OnePlus Nord Buds 2 Review: How Do They Compare to Other Wireless Earbuds?
Active noise cancellation is a rare feature at the price point. Explore our unbiased OnePlus Nord Buds 2 Review: Are These Earbuds Worth the Hype? Find Out Now.
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The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 is the latest addition to the company’s truly wireless in ear earbuds line up. OnePlus has always been known for the it quality products and consumer satisfaction.
I recently bought this pair of audio device and used it for 2 months before gifting it to my nephew. I will disclose everything I have experienced in my use of OnePlus Nord Buds 2 in this post.
By the way, if you are really in a hurry and have made your mind to buy the Buds 2, I would like to make it easy for you below:
The AirPods (2nd Generation) feature a W1 chip, lets you activate Siri just by saying “Hey Siri”, offer 24 hours of battery life & deliver rich, high-quality sound with enhanced bass and clarity.
Also read- 10+ Best Wireless Earbuds in India 2023
Wireless earbuds have become increasingly popular over the years, with a plethora of options available in the market.
However, the newly launched OnePlus Nord Buds 2 have been creating quite a buzz in among audio enthusiasts.
The device impressed me with its sleek design, noise cancellation feature, and good battery life. It’s no surprise that these earbuds have caught the attention of many.
Indeed, the OnePlus Nord advocated as affordable product line in the kitty. But average consumers in the Indian audio market still prefer to go with lower range products.
So, there is a direct relation with the spending power of the huge consumers portfolio. To be very frank, OnePlus’s products aren’t entry-level by any means.
I also bought the recently launched OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G smartphone a few months back. And This is a good example of how even the company’s starter products are still quite well-equipped and capable.
This approach also goes very well with ear sets I’m reviewing here too, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2. This is outright successor to the original Nord Buds.
But how do they compare to other wireless earbuds in the market, and are they worth investing in?
In this review, I’ll take a closer look at the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 and see how they stack up against competitors such as the Apple AirPods and Samsung Galaxy Buds.
So, if you’re in the market for a new pair of wireless earbuds, keep reading to find out if the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 are the right fit for you.
Table of Contents
1. Design, Build and Style of the OnePlus Nord Buds 2
The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 has a sleek and minimalist design that is similar to the AirPods Pro and the Galaxy Buds Pro.
The earbuds come in two color variants; white and grey as of now. The white color is easy to match with any outfit.
This initially looked like dust or splatters of paint to me, but I eventually grew to like this design element.
The sales package includes a total of three pairs of silicone ear tips for the earphones, and a USB Type-A to Type-C charging cable.
There is an excellent addition ANC feature to the earphones. These audio devices weight around 4.7g and I also noticed a few small changes in the design ear sets.
Moreover, I could see even more noticeable changes in the aesthetics of the charging case that weighs 37.5g.
Yet, they impressed me with their rather unique and unconventional look for a pair of true wireless earphones.
With all that said, the Nord Buds 2 are light and comfortable. They with a proper in-canal and snug fit that ensures a proper noise isolating seal.
I am happy the outer surface of the earbuds is quite even. So, it makes these tiny ear pieces easier to operate through control functionalities.
Indeed, the charging case looks appealing with nicer curved edges. They make for a more pocketable shape and form.
Excellent!
The USB Type-C port for charging is at the back alongside the easy-to-miss pairing button. But the indicator light is at the front.
The charging case is also compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry around in your pocket or bag.
The earbuds also come with touch controls that allow you to control your music, answer calls, and activate the voice assistant.
Also read our list of the 10 Best Over Ear Headphones – Top 10 Must Buy Headphones in 2023
2. Features and Specifications of the OnePlus Nord Buds 2
Talking about the features and specifications, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 comes with a great features that make it stand out from other wireless earbuds in the market.
It has a sleek design that fits snugly into your ears, making it comfortable to wear for extended periods.
The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 exhibits the old-fashioned approach of using a separate app. The earbuds have the HeyMelody and allowed me tweak the settings on the Nord Buds 2.
I have not tested these earpieces with the iOS version. But they delivered well with the Android version of the app.
