The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 follows on the success of the OnePlus Nord Buds, which were one of the best inexpensive wireless earbuds with their bold sound, reliable connectivity, and ridiculously powerful fast charging at only $39.

This next-generation model inherits many of its predecessor's features while incorporating active noise cancellation (ANC) and sound enhancement features (Dolby Atmos, Dirac Tuner) into the mix for just $20 more. While the feature-packed specs are undeniably impressive, touch accuracy seems to have skipped the upgrade list and suffers from the same issues as its older siblings.

That said, there aren't many wireless earbuds under $60 that are as feature-rich as the Nord Buds 2, making it an attractive purchase for budget-conscious consumers. The additional feature support when connected to OnePlus devices is very worthwhile, although the platform is largely irrelevant.

The original Nord Buds had a satisfying bass-enhanced sound profile, but could become overbearing on certain tracks; OnePlus has fine-tuned the frequency range of the Nord Buds 2, maintaining the bass dominance while extending the mids and highs to The result is a well-balanced sound. However, the listening experience varies from media player to media player.

Starting with iOS/macOS and Android devices, the Nord Buds 2's warm presence was immediately noticeable on bass-centric records; Apple Music and Spotify tracks performed similarly, with some mids and most highs being Switching to high-resolution streaming services such as Tidal revealed the audio versatility of the Nord Buds 2. Clarity and frequency range improved, and despite the lack of advanced codecs like aptX or LDAC, the buds support AAC and SBC, providing stable streaming on any device.

The HeyMelody app includes several sound personalization features, including a custom EQ with four pre-programmed presets and BassWave, a OnePlus technology that dynamically adjusts bass, clarity, and fidelity. All are useful, but I was most drawn to BassWave, which enhances the low end of bass-heavy bangers like Gorillaz's "Feel Good Inc." and Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean." Especially on The Rolling Stones' "Dancing with Mr. D," Mick Jagger's ferocious screams shone through and the veiled backing vocals sounded clearer.

The Buds sounded good on the iPhone and the Android devices I tried, but when paired with the OnePlus 11, they sounded even better thanks to exclusive features tied to the OnePlus ecosystem: Dolby Atmos, Dirac Audio Tuner, spatial audio, and more.

Dolby Atmos amplifies sound features in a variety of ways. Listeners can choose from eight presets divided into two profiles: Environment or Scenario; Environment gives an airy feel to the music and is suitable for automatically adjusting sound indoors or during commutes. Scenario, on the other hand, offers sound options for different media (movies, games, music) and Smart presets that optimize sound based on scenarios.

Spatial audio support blew me away once turned on. The expanded soundstage made all content more immersive. Although head tracking is not supported, the Nord Buds 2 did an excellent job of bringing each channel to life. The high frequency vocals gave me goosebumps, and during the gunfight sequences, I felt like I was behind the muzzle of every shooter's gun (watch the John Wick movie and see for yourself).

It's just a shame that this level of sound can only be experienced on OnePlus devices.

Are the Nord Buds 2 the best noise-canceling earbuds, or are other less expensive models like 1More's PistonBuds Pro or Donner's DoBuds One better? That doesn't mean you can't get solid noise reduction from these long stems.

Most of my ANC testing time was spent indoors, but I occasionally took the Buds outside. There was no chatter in the house, no noise from appliances, no whirring from the centralized air conditioner. The sound of construction taking place outside on the balcony was barely noticeable. High-frequency sounds (baby crying, fire truck horns, etc.) were distracting and distracted my concentration.

Transparency was useful for ambient listening. This feature was effective enough to hear vocals and outside sounds loud and clear. Microphone placement was on point, despite the quirky design with its thick, long stem.

One advantage of the bulky IP55-certified frame is stronger protection from abrasions, scratches, and moisture damage. Small details like the reflective touch screen are also appreciated. At the same time, these positive elements are not enough to make the Nord Buds 2 beautiful. On top of that, the touch controls have a delay issue, taking a second or two to register an input and execute the intended command.

Oddly enough, this large design is not cumbersome to wear on the ear. I wore the Nord Buds 2 for three hours each day before fatigue set in. The fit was good, and the Buds remained stable even when operating them around the house. The charging case has a sleek pill-shaped design, but the lid is flimsy and feels cheap.

Battery life with ANC enabled is up to 5 hours, but not much to brag about; it's not exactly 7 hours with ANC off. Still, it's a respectable amount of playback time that falls within the AirPods Pro range (5-7 hours). Five additional charges with the charging case (27 to 36 hours) will help extend battery life and get you through the workday.

OnePlus' fast charging makes the battery life of the Nord Buds 2 completely forgettable, yielding five hours of listening time on a 10-minute charge. This is not a typo. For the record, a 5-minute quick charge of the AirPods Pro 2 is equivalent to 1 hour of use. The caveat is that it requires a 5V DC 0.9A adapter (or higher). In any case, a true wireless model is the charging solution most people would want.

Audio performance is good enough to warrant attention for the $59 Nord Buds 2. Its soundstage is dynamic and engaging, delivering to the listener booming lows and crisp mids that stand out on high-res audio sources; the presets in the HeyMelody app are well thought out, and the BassWave feature adds power to the bass without compromising frequency range.

The only regret is that the OnePlus smartphone is required to experience the elite sound quality of the Nord Buds 2. Dolby Atmos and spatial audio dramatically improve the sound, and compatibility with devices other than OnePlus would have made these Buds two key features that would have made it a top seller.

Complaints about the bulky design and touch control instability have been noted, but are forgivable given the low price. Of course, there are compromises to be made with the price, but the solid performance on all mobile platforms makes them worth getting for a third of the price of many better wireless earbuds if you want excellent sound and ANC.