How Durable Are Xiaomi Headphones? (With Examples)

Xiaomi is known for its affordable electronics that perform quite well. And with the much-hyped release of the Mi Headphones, some are wondering if Xiaomi will meet the high expectations.

I’ve had a pair of Xiaomi headphones for several years and I’m very happy with the build and quailty!

We’ve looked at the most common problems with Xiaomi headphones – but how durable are they?

About the Durability of Xiaomi headphones.

Xiaomi headphones are known to be durable, thanks to the materials used to make them. Employing Kevlar to wrap the cables, these headphones can stand up to regular usage, and the cables—which are the weakest link of all headphones—won’t break easily.

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How Long Do Xiaomi Headphones Normally Last?

Xiaomi headphones can last a long time, provided they are properly taken care of.

With due diligence, you can expect these headphones to last at least seven years.

According to Xiaomi, their latest headphones have been put to the test and exceeded industry standards of durability, including drop and pull tests.

Do They Last as Long as Other Headphones?

Your Xiaomi headphones can last as long as the big-name brands if the stress tests results are to be believed.

While it can beat other unknown and low-quality headphones on the market, without proper care, Xiaomi headphones won’t last as long as they could.

What Typically Breaks First on Xiaomi Headphones?

While Xiaomi claims to pass stress tests with flying colors, it does have some weak points.

The first weak point is the cables, as they get subjected to tugging and tangles.
Another weak point would be the plugs and the jack where you plug the cables into the headphones.

While these are weak points, it should be noted that these are weak points for all headphones.

Xiaomi made it a point to reinforce the cables by using Kevlar to reduce tangles and improve durability, especially as the remote for controlling music and calls is placed on the cable.

How Long is the Warranty on Xiaomi Headphones?

Xiaomi provides limited 12-month warranty coverage for its headphones.

What exactly does the warranty cover?

The warranty covers any manufacturing defect that may appear. To claim a warranty, make sure that you still have your proof of purchase from the original retailer.

It does not cover misuse of the headphones.

Do Xiaomi Headphones Need Maintenance from the Owner?

While Xiaomi claims to be very durable, that does not mean that you should forego any form of maintenance.

Like all electronics, these headphones and their components have a limit to the amount of stress they can be expected to withstand, so it’s important that you take care of your headphones. While the cables are durable, remember that not all parts of the Xiaomi headphones are reinforced.
And just as important, proper care will ensure that no damage will invalidate your warranty.
With proper care, these headphones can last you years and ensures smooth operation and sound quality.
And lastly, you get to maintain a good resale value of your headphones, especially if you plan to sell them later on.

How Do You Care for Your Headphones?

Considering that there are benefits to caring for your headphones, here are some tips in caring for your Xiaomi headphones:

Regularly clean your headphones

There are little things, such as dust and sweat, that can affect the quality of your headphones.

The good news is, proper cleaning can help you prevent damage that can be caused by grime.

Here’s how you clean your headphones:

Wipe your headphones after use, ideally with a soft cloth that’s dampened with alcohol or hand sanitizer.
The earpads of Xiaomi headphones are removable, so you can take them off and wash them if needed.
Brush off any dirt on the drivers.
Clean the jack by spraying with compressed air, or use a thin paper clip with double-sided tape to collect any particles.

Properly store headphone cables

The cables of Xiaomi headphones are removable, so they are easier to store. But while they are removable and reinforced, you should not abuse them.

There’s a proper way of storing your cables, wherein you coil them properly.

Here’s how to do it:

Get your cable and create an overhand loop.
Flip and make an underhand loop.
Repeat these steps in the same order until you reach the end of the cable.
Once you reach the end, secure with hook and loop cable fasteners.

There are other considerations for handling the cables of your Xiaomi headphones.

Refrain from storing the cables in your pocket. This adds stress to the wires and could lead to breakage.
Avoid dangling the wires, as these also put pressure on the internal wires, especially when bent at an angle.
Pull out the plug, and not the cable.
Don’t leave your headphones plugged in continuously, as they can damage the spring inside the jack.

