Affordable Earbuds with Decent Performance: OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro evaluation, highlighting mediocre Active Noise Cancellation
Cheap are the battlefields of wireless earbuds, and it's getting tougher to pick a winner under $100. The Samsung Galaxy FE Buds and CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 are top contenders, but the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro steals the show at just $50.
These earbuds might not be the best at ANC, but they more than make up for it in other aspects.
Pros:
- Comfortable fit
- Notable sound separation for the price
- Long battery life
- Excellent wind noise-canceling microphone
- Water and dust resistance (IP55)
Cons:
Colorways
- Finicky volume control
- Weak ANC
- Bass can get heavy at high volumes
Soft Jade
Starry Black
Review of OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro: Design
Modest design with outstanding water and dust resistance
Microphones
The Nord Buds 3 Pro come in two colorways - Soft Jade and Starry Black. Unfortunately, the Starry Black looks more like a grime-infested case than a northern lights showpiece. The pebble-shaped charging case, however, boasts a lovely ergonomic design that fits comfortably in the hand.
Two analog and one digital
These earbuds are rated IP55, making them gym-friendly as they stand up against sweat and dust. Despite their modest price, the Nord Buds 3 Pro's case is sturdier than the CMF Buds Pro 2's.
Review of OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro: Fit and Controls
Charging Interface
Volume control woes
USB Type-C
The Nord Buds 3 Pro's in-ear design is a rare treat; they actually stay put in my ears. I swapped the medium ear tips for the small ones to create a tighter fit that worked well throughout the review period. The earbuds weigh just 4.4g each, making them comfy for extended use.
Volume control on the Nord Buds 3 Pro is a bit of a headache. To adjust volume, you must assign the 'long tap and hold' gesture to either 'volume up' or 'volume down.' You can only use your buds for one action, so to lower the volume, I had to grab my phone. This controls system can get confusing, and incorrect taps happen often.
Water and Sweat Resistance
| | || --- | --- || Colorways | Soft Jade Starry Black || Microphones | Two analog and one digital || Charging Interface | USB Type-C || Water and Sweat Resistance | Earbuds: IP55 Charging case: No IP Rating || Bluetooth | AAC/SBC Bluetooth 5.4 || Weight | Earbuds: 4.4 g Charging case: 38.2 g || Price | $50 || Battery Life | ANC off Earbuds: 12 hours Earbuds + Case: 44 hours ANC on Earbuds: 5.5 hours Earbuds + Case: 20 hours |
Earbuds: IP55
Charging case: No IP Rating
Review of OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro: Sound and ANC
Decent separation meets bass-centric sound
Bluetooth
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro feature a balanced sound, with bass taking center stage. At higher volumes, the bass can become thick and muddy, but it remains clear and audible at lower volumes.
AAC/SBC Bluetooth 5.4
In terms of sound imaging, the Nord Buds 3 Pro deliver impressive separation for their price, surpassing the CMF Buds Pro 2. The OnePlus Buds 3 still offer improved detail, but these budget earbuds hold their own.
The Nord Buds 3 Pro support both mono listening and wear detection, allowing you to listen to just one earbud at a time. They also feature a 'find my earbuds' feature on the app and can simultaneously connect to two devices. I tested this functionality by connecting them to both my iPhone and the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus.
Weight
ANC on the Nord Buds 3 Pro is subpar, making it hard to notice any difference compared to having it off. Even loud, close-by chatter breaks through the ANC, demonstrating weaknesses in this department compared to competitors.
Earbuds: 4.4 g Charging case: 38.2 g
Review of OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro: Battery Life and Mic
Microphone tinny but excellent wind noise cancellation
Price
The Nord Buds 3 Pro's battery life matches competitors' offerings, delivering up to 44 hours of playback with the charging case. The $50 price tag forgives any lack of wireless charging, as quick charging is available.
$50
The Nord Buds 3 Pro utilize an "anti-wind design" for their microphone, boasting an "outer metal mesh and cavity structure to block wind noise" and an"internal acoustic mesh" that filters out wind and other noise[5]. In my testing, the mic delivered exceptional wind noise cancellation, even when my face was mere inches away from a fan.
OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro Verdict
Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro offer a fantastic balance of features for their price. They provide a snug fit, solid sound imaging, and long battery life, complete with an excellent wind noise-cancelling microphone and water resistance.
ANC off Earbuds: 12 hours Earbuds + Case: 44 hours ANC on Earbuds: 5.5 hours Earbuds + Case: 20 hours
However, they struggle with ANC, which some may find unforgivable. In which case, the OnePlus Buds 3 or Samsung Galaxy FE Buds might be better options, offering improved ANC at slightly higher price points.
Overall, the Nord Buds 3 Pro offer exceptional value, making them worth considering unless quality ANC is a top priority. For just $20 more, you can upgrade to the OnePlus Buds 3, offering far better ANC performance.
- The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro provides a comfortable fit, demonstrating notable sound separation for the price point, long battery life, and an excellent wind noise-canceling microphone, which are all benefits despite their weak ANC.
- The earbuds are IP55-rated for water and dust resistance, making them gym-friendly, and their sturdier case outperforms the CMF Buds Pro 2's.
- The Nord Buds 3 Pro's volume control system can be confusing, with only one action possible at a time, making adjustments inconvenient.
- The earbuds' microphone delivers exceptional wind noise cancellation, but may sound tinny, as shown in testing when face was close to a fan.
