 42dB; Maxell describes ANC without a figure. On stated specs, the Redmi makes the stronger noise-cancellation claim — but both are active noise cancellation, not passive isolation.
No. Everything runs through touch controls on the buds themselves — music, calls and voice assistant. The Redmi Buds 8 also has touch controls, but its EQ and firmware updates require the Xiaomi Earbuds app.
The Redmi Buds 8 lists a dual-mic AI noise-reduction system rated for wind up to 6m/s, which is a specific claim. The Maxell True leans on ENC to isolate your voice from wind, traffic and chatter. Both target the same problem; the Redmi's spec is the more detailed of the two.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.