I’ve been using the OnePlus Nord Buds 2R for over a year (Review) and the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 for more than 3 months (Review). So in this OnePlus Nord Buds 2R VS OnePlus Nord Buds 3 comparison, you will learn which one is better!
So, should you invest more or get the Nord Buds 2R? Here’s a direct answer for each category in the OnePlus Nord Buds 2R vs Nord Buds 3 comparison!
But before that, welcome to PadhkeDekho, where we buy tech products, use them, and share reviews and comparisons.
This gives our readers insights that help in decision-making. Since we don’t do promotions, all you read is 100% real user experience.
You can support us by checking the products on Amazon. On a qualifying purchase, we might earn a little commission.
With that said, let’s begin the OnePlus Nord Buds 2R VS OnePlus Nord Buds 3 comparison with built quality.
OnePlus Nord Buds 2R VS Nord Buds 3 – Which Offers Better Build?
With OnePlus devices, you are in safe hands. Over the last 5 years, we have tested many OnePlus devices, and hardly any have had issues or a flimsy body.
Like always with OnePlus, both are very good. Be it the hinges, magnetic connectors, or even the buds.
So, which one is better? It’s the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 for the case quality. Whereas the buds are very good on both.
With Nord Buds 2R, the case cap has become a little loose after 1 year of use. So, because of that, Nord Buds 3 wins for built quality. As it has been around 3 months and it is still as new.
Which OnePlus Nord Buds Looks and Feels Better?
For looks, I like the case and buds design of OnePlus Nord Buds 2R over Nord Buds 3. The cases of both buds are very different.
OnePlus Nord Buds 2R has a wider case, but it is not taller. The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 case is taller and slimmer. Both have different shapes, too. One is like an oval, and the other is rectangular.
The buds, on the other hand, are also very different. As you can see, the buds are thinner on Buds 2R while on Nord Buds 3, they a thick and long stems.
Does it make any difference? Yes, with the thicker stem, the OnePlus Nord 3 is more grippy, while the OnePlus Nord 2R loose grip with sweat.
But in terms of looks, OP Nord 3 buds look thick and bulky. While OnePlus Nord Buds 2R feel light and compact in the ears.
Since looks are subjective, I would give 4 stars to both. But my choice is with OnePlus Nord Buds 2R. Making OnePlus Nord Buds 3 compact and less budge in pockets.
Which is More Comfortable?
If you have medium to large ears, both will be very comfortable for long hours of use. My typical TWS use in a day is around 5 hours, and I always prefer OnePlus buds!
So will these be comfortable for you? Answer 1 question: Can you wear in-ear type earbuds or prefer half in-ear like the Apple AirPods 3 or below? If that’s the case, you will love both of these.
But which is better? Well, OnePlus Nord Buds 2R feels lighter on the ears, and that’s the plus point. However, after 2-3 hours, you get a feeling of removing the buds. Whereas, with OnePlus Nord Buds 3, you can go longer than 5 hours thanks to the Transparency mode.
Note: Both TWS come with 2 additional pairs of ear tips to find your perfect spot.
So, for comfort and long hours of use, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 is better.
Which OnePlus Nord Buds are Most Compatible With Android & iOS?
If you have an Android and an iOS device and want a TWS that can pair with both devices and have app support, then the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 is the one for you.
You can create new EQ, customise the controls, enable game mode, ANC controls, update the buds, etc. While the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 allows usage with Android and iOS but app support is for Android only.
What does this mean? It means you will be able to connect or pair the OnePlus Nord Buds 2R with your iPhone, but you will not be able to customize the controls or enable game mode, which is only possible via the HeyMelody app.
OnePlus Nord Buds 2R or OnePlus Nord Buds 3: Which is Better For Workouts?
A workout-centric TWS needs to have a good grip so that the buds do not fall or lose grip during workouts, be it cycling, running, jogging, etc.
For this, OnePlus Nord Buds 3 is a better deal thanks to its thicker stem design. It supports the buds and gives extra grip. Whereas with sweat, OnePlus Nord Buds 2R do get loose if you are not using the appropriate silicone ear tips.
Both earbuds come with two additional pairs of ear tips to find the best grip. Ears are not similar, hence both can be of different sizes too!
If you are not much into fitness, both can be considered as they do not fall out while walking, or casual walking, even quick runs.
Which One to Buy at What Price?
OnePlus Nord Buds 2R stays around 1799 Rs. While, OnePlus Nord Buds 3 price is around 2300 Rs. During sale time, you can find the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 between 1600-1800 (under 2000 Rs) and OnePlus Nord Buds 2R a little closer to 1200-1400 Rs.
