The OnePlus Buds 3 are an interesting addition to the crowded world of true wireless earbuds. These buds aim to deliver a well-rounded experience for users who want good performance without a premium price tag. While they offer some compelling features, they also have a few downsides that might make them a less-than-perfect choice for everyone. Here’s a closer look at what you can expect from the OnePlus Buds 3.

Design and Comfort

OnePlus has clearly focused on making the Buds 3 comfortable and user-friendly. The earbuds are lightweight, with a sleek design that feels both modern and understated. The metallic finish comes in two color options, “Metallic Grey” and “Splendid Blue,” both of which add a stylish touch to the overall aesthetic. However, while the glossy finish looks great, it is prone to picking up fingerprints, which can diminish the sleek appearance over time. In terms of fit, the OnePlus Buds 3 come with three sizes of silicone ear tips, allowing you to find the perfect fit for your ears. This customization ensures that the earbuds remain snug and secure, even during rigorous activities like running or intense workouts.

Sound Quality

When it comes to sound, the OnePlus Buds 3 deliver a sound profile that is sure to appeal to bass lovers. The audio signature leans towards a V-shaped profile, with enhanced bass and treble. This gives the sound a dynamic, punchy feel that can make pop, hip-hop, and electronic music really come alive. The bass is deep and powerful, and the highs are crisp and sparkly, which is great if you enjoy a bit of extra thump in your music.

That said, the soundstage is fairly narrow, which means the audio doesn’t feel as expansive or immersive as you might find in some higher-end earbuds. Instruments and vocals can feel a bit more cramped and less distinct, which may be a drawback for listeners who prefer a more open and airy sound experience. If you’re an audiophile looking for pristine, studio-quality sound, you might find the Buds 3 a bit lacking in this department.

Noise Cancellation and ANC Performance

One of the standout features of the OnePlus Buds 3 is their active noise cancellation (ANC). For earbuds in this price range, the ANC is surprisingly effective, particularly in blocking out low-frequency noises such as the rumble of traffic, the hum of an airplane engine, or the chatter of a busy cafe. This makes them a great companion for commuters or anyone who frequently finds themselves in noisy environments. The noise cancellation can be customized via the companion app, which offers several ANC modes to suit different scenarios.

However, while the ANC does a good job with lower frequencies, it’s less effective at canceling out higher-pitched sounds. So, if you’re looking for total silence or need to block out things like sharp office sounds or sudden loud noises, you might need to look elsewhere. Still, for everyday use, the noise cancellation on the OnePlus Buds 3 is quite impressive for the price.

Connectivity and Controls

Connectivity is another area where the OnePlus Buds 3 shine. The earbuds support multi-device pairing, which is a huge plus if you frequently switch between devices like a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. The transition between connected devices is smooth and largely seamless, making these earbuds particularly versatile for multitaskers. The companion app provides a few additional customization options, such as adjusting ANC levels and selecting different sound profiles.

However, the Buds 3 lack certain touch control features that many users might expect by default. For example, there are no built-in play/pause controls, which means you’ll have to rely on your device to manage playback. This might not be a dealbreaker, but it could be a minor inconvenience if you’re used to controlling everything directly from your earbuds.

Gaming and Latency

The OnePlus Buds 3 come with a “Game Mode” designed to reduce audio latency. Unfortunately, even with Game Mode enabled, the latency remains relatively high, around 100 milliseconds when paired with a OnePlus device. This delay is noticeable, especially in fast-paced or competitive gaming situations where precise audio cues are crucial. Casual gamers might not find this to be a significant issue, but if you’re serious about mobile gaming, the OnePlus Buds 3 might not be your best bet.

Call Quality and Microphone

For phone calls, the OnePlus Buds 3 perform reasonably well. The integrated microphones do a decent job of separating your voice from background noise, which is useful if you’re taking calls in busy or noisy environments. However, the microphone quality is mediocre overall. Voices can sound thin and a bit hollow, lacking the depth and clarity you might get from higher-end earbuds. If you frequently take calls for work or need crystal-clear audio for conference calls, this could be a limiting factor.

Battery Life

Battery life on the OnePlus Buds 3 is adequate, but not exceptional. You can expect around 4.3 hours of continuous playback with ANC enabled, which is on the shorter side compared to some competitors. The charging case does extend the total battery life, but if you’re someone who listens to music or podcasts throughout the day, you might find yourself needing to recharge more frequently than you’d like. For shorter listening sessions or occasional use, the battery life should be sufficient, but heavy users might find it a bit limiting.

Conclusion

In summary, the OnePlus Buds 3 are a solid choice for those looking for affordable wireless earbuds that deliver good noise isolation, comfortable fit, and useful features like multi-device pairing. They’re particularly well-suited for general listening, commuting, and casual workouts. However, if you prioritize high-quality microphone performance, low-latency gaming, or an open and expansive soundstage, you might want to explore other options in the market.

Overall, the OnePlus Buds 3 strike a good balance between price and performance, offering a compelling package for the average user. They provide enough features to make them a great everyday companion, without the hefty price tag associated with many premium earbuds. If you’re looking for a pair of reliable, comfortable earbuds that do a lot of things well, the OnePlus Buds 3 are definitely worth considering.