OnePlus has established itself as a serious player in the true wireless earbud market. The OnePlus Buds 3, their latest offering, boasts an impressive blend of premium features and aggressive pricing, making them a compelling contender in their price bracket.

Design: Chic and Understated

Taking a cue from rivals like Apple, the OnePlus Buds 3 adopt a stem design that’s both functional and fashionable. They come in a variety of colors, with the gleaming blue I tested offering a sleek, eye-catching look. The polished metallic stems add a touch of sophistication and house the intuitive touch controls. The earbuds themselves are crafted from a lightweight yet sturdy plastic, ensuring a comfortable fit for extended listening sessions. Unlike some bulkier earbud designs, these rest securely in the ear without causing fatigue or pressure.

The charging case maintains the same color scheme as the buds, with a rounded design that’s both stylish and pocket-friendly. While it’s not the most compact case on the market, it prioritizes aesthetics and functionality in a way that feels polished and well-considered.

Sound Performance: Surprisingly Rich and Balanced

The OnePlus Buds 3’s sonic performance is a delightful surprise. They deliver a well-balanced sound profile that caters to a wide range of musical preferences. Crisp highs ensure clarity in vocals and instruments, while the satisfyingly punchy bass adds depth and power without overwhelming the mids. This balanced approach makes them adept at handling everything from intricate classical pieces to bass-heavy electronic music. While some budget earbuds prioritize heavy bass at the expense of other frequencies, the OnePlus Buds 3 strike a happy medium, ensuring a clear and enjoyable listening experience across genres.

The lack of dedicated EQ settings within the OnePlus Buds 3 themselves might be a slight drawback for audiophiles seeking meticulously tailored audio. However, the OnePlus HeyMelody app (available for Android and iOS) offers a sound profile personalization feature. This feature allows users to choose from a handful of presets or create a custom profile based on their preferences. While it doesn’t provide the granular control found in high-end audiophile apps, it offers enough customization to cater to most listeners’ basic preferences.

Noise Cancellation: Decent, Not Remarkable

The active noise cancellation (ANC) on the OnePlus Buds 3 is effective at mitigating low-frequency noise pollution. Constant, droning sounds like the hum of airplane engines or air conditioners are noticeably reduced, creating a more peaceful listening experience. However, the ANC struggles to completely block out sudden bursts of sound or higher-pitched frequencies. For instance, you might still hear the clatter of keyboards or ringing phones in an office environment. Likewise, conversations or announcements on public transportation will likely be audible.

If absolute silence is your priority, especially for focused work in noisy environments, you’ll want to consider earbuds with more powerful ANC capabilities. However, for everyday use where you want to reduce some of the background noise without completely shutting yourself off from your surroundings, the OnePlus Buds 3 ANC performs adequately.

Features and Connectivity: Plenty for the Price

Alongside ANC, the OnePlus Buds 3 pack handy features seldom found in this price range. The intuitive touch controls on the stems offer responsive playback and volume adjustment. Wear detection automatically pauses music when you remove an earbud – a thoughtful touch.

Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity ensures a reliable connection. However, the lack of multipoint pairing is a slight letdown if you frequently switch between devices.

Battery life is quite generous. I achieved nearly 5 hours of listening with ANC enabled and easily extended that with top-ups from the case. Fast charging is also a boon, providing hours of playback with a quick charge.

Call Quality: Clear in Calm Environments

The OnePlus Buds 3 are fine for calls in a quiet room or during a walk outdoors with minimal distractions. However, don’t expect stellar call quality once background noise enters the equation. Busy cafes, crowded streets, or even a noisy office are likely to cause issues. The microphones struggle to isolate your voice from the surrounding din, potentially making you sound muffled or distant to the person on the other end.

Battery life

The OnePlus Buds 3 are your marathon listening companions. Expect an impressive 6.5 hours of continuous playback with ANC enabled – perfect for lengthy commutes or extended focus sessions. If you prioritize raw battery life, disabling ANC stretches that to a whopping 10 hours on a single charge. And with the case’s additional charges, you’re looking at a remarkable 28 hours (with ANC) or a staggering 44 hours (without ANC) of total playtime before needing to find a wall outlet.

The Verdict

The OnePlus Buds 3 deliver impressive performance at a surprisingly affordable price. Their balanced sound, comfortable fit, and ample features make them hard to beat in this segment. While those seeking top-tier ANC or in-depth sound customization might want to look elsewhere, most listeners will find plenty to love here. If you prioritize balanced audio, long battery life, and a touch of elegance without breaking the bank, the OnePlus Buds 3 are a seriously compelling choice.