Today, we’re going to do a deep dive into two awesome mid-premium True Wireless (TWS) earbuds: the OnePlus Buds 3 and the Nothing Ear 2.
These babies offer a lot of similar features, but there are some important differences you should know about, especially when it comes to pricing.
By the time you finish reading this article, you’ll have a much better idea of which earbuds are the perfect fit for you. Let’s get started!
Before diving into the details, let’s take a quick look at the key differences between the OnePlus Buds 3 vs Nothing Ear 2:
| Category | OnePlus Buds 3 | Nothing Ear 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Glossy finish, Black and Blue colors | Transparent design, Black and White colors |
| Battery Life (with case) | Up to 40 hours | Up to 33 hours |
| Battery Life (per charge) | 5 hours with ANC off | 5 hours with ANC off |
| Fast Charging | 7 hours of use from 10-minute charge | 8 hours of use from 10-minute charge |
| Sound Profile | Bass-heavy, exciting sound | Balanced, natural sound |
| Supported Codecs | LHDC | AAC, SBC, LHDC |
| Noise Cancellation (ANC) | Up to 49dB | Up to 40dB |
| Water Resistance | IPX5 | IPX5 |
| Gaming Mode | Yes, 94ms latency | Yes, low latency (exact figure not specified) |
| Touch Controls | Customizable | Customizable |
| Price | Check on AliExpress | Check on AliExpress |
OnePlus Buds 3 vs Nothing Ear 2: In-depth Review
Design and Build
Both the OnePlus Buds 3 and Nothing Ear 2 come in a square charging case, with the OnePlus case being slightly larger. The buds themselves have some design differences:
- OnePlus Buds 3 have a traditional glossy finish and are available in black and blue colors
- Nothing Ear 2 feature a unique transparent design showing the internal components, and come in black and white
The Nothing Ear 2 buds are noticeably more compact compared to the OnePlus Buds 3. Both are very lightweight and comfortable to wear for long periods. The cases are prone to scratches, so using a protective case is recommended.
They are fairly equal in terms of build quality, with strong magnets to keep the buds in the case. The Nothing Ear 2’s case hinge feels slightly loose compared to the OnePlus case. Both support wireless charging.
Battery Life
Battery life is one area where the OnePlus Buds 3 have an advantage:
- OnePlus Buds 3: Up to 40 hours total with the case, 5 hours per charge with ANC off
- Nothing Ear 2: Up to 33 hours total with the case, 5 hours per charge with ANC off
Both support fast charging, giving you 7-8 hours of use from a quick 10-minute charge. So while the OnePlus Buds 3 last longer overall, both are solid in terms of battery life for this segment.
Sound Quality
This is where personal preferences come into play. The OnePlus Buds 3 provide a bass-heavy, exciting sound that will appeal to those who like thumping, energetic audio.
Vocals and instruments are crisp and loud. The earbuds also support the LHDC codec for high resolution audio.
The Nothing Ear 2 have an extremely balanced, natural sound profile. The bass is present but not overly boosted. Those who prefer a neutral, accurate sound will appreciate the Nothing buds. A range of codecs are supported including AAC, SBC and LHDC.
Ultimately, both have great audio quality, it just depends if you prefer a bassy sound (OnePlus) or a more subdued, authentic presentation (Nothing). The companion apps let you customize the EQ as well.
Noise Cancellation and Calling
Both earbuds provide active noise cancellation (ANC) to block out background noise:
- OnePlus Buds 3: Cancels up to 49dB of noise
- Nothing Ear 2: Cancels up to 40dB of noise
In practice, the OnePlus Buds 3 ANC performance is slightly better, especially in noisier environments. Both let you adjust the ANC intensity via their apps.
For calling, both feature three microphones and do a good job picking up your voice clearly while minimizing background sounds. No major difference between them here.
Other Features
A few other notable features:
- Both have an IPX5 water resistance rating to protect against sweat and light splashes
- Gaming mode provides low latency audio, which is implemented slightly better on the OnePlus buds
- The OnePlus Buds 3 connect more reliably when switching between two devices
- Both support customizable touch controls on the buds
OnePlus Buds 3 vs Nothing Ear 2: Final Verdict
The OnePlus Buds 3 and Nothing Ear 2 are both awesome true wireless earbuds. The OnePlus Buds 3 have a longer battery life, slightly better active noise cancellation (ANC), more powerful bass, and a reliable dual device switching feature.
The Nothing Ear 2 really stand out with their cool transparent design, super natural sound that audiophiles will love, and a lower price tag.
Honestly, you can’t go wrong with either of them. But in my opinion, the Nothing Ear 2 offer better bang for your buck, unless you specifically want that extra thump in the bass or need top-notch ANC performance.
Take a moment to think about your personal preferences and budget, and choose the one that suits you best.
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask in the comment section.
You may also like to see:
OnePlus Buds 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds FE
OnePlus Buds 3 vs Xiaomi Redmi Buds 5 Pro
OnePlus Buds 3 vs Realme Buds Air 5 Pro
Nothing Ear (a) vs OnePlus Buds 3
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.