If that’s the case, get the OnePlus Nord Buds 3. It makes more sense and adds tons of features. But if there are budget constraints, you can reach us on Instagram, as we have an inventory of unboxed tech for sale!
For such prices, both are great options and don’t get confused with any other band in this price range. The level of quality and music capabilities OnePlus gives is unmatchable.
If budget is tight, going with the OnePlus Nord Buds 2R is also a solid option.
Which is Feature Loaded?
Since both the buds have a price difference of about 700 to 1000 Rs, the feature set is very different. The point is, should you invest more, or is the OnePlus Nord Buds 2R sufficient?
Let’s have a look at the features.
OnePlus Nord Buds 2R features a 12.4mm dual driver. Bluetooth 5.3 for fast pairing, IP 55 Rating, up to 38 hours of battery backup. Dual Bluetooth pairing with manual switch. The buds come with 3 pre-defined EQs, game mode, and much more.
Whereas, OnePlus Nord Buds 3 features 32dB of Active Noise Cancellation, 12.4mm audio drivers with BassWave 2.0, Dual Bluetooth connection, Bluetooth 5.4, IP55 for dust and water protection, and much more.
Another feature up OnePlus Nord Buds 3’s sleeve is the volume controls! Yes, you can control (increase or decrease) the volume with the touch controls. All you need is to enable it via the HeyMelody app on your smartphone (Android/iOS).
Whereas, OnePlus Nord Buds 2R does not offer any volume controls other than the connected device toggles.
So, looking for TWS earbuds with volume controls? OnePlus Nord Buds 3 needs your attention.
Dual Bluetooth Pairing?
Both TWS offer dual Bluetooth connectivity, but the ways of setup and connectivity are different.
On OnePlus Nord Buds 2R, the dual Bluetooth connectivity and transfer are manual (with a press of a button) and are not immediate.
Whereas, OnePlus Nord Buds 3 have dual Bluetooth connectivity with instant transfer. For context, you are paired with a laptop and your smartphone.
You are watching a movie on your laptop and get a call on your mobile. The moment you accept the call, it will transfer the main control to the smartphone while being connected to the laptop.
Which is Better For Calling?
In terms of calling, both are good and have very different personalities. OnePlus Nord Buds 3 have one additional mic on each bud, and the addition of ANC does help.
Sure, a call has no impact on ANC thanks to the better ANC performance and responsive microphones.
OnePlus Nord Buds 2R are not bad, but they do transfer some ambient noise during calls. While Nord Buds 3 are better overall.
In other words, if you prefer raw (real/unedited) voice, then OnePlus Nord Buds 2R is for you. While the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 is altered with less or little ambient noise.
To achieve this, vocals have to be re-tuned by removing noise, which results in a very edited (robotic) voice.
OnePlus Nord Buds 2R VS OnePlus Nord Buds 3: Which One Sounds Better?
Both the Nord Buds share similar audio drivers, but the sound signature is different. OP Nord Buds 3 have BassWave 2 technology that pumps and enhances bass. While OP Nord Buds 2R is also bass-heavy, it feels less overpowered.
As far as vocals and instruments go, OnePlus Nord Buds 3 has a wider detail band, making every instrument feel. Along with that, treble is also better on the OnePlus Nord 3.
Does this make Nord 2R bad? No! Nord Buds 2R sounds great too. Enough detail, clarity, bass, vocals, and on top of it, no audio distortion even at max volume.
One thing we experienced was less audio leak with the OnePlus Nord Buds 2R at max volume. Though keeping volume around 80% saves the day on OnePlus Nord Buds 3.
To be honest, audio leak is not as much as people think unless you are in a very silent atmosphere, like an office or something. In public transport, it’s already very loud!
So if you don’t care much, pick any. But if you are particular about ambient noise, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2R is better.
Any App Features differences between OnePlus Nord Buds 2R and OnePlus Nord Buds 3?
OnePlus Nord Buds 3 supports Android and iOS, making it share features across OS. So on any smartphone, you will be able to change EQs, create your favourite EQ, customise buttons, enable ANC or Transparency as per your need.
One special feature reserved for OnePlus phones is 3D sound, which we couldn’t test as we don’t have the latest OnePlus device.
Whereas on OnePlus Nord Buds 2R, the HeyMelody app is supported on Android and not on iOS.
So with an iPhone and OnePlus Nord Buds 2R, you will be able to use it but not make any changes to the buttons or even enable gaming mode.
Which is Better For Gaming?
For gaming, you should pick the OnePlus Nord Buds 3, and there are some reasons. First is Bluetooth 5.4, which is the latest. Instead of 5.3 of OnePlus Nord Buds 2R.
Second, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2R has a gaming mode, but it’s for Android, as there’s no iOS support. While OnePlus Nord Buds 3 connects and has a dedicated gaming mode.
