The realme Buds Air8 arrives as one of the most ambitious entries in the affordable true wireless earbuds segment. With bold claims like 55dB active noise cancellation, dual-driver audio, Hi-Res certification, and AI-powered features, realme is clearly aiming to blur the line between budget and premium audio.
But does it actually deliver a flagship-like experience at a fraction of the cost? After spending time with the Buds Air8 and experiencing it, it’s clear that realme has built something impressive though with some pros and cons.
Design & Comfort: Minimalist Yet Refined
The Buds Air8 immediately stands out with its thoughtful design, developed in collaboration with renowned Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa. The result is a clean, understated aesthetic that feels more premium than its price would suggest. The charging case features a smooth, polished finish with subtle detailing, while the earbuds themselves are compact and lightweight. realme’s “Master Edition” colours, inspired by natural elements, add a refined touch that elevates the overall look.
Comfort is another area where the Buds Air8 excels. The earbuds adopt a shallow in-ear design with soft silicone tips, ensuring a secure yet comfortable fit. Even during long listening sessions whether you’re commuting, working, or gaming, they remain easy on the ears without causing fatigue.
Sound Quality: A Strong Focus on Immersion
At the heart of the Buds Air8 is its dual-driver system, combining an 11mm woofer with a 6mm tweeter. This setup is quite rare in this price range and allows the earbuds to handle different frequency ranges more effectively.
In real-world listening, the result is a sound profile that feels energetic and engaging:
- Bass is deep and punchy, giving tracks a satisfying thump
- High frequencies are crisp and lively
- The overall soundstage feels wider than expected
realme also integrates its proprietary NextBass algorithm, which enhances low-frequency performance while maintaining a sense of balance across the spectrum.
That said, the tuning leans toward a bass-forward signature. While this works well for genres like pop, EDM, and hip-hop, it can slightly overshadow the mids. Vocals, in particular, may sound a little recessed, and clarity can dip at higher volumes.
Even so, for everyday listening, the Buds Air8 delivers a rich and immersive audio experience that will satisfy most users.
Hi-Res Audio & Spatial Sound: A Step Closer to Premium
The Buds Air8 goes a step further by offering Hi-Res Audio certification along with support for LHDC 5.0, a high-quality Bluetooth codec capable of transmitting more audio data than standard options like SBC or AAC.
This translates into:
- Greater detail in music playback
- Improved clarity in complex tracks
- A listening experience closer to studio-quality audio (with compatible devices)
In addition, realme includes 3D Dynamic Spatial Audio, which simulates a surround sound effect using advanced audio processing. When enabled, it enhances immersion across different scenarios:
- Movies feel more cinematic
- Games offer better positional awareness
- Music gains a broader sense of space
While it doesn’t fully match the precision of high-end earbuds, it’s a valuable addition that enhances the overall experience.
Active Noise Cancellation: A Key Highlight
One of the standout features of the Buds Air8 is its 55dB active noise cancellation (ANC), which is among the strongest claims in its class.
In daily use, the ANC performs admirably:
- It reduces consistent background noise like air conditioning, traffic, and crowd chatter
- It helps create a quieter environment for music and calls
- It’s particularly useful for commuting or working in busy spaces
The earbuds also feature adaptive ANC, which automatically adjusts the level of noise cancellation based on your surroundings, as well as ear canal detection to optimise performance depending on fit.
While it doesn’t completely eliminate all external sounds like premium flagship models, it provides a noticeable and meaningful improvement in most real-world scenarios.
Call Quality: Reliable for Everyday Communication
Call performance is another strong area. The Buds Air8 uses a six-microphone system, combined with AI-powered environmental noise cancellation.
In practice:
- Voices come through clearly on calls
- Background noise is effectively reduced
- Conversations remain audible even in noisy environments
Whether you’re taking calls on a busy street or attending virtual meetings, the Buds Air8 handles voice communication with confidence.
Smart AI Features: More Than Just Audio
Beyond sound and ANC, the Buds Air8 introduces a suite of AI-powered features that set it apart from typical earbuds in this price range.
These include:
- Real-time translation, enabling cross-language communication
- Face-to-face translation mode for conversations
- AI Q&A assistant, offering quick answers and information on the go
These features transform the earbuds into more than just a listening device as they become a portable smart companion. While not everyone will use these features regularly, they add a layer of versatility that’s uncommon in affordable TWS earbuds.
Battery Life: Built for Long Days
Battery performance is one of the Buds Air8’s strongest selling points.
- Up to 10–12 hours of playback on a single charge
- Up to around 58 hours total with the charging case
This means you can go several days without needing to recharge, even with moderate to heavy use. Fast charging support also ensures that a quick top-up can get you back up and running in no time.
Connectivity & User Experience
The Buds Air8 is equipped with Bluetooth 5.4, offering stable and efficient connectivity. Pairing is quick, and the connection remains consistent even when moving between rooms.
Additional features include:
- Multi-device pairing for seamless switching
- Low-latency mode for gaming
- Customisable controls via the realme Link app
While the app provides useful options like EQ adjustments and feature toggles, the touch controls on the earbuds themselves can occasionally feel less responsive than expected.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Engaging sound with strong bass performance
- Dual-driver setup enhances audio depth
- Effective ANC for the price
- Long-lasting battery life
- Comfortable and stylish design
- Unique AI-powered features
Cons
- Bass-heavy tuning may not suit everyone
- Vocals and mids slightly recessed
- Some features rely heavily on app integration
Final Verdict: Excellent Value with Flagship Ambitions
The realme Buds Air8 stands out as a well-rounded pair of earbuds that successfully brings premium-inspired features into a more accessible price range at just RM299.
It doesn’t aim to replace high-end flagship earbuds, but it doesn’t need to. Instead, it focuses on delivering what most users actually want, that is good sound, effective noise cancellation, long battery life, and useful features all in one package.
For students, commuters, and everyday users, the Buds Air8 offers tremendous value. It’s particularly appealing if you enjoy bass-heavy audio and want a feature-rich experience without spending too much. The realme Buds Air8 is one of the most compelling options in its segment, offering a blend of performance and features that’s hard to ignore at its price point.