We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-05 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a light, budget-friendly set of everyday in-ears you can also wear for studying, choose XIAOMI Earbuds Redmi Buds; if you need earbuds that stay locked on your head through heavy sweat, rain and long study sessions, choose SoundMAGIC ST80.
• XIAOMI Earbuds Redmi Buds — biggest strength: A simple true-wireless in-ear with Bluetooth 5.2, touch controls, a 6mm dynamic driver and IP54 dust/splash protection, plus a charging case that extends listening time.
• XIAOMI Earbuds Redmi Buds — biggest trade-off: Splash resistance is not the same as full waterproofing, and the stem-style fit depends on your ear shape rather than an ear hook.
• SoundMAGIC ST80 — biggest strength: IPX6 waterproofing, rotating gel-flexible ear hooks and a detachable wired/wireless design with a 13.5mm driver and aptX HD support.
• SoundMAGIC ST80 — biggest trade-off: Bulkier on-ear hook shape and button controls instead of touch, so it feels more like sports gear than a discreet everyday pair.
• Choose XIAOMI Earbuds Redmi Buds if you want a lightweight, pocketable true-wireless pair for studying and casual listening.
• Choose SoundMAGIC ST80 if you want sweatproof earbuds that hold firm during workouts and can also run wired when the battery is empty.
The Redmi Buds 3 Lite is a true-wireless in-ear set built around convenience. The two buds are stem-shaped and sit in your ear canal, and a silicone charging case keeps them topped up and easy to carry. Xiaomi rates the total battery life at up to 18 hours with the case included, and the buds themselves charge in about 1.5 hours. Bluetooth 5.2 with a 10-metre range covers a desk, a library table or a walk around the room without the phone glued to your hand.
For studying, the appeal is how little thought it demands. You drop them in, tap the touch panel to play or pause, and the noise isolation of the in-ear seal takes the edge off background chatter and keyboard noise. Xiaomi also uses a noise-reduction algorithm on the microphone side to pull your voice out of the room when you take a call. The 6mm dynamic driver, tuned in-house, is fine for spoken-word content, lo-fi playlists and lecture audio rather than critical listening.
SoundMAGIC ST80: Who It's For
The ST80 is designed around movement first. Its gel-flexible ear hooks rotate a full 360° and stretch to adjust, so the bud anchors over your ear instead of relying on a seal alone. That structure is the whole point: it is meant to stay put through running, cycling and gym work, and the IPX6 waterproof rating means sweat and rain are covered rather than merely tolerated.
Sound quality is the second pillar. A 13.5mm dynamic driver, noticeably larger than the Redmi's 6mm unit, runs through a Qualcomm chip with aptX HD, AAC and SBC decoding over Bluetooth 5.0, with a 13-metre range. SoundMAGIC describes the tuning as balanced across the range, and the metal, plastic and silicone build with a 16-ohm impedance suggests it is easy to drive. A three-button remote handles playback, volume and calls, and the noise-cancelling mic is aimed at hands-free use during exercise.
The twist is the detachable design. The package includes a 3.5mm wired module and a Bluetooth module, plus six sizes of eartips, a USB power cable and a hard case. In wired mode there is zero battery to worry about, which is a real advantage for long library sessions where a charging case is one more thing to remember. The 24-hour battery figure and one-hour charge time cover the wireless side. The trade-offs are physical: a hook design is more visible, the push buttons are less slick than touch, and the whole package is heavier and less pocketable. It is sports gear that happens to study well, not the reverse.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for sweat and rain → SoundMAGIC ST80. IPX6 is a waterproofing rating; the Redmi's IP54 only covers dust and splashes.
• Best for lighter, more discreet everyday wear → XIAOMI Earbuds Redmi Buds. A small stem bud and silicone case slip into a pocket; the ST80 is bulkier.
• Best for larger drivers and hi-res codec support → SoundMAGIC ST80. 13.5mm drivers with aptX HD, AAC and SBC against the Redmi's 6mm driver.
• Best for a true-wireless-only setup → XIAOMI Earbuds Redmi Buds. Bluetooth 5.2 and touch controls with no cable module to manage.
• Best for flexibility when the battery dies → SoundMAGIC ST80. The included 3.5mm module turns it into a wired pair with no charging involved.
• Best for long listening stretches → SoundMAGIC ST80. Its 24-hour battery figure outlasts the Redmi's up-to-18-hours-with-case claim.
• Best for touch controls and a simpler case-first routine → XIAOMI Earbuds Redmi Buds. Tap gestures and a charging case instead of push buttons and two modules.
In my opinion, the SoundMAGIC ST80 is the better buy for anyone whose main worry is sweat, because IPX6 waterproofing and locking ear hooks actually solve that problem, while the Redmi Buds only resist splashes. The detachable wired module also makes it a stronger companion for long studying sessions, since you can keep going with no battery at all. I would pick the XIAOMI Earbuds Redmi Buds only if you want the smallest, simplest true-wireless pair for desk-based studying and light activity. Either way, check the current price on Amazon before deciding, since both sit in different spots depending on the day.
They are earbuds built for movement: a fit that resists falling out and materials that tolerate sweat. The SoundMAGIC ST80 shows this clearly with rotating ear hooks and an IPX6 waterproof rating, while the XIAOMI Earbuds Redmi Buds leans more toward everyday listening with IP54 dust and splash protection.
How to wear sports earbuds
Seat the bud in your ear canal, then anchor it with the hook or wing so it cannot shift. On the ST80, the gel-flexible ear hooks rotate 360° and stretch for adjustment, and the package includes six eartip sizes so you can find a stable seal before you start moving.
Put the earbuds in pairing mode and select them from your phone's Bluetooth list. Both models here are wireless: the XIAOMI Earbuds Redmi Buds use Bluetooth 5.2 with a 10-metre range, and the SoundMAGIC ST80 uses Bluetooth 5.0 with a 13-metre range and also supports a wired 3.5mm connection.
Best bluetooth earbuds for studying?
For quiet desk study, the XIAOMI Earbuds Redmi Buds are the simpler pick thanks to touch controls, noise isolation and a pocketable charging case. If your study sessions are sweaty, long, or shared with workouts, the SoundMAGIC ST80 is the safer choice given its IPX6 rating, 24-hour battery and detachable wired module.
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