Familiar Yet Different
If you’re in the market for budget-friendly wireless earbuds, OnePlus has dropped its latest contender, the Nord Buds 3 Pro. These buds combine solid performance with features that might make you question whether spending big bucks on premium options like Apple’s AirPods Pro is worth it. But let’s get real—the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro is no AirPods Pro. However, at less than half the price, they promise a lot, including multipoint connection, noise cancelling, and a comfortable fit. Are they just another AirPods clone, or do they have enough personality to stand on their own? Let’s find out.
The Design: More Familiar Than Unique
The design of the Nord Buds 3 Pro doesn’t stray far from the standard look we’ve seen from many wireless earbuds in recent years. Their resemblance to the AirPods Pro is immediately apparent, with smooth plastic stems and rounded corners, but they aren’t just carbon copies.
The Nord Buds have their subtle flair. Their charging case is speckled and slightly rounded, a small design element that adds a touch of individuality to an otherwise familiar-looking package. You may have seen this kind of design on Soundpeats’ Air4 Pro, another budget pair that has a similarly unremarkable aesthetic. Though unoriginal, the compactness of the Nord Buds makes them convenient to carry, and at 4.4 grams each, they’re lightweight enough for long listening sessions without discomfort.
If you’re not someone who’s hung up on brand prestige or aesthetic innovation, you’ll likely be pleased with the ergonomic fit of these buds. OnePlus offers three ear tip sizes, though the defaults worked perfectly for me. The secure fit ensured the buds stayed in place whether I was walking, commuting, or lounging.
Performance and Connectivity: Strong Basics
When it comes to performance, Bluetooth 5.4 ensures quick and stable device connections, with the Nord Buds often pairing to my phone before it even leaves my pocket. For Android users, the inclusion of Google Fast Pair+ means initial setup is a breeze, and multipoint connection allows you to connect the buds to both a phone and a laptop at the same time. This is a fantastic feature for anyone who wants the flexibility of seamlessly switching between devices.
Pro Tip: Pairing the buds is simple—just hold down the button on the bottom of the case. Unlike some earbuds that require a companion app for basic setup, no app is needed for initial connection, which is a win for ease of use.
However, you’ll want to download the OnePlus app, “Hey Melody,“ to unlock full control over the buds. Oddly, the play/pause command is disabled by default, something I found puzzling. While I get that OnePlus might have wanted to avoid accidental touches, turning off such a fundamental feature out of the box feels like an odd choice. The good news? Once you’re in the app, enabling play/pause, customizing touch controls, and adjusting volume is quick and painless.
Battery Life: Strong, But Only Without Noise Canceling
Battery life can make or break a pair of wireless earbuds, and OnePlus advertises up to 12 hours of playback per charge, extending to 44 hours with the charging case. This sounds amazing on paper, but there’s a catch: activating noise cancelling significantly cuts battery life. In my tests, I managed around 5 hours per charge with noise cancelling on, which is still decent but falls short of the promised numbers. As always, how long the buds last depends heavily on usage, volume levels, and whether you’re using the BassWave feature (more on that below).
One area where the Nord Buds 3 Pro really shine is charging speed. A 10-minute charge will give you up to 80% battery life, making these buds extremely convenient for those who forget to plug them in or need a quick top-up before heading out.
Features: Noise Canceling & Transparency Mode
Being budget-friendly doesn’t necessarily mean bare-bones anymore, and the Nord Buds 3 Pro are proof of that. Let’s start with noise cancelling. It’s not top-tier by any means, but it gets the job done in most day-to-day situations. Whether you’re commuting, sitting in a café, or dealing with household noise, the noise cancelling is effective at muting low-frequency sounds like air conditioning units or distant traffic.
However, when you pit the Nord Buds against pricier options like the Bose QC Ultra or AirPods Pro, their limitations become apparent. While they do a respectable job on the low-end, higher-frequency sounds like keyboard clicks or voices sneak through more than they would with premium earbuds. In real-world tests, the noise cancelling sufficed for casual listening, but if you’re a frequent traveller or need stronger isolation, upgrading to flagship models would be worth the investment.
The transparency mode, designed to let ambient sounds filter in, is serviceable, but not stellar. At this price point, you’re not going to get the crystal-clear awareness of your surroundings that pricier buds offer. Sometimes, external sounds came through a bit muffled or hollow. For those who need perfect transparency—whether for work environments, safety, or frequent conversations—it may not be enough.
