Key Takeaways
- OnePlus Buds 3 provide spectacular ANC at a decrease value than Apple’s AirPods Professional
- OnePlus Buds 3 have intuitive contact controls and a extra comfy match for customers.
- The OnePlus Buds 3 boast a standout design with splendid blue colour, beating AirPods’ monotony.
Apple’s AirPods are undoubtedly iconic, ushering in an age of wi-fi earbuds as an on a regular basis accent and audio must-have. As wireless earbuds have develop into extra mainstream, extra firms adopted Apple’s standard-setting buds, adapting extra options, spatial audio, spectacular ANC, and that “lower off earbud” quick stem design.
I’ve formally ventured outdoors of Apple’s walled backyard as they’re comfy, high quality, and solely $100.
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Even after testing a number of pairs of earbuds, myself and different sound snobs have rarely strayed from AirPods as a mainstay. Nevertheless, after reviewing OnePlus’ third in-ear iteration — the OnePlus Buds 3 — I’ve formally ventured outdoors of Apple’s walled backyard as they supply consolation, high quality, and solely value you $100. The truth is, there are fittingly three issues particularly that I discovered in my testing, which I desire the OnePlus Buds 3 over Apple’s flagship headset. Nevertheless, AirPods nonetheless win on a number of fronts.
The OnePlus Buds 3 could have dropped the “Professional” title their predecessors maintain, however these price range headphones are surprisingly luxurious. Plus, coming in splendid blue or area grey, it is refreshing to see a pair of earbuds stray from traditional white or black. Except for being a main member of the Apple ecosystem, Apple’s AirPods Professional 2 are comfy, pocketable, and sound nice. Nevertheless, that comes at a steep value. That mentioned, the OnePlus Buds 3 should not solely a terrific different, however a terrific pair of earbuds in their very own proper that deserve recognition — and maybe your $100.
1 You need ANC on a price range
OnePlus wins as a consequence of its highly effective and clear cancellation for much less
Maybe the preferred spec to both include each new earbud launch or obtain an improve with every iteration is ANC (lively noise-cancelling). Nevertheless, that normally comes at a marked-up value. For $100 the OnePlus Buds 3 efficiently had me absolutely invested in my audio and virtually dangerously unaware of my New York Metropolis environment. As I listened to songs like Taylor Swift’s You Belong With Me, I used to be so engrossed within the electrical guitar solo that I missed the barista calling my title and waited a bit too lengthy at my favourite espresso store.
I even related the OnePlus Buds 3 to my Galaxy Z Flip 4 and AirPods to my iPhone and actually discovered it laborious to inform a distinction by way of noise-cancelling talents. When it got here to general sound high quality, the OnePlus Buds 3 sounded a bit extra tinny, however they undoubtedly delivered by way of silence.
OnePlus Buds 3 made me realize I don’t need ‘premium’ ANC earbuds
I have been carrying the OnePlus Buds 3 ANC earbuds for 3 weeks, they usually’re an audiophile’s dream with out the costly price ticket.
And whereas the AirPods Professional 2 boast a $250 price ticket, the OnePlus Buds 3 are $150 much less at solely $100, which is a superb entry-level tag for a premium characteristic.
Transparency mode can also be spectacular, clearly permitting me to remain in tune with my environment — particularly at a decrease quantity — whereas nonetheless having Sabrina Carpenter’s newest single Espresso as my accompanying soundtrack.
2 Simpler contact controls
OnePlus improves with much less awkward and extra intuitive stems
The AirPods Professional 2’s launched considered one of my favorite features with on-stem contact controls. Nevertheless, they do require a little bit of strain to completely reply and work greatest once you use your index finger behind the stem and firmly press your index finger on the stem divot. OnePlus’ controls, nonetheless, are a bit extra delicate with out being overly so. Plus, the management is not on the stem however on the bud bulb, making for a much less awkward management — particularly after I’m on the go.
3 A extra comfortable match
OnePlus buds are extra steady and cozy for lengthy put on
Like AirPods, the OnePlus Buds 3 characteristic mushy silicone suggestions that match snugly throughout the ear. That includes a rounder versus a flatter bulb, the OnePlus Buds 3 aren’t cumbersome however reasonably relaxation completely in opposition to a wider space of my ear, and subsequently, lowering the built-up strain that I usually expertise with AirPods. Moreover, the eartips appear to suit even deeper inside my ear, which retains them extra steady after I run or get sweaty from a exercise.
4 You need a extra enjoyable model
The blue completely matches my Lululemon pouch
Arguably a part of what makes AirPods iconic is the modern, all white design that spans from early wired Apple earpod technology all the way in which to the latest AirPods Professional 2 with USB-C. Whereas a genius advertising and marketing tactic from Apple, the consistency may also really feel redundant to headphone fanatics like myself. The OnePlus Buds are available in a Metallic Grey, which is a pleasant impartial that simply pairs with all outfits, however extra daring different to Apple’s all-white. Moreover, the Splendid Blue colour I personal actually is what the title suggests — splendid. It is simply enjoyable sufficient so as to add some colour and spunk, however the metallic stems make them completely refined to the place individuals’s heads do not flip after they’re in my ears. Merely put, they are a standout with out making it really feel like I uncomfortably stand out.
5 Longer battery life
OnePlus Buds 3 have battery for days (actually)
OnePlus says the Buds 3 get 44 hours of play time with ANC off within the charging case, and I do not suppose that is proper. I feel it has extra. I’ve gone per week straight utilizing the OnePlus Buds 3 as my mainstay in-ears without having to cost them.
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The battery life, even switching between ANC and transparency mode, sustains my 60-minute spherical journey stroll on daily basis by which I make calls, hearken to podcasts, and hearken to Taylor Swift on loop. It is solely a couple of week — generally a bit over — the place I get a low battery notification, and even then, I nonetheless have a 15-30 minute grace interval to essentially get essentially the most out of my battery. Whereas my AirPods Professional 2 battery life is much, my OnePlus Buds 3 win in relation to residing previous per week.
