The Nord Buds 2 are the latest entry-level successor to last year’s Nord Buds. These are still some of the cheapest earbuds OnePlus sells but at $59, the.
The Nord Buds 2 are the latest entry-level successor to last year’s Nord Buds. These are still some of the cheapest earbuds OnePlus sells but at $59, the Nord Buds 2 are $20 more than their predecessor.
For that price, the Nord Buds 2 add active noise cancellation, making them the cheapest OnePlus earbuds with this feature and also one of the cheapest pairs of earbuds you will find on the market from a reputable brand with this feature. Is that enough to justify the price bump? Let’s find out.Design
The Nord Buds 2 have a slightly tweaked design from the previous model. The case has the same basic shape but the edges have been curved, leading to a more rounded shape. The new case is also ever so slightly smaller than the previous one. Like the previous one, the new case has good fit and finish for the price but no IP rating.
The new case also has a lighter gray color with a metallic sheen to it. The body is a lighter shade of gray than the lid and has an interesting speckled pattern, which at first glance looks like dust. The back of the case has a USB-C port for charging and a pairing button that is so flush with the surface it’s barely visible.
The earbuds follow the theme of having a slightly tweaked version of the older design. They have the same flat pill-shaped stems but the raised circular touch area is now inset into the body with a glossy clear plastic instead of the chrome finish. The stems have the same speckled appearance, which in this case almost looks like the earbuds are covered in dandruff. Perhaps somebody should have thought of that before pulling the trigger on the paint.
Regardless of the changes and the paint job, the Nord Buds 2 are still very distinctive and cool-looking earbuds. They are also quite small and light and were comfortable over long sessions. The earbuds feature an IP55 rating, making them dust and water-resistant.Software and features
The Nord Buds 2 can be controlled through Bluetooth settings on OnePlus phones or through the HeyMelody app on other Android and iOS phones. The earbuds have the same basic feature set as the original Nord Buds but with a couple of additions.
The major new feature here is active noise cancellation. You can either turn it on or off or switch to the transparency mode. There is no automatic or manual level adjustment available here nor any custom tuning for your ears.
The audio can be tuned through the Sound Master EQ menu. Here, you have four presets available along with an option to create custom profiles using a 6-band EQ. A new feature here is BassWave, which was introduced with the OnePlus Buds Pro 2. It’s supposed to be an algorithm that dynamically adjusts your sound but in reality, it’s just another bass knob. You can both increase or decrease the bass level with a positive or negative offset.
The Nord Buds 2 also offers good control over touch gestures. You can single, double, and triple tap, and each of these can be adjusted or disabled for each ear. You can assign play/pause, track previous/next, voice assistant, or game mode but unfortunately, there is no option for volume control. You can press and hold to switch between ANC modes and a long touch and hold to switch to your previously paired device.
Both the EQ and earbud control feature changes are saved on the earbuds themselves, which means they carry over to whichever device you pair them to, even if that device does not support the app.