One of the standout features of the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 is its noise-canceling feature. The earbuds use a hybrid noise-canceling technology that cancels out both environmental and internal noise.
This lets you immerse yourself in your music without any distractions. Also, the earbuds come with an ambient sound mode that amplifies external noise and makes it easy to hear your surroundings without taking out your earbuds.
I am not disappointed with the specific settings for the OnePlus Nord Buds 2. They are pretty simple within the app and simple to set.
They cover the handful of features that the headset offers. The switching between ANC and transparency modes and choosing from a handful of equalizer presets is interesting.
I also found it easy to activate the ‘BassWave’ mode that boosts bass, a low-latency Game mode, and customizing the tap controls.
Moreover, you can also view battery levels for both earpieces and the charging case separately, and update the firmware on the headset.
The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 has an impressive battery life, with up to 5 hours of playback time on a single charge.
The charging case provides an additional 25 hours of battery life, bringing the total battery life to 30 hours.
The earbuds come with fast charging capabilities, and a 10-minute charge provides up to 10 hours of playback time.
The touch controls pretty responsive and let you set up each earpiece to control playback. You can also invoke the default voice assistant on your smartphone.
I like to toggle the Game mode frequently. The touch-and-hold function can only be used to cycle between ANC and transparency modes.
But you can set the long touch-and-hold function to quickly switch between two paired devices. But again, I missed multipoint connectivity which a drawback.
Yest, it can be overshadowed by quick switching that makes it easy to use the headset with two devices at the same time.
3. Sound Quality of the OnePlus Nord Buds 2
The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 delivers an impressive audio experience with clear and crisp sound quality.
The earbuds use 11mm dynamic drivers that produce a good balance between bass and treble. The bass is punchy and not overpowering, and the treble is clear without any distortion.
The earbuds support AAC and SBC codecs, ensuring a high-quality audio experience.
The noise-canceling feature of the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 is effective in blocking out external noise, such as traffic and people talking.
The earbuds use a hybrid noise-canceling technology that cancels out both environmental and internal noise, making it easy to focus on your music without any distractions.
The earbuds also come with an ambient sound mode that amplifies external noise, making it easy to hear your surroundings without taking out your earbuds.
All that said they generally delivered similar sound to their outgoing siblings. But I am very happy the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 have a punchy, aggressive, and bass-heavy sound.
Also, the active noise cancellation helps ensure better tuning with decent level of detail as well delivering a better overall sound.
I played Anpanman by BTS with my OnePlus Nord Buds 2. And it sounded aggressive with the bass striking hard.
I also strongly felt the reverberations extending impressively far. Even then the mid-range and highs managed to keep up equally well. I did not lose the rhythm of the catchy K-pop track with these audio devices.
The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 was able to keep up with the track and all of its nuances even when switching to faster and more rhythmic track like, “I Could Be The One by Avicii”.
The earpieces did not disappoint with the sound. It felt immersive and surprisingly cohesive even at high volume levels. This commonly not seen in affordable true wireless headsets.
If you are a bass lover, OnePlus Nord Buds 2 delivers the most prominent part of the sound. But it won’t distract you from the rest of the range on it.
Also read- The 11 Best Sony Headphones in India in 2023
4. Battery Life and Charging of the OnePlus Nord Buds 2
If you go by the data published on paper on battery life, OnePlus claims the device delivers 36 hours of battery life.
In my actual testing, I found this claim to be a little exaggeration. The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 delivered battery life of over 5 hours for me to different tracks.
This is a playback time on a single charge. The charging case provides an additional 25 hours of battery life, bringing the total battery life to 30 hours. This not bad either for earbuds to provide this amount battery backup.
The earbuds come with fast charging capabilities, and a 10-minute charge provides up to 10 hours of playback time.
The charging case can be charged via USB-C making it easy to charge on the go while you commuting.
5. Comfort and Fit of the OnePlus Nord Buds 2
The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 is lightweight and comfortable to wear for extended periods. The earbuds come with three sizes of silicone ear tips, ensuring a perfect fit for all ear sizes.
The earbuds also come with a design that fits snugly into your ears, making it easy to wear them while exercising or doing any physical activity.
