The original goal was to deliver pretty much everything you need from a phone. It packed an incredible bang for a relatively modest buck, even though it lacked some of the more eye-catching features of expensive rivals.
The cheapest true wireless earbuds yet, the Nord Buds, have been taken the same approach by the company. The company doesn't chase value-add features like wireless charging or active noise cancellation, but instead focuses on decent audio quality at a competitive price. These use the same drivers as the premium OnePlus Buds Pro, only packaged into a pair of buds that sells for around half the price, and also offer a sweat-resistant rating.
If you need active noise cancellation or more convenient charging options, look elsewhere. The best cheap wireless earbuds for everyone else are theNord Buds.
On May 24, 2022, the Buds Pro will launch via the online storefront of the company. They will be available in most European countries, as well as India, Hong Kong, China, Canada and the U.S., and come in two color options: black and white.
RECOMMENDED VIDEOS FOR YOU...
In the UK, the buds will sell for 49. They will cost you 2,799 in India. When the U.S. pricing is confirmed, we will update this review.
The Buds have a minimalist design inside and out. The Buds Z2 had longer stems, but the pill-shaped case and the two-tone pattern of the buds give them a more modern look. The design of the case and buds is very simple, with a charging battery on the front edge and a charging button on the rear.
I found the fit of the buds to be comfortable even for longer periods using the medium-sized tips. Small and large sizes are included. The buds are lightweight and have a tight fit to stay put while running and sweating. While most true wireless earbuds will stand up to a bit of sweat without issue, theNord Buds have an IP55 rating for water and sweat resistance.
The audio quality of theNord Buds is fairly balanced, but they tend to emphasize bass and percussion more than other competitors. I was happy with the audio quality of theNord Buds, they punch well above their weight. I noticed no distortion even at high volume levels thanks to their 12.4mm drivers. For compatible content, theNord Buds include support for 3D audio effects.
The HeyMelody app is common to all audio gear. The app worked well on a couple of non-One Plus phones I tested, allowing me to change settings and update the firmware. There is no need to download a separate app if you use theNord Buds with a phone.
The low-latency gaming mode is exclusive to the OnePlus phones and aims to knock response times down as low as 94ms. I couldn't really notice the effect of this feature at all while testing theNord Buds with the newNord 2T, but maybe your reflexes are quicker than mine.
If you open an unpaired set ofNord Buds, you can take advantage of the fast pairing option.
The battery life offered by the Nord Buds was in line with the seven hours of usage quoted by the company. After a 40-minute run followed by a 20-minute walk, I typically got down to 80%. I hit the 60% mark after a couple more hours of listening.
I have never found modern wireless earbuds to be slow to charge, but theNord Buds are fast. A few minutes of juice from a decent power source will get you out of the danger zone and back to your content. The official charge time is 10 minutes for 5 hours use or 30 hours from a single charge of the case. You can go away for a weekend without worry about running out of juice.
If you are looking for active noise cancellation at this price point, you will be disappointed. The noise-eliminating power of true ANC is better than the noise-canceling power of theNord Buds.
The convenience of wireless charging is rare at the price point of 50/$50.
The shape of the charging case is slightly problematic, and I prefer the earlier designs of the earbuds. The Buds Z2 is the same size as the Buds Z2, but it's more visible in a pocket than most true wireless earbuds. It is not a huge issue, but it is definitely a thing with these buds. Nothing's ear case is more suited for a pocket.
I was disappointed that the Buds Z2 wasn't able to include volume gestures, because the cheaper model uses a more basic touch sensor. Single, double and triple taps are the only gestures that can be used to program.
The Outlier Air 3 buds are among the main competition. They do boast wireless charging support for more convenient top-ups, as well as up to 10 hours of battery life, but they also lack noise cancellation and come with a similarly bulky case.
The FreeBuds Pro, which has a standard retail price of around 100 dollars, is routinely discounted well below that in the UK. The sound produced by the Free Buds is better than the sound produced by the Nord Buds, but the Free Buds are able to offer ANC and wireless charging. The FreeBuds Pro are able to maintain simultaneous connections to two devices, a feature missing from other manufacturers.
You should buy this.
If you buy this, you shouldn't.
TheNord Buds are a good choice if you want good-sounding true wireless earbuds without breaking the bank. These earbuds sound just as good as many at twice their price if active noise cancellation is not a concern. There are a number of exclusive features that will benefit your phone.
If ANC or wireless charging are important features, there are better, more expensive options, but just like the phones that kicked off the series, theNord Buds get the basics right.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
