OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro review: Impressive price/quality ratio.

It has been almost exactly ten years since the Chinese brand OnePlus entered the market. Specifically with cellphones, and this is where it has built the most of its fame. Then use intra-ear headphones, initially wired, then Bluetooth technology. And don’t be confused: we’re testing the brand’s OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro, which is officially marketed for 79 euros, not the Pro Buds 3, which is also out and costs close to 200 euros. Two very similar identifiers, which can clearly cause confusion.

The Nord Buds 3 Pro, which cost less than 80 euros, are packed with features. The maker advertises a reduction in ambient noise, a Transparency mode, a multipoint Bluetooth 5.4 connection, and a total battery life of 44 hours, thanks to the charging case’s inbuilt battery.

What are the market benchmarks, between Nothing Ear (A) at 79 euros, Jabra Elite 4 at 99 euros, and Beats Solo Buds at 89 euros? Except for that, it appears that the Nord Buds 3 Pro have nearly enough under the hood to establish themselves as credible options to the market norm. After a quick hands-on, we thoroughly tested them and compared them to LG’s Tone Free T90S and Apple’s AirPods Pro 2.

Technical sheet

A desire for change at OnePlus

They are also available in black, but the Nord Buds 3 Pro that we tested had a pretty odd pastel green hue and a rather large, ovoid-shaped case. And don’t think I’m mocking you, but the first thing I noticed when I opened this green, somewhat speckled box was a small soap in front of my eyes.

The charging case includes everything from a luxury beauty product, including a matte bottom and a glossy spring cover, as well as a visible golden letter mark. However, the object in front of us is essentially technological. There is a USB-C charging socket, an almost imperceptible connection button, and an LED on the front panel that indicates the status of the connection and battery.

Inside, a magnetic system keeps the two headphones charged. They arrive with a tint fairly similar to that of the case, but a little brighter finish, in two pieces free of speckling. The S rubber stoppers complement this pale green, both for the two original mounts and for the two additional pairs contained in the box.

The design of these headphones is obviously similar to Apple’s AirPods Pro. They are indeed made of an oval shape designed to be placed against the ear and ornamented with a stem that is longer than two centimeters. The finish is also quite correct, with an almost invisible joint dividing the oval in two and an aesthetic that avoids the toy appearance despite the color choice.

Sobriety is also at the rendezvous since, once placed on the ears, no button N is visible from the outside, and a single orifice allows one to simulate the presence of a microphone. By inspecting closely, we may also notice a little recessed area, indicating the presence of a touch control. However, no clear brand or model is presented.

On the ear side, there is just a little more supplied because there is a marking L or R, so that each earpiece is on the right side, two electrical connectors for recharging, and a little hole for a second microphone. As a result, the object is primarily subtle, with a touch of color added to our model to make it less austere.

We were able to use these Nord Buds 3 Pro for three whole days. Enough to ensure their comfort, quite successful, with a perfectly appropriate outfit at the level of the ear. However, if you participate in sports like running or mountain biking, you should use caution. The chaining of minor shocks may cause the headphones to progressively slide out of the ear. Wearing a headband appears to be required if you don’t want to loose them.

There were no issues while strolling outside, and the earphone side is protected against splashing and mild rain with an IP55 rating. It will, however, protect your case from water, but its USB-C port is not waterproof.

The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro includes a USB-C to USB-A cable for charging the case. On the one hand, we regret the “absence of” a USB-C/USB-C cable, which would be more convenient and capable of charging a smartphone. However, the length of this cable disappoints: Approximately 20 centimeters in length, including connectors. The double or triple would have been much better suited for charging his headphones on the nightstand, especially as wireless charging is not an option here.

The HeyMelody application: simple and effective

To connect the Nord Buds 3 Pro for the first time, simply push the case button for 3 seconds until the LED flashes ‘with the headphones inside’. The application is then compatible with any Bluetooth-enabled device. Smartphone (iOS/Android), tablet, Mac, Windows, game console, or smart TV. The method can be conducted a second time to connect many devices at once.

Indeed, the Nord Buds 3 Pro enable multi-point Bluetooth, allowing for up to two connections at the same time. Nothing prevents you from using the headphones on a larger number of devices, but you will need to choose two for simultaneous use, such as playing a video game on a PC and making phone calls on your smartphone. Users of ChromeBook laptops and Android smartphones will just need to create one connection for both platforms, via Google Fast Pair.

