5 causes to purchase OnePlus Buds 3 over AirPods Professional 2

Apple’s AirPods are undoubtedly iconic, ushering in an age of wi-fi earbuds as an on a regular basis accent and audio must-have. As wireless earbuds have change into extra mainstream, extra firms adopted Apple’s standard-setting buds, adapting extra options, spatial audio, spectacular ANC, and that “lower off earbud” brief stem design.

Even after testing a number of pairs of earbuds, myself and different sound snobs have rarely strayed from AirPods as a mainstay. Nevertheless, after reviewing OnePlus’ third in-ear iteration — the OnePlus Buds 3 — I’ve formally ventured exterior of Apple’s walled backyard as they supply consolation, high quality, and solely value you $100. In actual fact, there are fittingly three issues particularly that I discovered in my testing, which I choose the OnePlus Buds 3 over Apple’s flagship headset. Nevertheless, AirPods nonetheless win on a number of fronts.

The OnePlus Buds 3 might have dropped the “Professional” identify their predecessors maintain, however these price range headphones are surprisingly luxurious. Plus, coming in splendid blue or house grey, it is refreshing to see a pair of earbuds stray from basic white or black. Other than being a major member of the Apple ecosystem, Apple’s AirPods Professional 2 are snug, pocketable, and sound nice. Nevertheless, that comes at a steep worth. That stated, the OnePlus Buds 3 should not solely an awesome various, however an awesome pair of earbuds in their very own proper that deserve recognition — and maybe your $100.

1 You need ANC on a price range

OnePlus wins resulting from its highly effective and clear cancellation for much less

Maybe the preferred spec to both include each new earbud launch or obtain an improve with every iteration is ANC (energetic noise-cancelling). Nevertheless, that normally comes at a marked-up worth. For $100 the OnePlus Buds 3 efficiently had me totally invested in my audio and virtually dangerously unaware of my New York Metropolis environment. As I listened to songs like Taylor Swift’s You Belong With Me, I used to be so engrossed within the electrical guitar solo that I missed the barista calling my identify and waited slightly too lengthy at my favourite espresso store.

I even related the OnePlus Buds 3 to my Galaxy Z Flip 4 and AirPods to my iPhone and truthfully discovered it arduous to inform a distinction by way of noise-cancelling skills. When it got here to general sound high quality, the OnePlus Buds 3 sounded a bit extra tinny, however they undoubtedly delivered by way of silence.

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OnePlus Buds 3 made me realize I don’t need ‘premium’ ANC earbuds

I have been sporting the OnePlus Buds 3 ANC earbuds for 3 weeks, and so they’re an audiophile’s dream with out the costly price ticket.

And whereas the AirPods Professional 2 boast a $250 price ticket, the OnePlus Buds 3 are $150 much less at solely $100, which is a good entry-level tag for a premium function.

Transparency mode can be spectacular, clearly permitting me to remain in tune with my environment — particularly at a decrease quantity — whereas nonetheless having Sabrina Carpenter’s newest single Espresso as my accompanying soundtrack.

2 Simpler contact controls

OnePlus improves with much less awkward and extra intuitive stems

The AirPods Professional 2’s launched considered one of my favorite features with on-stem contact controls. Nevertheless, they do require a little bit of stress to totally reply and work greatest whenever you use your index finger behind the stem and firmly press your index finger on the stem divot. OnePlus’ controls, nevertheless, are a bit extra delicate with out being overly so. Plus, the management is not on the stem however on the bud bulb, making for a much less awkward management — particularly once I’m on the go.

3 A extra cosy match

OnePlus buds are extra secure and cozy for lengthy put on

Like AirPods, the OnePlus Buds 3 function mushy silicone suggestions that match snugly inside the ear. That includes a rounder versus a flatter bulb, the OnePlus Buds 3 aren’t cumbersome however fairly relaxation completely towards a wider space of my ear, and subsequently, lowering the built-up stress that I typically expertise with AirPods. Moreover, the eartips appear to suit even deeper inside my ear, which retains them extra secure once I run or get sweaty from a exercise.

4 You desire a extra enjoyable fashion

The blue completely matches my Lululemon pouch

Arguably a part of what makes AirPods iconic is the glossy, all white design that spans from early wired Apple earpod technology all the way in which to the most recent AirPods Professional 2 with USB-C. Whereas a genius advertising tactic from Apple, the consistency may really feel redundant to headphone fanatics like myself. The OnePlus Buds are available in a Metallic Grey, which is a pleasant impartial that simply pairs with all outfits, however extra daring various to Apple’s all-white. Moreover, the Splendid Blue colour I personal actually is what the identify suggests — splendid. It is simply enjoyable sufficient so as to add some colour and spunk, however the metallic stems make them completely delicate to the place individuals’s heads do not flip after they’re in my ears. Merely put, they are a standout with out making it really feel like I uncomfortably stand out.

5 Longer battery life

OnePlus Buds 3 have battery for days (actually)

OnePlus says the Buds 3 get 44 hours of play time with ANC off within the charging case, and I do not assume that is proper. I believe it has extra. I’ve gone per week straight utilizing the OnePlus Buds 3 as my mainstay in-ears without having to cost them.

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The battery life, even switching between ANC and transparency mode, sustains my 60-minute spherical journey stroll each day by which I make calls, hearken to podcasts, and hearken to Taylor Swift on loop. It is solely a few week — generally slightly over — the place I get a low battery notification, and even then, I nonetheless have a 15-30 minute grace interval to essentially get essentially the most out of my battery. Whereas my AirPods Professional 2 battery life is way, my OnePlus Buds 3 win on the subject of residing previous per week.