OnePlus Nord Buds 2 Review with Pros and Cons

The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 has been on the market for some time now and continues to attract significant attention.

While its predecessor was well-regarded, it faced criticism due to the absence of ANC, which deterred many potential buyers. Addressing this concern, OnePlus has now included ANC in the Nord Buds 2.

But does the addition of ANC alone justify purchasing the Buds 2? How does it perform in other aspects?

Quick Answer: The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 may not represent a major leap forward from its predecessor, which was already a commendable TWS option. However, the Nord Buds 2 continues to deliver excellent audio quality, featuring clear vocals, smooth treble, deep bass, and good ANC. For 2700 INR, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 remains an excellent choice.

OnePlus Nord Buds 2 Specifications

Before diving into the review, let’s explore the features and offerings of the OnePlus Nord Buds 2.

What’s in the Box?

• One pair of Nord Buds 2 earbuds in the charging case
• Two additional pairs of ear tips
• One USB Type-C cable
• Red Cable Club card
• A sticker
• User manuals

How’s the Build Quality?

Upon removing the earbuds from the case, we observed that the build quality is commendable. Although both the case and earbuds are made of plastic, they feel sturdy and well-constructed. While not the most premium build, it offers excellent value for the price.

The matte finish of both the case and earbuds means they are easy to keep clean. The earbuds themselves have a slightly premium feel, and the overall build quality is likely to be appreciated.

However, there is a very slight creaking sound when pressing and sliding the case’s cover horizontally. This is a minor issue that does not impact the experience.

Overall, the build quality of the Nord Buds 2 is impressive, though not the absolute best.

Build Quality Rating: 4.0★

Design and Comfort

When we first unboxed the OnePlus Nord Buds 2, we initially mistook the design pattern for dust. However, this was intentional and part of the design.

In terms of design, the Nord Buds 2 are crafted to fit comfortably in the ears. The earbuds are angled at 45° to ensure a secure fit, and they generally provide both comfort and stability.

Comfort, however, is subjective and varies based on individual ear size. Initially, we noticed that the ear canal warmed up after about 10 minutes of wear, suggesting potential discomfort. Fortunately, this did not escalate, and we were able to use the earbuds continuously for three hours without any significant discomfort.

We experimented with different ear tips and found that the larger size offered a more secure fit and better isolation. After extended use, the Nord Buds 2 proved to be comfortable for long music or movie sessions.

If you experience any discomfort, adjusting the ear tips will enhance the fit and comfort.

Overall, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 fits well and remains comfortable over extended periods, though users with smaller ears might encounter some issues.

Design and Comfort Rating: 4.0★

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How’s the Sound Quality?

First, it’s important not to judge the sound quality immediately after your initial listening session. Allow the earbuds to play music for 4-5 hours to let the drivers settle.

Regarding sound quality, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 supports SBC and AAC audio codecs. Our experience with both codecs is as follows:

In SBC mode, the earbuds deliver impressive bass. The bass is deep and rich without being overpowering, which was a pleasant surprise. Vocals are clear, though the treble is noticeably compromised, with high-frequency beats being less prominent.

The loudness is somewhat lacking in SBC mode, resulting in a bass-heavy performance.

In AAC mode, the earbuds offer increased loudness with minimal distortion, providing clear and crisp sound quality. The bass remains deep and punchy, similar to SBC mode, but with improved vocal clarity and treble response.

The vocals are crisper, and the treble is more pronounced, enhancing instrument separation and overall sound fidelity.

For those who prefer a more balanced sound, the bass remains prominent even in the balanced EQ mode. If a flatter bass response is desired, you can switch to the Serenade mode via the HeyMelody app, which also offers other EQ options for further sound customization.

Overall, if you are a bass enthusiast, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 will impress with its robust bass and crisp sound quality. However, if you prefer a more balanced sound profile, these earbuds will not fully meet your expectations.

Sound Quality Rating: 4.1★

ANC Performance

ANC is a great addition to the OnePlus Nord Buds 2, and it delivers on its promise.

When ANC mode is activated, it effectively blocks out around 80% of environmental noise. While this may not match the 90% or 95% cancellation seen in some high-end models, it is still quite effective.

In ANC mode, you may still hear some ambient noises such as passing vehicles, honking horns, and subtle room sounds, but these are unlikely to be distracting.

Although 25 dB of ANC may not be the most advanced, it provides a more natural experience compared to more aggressive ANC systems, which can sometimes cause discomfort or headaches due to an overly quiet environment.

One thing to note is that ANC’s impact on your music experience diminishes at volumes above 60%. At higher volumes, the music itself masks much of the environmental noise, making the ANC less noticeable.

