For years, the Nord Buds series has focused on offering the essentials without making buyers feel like they’re settling. The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 continue that philosophy, but this time, OnePlus has packed in features that were once reserved for more expensive earbuds. You get up to 52dB active noise cancellation (ANC), spatial audio, Bluetooth 6.1, AI-powered features, and an impressive battery life, all at an affordable price.
I spent several days using the Astral Teal variant for music, calls, videos, gaming, and commuting. While they aren’t perfect, they easily outperform what you’d expect from earbuds in this price segment.
4ANC that genuinely makes a difference
ANC is often the first feature manufacturers compromise on in affordable earbuds, but that isn’t the case here.
The Nord Buds 4 offer up to 52dB real-time ANC, and while real-world performance naturally varies depending on your surroundings, they do an excellent job of reducing constant background noise. During my commute, they noticeably reduced the hum of traffic and air conditioning, making music and podcasts easier to enjoy without constantly increasing the volume.
Call quality is another pleasant surprise. The six-microphone setup, combined with AI noise reduction, keeps voices clear during outdoor conversations. Even in breezy conditions, callers had little trouble hearing me.
