OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro Review: Are They Worth the Hype?

The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro are the latest entry in OnePlus’ Nord lineup, which is known for offering affordable but feature-rich products. However, the label “Pro” here raises questions, as there isn’t a non-Pro version of these earbuds. So, does the “Pro” simply refer to the inclusion of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), or is there more to it? Let’s break down everything, from design and build to sound quality and battery life, to help you decide whether these are worth your time and money.

Design and Build Quality

Right out of the box, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro feel pretty lightweight and compact. The case is small, with a matte finish on the lid and a sparkly texture on the rest of the body. The sparkly look gives off a hint of recycled plastic, which isn’t a bad thing, especially for environmentally-conscious consumers. The earbuds come in two color choices: classic black and a greenish jade. The design might appeal to those who prefer something simple, but the earbuds’ overall shape is somewhat bulbous, which could feel less premium to some users.

The case includes a pairing button at the bottom along with a USB-C charging port, while the earbuds themselves sport a glossy finish near the ear and a soft-touch feel on the stems. The earbuds feature three microphones each: one at the top of the stem, one near the bottom, and another near the driver. This microphone array is designed to assist in both noise cancellation and call quality.

Despite the effort put into the design, the earbuds have a somewhat chunky and bulbous look. Additionally, they don’t sit deep in the ears, which could lead to some fit issues, especially during longer usage sessions.

Comfort and Fit: Hit or Miss

Fit is often one of the most subjective aspects of any earbud review. In the case of the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro, fit could be a make-or-break factor. While the earbuds come with silicone ear tips of various sizes, the earbuds themselves don’t insert deeply into the ear canal. This could lead to less secure placement during more active use, like jogging or working out.

During testing, a significant issue was noted: the fit test within the OnePlus app only produced an “average” seal. The fit test is supposed to help you ensure that the earbuds sit properly in your ears, providing the best sound and ANC experience. But this inconsistency—where one ear would get a good seal, and the other would only get an average one—suggests that the shape of the earbuds may not be suitable for all ear types. This can also impact sound quality and noise cancellation effectiveness, as a poor seal often means less effective bass and noise isolation.

The Nord Buds 3 Pro have an IP55 rating, which is commendable at this price point. The IP55 certification means they are protected against dust and can withstand low-pressure water jets from any direction, making them a reliable companion for outdoor activities and workouts. However, they aren’t suitable for submersion in water.

Sound Quality: Bass Lovers Rejoice

The sound signature of the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro is definitely aimed at bass lovers. These earbuds have a V-shaped sound profile, meaning that both the bass and treble are enhanced, while the mids are slightly recessed. If you listen to bass-heavy music like EDM, hip-hop, or pop, you’ll appreciate the punchy low-end that these earbuds deliver.

In terms of loudness, the earbuds do get loud enough to overpower most background noise, such as at the gym or while commuting. However, the bass-heavy sound profile can make the mids (where vocals and instruments usually sit) feel a bit underwhelming. If you’re someone who prefers a more neutral sound with a balanced range of highs, mids, and lows, you might not enjoy these earbuds as much.

Interestingly, the OnePlus app offers three EQ presets to tweak the sound: Balanced, Bass Boost, and Serenade. The Balanced profile is the default setting, but the Bass Boost mode emphasizes the low-end even further, which could be appealing to those who love deep bass. On the other hand, the Serenade mode reduces the bass but keeps the treble at the same level. While you might think this would create a more natural sound, it actually skews the sound profile even more, making it feel less balanced than the default setting.

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): A Letdown

One of the key features of the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro is ANC, but unfortunately, it doesn’t live up to the “Pro” label. While ANC is present, it’s not the most effective when compared to competitors in this price range. There are three levels of noise cancellation: mild, moderate, and max, but even at max, the noise-canceling performance leaves much to be desired.

During testing, the earbuds struggled particularly in the lower frequency ranges (40-60 Hz), where ANC is usually most effective. In fact, in some cases, the passive noise isolation (just having the earbuds in your ears) was better than the ANC in certain frequency bands. This could be due to the fit issues mentioned earlier, as a poor seal greatly impacts the effectiveness of ANC. OnePlus claims up to 49 dB of noise cancellation, but during real-world testing, the results were closer to 30 dB.

If you’re looking for top-tier noise cancellation, these earbuds might not meet your expectations, but they do offer some relief from everyday ambient sounds.

Controls: Customizable but Slow

The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro provide a good amount of customization when it comes to controls. By default, single-tap does nothing to avoid accidental touches, while double-tap and triple-tap control music playback (next track and previous track, respectively). However, long-press can be set to adjust the volume. You can also activate features like voice assistant or game mode through the app.

While having volume control on the earbuds is a nice touch, the implementation is slow. It takes a moment for the earbuds to register the long-press and start adjusting the volume, which can be frustrating if you need to lower or raise the volume quickly.

Battery Life: ANC Off, Double the Fun

Battery life is one area where the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro really shine. With ANC on, the earbuds provide 5.5 hours of playback, and the case extends that to a total of 20 hours. But when ANC is off, the battery life more than doubles, giving you 12 hours on the earbuds alone and 44 hours in total with the charging case. A quick 10-minute charge also gives you 11 hours of playback with ANC off, which is quite impressive for a product in this price range.

If you’re someone who doesn’t rely heavily on ANC, you’ll likely enjoy the extended battery life.

Mic Performance: Decent for Calls

The microphone performance on the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro is decent for taking calls. The mic reduces some of the lower-frequency sounds, like background rumblings, to ensure that your voice comes through clearly. However, at the higher frequency end, there’s a noticeable roll-off, which is likely due to Bluetooth limitations. Overall, the mic is functional for calls but not extraordinary.

Price and Value: Are They Worth the Price?

At ₹3,299, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro fall into a competitive segment of the market. While they offer decent features for the price, including ANC, customizable controls, and strong battery life, they don’t stand out enough to justify the “Pro” label. If you’re looking for strong ANC and balanced sound, there are other options in this price range that perform better. For example, the CMF Buds offer a better overall sound experience and come in more vibrant colors.

OnePlus Nord Buds Pro 3 – Final Verdict

The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro offer solid value for casual listeners who prioritize battery life and bass-heavy sound. However, the mediocre fit, inconsistent ANC, and slow volume controls might be dealbreakers for others. They are a good choice if you’re loyal to OnePlus or looking for a budget-friendly pair of wireless earbuds, but if sound quality and effective ANC are your top priorities, you might want to look elsewhere.