OnePlus has always been about offering high-performance phones at affordable rates, and its audio series is no different. The OnePlus Nord Buds 2R are the company’s newest affordable wireless earbuds, meant to provide intense sound, all-day battery, and hands-free connectivity at an affordable price. Available at approximately ₹2,199 in India, these earbuds are looking to take over the budget segment.
In this comprehensive OnePlus Nord Buds 2R review, we’ll explore every aspect—design, comfort, sound quality, battery, connectivity, and whether these earbuds truly offer value for money.
Design and Build Quality
The OnePlus Nord Buds 2R feature a minimalistic yet stylish design inspired by their predecessors. Available in Deep Grey and Triple Blue, the earbuds come in a sleek matte-finish case that feels sturdy and premium despite its budget price.
One earbud weighs about 4.3 grams, which is very light and pleasant for extended listening. The IP55 rating protects it from sweat and light rain, so it is good for exercise or use outdoors. The construction is surprisingly sturdy for this level of affordability, and the lid mechanism is smooth and solid.
OnePlus has also featured prominent touch-sensitive zones for convenient control, which are responsive to taps—although occasional accidental touches do take place when making adjustments.
Comfort and Fit
Comfort in everyday use is huge, and OnePlus aced it with the Nord Buds 2R. The ergonomic shape and soft silicone tips form a comfortable seal without pain, even after extended listening sessions of hours. Passive noise isolation is good, muffling a reasonable volume of ambient noise even without Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which this variant lacks.
The earbuds come with multiple ear-tip sizes, ensuring a secure fit for most users. Whether you’re jogging, attending calls, or simply watching movies, they stay comfortably in place.
Audio Quality
At the heart of the Nord Buds 2R are 12.4 mm titanium-coated dynamic drivers, tuned for a balanced and energetic sound profile. The bass is deep yet controlled, offering punchy lows that don’t overpower the mids or highs.
Vocals are heard clean and defined, and treble stays crisp without being harsh. OnePlus has hit an acceptable balance that works for most genres—be it EDM, pop, or acoustic songs.
For OnePlus phone users, the experience is further enriched by Dolby Atmos and Dirac Audio Tuner support, with the addition of spatial sound and customizable EQ options. Others can still experience decent sound through the HeyMelody app, albeit without Dolby Atmos integration.
Call Quality and Microphone Performance
AI Clear Call technology and two microphones deliver a perceptible improvement on voice calls. The earbuds do a good job of isolating your voice, suppressing background noise. In moderately noisy surroundings, your voice sounds clear and natural to the other party.
Although not as sophisticated as the flagship Pro series Buds, at a price point like this, call quality is well over satisfactory. It’s good enough for office calls, online learning, or light chit-chat on the move.
Connectivity and Controls
The OnePlus Nord Buds 2R have Bluetooth 5.3, which provides secure connections and low latency. They are easy to pair—just open the case in proximity to a OnePlus phone, and it automatically connects using Fast Pair. Other Android and iOS devices can be paired manually using Bluetooth settings.
Touch controls can be customized through the HeyMelody app, where one can map functions such as play/pause, skip track, or voice assistant on/off. Gamers will love the 94 ms low-latency mode, which reduces audio lag when gaming—particularly if one has a OnePlus device.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is among the biggest selling points. The earbuds themselves provide up to 8 hours of playback time from a single charge, and the case brings the total to 38 hours.
In real-world use, even with constant music streaming and the occasional call, it’s easy to get a solid week’s worth of use before having to recharge the case.
Charging is done through USB-C and takes approximately an hour to fully top up. Wireless charging support is absent, but at this cost, it’s not a deal-breaker.
Features and App Support
The HeyMelody app improves the Nord Buds 2R experience by providing firmware updates, customizable controls, and sound modes. You can swap EQ profiles, view battery status, or adjust touch controls with ease.
Sadly, as with the Nord Buds 2, there’s no Transparency Mode or Active Noise Cancellation. Yet the passive isolation and general tuning make up decently well, particularly given the price.
Performance in Daily Use
For daily use—commuting, exercising, or just chilling—the Nord Buds 2R deliver pleasantly well. They stay connected, respond to commands promptly, and provide a solid sound experience.
Latency while playing video is low, and the voice calls are handled well by the earbuds. They suit those who desire good sound quality without premium features such as ANC or wireless charging.
Comparison with OnePlus Nord Buds 2
In comparison to the Nord Buds 2, the 2R version is marginally cheaper, cutting out ANC and Transparency Mode to save costs. However, the sound signature and driver arrangement are essentially the same, so you still experience wonderful sound quality.
If ANC is a necessity, the Nord Buds 2 could be worth the premium. Otherwise, the 2R provides 90 percent of the experience at a much reduced price.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Great sound quality with 12.4 mm drivers
- 38-hour battery life with a long battery life
- Light and comfortable to wear design
- IP55 water and sweat resistant
- Stable Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity
- Good value for money
Cons
- No Active Noise Cancellation
- No wireless charging
- Weak Dolby Atmos support for non-OnePlus devices
- Some occasional touch sensitivity problems
Verdict: Are the OnePlus Nord Buds 2R Worth It?
Yes. OnePlus Nord Buds 2R offer a great value for money. With their fine audio quality, powerful bass, good battery backup, and elegant looks, they surpass most others in the sub-₹2,500 segment.
While the lack of ANC and wireless charging might deter a few users, for the majority, these omissions are minor compared to the overall performance. The 2R embodies what OnePlus’s Nord lineup is known for—premium experience at a budget-friendly cost.
If you’re looking for affordable true wireless earbuds with balanced sound and long battery life, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2R deserve a spot at the top of your shortlist.
Final Thoughts
OnePlus once again demonstrates that fantastic technology is not necessarily expensive. The Nord Buds 2R combine simplicity, performance, and ruggedness in the most perfect way, making them among the top wireless earbuds under ₹2,500 in 2025.
These earbuds are good enough to upgrade from wired earphones or good enough to be used as dependable daily buddies for calls, music, and exercise.