To make using the Nord Buds 3 Pro easier and more versatile, OnePlus provides iOS and Android customers with the free HeyMelody app, which is specialized to the brand’s headphones. Owners of OnePlus phones will find the management of their headphones incorporated directly within the smartphone. However, in both circumstances, the options are the same.

On the first tab, we can find, in that order, the battery level of the headphones, ambient noise control, a 6-band equalizer with presets, a game mode, multipoint management, a plug selection test, a “find my” headphones feature, and a firmware update application. A second tab is designated for touch controls, and a third for general information.

It is clear and well-organized, and its markers are easily identifiable for daily use. Going into greater detail, we’ll discover several settings that demand a fuller explanation, such as the BassWave system, which is designed to improve bass dynamically. However, nothing is really off-putting. Rest the ‘lack of’ interest in the mode “find my headphones,” which is happy to make them emit a noise as long as they are still linked to the phone. There is no geolocation as in Apple.

Nord Buds 3 Pro Touch Controls

The Nord Buds 3 Pro features an independent button per earphone, with the option to specify a function for a single, double, triple, or extended press. Except that the application does not truly enable the user to accomplish what they want with these various motions, and eventually imposes its own options.

As a result, a simple press can either modify a piece of music or nothing else. A double press enables for additional functions such as moving to the next or previous piece and activating the VOCal assistance. Ditto for the ‘triple support, which fails to pass the management of the following item. Finally, while expanded support simply allows for volume management, it contradicts with another choice on the page: switching from one ANC mode to another. So there are some limits on this side at the moment.

Still, the touch zone is small enough to handle the headphones without accidentally activating a feature, yet large enough for the finger to quickly locate it when needed. The contact is quick and precise, allowing for easy completion of even triple supports. Excellent artwork that makes their daily use even more effective.

Higher range and latency than advertised

According to OnePlus’ website, the Nord Buds 3 Pro have a 10-meter range. We measure nearly 30 meters before we see the first micro-cuts. It suffices to mention that you can pass the mower while leaving the smartphone on the garden table. And, below this distance, after three days of use, we found no connection flaws or loss in sound quality, whether listening to music or making calls.

At the same time, the Nord Buds 3 Pro S rely on Bluetooth 5.4, which enables such operating distances. We even use it in 5.3, as demonstrated by our experiments on an iPhone 15 Pro. On the other hand, with an iPhone 13 or a Nintendo Switch in 5.0, the range reduces significantly to the manufacturer’s stated 10 meters.

In terms of latency, the Nord Buds 3 Pro are quite useful in game, with no noticeable offset in sound or vision. And this is true even for really tough titles. Again, it all depends on the source generation, with the test Nintendo Switch showing a very tiny variance upon arrival. However, nothing hinders you from playing in favorable situations. And after the game mode is engaged, the devices in 5.0 see the offset decrease to heartbreak.

Obviously, latency numbers are not particularly important when watching a movie or listening to music, as the offset between image and sound is now adjusted upstream by the provider. There will be no lip desynchronization on YouTube or in front of your Netflix series.

A noise reduction that defends itself

With headphones under 100 euros, we frequently discover that the settings for ANC or Transparency are far from sufficient. However, with the Nord Buds 3 Pro, we are in for a pleasant surprise because the outcome, while imperfect, is generally above average.

When the ambient noise attenuation feature is turned off, the headphones already block out some of the surrounding sounds. Not massively and very selectively on the upper frequencies, but enough to cause clarity loss. C’, however, is insufficient to conceal the noise of air conditioning or to reduce the environment of a motorized vehicle.

With the ANC turned on, the adjacent air conditioner or fan gradually fades away after 2 to 3 seconds. The same goes for the kitchen tap. In cars, buses, and trains, ambient noises are decreased but do not completely disappear. The impression is successful, but it falls short of what the AirPods Pro 2 give. However, when compared to the recently tested LG Tone Free T90S and Jabra Elite 8 Gen 2, the Nord Buds 3 Pro S’en performed admirably.

On the other hand, when there are others conversing nearby, ANC finds it more difficult to squelch discussion. The treble does nearly completely fade, allowing the voices to be moved away, but their presence is still rather powerful in the basses and midrange. If we pay attention, we will be able to understand what is being said.

The Transparency option, named after Apple’s “earchers” series, also performs well. No, you will not hear the same natural portrayal as with the AirPods Pro 2, as if you were not wearing headphones, but you will feel more present in the surroundings than when the mode is deactivated. To refine the representation, additional treble precision would have been required.

