The budget true wireless earbuds (TWS) space in India gets another promising contender. The latest addition, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3R, is priced at just ₹1,799, yet it promises premium audio quality, long-lasting battery life, and some smart features. While OnePlus has managed to stand out by consistently delivering feature-rich options at aggressive prices, this segment of TWS is flooded with many such options.

Let's see if it actually lives up to the promise of delivering premium experience at a budget price point.

PROS

• Impressive battery backup
• Comfortable lightweight design
• Smart feature set
• Low latency for gaming
• Decent audio quality

CONS

• No active cancellation
• Lacks wear detection

Design and Build Quality

The Nord Buds 3R comes in a neat, small and no-fuss box. Inside, you'll find the earbuds, a curved-rectangular charging case, a USB-C cable, extra silicone ear tips (small, medium, and large), and the usual paperwork.

OnePlus has kept things minimal, and expectedly skipped on premium material for this one, but it doesn't feel cheap - which is often the case with buds in this range. The charging case has curved corners but flat faces on each side with a matte finish, available in Aura Blue and Ash Black. A small LED indicator sits upfront, while the USB Type-C port is tucked at the bottom.

Each earbud weighs just 4.5 grams, making them very light. The design is small and ergonomic, with silicone ear tips ensuring a snug and secure fit. They're also IP55-rated against dust and light splashes, so you can comfortably use them during workouts or commutes without worry.

Comfort and Fit

The Nord Buds 3R sit well in the ear and don't cause fatigue even after long listening sessions. These are one of the better feeling in-ear buds at this price range. The silicone tips help seal out ambient noise naturally, and the lightweight build makes them easy to forget once you're wearing them. For fitness enthusiasts, the sweat resistance and secure fit are major plus points.

Sound Quality

This is where OnePlus punches above its weight, and having tested their premium buds I can tell that their innovation from the higher segment has trickled down to the budget ones too. The Nord Buds 3R feature 12.4mm titanized dynamic drivers that deliver a balanced but enjoyable sound profile. The bass is strong and punchy, perfect for EDM, Bollywood, or hip-hop. Mids and highs are clear and balanced, even at higher volumes.

Support for OnePlus 3D Audio brings a more immersive 360-degree soundstage, while the Sound Master EQ lets you tweak audio to your liking. For everyday listening, the tuning works well across genres, though bass lovers will particularly enjoy it.

During testing, the Nord Buds 3R impressed across the board. Music playback was enjoyable with rich lows and crisp highs, gaming felt lag-free, and calls were handled without distortion. The absence of ANC is noticeable if you're used to higher-end TWS, but at this price, the AI-based noise reduction does a decent job.

Overall, at its price, I would definitely recommend the kind of sound quality you get on this. However, if you can extend your budget a little, the CMF Buds 2 might attract those who like better instrument separation.

Call Quality and Noise Handling

Each earbud carries two microphones (four in total), supported by AI noise cancellation. While there's no Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), the mics do an excellent job of suppressing background chatter during calls. Even in noisy environments, voices come through clearly, making these buds reliable for work calls and video chats.

Battery Life, Charging and Latency

Although I haven't used the Nord Buds 3R for an extensive period, I can tell that battery life is a real strength here. The company promises-

• Up to 12 hours from the earbuds alone
• 54 hours total with the case
• Talk time: 7 hours (buds) + 30 hours (with case)

Add to that fast charging, where 10 minutes of charge is said to give you around 8 hours of playback, and you've got earbuds that can easily last through long workdays and even travel. I have used it for almost 8-9 hours in total as of now, and I haven't found the need to charge them. The battery level of the buds is still more than 45%.

Gamers aren't left out either. The 47ms low-latency mode actually works and the sound syncs perfectly with visuals during gaming, whether it's BGMI or Call of Duty: Mobile.

Smart Features

Despite the budget price, OnePlus has packed in several handy features:

• Google Fast Pair for quick setup
• Dual-device connection to switch between phone and laptop seamlessly
• Touch controls for playback, volume, and calls
• Find My Earbuds to locate misplaced buds
• AI Translation for real-time language support

These features aren't common in this price bracket, and they add meaningful value to the Nord Buds 3R. However, I personally found the touch controls to be flimsy and it took me a while to get used to it.

No product is perfect, and the Nord Buds 3R make a couple of trade-offs:

• No Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
• No wear-detection sensors for auto play/pause

Still, these are easy compromises given the strong performance and feature set at under ₹2,000.

Verdict

At ₹1,799, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3R is an easy recommendation. They combine a lightweight and durable design, enjoyable sound, impressive battery life, and smart features you usually find in pricier earbuds.
The Nord Buds 3R proves once again that OnePlus knows how to balance price and performance-making them one of the best budget earbuds you can buy today.

Who Should Buy It?

• Budget-conscious users wanting premium audio
• Gamers needing low-latency earbuds
• Fitness enthusiasts looking for sweat-resistant, lightweight buds

Who Should Skip It?

• Users who need Active Noise Cancellation
• Audiophiles wanting neutral, studio-grade tuning