However, ANC proves significantly beneficial during phone calls, movie watching, or listening at lower volumes, where it effectively reduces outside noise.

Overall, the ANC on the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 is not merely a feature in the name. It offers real benefits and performs well for its price range, though it may not be revolutionary.

ANC Rating: 3.9★

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Gaming Performance

The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 features a dedicated Game Mode, though it is not marketed specifically as a gaming earbud.

Activating this mode reduces audio lag to as low as 25ms on OnePlus devices and approximately 40ms on non-OnePlus phones.

While we are not avid gamers, we tested the earbuds with games like Call of Duty and Free Fire and did not experience noticeable latency during gameplay.

For casual gamers, the performance is generally satisfactory, with minimal lag. However, more serious gamers might detect some latency.

The 25ms latency is only available on OnePlus phones, which is disappointing as it would be beneficial for all users, regardless of their device.

Overall, while the gaming experience with the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 is decent, the restriction of the 25ms latency to OnePlus phones limits its appeal.

Gaming Rating: 3.8★

How’s the Call Quality?

Generally, we find that true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds, particularly budget models, often fall short in call quality.

However, our initial video call with the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 surprised us. Despite being in a room with a running fan and ambient traffic noise, our friend immediately inquired about the earbuds, noting the impressive clarity of our voice.

Further testing confirmed that the indoor call quality of the Nord Buds 2 is great. Even with some background noise, the calls remain clear and effective.

In more challenging environments, such as heavy traffic with constant honking, achieving clear call quality can be difficult for any earbuds. Nonetheless, the Nord Buds 2 performs decently outdoors.

For users who primarily make calls indoors, the Nord Buds 2 is a solid choice, offering clear audio that allows the person on the other end to hear you well. In extremely noisy conditions, however, you might encounter some difficulties.

Call Quality Rating: 3.9★

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What about Battery Life?

We prefer to base our assessments on real-world performance rather than company claims. Here’s what we observed:

Music Playback (80% volume):

• With ANC ON: Approximately 4 hours 15 minutes on the earbuds, and 20 hours with the charging case.
• With ANC OFF: About 5 hours 30 minutes on the earbuds, and 30 hours with the charging case.

Phone Calls (50% volume):

• With ANC ON: Around 2 hours 45 minutes on the earbuds, and 12 hours with the charging case.
• With ANC OFF: Approximately 3.5 hours on the earbuds, and 14 hours with the charging case.

Overall, the battery life is good, though not exceptional. For budget TWS earbuds, it is acceptable and performs adequately.

The charging feature is also notable. The earbuds support fast charging, providing about 4 hours of music playback with just 10 minutes of charge. The case itself takes around 1.5 hours to charge fully, while the earbuds require approximately 45 minutes.

Overall, the Nord Buds 2 offers good battery life, providing around three days of combined use, which is impressive for its category.

Battery Life Rating: 4.0★

Other Features

• The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 features an IP55 rating, providing protection against accidental splashes and dust.

• While the earbuds do not support multi-point connectivity, you can pair them with two devices. Simply tap and hold either earbud for five seconds, and it will automatically connect to the most recently paired device.

• Additional functionalities include the ability to turn off ANC or switch to transparency mode.

• For OnePlus phone users, the earbuds benefit from seamless connectivity through OnePlus Fast Pair. Additionally, if your device supports Dolby Atmos, you can enjoy enhanced surround sound.

These features contribute to making the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 a strong choice in its category.

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Is the HeyMelody App Necessary?

The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 can be used without the HeyMelody app. Simply pair the earbuds through your phone’s Bluetooth settings, and you’re ready to go.

However, we highly recommend using the HeyMelody app for several reasons.

The app allows for extensive customization, including adjusting the touch controls for each earbud and switching between different EQ modes to tailor the sound profile to your preferences.

Additionally, the HeyMelody app provides access to firmware updates, ensuring that your earbuds stay up-to-date with the latest features and improvements.

For OnePlus phone users, all of these customization options are available directly through the Bluetooth settings, making the app unnecessary for OnePlus phones.

Conclusion and Pros & Cons

Should you consider buying the OnePlus Nord Buds 2?

While the Nord Buds 2 may not represent a significant leap forward from its predecessor, the Nord Buds 1 was already a strong performer in the TWS category. The Nord Buds 2 improves upon the original with enhanced features.

Based on our experience, the Nord Buds 2 is a worthwhile purchase. If you’re seeking the best TWS earbuds under 3000 INR, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 is an excellent choice that is unlikely to disappoint.

Overall Rating: 4.0★

FAQs

That concludes our honest OnePlus Nord Buds 2 review. If you still have any doubts, feel free to ask us in the comments section below.

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