No, the painting is not idyllic, but the portrayal is nonetheless impressive for a model priced at 79 euros. Both for the ANC and the amplification of the Transparency mode, we are well in the presence of headphones capable of competing with considerably higher-end items.

Audio : A beautiful performance with generous bass

I am not a fan of using in-ear headphones to enjoy my favorite music. And it is evident that comparing it to my headphones or studio speakers makes me realize how these modest gadgets cannot compete with better-suited equipment. However, their convenience, compactness, and discretion make them ideal companions for transportation and city walks. Nevertheless, I am consistently dissatisfied. Except for today’hui.

So be careful; we are not claiming that Nord Buds 3 Pro can produce the sound of a Beyer Dynamics DT990 Pro or that they will immerse you in a high-end HiFi setting. However, given their pricing, we had expected considerably less. Our a priori soared in shards.

The Nord Buds 3 Pro are already fairly balanced, even without using the equalizer. The most serious frequencies are certainly a little forward (be careful with the plug selection, which is critical for enjoying bass), but everything else is well adjusted. The treble is present but not overly clear, the mediums do not dominate the other frequencies, and the entire set sounds well regardless of level.

So certainly, Chet Faker’s voice hardly lacks accuracy on the title. Release your troubles with whistling that is a bit too present. But what a kick, and what precision on the bass. C is quite bluffing. Ditto for Partition de Beyonce and its massive serious sound, which steadily drops to up to 20Hz and never seems to cut.

The Nord Buds 3 Pro also perform admirably on more demanding high-end titles, such as Chris Jones’ Long After You Are Gone. The guitars sound clean and dazzling, and the voice is nicely defined. We just find that the set only lacks a little of “air” to touch the brilliance. We’d be there without a doubt if the treble was more distinct.

Lovers of excessive bass will be able to add even more, sacrificing some global definition, with the option Bass Wave, whose progressive adjustment permits to rondir the mix even more at the price of the mediums. And the end result, if we enjoy the genre, is fairly interesting. McClenthy Hunter Jr.’s double bass in That Girl takes all the space that deserves, when Dua Lipa’s Houdini kick seems as close to the eardrum as possible.

So we’re extremely pleased with the results we received with these Nord Buds 3 Pros. OnePlus appears to have mastered its compact 12.4 mm transducers, thanks to high-quality amplification and a powerful DSP. We will merely rue the lack of high definition, as the available codecs are confined to the classic AAC and SBC. But 79 euros? What a slap.

Clear conversations, almost in any situation

The Nord Buds 3 Pro’s pickups are fairly accurate, allowing you to communicate with your interlocutors effectively. The timbre is not entirely respected, and the voice appears to be centered on the midrange, a bit metallic, but the intelligence is well on track. It remains lower than the microphone on our iPhone 15 Pro, which is glued to our mouth, but we are used to it with wireless headphones.

Where we expect these Nord Buds 3 Pro to excel is in their ability to block out background noise. And at this point, we return to results that are similar to those obtained with the ANC.C, which is to say that in the presence of a regular sound, a motor, or ventilation, your listener is entitled to a relatively well isolated voice.

However, if you love city sounds, which are more percussive and change frequently, the attenuation is less effective. It took some time to locate the noise that needed to be eliminated. As a bonus, the treble has a lower success rate than the other frequencies. The result is thus correct, albeit less colorful than in the remainder of our tests.

A correct autonomy but an ANC that consumes a lot

OnePlus claims 12 hours of autonomy for headphones with ANC or Transparency deactivated, and up to 44 hours overall with all charges available in the case battery. We can validate these figures at 50% of the volume, while autonomy decreases from 9 hours to 70% of the volume and 5 hours when the sliders are pushed to the maximum. Again, the autonomy is enough for a device in this price range.

With the ANC turned on, the descent is a little dizzying. 5.5 hours at 50%, and only 2.5 hours at the nominal setting. Knowing that the case allows for only two complete refills and a 40% recharge, which is insufficient. Fortunately, the case supports fast USB-C charging, providing 30% of the case and 40% of the headphones in just 10 minutes.

Price and release date

The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro are already available. They are offered in two colors, black or pastel green, at the price of 79 euros.

At this price, these headphones face the models Nothing Ear (A) at 79 euros and Jabra Elite 4 at 99 euros.