Use the case that comes with the Xiaomi headphones

Your headphones need to have sufficient storage, especially if you go out and about with them.

While they can fit in your backpack or bag, the case that Xiaomi includes was better designed to protect the headphones.
It has sufficient padding to protect the headphones when in transit, and you can use them to store cleaning cloths for the headphones.
The case is also a perfect fit for them, so the headphones won’t rattle around inside, nor will it put pressure on the headphones.

Avoid moisture and humid environments

Moisture and humid environments can corrode the metal components of your headphones.

Sometimes, you can’t avoid these environments.

The best way to deal with this is to put silica gel desiccant to absorb any moisture in your headphones’ case. Don’t forget to wipe your headphones after use, including the earpads, to remove any moisture that accumulates.

Set the Volume and EQ levels properly

Higher volumes and excessive bass frequencies can destroy your headphones. A coil in the headphones tends to vibrate more when the volume is higher, which increases its risk of being damaged. While the Xiaomi headphones were designed for bass, it also has its limits. And of course, louder volumes can also damage your hearing.

That’s why it’s important to adjust volumes, as well as frequencies, to ensure the durability of your headphones.

Here are other points to consider:

Mute the volume when plugging and unplugging your headphones to avoid any popping sound that can damage your headphone speakers.
Set the volume at the right level, and avoid letting the volume meter hit the red.
Don’t use the bass boost a lot, as constant, heavy bass frequencies can damage your headphones.

Are Xiaomi Headphones Worth It?

Xiaomi released a new pair of Mi Headphones that are priced competitively and can give big-name brands a run for the money.

But are they worth it? Let’s take a look at the new edition of Mi Headphones.

Mi Headphones Look

The Mi Headphones have a premium look.

They feature aluminum grills that are plated gold for a premium feel.
Weighing only 220 grams, these headphones are not too heavy, but they’re not the lightest either.
The headband is wrapped in faux leather, and you have an option for foam and soft cushion earpads.
One of the notable features of these headphones are the earpads. With a total of three earpads, you have the option to go on-ear (foam or soft cushion) or over-ear (soft cushion).
You have the option to fold the earcups or swivel them for flat storage. There’s an included case that lets you store the earcups folded for easy travel.
One thing to note about these headphones is their durability. The cable is made with Kevlar to handle regular wear and tear. It’s also tangle-resistant, letting you coil the cables quickly without worrying too much about it.
With the gold tips on the plugs, you won’t have to worry about oxidation. The plugs are also rubberized for easy unplugging.

All in all, the looks of the headphones are quite impressive.

But how does it perform?

Mi Headphones Performance

The first thing one will notice here is the lack of noise-canceling and average sound quality.

The sound quality isn’t the best, although these still come out cheaper than headphones of the same quality made by Sony or Sennheiser. But when compared to other Xiaomi products, the Mi Headphones aren’t at the top of the heap.
For one, the clarity is good, but the bass is mediocre. The treble is clear, although it seems to be used to cloak imperfections in the sound.
The Mi Headphones work well with particular genres. Some songs sound better than other songs on these headphones. Mileage may vary per song, but as an example, music by Jimi Hendrix or Cream is likely to sound better than tracks by Pantera or Periphery. EDM is also a no-no, as the bass frequencies aren’t exactly the best.
Another thing to note would be the volume levels. These headphones work better when playing music at lower volumes, while higher volumes cause noise bleeding that can be annoying.
You can also try different earcups, and check how it affects the sound. You’ll need to use the equalizer on your phone or music player to help you tweak the sound to your liking.

Given all these points, the Mi Headphones by Xiaomi might not be worth it for all consumers as they only work best when certain conditions are met.

They might be durable with the Kevlar cable, but the sound quality doesn’t meet expectations. These headphones might be a good choice for ordinary listening while commuting, but not for immersive listening.