The earbuds are also sweat and water-resistant, making them ideal for outdoor activities.
However, some users may find the earbuds uncomfortable to wear for extended periods as they can cause some pressure on the ear canal.
Also, the earbuds do not come with any wingtips or ear hooks that provide additional support, making them prone to falling out during physical activities.
6. Connectivity and Controls of the OnePlus Nord Buds 2
The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 offer seamless Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to pair them effortlessly with your smartphone or other compatible devices.
The touch controls on the earbuds enable easy navigation through your music library and call management.
Additionally, these earbuds support voice assistant integration, allowing you to access your device’s virtual assistant with a simple voice command.
7. Additional Features of the OnePlus Nord Buds 2
The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 come packed with a range of additional features that enhance the overall user experience.
One notable feature is the active noise cancellation (ANC), which reduces unwanted external sounds, allowing you to focus on your audio content. This is particularly useful in noisy environments or during travel.
Moreover, these earbuds offer water resistance, making them resistant to sweat and light splashes. This adds to their durability and ensures they can withstand your active lifestyle.
Additionally, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 are compatible with both Android and iOS devices, making them versatile and accessible to a wide range of users.
Also read- The 7 Best Wired Headphones with MIC
8. Price and Value for Money of the OnePlus Nord Buds 2
Although I don’t say the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 is an entry level earbuds for an average consumer in the Indian subcontinent, it’s neither steeply priced. You certainly don’t have to empty your bank to buy these earpieces.
I would rather say these are more or less an affordable option for you if you are looking for high-quality wireless earbuds.
Compared to the AirPods Pro and the Galaxy Buds Pro, which are priced much higher, respectively, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 offers excellent value for money.
The earbuds come with a variety of features such as noise cancellation, long battery life, and fast charging capabilities, making it a great investment for anyone in the market for wireless earbuds.
Also read- The 10 Best Neckband Earphones in India 2023
9. Comparison of the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 to Other Wireless Earbuds
The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 is a great contender for other wireless earbuds in the market, such as the Apple AirPods, Samsung Galaxy Buds, and Google Pixel Buds.
One of the significant differences between the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 and its competitors is its noise-canceling feature.
The AirPods Pro and the Galaxy Buds Pro come with active noise cancellation, whereas the Pixel Buds and the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 use a hybrid noise-canceling technology.
While active noise cancellation is more effective at blocking out external noise, hybrid noise cancellation can block out internal noise such as voices and footsteps.
In terms of sound quality, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 delivers clear and crisp audio with a good balance between bass and treble.
However, the AirPods Pro and the Galaxy Buds Pro offer a more immersive audio experience with their active noise cancellation technology.
When it comes to comfort and fit, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 is lightweight and comfortable to wear for extended periods.
The earbuds come with three sizes of silicone ear tips, ensuring a perfect fit for all ear sizes. The AirPods Pro and the Galaxy Buds Pro come with a similar design, but some users may find them uncomfortable to wear for extended periods.
10. Customer Reviews and Feedback on the OnePlus Nord Buds 2
To provide more comprehensive knowledge and great value addition to my readers, I have gathered some of our user’s and community member’s feedback.
Surprisingly, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 has received positive feedback from our users and community members.
Users have praised the earbuds for their sleek design, comfortable fit, and impressive sound quality. They have also praised the noise-canceling feature, which effectively blocks out external and internal noise.
However, some users were not very happy with connectivity issues with the earbuds, and others have found the touch controls to be unresponsive at times.
Pros and Cons of the OnePlus Nord Buds 2
Like any product, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 have their strengths and weaknesses. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons:
Conclusion and Final Verdict on the OnePlus Nord Buds 2
The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 is a great option for those looking for high-quality wireless earbuds at an affordable price.
The earbuds come with a variety of features such as noise cancellation, long battery life, and fast charging capabilities, making it a great investment for anyone in the market for wireless earbuds.
However, the earbuds may not be the best option for those looking for a more immersive audio experience as the noise-canceling technology is not as effective as its competitors.
Overall, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 is a solid choice for anyone looking for a reliable and affordable pair of wireless earbuds.
