OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro: A Solid Budget Earbud Option with Familiar Form
In the competitive world of wireless earbuds, it’s hard to escape the shadow of Apple’s AirPods Pro. Their distinctive design has become a blueprint for countless imitators, with even established brands like Samsung joining the trend. While most competitors aim to match the AirPods Pro’s high-end performance, some choose a different path, emphasizing affordability while still offering quality features. OnePlus, with their Nord Buds 3 Pro, is a prime example of this strategy.
For under $100, the Nord Buds 3 Pro offer a comfortable fit, features like multipoint connection, decent noise cancellation, and a clear, punchy sound. Although these buds may not reach the heights of the AirPods Pro, their focus on value makes them a compelling choice for budget-conscious audiophiles.
Familiar Form and Comfortable Fit
The Nord Buds 3 Pro’s name may be a mouthful, but their design is instantly recognizable – mimicking the AirPods Pro and their many clones. The design, with its rounded charging case and speckled finish, shares a strong resemblance to the Soundpeats Air4 Pro, another recent contender in the budget earbud market.
While they’re both made primarily of plastic, the Nord Buds 3 Pro showcase a more compact stem design, making them a bit easier to handle and wear. At 4.4 grams per bud, they’re slightly heavier than the Air4 Pro but still lighter than the AirPods Pro, contributing to a comfortable and secure fit. While they only offer three ear tip sizes, the default pair found a comfortable and stable home in my ears, lasting for multiple hours without any discomfort.
Seamless Connectivity and Multipoint Pairing
The Nord Buds 3 Pro leverage Bluetooth 5.4 for fast and stable connectivity. They quickly paired with my iPhone, often connecting before I even pulled the phone from my pocket. Android users will appreciate the easy one-touch pairing with Google Fast Pair+. The buds also excel in multipoint pairing, effortlessly connecting to both a phone and laptop simultaneously, switching seamlessly between devices with a simple button press on the charging case. This feature eliminates the need to manually disconnect and reconnect, offering unparalleled convenience.
The OnePlus Hey Melody App: Customization and Control
While the Nord Buds 3 Pro provide a decent feature set out of the box, the OnePlus Hey Melody app unlocks a wider range of customization options. This app, despite its unusual name, is essential for optimizing your listening experience.
The most notable omission in the default settings is the lack of play/pause functionality. This omission, likely implemented to prevent accidental taps while adjusting the buds, might seem confusing initially. However, the app allows you to easily assign this command alongside volume control, ambient audio, and song skipping, offering a well-rounded and responsive touch sensor experience.
Ambient Audio and Noise Cancellation
The Nord Buds 3 Pro incorporate ambient audio technology, allowing you to hear your surroundings without removing the earbuds. This feature is particularly useful in situations where you need to be aware of your environment, such as when crossing the street or interacting with others.
While not as sophisticated as the active noise cancellation found in higher-end earbuds, the Nord Buds 3 Pro do offer a basic level of noise suppression. This feature is especially effective in blocking out low-level background noise, providing a more immersive audio experience, though it may struggle with louder environments.
Sound Quality: Clear, Punchy Audio
The Nord Buds 3 Pro deliver a clear and punchy audio experience. Their sound signature leans towards a slightly bass-heavy profile, giving a powerful and energetic feel to music. While this emphasis on bass might not appeal to those who prefer a more balanced sound, it is a popular choice for many listeners, particularly those who enjoy genres like electronic music and hip-hop.
The treble response is also well-defined, offering crisp and clear highs without sounding overly bright or harsh. This clarity allows for a more detailed and engaging listening experience, allowing you to hear nuances in the music that might otherwise be missed.
Overall, the Nord Buds 3 Pro deliver an enjoyable listening experience that is both expressive and detailed for a budget-focused model. Music lovers will find themselves drawn to the fullness of their sound and the distinct clarity they bring to their favorite tracks.
Battery Life and Durability
The Nord Buds 3 Pro offer impressive battery life, boasting up to 4.5 hours of playtime on a single charge. The charging case provides an additional 18 hours of playtime, bringing the total to 22.5 hours. This extended battery life ensures you can enjoy music for extended periods without worrying about running out of power.
While the charging case is primarily made of plastic, its compact size and light weight make it easy to carry around. The case also features a USB-C port for charging, which is a welcome change from micro-USB.
Competition and Value
The Nord Buds 3 Pro face stiff competition in the sub-$100 market. Models like the Soundcore Space A40, which offers a slightly more balanced sound signature and comparable features, are both formidable opponents and worthy of consideration.
However, the Nord Buds 3 Pro hold their own by delivering a full-bodied sound experience with impressive battery life, a comfortable fit, and valuable features like multipoint connection all within a compelling price point. While they may not reach the heights of the AirPods Pro, their focus on affordability and overall quality makes them an excellent choice for budget-minded listeners.
Final Verdict
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro are a solid entry point for those seeking a comfortable and feature-rich earbud experience without breaking the bank. With their distinctive design, clear and punchy audio, and extended battery life, they offer a compelling combination of value and performance. While they may not reach the pinnacle of audio fidelity, they deliver a satisfying listening experience that is sure to please many.
For those looking for a compelling alternative to the AirPods Pro, the Nord Buds 3 Pro are a strong contender. Their combination of affordability, features, and sound quality makes them a solid choice for budget-conscious music lovers and everyday users alike.
