Verdict: Great budget ANC earbuds with a few cosmetic compromises
The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 are budget ANC earbuds that combine up to 52dB active noise cancellation, long battery life and comfort, offering noise canceling earbuds performance that rivals pricier models at a low entry cost. From the first hour of use, the verdict is clear: these long battery life earbuds punch well above their class. You get convincing 52dB ANC performance, easy all‑day comfort and smart features that are rare at this level. The trade‑offs are mostly cosmetic. The Astral Teal finish loses some of its fresh look after about a week, and the design, while practical, is not a style statement. If you care more about performance than fashion, though, the Nord Buds 4 deliver an impressive mix of quiet, battery endurance and everyday usability for their asking price.
Design, comfort and build: light, secure, but finish fades
The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 use an in‑ear design with silicone ear tips and short stems, and each earbud weighs 4.3g, so they feel light and stay secure for long stretches. In daily use over several days for music, calls and commuting, they stayed comfortable for a couple of hours at a time without pressure or fatigue, continuing the Nord line’s strength in fit. The IP55 rating means sweat and light drizzle are non‑issues, which suits workouts and walks. The compact case slips into a jeans pocket easily, adding to their everyday appeal. The Astral Teal variant looks fresh out of the box with a soft matte, muted green finish that feels more premium than the price suggests. However, after roughly 10 days, that finish “seemed to lose a bit of its freshness with regular use,” making the darker Stellar Black the better option if you worry about visible wear.
Pros
- Very comfortable fit over multi‑hour sessions
- Light 4.3g buds with compact pocketable case
- IP55 rating for sweat and light water resistance
Cons
- Astral Teal finish loses its fresh look after about a week of use
- Muted design may not appeal if you want a bold style statement
52dB ANC performance and call quality
The headline feature is up to 52dB active noise cancellation, a spec you would usually expect on more expensive noise canceling earbuds. In practice, the Nord Buds 4 handle constant low‑frequency noise well for their class, trimming down train rumbles and fan noise to a soft hush. According to one review, they “easily outperform what you’d expect from earbuds in this price segment,” and that matches the feel of their ANC and sound isolation in typical city use. You also get a transparency mode, which makes quick conversations and situational awareness straightforward without removing the buds. Six microphones work together for calls, aiming to keep your voice clear while cutting some background noise. They are not flawless in chaotic environments, but for work calls, casual chats and video meetings, the Nord Buds 4 keep audio quality respectable given their budget ANC earbuds positioning.
Sound quality, smart features and battery life
Under the hood, 12mm dynamic drivers with titanium‑coated diaphragms give the Nord Buds 4 a lively, engaging sound that feels more expensive than it is. Bass has enough weight for pop and electronic tracks, while vocals stay clear, making them easy to recommend as daily music companions. Spatial audio support adds a bit of immersion for compatible content, and Bluetooth 6.1 keeps wireless connections stable. Dual‑device connectivity and Google Fast Pair make switching between phone and laptop quick, while AI Assistant and AI Translate features extend control and language tools via your phone. Battery life is a highlight: “with active noise cancellation turned off, the earbuds provide up to 13 hours of playback on a single charge and up to 54 hours with the case,” putting them among the stronger long battery life earbuds at this price. Even with ANC on, you still get up to 6.5 hours and 27 hours with the case, enough for several commutes before recharging.
| Spec | OnePlus Nord Buds 4 |
|---|---|
| Driver size | 12mm dynamic with titanium‑coated diaphragm |
| ANC level | Up to 52dB active noise cancellation |
| Weight | 4.3g per earbud |
| Water/dust rating | IP55 |
| Battery (buds, ANC off) | Up to 13 hours playback |
| Battery (total, ANC off) | Up to 54 hours with case |
| Battery (buds, ANC on) | Up to 6.5 hours playback |
| Battery (total, ANC on) | Up to 27 hours with case |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 6.1, dual‑device pairing, Google Fast Pair |
| Smart features | Spatial audio, AI Assistant, AI Translate (phone required) |
| Price | USD 35 (approx. RM165) with a launch price of USD 32 (approx. RM150) |
Buy if / Skip if
- Buy the OnePlus Nord Buds 4 if you want affordable budget ANC earbuds with convincing 52dB ANC performance and better‑than‑expected sound.
- Skip the OnePlus Nord Buds 4 if you care more about a finish that stays pristine than about value and can spend more on a premium design.
- Buy the OnePlus Nord Buds 4 if long battery life earbuds with up to 54 hours including the case sound ideal for multi‑day use without charging.
- Skip the OnePlus Nord Buds 4 if you prefer over‑ear headphones or open‑ear designs instead of in‑ear silicone tips.
- Buy the OnePlus Nord Buds 4 if you want many of the core capabilities of the pricier Nord Buds 4 Pro in a more affordable package.
- Skip the OnePlus Nord Buds 4 if you rarely use ANC or smart features and can live with even cheaper, fully basic earbuds.
