OnePlus Nord Buds 3r 2025: Best TWS Under ₹2,000?

When it comes to wireless earbuds, OnePlus has long provided value-for-money options in the entry-level and mid-range segments. The newest entrant into the family, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3r, is no different. Available for a reasonable ₹1,799 in India (with limited-period offers usually knocking it down to ₹1,599), these earbuds are meant to strike a balance between looks, audio, and endurance—without draining your wallet.

But are they worth a purchase? Let’s go in-depth with the design, features, audio quality, battery life, and overall performance of the Nord Buds 3r to discover.

Design & Build Quality

On initial inspection, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3r appears minimalist and tidy, featuring a streamlined stem-style design that’s both familiar and sophisticated. Coming in several colors, it’s optimized to fit into daily life, from gym sessions to commutes to work calls.

The earbuds have an IP55 rating, so they’re dust- and sweat-resistant. This makes them a good choice for exercises and outdoor uses, where build quality is as important as sound quality. The construction isn’t shout-about premium, but given the price, OnePlus has managed to get the balance between form and function just right.

Comfort & Fit

Comfort is important for any earbud pair, and the Nord Buds 3r performs reasonably well. With silicone tips and a light frame, they sit well in most ears without leading to fatigue when used for long periods of time. The stem design also makes them simple to manipulate without inserting too deeply into the ear canal.

Although they lack active noise cancellation (ANC), passive isolation is aided by their snug fit. They thus have the ability to filter out some ambient noise, although not as well as ANC-capable competitors. You won’t have significant problems if you use them primarily in moderately loud spaces.

Sound Quality

OnePlus has fitted the Nord Buds 3r with 12.4 mm titanium-coated dynamic drivers, and these produce an impressively robust sound signature for the price. The bass is thumping and solid and will do well for genres such as EDM, hip-hop, and Bollywood numbers that feature heavy beat work.

Nonetheless, others might experience the bass as somewhat too domineering, dominating the mids on some songs. Vocals and instruments do manage to pass through decently, though, but if a more well-balanced sound profile is your thing, you’ll need to adjust EQ via the HeyMelody app (or OnePlus’s built-in audio controls, if you’re a OnePlus phone user).

The highs are sharp enough, although at louder levels they can sound edgy. Generally, considering budget earbuds, the Nord Buds 3r offers a lively and vibrant listening experience—perfect for casual music fans as opposed to dedicated audiophiles.

Call Quality & Connectivity

For calls, the earbuds have a dual-microphone configuration with AI-based noise cancellation. In everyday use, it means good voice pickup for phone calls even in somewhat noisy spaces. It cannot equal premium TWS models in terms of clarity, but it does a good enough job for everyday use, such as Zoom calls or casual voice calls.

Connectivity is handled via Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring a stable connection with minimal dropouts. Pairing is fast and hassle-free, especially if you’re using them with a OnePlus device where quick-pairing options are available. Another highlight is the 47 ms low latency mode, which makes them a solid choice for mobile gaming and binge-watching videos without frustrating audio delays.

Battery Life

Arguably the largest highlight of the Nord Buds 3r is its enormous battery life. Featuring a 560 mAh case battery and 58 mAh per earbud, these earbuds provide up to 54 hours of playback time in conjunction with the charging case.

On a single charge, the earbuds themselves last around 6–8 hours, depending on volume and usage. The case provides multiple recharges, making it a dependable travel companion. If you’re someone who forgets to charge their earbuds often, the Nord Buds 3r will be a lifesaver.

And yes, there’s fast charging support—a quick 10-minute charge can provide hours of listening time, which is extremely convenient.

Gaming & Latency

Audio lag in budget earbuds is usually a problem complained of by gamers, but the 47 ms ultra-low latency mode available in the Nord Buds 3r resolves this issue quite well. BGMI, Call of Duty Mobile, or casual gaming players will find good synchrony between audio and video offered by the earbuds. Although competitive players might still use wired players or high-end low-latency earbuds, these fare extremely well in their budget category.

Companion App & Features

The Nord Buds 3r can be personalized via the HeyMelody app (for Android and iOS). With the app, you can adjust the EQ, firmware update, and touch control customization. For OnePlus users, this is even more seamless because a lot of features are seamlessly integrated into OxygenOS settings.

The touch controls are responsive, allowing you to play/pause music, accept/reject calls, or turn on gaming mode. At times, though, they are a bit too sensitive, and you may end up triggering an action inadvertently while adjusting the fit.

What’s Missing?

No product is flawless, and with this price tag, compromises have to be made. The most glaring missing feature is Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). Most competing earbuds at slightly higher price ranges now have ANC, which makes a huge difference in listening conditions, like on the train, bus, or in a cafe.

Plus, although the bass-biased tuning will be enjoyed by most, it may not please listeners who are used to a neutral or balanced soundstage. Audiophiles or users seeking crystal-clear mids and highs will need to consider more high-end models.

Pricing & Availability

The OnePlus Nord Buds 3r were priced at ₹1,799 in India, which is one of the lowest prices for OnePlus audio products. They are sold on OnePlus.in, Amazon, Flipkart, and offline stores such as Croma. With discounts, you can usually get them for ₹1,599 or less, which makes their value proposition even higher.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Great battery life (up to 54 hours)
• Punchy bass and fun sound signature
• Low latency (perfect for gaming and videos)
• IP55 dust and water resistance
• Crystal clear call quality with AI noise reduction
• Affordable price

Cons:

• No ANC support
• Bass-heavy tuning is not to everyone’s taste
• Touch controls may feel overly sensitive
• The plastic build doesn’t feel premium

Final Verdict: Should You Buy?

The OnePlus Nord Buds 3r is a great value TWS option for someone seeking long battery life, strong bass, and stable connectivity at a low cost. It won’t necessarily supersede high-end earbuds with ANC or audiophile-level sound, but for the general user seeking wireless earbuds that won’t break the bank for ₹2,000 or less, these are difficult to beat.

If you prioritize bass, battery, and budget at the expense of features such as ANC, the Nord Buds 3r is a great purchase in 2025. However, if noise cancellation or better-balanced sound is absolutely essential, you may need to splurge a bit and consider the alternatives from Realme, Oppo, or even the higher-end options from OnePlus itself.