OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro review: Notable features, average performance

Android enthusiasts know all about OnePlus. The high-end mobile manufacturer has released some of the best Android phones and transitioned successfully into the true wireless space, launching several well-received wireless earbuds. We love the flagship OnePlus Buds Pro 3, so we were also curious about the company’s other new release: the entry-level Nord Buds 3 Pro. 

These buds pack a lot of features into a basic-looking design that holds up well in extreme and wet conditions. We’re talking about active noise cancellation (ANC), Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint technology, powerful drivers that dish out robust sound, spatial audio, and OnePlus’ powerful fast charging technology. That’s quite the spec sheet for $79 buds.

It all looks amazing on paper. Unfortunately, not everything hits its mark, except call quality. Read our full analysis on the Nord Buds 3 Pro.

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro review: Cheat sheet

· What is it? A new set of entry-level wireless earbuds with ANC and many features.

· What does it cost? $79

· Who is it for? Android and OnePlus users who want advanced specs in a more affordable package.

· What should you use them for? These buds serve as a calling headset and block out a reasonable amount of external sound when listening to music.

· What are their weaknesses? The Nord Buds 3 Pro have inferior spatial audio, low ANC playtime, and no hi-res playback.

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro review: Price & availability

The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro launched at $79 / £62 / AU$120, but they are currently on sale for $49. You can purchase a pair in Soft Jade or Starry Black on the OnePlus website.

These buds are priced slightly lower than our current top pick for the best cheap wireless earbuds, the $99 OnePlus Buds 3. They’re also are more attainable than luxury favorites like the $249 AirPods Pro 2 and $299 Sony WF-1000XM5.

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro review: Design

• Durable build quality
• Charging case looks cooler than the buds
• Generously comfy

They don’t come more minimal looking than the Nord Buds 3 Pro. It would have been great if OnePlus implemented certain design elements from the gorgeously crafted Buds 3, such as the all-aluminum stems that produce a shimmer when exposed to light. Instead, you get a plain plastic shell with a tiny, debossed touch panel. At least the construction is on point to keep the frame from breaking when dropped on hard surfaces. There’s also IP55 protection for dust and water resistance.

The buds lack style, but the wireless charging case is a beauty that conveniently fits in any pocket and dons a chic, pebble-shaped design. It’s all in the details. The debossed logo in front and speckled covering that gives off intergalactic vibes are nice touch. Construction is sturdy too.

You’ll get a relaxing and secure fit when adjusting the buds properly. I wore them during 4-hour stretches and never felt fatigued, which speaks to their high comfortability.

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro review: Features

• HeyMelody app works with non-OnePlus devices
• Wide variety of extras
• Spatial audio is exclusive to OnePlus users

The Nord Buds 3 Pro offer a plethora of perks that personalize performance across the board. Downloading the HeyMelody app (iOS/Android) allows you to toggle different listening modes: Noise Cancellation/Transparency, Personalized Noise Cancellation, and OnePlus 3D Audio (aka spatial audio). There’s a customizable EQ with three preprogrammed presets (Balanced, Serenade, Bass) and a BassWave function to increase bass. Other notables include control customization, Earbud fit test, Find My Buds mode, multipoint pairing, and a camera control setting to take a photo by executing the double-tap gesture on the buds when using your mobile camera.

OnePlus smartphone owners have 3D Audio all to themselves. Meanwhile, iOS and other Android users receive a low-latency Game Mode, a feature that’s automatically activated when playing mobile games on a OnePlus device.

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro review: Controls

• Overly sensitive touch controls
• So-so digital assistance

The Nord Buds 3 Pro come with an expansive control scheme: call management, digital assistance, listening mode activation, playback, and volume. These functions can be enabled through single-/double-/triple-tap and long-hold gestures. Most of them operate well, though the triple-tap gesture often requires a second attempt for the buds to register. If only touch accuracy wasn’t so sensitive. The play/pause function would activate every time the panels brushed up against fabric or an object like my sunglasses.

You can manually fire up Google Assistant or Siri for hands-free voice commands. OnePlus’ mic array demonstrates decent vocal capture to execute basic functions. Long-winded inquires require complete silence for both AI programs to acknowledge accurately.

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro review: Sound quality

• Passable sound with deep bass that becomes too aggressive in ANC mode
• Spatial audio sounds inauthentic
• No hi-res playback

Sonically, these buds aren’t going to blow you away. You’ll get natural sound right out of the box with big bass that is excessive when enabling ANC mode. Manually adjusting the frequency range via EQ can improve results. The Serene EQ increases midrange. There’s no need to enable the Bass EQ or BassWave feature since the soundstage is already low-end heavy; toggling the latter will only create a bloaty mess.

Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind” wasn’t as dynamically compelling as it was on the Buds 3, but it was enjoyable enough to keep my head bobbing on commutes. OnePlus’ 12.4mm driver gave the “blippy drums” (that’s how this reviewer describes it) a bit more oomph. I was also shocked by how well the Nord Buds 3 Pro reproduced highs on this song, specifically the cymbals and tambourines that remained prominent and steady throughout the recording.

The frequency handle on rock tracks like Weezer’s “Buddy Holly” was impressive. The ultra-crunchy guitar riffs sounded vibrant with pleasant distortion, plus the falsetto singing and "hoo-hoo" backing vocals were crisp. Jazz classics like Ahmad Jamal Trio’s “Dolphin Sound” made for soothing listens, granted the double bass was excessive and veiled the tinny hi-hats.

OnePlus 3D Audio is on board for those seeking a more immersive listening experience. However, I thought the feature sounded artificial compared to 3D audio formats I’ve tested on other budget earbuds (e.g., Beats Solo Buds, Creative Outlier Pro ANC). Live performances felt more like simulations, and music tracks lacked depth.

Codec support is limited to SBC (Android) and AAC (iOS/macOS), both of which produce quality streaming playback over Bluetooth. Why OnePlus didn’t add LHDC like it did on the Buds 3 remains unknown, but the codec would have scaled sound for higher fidelity at a faster bitrate (900kbps).

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro review: Active Noise Cancelation

• Average noise neutralization
• Personalized ANC performs best
• Effective transparency mode

OnePlus’ ANC technology won’t win over Bose, Sony or even Apple fanboys, but it gets the job done. Four levels are selectable – Smart, High, Moderate, and Low – each engineered to optimize performance based on environment or situation. There’s even a Personalized Noise Cancellation setting to have the buds scan your location and automatically adjust to your hearing, which I found most serviceable.

Low is suitable for quieter places and Moderate is for “fairly noisy places,” though these are somewhat useless since High reduces external sounds at a more efficient rate. The only difference I noticed when switching to Smart was that wind presence was a lot stronger. Personalized Noise Cancellation did a commendable job of limiting disruptions by muting common noises like household appliances, loud TVs, neighborly chatter, and passing cars. It also put a muzzle on the beeping noises that came from the parked delivery trucks outside of my apartment complex. 

Transparency mode is worthwhile for providing clear, loud ambient listening in all environments. Using the mode on walks kept me aware of cars, foot traffic, sirens, and any pedestrian chatter occurring a few feet away from me.

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro review: Call quality and connectivity

• Surprisingly great call quality
• Strong wireless performance
• One-tap pairing with all Android devices

You’ll be glad to hear the Nord Buds 3 Pro work well for voice calling. The several calls I made outside were met with positive feedback. Friends on the opposite end heard me clearly and barely noticed any background noise, thanks to an enhanced 3-mic array that accurately captured vocals and reduced unwanted sounds. Wind resistance was the only flaw; my wife said I sounded muffled in gusty conditions.

Bluetooth 5.4 provides steady connectivity on all devices and extends range up to 50 feet. OnePlus users will instantly pair to their devices and other Android users have Google Fast Pair to expedite the initial pairing process. Multipoint technology lets you connect the buds to two devices simultaneously, allowing for seamless switching between your laptop and smartphone and vice versa.

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro: Battery life

• Disappointing battery life
• No wireless charging

A full charge generates up to 12 hours playtime, which is sufficient for about 4 days of moderate use (3 hours daily). There is a caveat: you need to keep ANC turned off. Using the feature drastically drops playtime to 5.5 hours, and you can expect a 1.5-hour drop with 3D Audio on. Luckily, the non-wireless charging case holds up to 44 hours and leverages OnePlus’ powerful quick-charging technology to net you 11 hours of listening time on a 10-minute charge.

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro review: Verdict

The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro are notable noise-cancelling earbuds for the price and should satisfy Android users wanting premium specs for under $100. Sound quality won’t wow you like the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 (yes, it's confusing), but what’s available is good enough to keep you entertained on the go. ANC is fine too. You have plenty of features to play with – no matter if you’re team Android or iPhone – and call quality is some of the best that we’ve tested at this price point.

These buds also have several shortcomings that keep them from earning elite status. OnePlus 3D Audio being exclusive to OnePlus users is a missed opportunity to sell consumers on the brand’s sound technologies, granted the feature isn’t executed well. The sensitive touch controls are frustrating to operate at times. Most importantly, the buds won’t give you much ANC playtime on a single charge. 

Consider picking up the Nord Buds 3 Pro if your budget is light and you own an Android phone. Otherwise, spend a little extra on the excellent Buds 3 and enjoy superior performance.

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