Third, OnePlus Nord Buds 3 has better low-end latency than OnePlus Nord Buds 2R. It is quite evident while playing heavy games. I am not saying OP 2R is bad, it just OP Nord Buds 3 feels smoother all around.
If you are a casual gamer or a little serious player, opt for the OnePlus Nord Buds 3.
What About Charging & Battery Backup?
In this department, OnePlus Nord Buds 3 leap here. Do keep in mind that it offers power-hungry ANC + Transparency mode and bass-boosted BassWave technology, and it still manages to stay ahead of the OnePlus Nord Buds 2R.
As per tech specifications, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2R can be used for up to 38 hours or 8 hours on a single use. Similarly, the carry offers 480 mAh while the buds have 36 mAh each.
On the same note, OnePlus Nord Buds 3 has claimed up to 43 hours! Each bud has a battery size of 58 mAh (the highest we have ever tested), while the case has 440 mAh, which is surprisingly less than the Nord Buds 2R!
During our extreme testing, while shuffling the modes, we were able to hit 8+ hours! While the best we have achieved with OnePlus Nord Buds 2R is around 6 hours.
Similarly, charging time is also quite different. With the same charger, OnePlus Nord Buds 2R charges in under 1 hour and 40 minutes. And OnePlus Nord Buds 3 does under 1 hour and 20 minutes.
And as far as overall battery backup goes, OnePlus Nord Buds 3 can easily be used for more than 2 weeks (assuming you will use it for about 2-3 hours a day). While OnePlus Nord Buds 2R can go beyond the 1-week mark.
So, both are good in terms of battery backup, and neither will give you battery anxiety.
Wrapping up!
I hope I’ve covered most of the essential topics. If something is left, drop a DM on Insta or any of the social accounts below. I will try my best to revert!
OnePlus Nord Buds 2R VS OnePlus Nord Buds 3 FAQ
Q: Do any OnePlus Nord Buds have volume controls?
A: Yes, OnePlus Nord Buds 3 have volume controls on both Android and iOS.
Q: Do any OnePlus Nord Buds have HeyMelody support on Android & iOS?
A: Yes, OnePlus Nord Buds 3 has HeyMelody support on both Android & iOS.
Related Articles
- Apple iPhone 16 VS iPhone 16 Plus Which One to Buy? Buy Best!
Are you also confused about which iPhone 16 to buy? This comparison is for you. I was also in the dilemma of picking the iPhone 16 or the 16 Plus. Hence, purchased both so you don’t have to! Here’s iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Plus comparison to help you pick the best one for you!… Read More »Apple iPhone 16 VS iPhone 16 Plus Which One to Buy? Buy Best! - OnePlus Nord Buds 2R VS OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Which is Better?Confused between OnePlus Nord Buds 2R VS OnePlus Nord Buds 3? Here’s a detailed comparison after 4 months of use. Tap now to learn more!
- BoAt Rockerz 400 Vs 450 Comparison – Best For Your Bucks?[Updated on April 4, 2025] In the budget headphones category, BoAt is the most popular choice. But what will happen if we put BoAt against BoAt? The perfect example can be boAt Rockerz 400 and 450. There’s hardly any price difference! So, which one out of these two should you buy? So in this article,… Read More »BoAt Rockerz 400 Vs 450 Comparison – Best For Your Bucks?
- HP 250 vs Logitech M170 | Best Wireless Mouse For You?
Under 1000 Rupees you can find many wireless mice from top brands like Dell, HP, Logitech, Lenovo, etc. But HP and Logitech are the most popular choices. For instance, on Flipkart, Logitech M170 has 4.5 ratings just like HP 250. This was also one of the reasons I bought the Logitech M-170, 1 year ago.… Read More »HP 250 vs Logitech M170 | Best Wireless Mouse For You? - boAt Airdopes 121v2 Vs 131 | Best One For You?
This is PadhKeDekho from the future! These TWS earbuds have been with us for the last 2 years and are performing great. if you are confused between the two then don’t worry keep on reading this, this comparison will help in your decision-making. Back to BoAt Airdopes 121vs vs 131 comparison! The wireless earphone market… Read More »boAt Airdopes 121v2 Vs 131 | Best One For You? - BoAt Airdopes 141 vs 181 Which is Better! Find Out Here!BoAt has bombarded the Airdopes in the Indian market like cars from Maruti Suzuki for under 10 lakh Rupees! For 3000 INR more than 20+ Airdopes are available to choose from. If you are interested here’s our guide for the best BoAt Airdopes of 2024 you check. But today, we have a detailed comparison of… Read More »BoAt Airdopes 141 vs 181 Which is Better! Find Out Here!
