- Strong active noise cancellation for the price
- Deep, punchy bass with dual drivers
- Multipoint connectivity for easy device switching
- Comfortable and lightweight design
- Long battery life
- Customizable EQ
- Bass-heavy sound may not suit everyone
- No wireless charging support
- LDHC high-res audio limited to OnePlus devices
- Pairing can be slow when switching devices
The OnePlus Buds 3 packs premium features like active noise cancellation, spatial audio, and multipoint connectivity into an affordable $99 package. With a bass-heavy sound profile, solid battery life, and a comfortable fit, they’re a great value—though missing wireless charging. If you love deep bass, these are an easy recommendation.
Among all the affordable earbuds I tested the OnePlus Buds 3 immediately stood out to me.
At $99 the earbuds maintain the OnePlus tradition of producing affordable yet well-performing devices.
The Buds 3 feature exceptional features including active noise cancellation (ANC) and spatial audio and high-resolution sound capability which provide premium functionality despite their lower pricing compared to AirPods Pro or Sony WF-1000XM5 models.
Do these earbuds achieve the promised quality that customers expect?
The OnePlus Buds 3 required my evaluation-based testing which resulted in this complete review to help you determine their compatibility according to your needs.
Table of Contents
Price, Availability, and Specs
The OnePlus Buds 3 officially launched in February 2024, priced at $99 / £89 / AU$179. They’re available in Black and Blue and can be purchased from OnePlus’ official store, Amazon, Best Buy, and other major retailers.
At this price, they’re up against solid alternatives like the Nothing Ear (a), Sony WF-C700N and Redmi Buds 6 Pro. But OnePlus seems confident that these buds can hold their own.
Key Specs
- Battery Life: 10 hours (buds), 44 hours (case) with ANC off; 7 hours (buds), 28 hours (case) with ANC on
- Noise Cancellation: Adjustable ANC
- Microphones: Six total, with AI noise reduction
- Water Resistance: IP55 rating (buds only)
- Charging: USB-C (no wireless charging)
- Audio Drivers: 10.4mm woofer + 6mm tweeter
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connection
- Audio Codecs: LHDC high-res support
- Spatial Audio: Yes
Design and Comfort
Right out of the box, the OnePlus Buds 3 feel light and compact. The charging case is small, smooth, and pocket-friendly, though I found it a little slippery when opening it one-handed.
The buds themselves weigh just 4.8g each, making them super comfortable for extended wear. OnePlus includes three sizes of silicone ear tips, so you can find a snug fit.
The IP55 rating means they’re resistant to sweat, rain, and dust, making them a great option for workouts and outdoor use.
I had no issues wearing these for hours at a time. They sit securely in my ears and never felt uncomfortable, even after long listening sessions.
Features and Connectivity
One of the biggest surprises with the Buds 3 is just how many premium features OnePlus managed to pack into these budget earbuds.
Multipoint Connectivity
I love that these buds can pair with two devices at once, so I can easily switch between my laptop and phone without constantly re-pairing them.
HeyMelody App
You’ll need the HeyMelody app (available on Android and iOS) to unlock the full potential of these earbuds. Inside the app, you’ll find:
- Golden Sound: A hearing test that customizes the EQ based on your personal listening profile.
- Adjustable ANC: Three levels of noise cancellation, plus a transparency mode.
- 3D Spatial Audio: Expands the soundstage for movies and gaming.
- Gaming Mode: Reduces latency for smoother audio in mobile games.
One small downside? The app isn’t pre-installed on OnePlus phones, and non-OnePlus users will have to download it manually.
Sound Quality
Let’s talk about what really matters: How do these sound?
The OnePlus Buds 3 are bass-heavy, which is great for hip-hop, EDM, and pop tracks. They use a dual-driver setup (10.4mm woofer + 6mm tweeter) to separate bass from mids and highs, but in my testing, the bass sometimes overpowered vocals and instruments.
That said, if you love deep, punchy bass, you’ll enjoy these. For those who prefer a more balanced sound, you can tweak the EQ in the app, but the default tuning still leans towards a bass-heavy signature.
Spatial Audio: A Nice Bonus
The 3D Spatial Audio is decent for movies and gaming, but I found it a bit gimmicky for music. It expands the soundstage slightly, but it’s nowhere near the level of Apple’s implementation.
LDHC High-Res Audio (With a Catch)
OnePlus included LHDC high-res audio support, but it’s only available on select OnePlus devices. If you’re using a non-OnePlus phone, you won’t get the full benefit of high-resolution sound.
Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode
For $99, the ANC on the OnePlus Buds 3 is surprisingly good. It’s not as strong as the ANC on premium earbuds, but it does a solid job reducing background noise, especially lower frequencies like engine hums and office chatter.
The transparency mode is also impressive, letting in just enough outside noise so you can hold conversations without taking the buds out.
Call Quality and Microphone Performance
With six microphones and AI noise reduction, the call quality is solid. My voice came through clearly on calls, even in noisy environments. Wind noise can still be an issue, but overall, these buds are great for work calls and voice chats.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is good but not groundbreaking. With ANC off, you get 10 hours per charge, and the case extends that to 44 hours. With ANC on, battery life drops to 7 hours per charge (28 hours total with the case).
A quick 10-minute charge gives you 2 hours of playback, which is great when you’re in a hurry. However, there’s no wireless charging, which is disappointing given that some competing earbuds in this price range offer it.
What Could Be Better?
While the OnePlus Buds 3 offer amazing value for the price, a few things could be improved:
- The bass-heavy sound may not appeal to everyone.
- No wireless charging, which is now common in this price range.
- Pairing is a little slow, especially when switching between devices.
- LDHC high-res audio is limited to OnePlus devices.
Final Verdict
The OnePlus Buds 3 deliver an incredible amount of features for just $99. They offer great ANC, rich bass, and a feature-packed app that makes them one of the best budget earbuds available.
If you’re a bass lover and a OnePlus user, these are a no-brainer. Even if you don’t own a OnePlus phone, they’re still an excellent choice for anyone looking for feature-packed earbuds under $100.
Would I recommend them?
Absolutely—just be aware of the bass-heavy tuning and lack of wireless charging before making your decision.
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- Huawei FreeBuds SE 3 Review
- Realme Buds T310 Review
- VIVO TWS 4 Review
- Huawei FreeBuds 6i Review
- Realme Buds Air 6 Review
Nick, the Co-founder of Earbuds Arena, is a seasoned freelance tech journalist with over ten years of experience covering wearables, apps, headphones, and gadgets. When he’s not immersed in the tech world, you’ll likely find him unwinding with video games, going for a run, or enjoying a game of soccer on the field.
