ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The OnePlus Buds 3 are the company’s flagship earbuds, and they’re available for $100 in the US.
- Access to a high-quality Bluetooth audio codec sets these buds apart from others within the same price range.
- You’ll miss out on high-resolution audio if you don’t have a compatible OnePlus or Oppo smartphone.
For a limited time, the OnePlus Buds 3 are on sale for $70. This deal extends to both the Splendid Blue and Metallic Gray colors.
In addition to your favorite pair of over-ear headphones, you should have reliable earbuds for on-the-go calling and listening. But if you’ve invested a few hundred bucks into your headphones, you may be less inclined to pay just as much for earbuds.
Luckily, you don’t need to shell out $300+ for great-sounding, functional earbuds. And if you’re not a fan of AirPods, shopping on a budget, or happen to be eyeing one of the latest smartphones from OnePlus, you’ll want to check out the OnePlus Buds 3.
The OnePlus Buds 3 were released just one year after the OnePlus Buds Pro 2, and they deliver better features while being cheaper than their predecessors. Have you noticed the difference in naming yet? The latest earbuds omit one desirable “Pro” feature, wireless charging, but offer upgrades to noise canceling, battery life, and Bluetooth multipoint connection stability.
They also feature LHDC audio codec, which supports high-resolution audio playback over a Bluetooth connection. With this codec, you can listen at up to 900 kilobits per second, a bit depth of up to 24 bits, and a sample rate of up to 96 kHz.
Also: The OnePlus 12 remains on par with today’s flagship phones – and it’s on sale for $150 off
If all those numbers and letters mean nothing to you, that’s fine, but stay with me. All that audio nerd mumbo jumbo means the OnePlus Buds 3 sound absolutely fantastic, and their full potential is unlocked when paired with a OnePlus smartphone. The latest OnePlus phones support this codec, but Samsung, Apple, or Google devices can’t access it.
Instead, those phones each have a proprietary Bluetooth codec that delivers higher-quality audio, but not up to the same standard as LHDC.
Fortunately, this isn’t the biggest deal breaker because the OnePlus Buds 3 still sound great when paired with a different-branded phone. That’s right, I committed the cardinal sin when I tested them; I used them with an iPhone. The OnePlus Buds 3’s 10.4mm woofer turned up the bass, while the 6mm tweeters kept high-frequency sounds clear and vibrant.
When I listened to Pressure by The 1975, I could clearly hear the frontman’s layered vocal harmonies, and the OnePlus Buds 3 beautifully replicated the smooth bassline and groovy guitar riffs.
The OnePlus Buds 3 can cancel noise up to 49dB, which means with ANC on, you won’t hear noises like typing on a keyboard, a distant TV, or low household chatter. These earbuds can dull close conversational noises or cars honking outside your window, but you’ll still hear some of it. Not bad for a pair of $100 earbuds.
Also: Here’s how you can get the Sky Blue AirPods Max Lighting headphones for $100 off
With ANC off, you’ll get 10 hours of audio playback and an additional 34 hours when the case is fully charged, which is highly impressive. Those battery stats are more than what Sony, Apple, and Bose earbuds can give you from one charge. However, these buds’ transparency mode is on the lower-quality side, as a noticeable hum is present, which means the external mics are working overtime to help you better hear your surroundings.
On the other hand, these buds will work well for hands-free calling, as I didn’t get any complaints about my voice clarity. Plenty of software features add to the OnePlus Buds 3’s value. For example, you can participate in a hearing test to help the buds decipher your ear canal structure and determine which EQ settings sound best.
After my hearing test, the app told me that a bump to the middle frequencies would make the earbuds sound more enjoyable to me, and I agreed. However, you can still tweak the EQ settings on a six-band equalizer in the HeyMelody app.
Also: Here’s why I recommend the OnePlus over most budget phones – especially at $70 off
If you want earbuds that can accompany you from the office to the gym, the OnePlus Buds 3 can do just that. The silicone ear tips provide a snug seal for noise isolation and limited in-ear slipping and sliding, and their IP55 rating makes them sturdy enough for sweaty workouts.
Design-wise, the OnePlus Buds 3 feature chrome finishes on the bud stems, with matte accents on the ear tips and charging case. The earbuds are stylish and lightweight, making them a great addition to anyone’s everyday carry.
ZDNET’s buying advice
The OnePlus Buds 3 offer you just about every feature you could want in a pair of earbuds. For their affordable price, you’ll receive adequate noise canceling, excellent audio quality, and all-day comfort.
However, to get the most out of these earbuds, you’ll need a compatible smartphone. If you’re in the US, many of those smartphone brands are absent, so you’ll have to settle with a OnePlus. The earbuds have no other limitations, so the price is well worth it.
As per OnePlus, this offer will end on June 8, 2025.
However, deals are subject to sell out or expire at any time, though ZDNET remains committed to finding, sharing, and updating the best product deals for you to score the best savings. Our team of experts regularly checks in on the deals we share to ensure they are still live and obtainable. We’re sorry if you’ve missed out on a deal, but don’t fret — we constantly find new chances to save and share them with you on ZDNET.com.
The recent US tariffs on imports from countries like China, Vietnam, and India aim to boost domestic manufacturing but are likely to drive up prices on consumer electronics. Products like smartphones, laptops, and TVs may become more expensive as companies rethink global supply chains and weigh the cost of shifting production.
CNET: Tariff Pricing Tracker: We’re Watching 11 Products You Might Need to Buy
Headphones and wearable devices, which are predominantly manufactured in these regions, are now subject to tariffs as high as 54% on Chinese imports and 46% on Vietnamese goods. As a result, consumers may see price increases of approximately 20% on these items.
Manufacturers are exploring options like relocating production to countries with lower tariffs, but such shifts are complex and may not provide immediate relief. In the short term, shoppers should anticipate higher costs for headphones and wearables due to these trade policies.
