Quick Overview
Pros
- Value for money
- Good sound quality
- Type-C fast charge/ Good battery life
- Excellent all-day comfort
- Water and dustproof – IP55 rating
- Steady connectivity – Bluetooth 5.0
- AAC and Dolby Atmos support
Cons
- Some features only available on OnePlus Smartphones
- Very limited controls and gestures
- plastic case
Ratings
- Sound Quality – 4/5
- Battery Life – 4/5
- Design – 3.5/5
- Comfort – 4.5/5
- Noise Cancellation – 3.5/5
- Value for money – 5/5
Review
OnePlus got into the market of truly wireless earbuds with affordable OnePlus Buds. Now they have a cheaper version, the OnePlus Buds Z.
They just cost 45.99$(Rs.2,999/£55.00) and have a lot to offer on paper. But are they any good compared to other cheap wireless earbuds? Let’s find out.
Note: This review is being done after one month of usage by different users.
Audio Quality
First up, let’s talk about the most important thing on any wireless Earbuds: the Audio Quality. OnePlus Buds Z has excellent sound quality.
It’s not very exciting for audiophiles, but for an average user, it’s excellent, especially when you consider the price point.
It has 10mm drivers capable of delivering good, punchy bass, and they do get fairly loud. Vocals are clear and crisp, as well as bass isn’t overpowering most of the time.
The Audio lacks certain clarity when you go above 85% of the volume. The overall Audio is perfect for daily life usage. Noise cancellation isn’t anything to get excited over, but it still serves the purpose.
Battery Life
The battery life on the OnePlus Buds Z is good. The buds themselves last about 3-4 hours, and you get around 4 recharges from the case.
So, all combined could last you 2-3 days depending on your usage. Additionally, they support fast charge so there will hardly ever be a time when your buds are out of power.
Connectivity and Codecs
OnePlus Buds Z supports SBC as well as AAC codecs. There is no Qualcomm’s aptX codec, which is perfectly natural for budget earbuds. With AAC and Bluetooth 5.0, connectivity has no issues.
It has a range of 10 meters and doesn’t get any lags or stutters, even during workouts and runs. The buds also have gaming mode for lower latency on OnePlus smartphones. It also offers fast pair mode on supported devices.
Design and Comfort
Speaking of the design, the OnePlus Buds Z is very lightweight. It’s an ear tip version of the original OnePlus Buds.
They kind of look like Apple AirPods Pro. Buds have gesture-based controls on the side, and they are sweat- and water-resistant with an IP-55 rating.
They are available in two different colors, Grey and white. Additionally, they are also available in the Steven Harrington Edition design in some countries.
The case is made of plastic and has a glossy finish. It has a premium feeling right out of the box, but keep in mind the glossy finish will fade over time.
The box lid, buds, and space inside the box have magnets to keep everything tight and secured. There is a Type-C charging hole in the back and an LED indicator in the front.
The buds were extremely comfortable for all-day usage; there is no pain or discomfort. Once they are inside your ear, you won’t even feel them there.
However, it still has a very good fit; they never fall out even when you shake your head very fast. The comfort depends on your ear shape. OnePlus does provide 2 extra ear tips to adjust your comfort level.
Verdict
Now time for the biggest question: whether you should buy OnePlus Buds Z or not?
Well, if you are someone who is getting rid of wires and buying your first-ever wireless earbuds or just doesn’t want to spend much on a pair of TWS, then these are perfect.
At a very low price, they offer a lot compared to any other wireless earbuds in the market.
However, if you prefer the absolute best audio quality, never-ending battery life, and more of a premium look, then you should look at the more expensive TWS from Jabra.
That’s it for the review! Let us know in the comments if we missed out any details.
