Over All Rating 3.5/5
Price Starts From ₹ 2,299
PROS 👍
- Bass-heavy
- Budget-friendly
- Excellent Battery
CONS 👎
- No IP-rated Case
- Call Quality Issues
OnePlus has consistently been a reliable brand for wireless earphones, particularly in the sub-₹10,000 segment, and their latest launch, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3, stands out as a compelling option for those seeking quality audio without straining their budget. The 3rd gen Nord Buds offer a solid audio experience at a wallet-friendly price of ₹2,299, but are they worth a shot?
Here's an in-depth review of OnePlus Nord Buds 3
Design and Build Quality
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 shares its design DNA with the pricier Nord Buds 3 Pro, a strategic move from OnePlus. The Nord Buds 3 comes in a sleek, oval-shaped case that’s compact enough to slip into your pocket and offers a good grip when held. The understated design is clean and minimal, with a pairing button at the bottom of the case, a clever touch that keeps the aesthetic unspoiled.
An LED indicator on the case provides a simple, intuitive way to check battery status, turning red when the battery is low and green when fully charged. OnePlus has also included IP-rated protection against water splashes for the earbuds, making them ideal for workouts or a sudden drizzle. However, the charging case isn’t IP-rated, a small compromise given the budget price.
Sound Quality
If you’ve used OnePlus earbuds before, the sound profile won’t come as a surprise. The Nord Buds 3 continues the trend of delivering a bass-heavy output, which works well for genres like hip-hop or EDM. The mids—think vocals and instruments are smooth and well-balanced, offering clarity without harshness.
The earbuds also support Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which is impressive for a product in this price range. While the ANC won’t entirely block out high-pitched noises like a whirring fan or clinking utensils, it does a commendable job of reducing background chatter or hums, making your listening experience more immersive.
It’s important to note, though, that the call quality can struggle in particularly noisy environments. In situations like a busy street or while travelling in an auto-rickshaw, the person on the other end may find it difficult to hear you clearly. But given the price point, this trade-off is understandable.
Battery
One area where the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 shines is battery life. OnePlus claims up to 12 hours of playback time on a single charge without ANC, and with the case included, you can get up to 43 hours. With daily use of around 3-4 hours, the buds easily last a week without needing a recharge. The case took about 25 minutes to fully charge (when plugged in with a fast charger), which is impressive for a price point.
Verdict
At ₹2,299, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 offers a well-rounded package that’s hard to beat. The design is sleek and comfortable, the sound quality, especially the bass, is solid for the price, and the battery life is stellar. If you’re on a budget and want reliable, bass-forward earbuds with decent ANC and excellent battery life, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 is a strong contender.