Sound Quality: A Bass-Lover’s Dream
The Nord Buds 3 Pro bring a bass-forward sound profile to the table, ideal for bass heads or those who enjoy punchy beats. Midrange and treble frequencies are clear and balanced, though there is a tendency for the bass to take center stage in certain tracks. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially for those who listen to genres like hip-hop, EDM, or pop, but it can sometimes feel a bit overpowered.
BassWave is OnePlus’ dedicated feature to further amplify the low-end. While I’m personally not a fan of bass that takes over the entire mix, I can see the appeal for those who like a little extra punch in their music. Luckily, if the extra boom isn’t for you, you can easily disable it and customize the sound with the multiband EQ.
What surprised me was the wide stereo image. Instruments are separated nicely, creating a sense of space that isn’t always present in budget buds. Whether I was listening to podcasts, audiobooks, or music, the clarity and separation of sounds were impressive given the price.
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Additional Features: IP55 Rating & More
Let’s not forget some of the handy extras packed into these buds. With IP55 water and dust resistance, the Nord Buds 3 Pro can handle light rain or intense workouts, which isn’t a guarantee with all earbuds in this price range. Plus, there’s a Fit Test feature to ensure you’ve got the right ear tip size and Find My Buds help you locate them when they go MIA in your couch cushions or under your desk.
A quirky but thoughtful addition is the warning chime the buds play before they sound off during the Find My Buds feature—ensuring you don’t accidentally blow your eardrums out if they’re still in your ears.
Audio Performance in Real-World Scenarios: Not Just for Music Lovers
So, how do these buds perform in everyday use? Beyond music, they do a good job of phone calls. Voices came through clearly and crisply, and the buds’ microphone did a decent job filtering out background noise during conversations. This makes them a reliable choice for Zoom calls, phone calls, or even voice notes.
The multipoint connection also proved useful for me when I needed to juggle between a phone call and my laptop. Switching between devices was seamless, allowing me to pick up where I left off without a hitch.
Why These Buds Could Solve Your Audio Woes
While they’re not the top-tier performers, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro provide a lot of bang for your buck. If you’re someone who:
- Juggles multiple devices: The seamless multipoint pairing helps you switch between work calls and music with ease.
- Needs reliable noise cancellation: These buds can drown out the background hum of city life, though they won’t silence everything.
- Loves bass: The BassWave feature offers a deep, resonant sound perfect for bass-heavy genres.
Finally; Are They Worth It?
Best For… | Not Ideal For… |
|---|---|
| Consumers looking for a solid AirPods Pro alternative at a budget-friendly price with strong bass, comfortable fit, and multipoint pairing. | Audiophiles or users looking for top-tier noise cancelling and transparency mode performance. |
After spending ample time with the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro, it’s clear that while they’re not the perfect alternative to premium earbuds, they pack a serious punch for their price. If you’re looking for a well-rounded pair of buds that offer solid noise cancelling, decent sound quality, and handy extras like multipoint connection and IP55 durability, these are a fantastic choice for the price-conscious shopper.
However, if battery life with noise cancelling is a major concern or if you need more refined sound across a wider range of frequencies, it may be worth considering pricier options.
Overall, OnePlus has created a solid AirPods alternative that delivers on many fronts without breaking the bank. For under $100, the Nord Buds 3 Pro belong on any budget-conscious buyer’s list.
FAQ:
How is the sound quality of the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro?
A: The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro provides a balanced sound signature with decent bass and clear treble. While it performs well for casual listeners, audiophiles may find the lack of instrument separation and clarity a bit underwhelming.
How effective is the noise cancellation?
A: The Nord Buds 3 Pro offers up to 49 dB of active noise cancellation, significantly reducing background noise. However, it’s not as advanced as higher-end earbuds, so some ambient sound may still seep through.
Do the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro support multipoint pairing?
A: Yes, the buds support multipoint pairing, allowing users to connect to two devices simultaneously. This is a standout feature that enhances convenience for multi-device users.
- How comfortable are the Nord Buds 3 Pro for long-term use?A: With an ergonomic design and different ear tip sizes, the Nord Buds 3 Pro provide a comfortable fit even for extended use, making them suitable for long listening sessions.
- What’s the battery life of the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro?A: The earbuds offer up to 9 hours of playback time on a single charge and up to 39 hours with the charging case, making them ideal for all-day use.
