Learning from the mistakes in the past makes a better present and future. Oneplus did the same while making OnePlus Buds Z true wireless earphones. I had a bad experience with OnePlus Buds TWS, so I wasn't happy to review OnePlus Z. But I was surprisingly wrong. And I should admit that. OnePlus Buds Z is far better than OnePlus Buds. I am pleased that I didn't miss them. Let's review OnePlus Buds Z and I will tell you why these are better than their predecessor.
Pros:
Cons:
Sound
Build
Battery
Value
What’s in the box?
- Pair of OnePlus Buds Z earbuds
- OnePlus Buds Z charging case
- Silicone eartips x3 (S, M, L)
- USB Type-C charging cable
- User guide
Who should get OnePlus Buds Z ?
- If you want comfortable, true wireless earbuds for under $50 and call quality is your preference, Go for Oneplus buds Z.
- If you want to enjoy gaming or like watching videos and dislike latency, Oneplus Buds Z is a perfect option at an affordable price.
Bottom Line:
OnePlus Buds Z is a decent pair of TWS available for $50. Compared with its predecessor, They improved significantly. OnePlus Buds Z is comfortable. Perfect for long calling sessions, call quality is good.
Minor latency while playing a game and watching a movie. It's IP55 rated means ok to use while jogging or workout. But it's not a perfect tws under $50. Some cons I noticed like average battery life which genrally any tws has. Bass is average.
I noticed no punchy bass. If you are a bass lover, I think OnePlus Buds Z isn't for you. It lacks wireless charging feature that I got with the Tozo NC2 that costs $10 less than Oneplus buds Z. Overall, I would rate the oneplus buds Z 7.5-8 out of 10.
OnePlus Buds Z True Wireless Earbuds
How is the Design and Build Quality of OnePlus buds Z?
After reviewing a few TWS like apple airpods pro, Tozo NC2, and Tagry X08, I found nothing special in oneplus buds Z but one plus point of Oneplus buds Z is they are more comfortable than other TWS that I mentioned.
Its last generation oneplus buds were terrible in design and comfort but Oneplus buds z are far better. They came with a total of three pairs of silicone ear tips. It has a 10mm dynamic driver which is quite common.
As I said, It doesn't have wireless charging. You need to rely on the USB-C charging cable that comes along with it. IP55 build of Oneplus Buds z takes care of your workout and raindrops.
Oneplus Buds Z is available in three color variants. White, gray and Steven Harrington Edition. This is a special edition that adds fun to its look. I ordered a white pair. It looks glossy.
It looks like Apple AirPods Pro but the stems are slightly longer than AirPods pro which is good to insert and take them out of the ear canal. It's completely plastic-made.
The charging case is also plastic with plastic hinges which need a little care. metal hinges are Ok to use roughly but these aren't. It has a magnet that keeps buds firm inside the case.
overall, OnePlus Buds Z is a well-built, comfortable, and good-looking TWS. I would rate 8.5 or 9 out of 10 for the build, design, and comfort. good job!
How is the Sound Performance of OnePlus buds Z?
Oneplus Buds Z has a 10mm dynamic driver, which is more common. Let's start with the Bass. They advertised them as bass-heavy tws but, actually, it has an average bass.
If you are a bass lover, you may regret buying them. Mids are balanced, and Vocals are crystal clear. The highs are good but the soundstage isn't impressive. Makers said it has Dolby atoms sound but they are compatible with only oneplus phones. Considering the price Sound isn't bad but not great either. 7 out of 10 for the sound quality.
Call quality
This is the department where OnePlus Buds Z shines the most. It comes with two good-quality microphones which give a decent call quality. For indoor uses it's fantastic.
For outdoor calls, it doesn't have active noise cancellation. OnePlus noise reduction algorithms don't work great outside. Though it cancels out some noise that's not enough when you are in a crowded place.
It comes with another feature. It automatically stops the music when you take them off from the ear canals. I like this in-ear detection feature. It also saves the battery. I would rate the OnePlus Buds Z 9 out of 10 for great call quality at this price.
OnePlus Buds Z Steven Harrington Edition
How is the Connectivity of OnePlus buds Z?
I found no issue with the connectivity. I could use a single bud when one bud was in the case. OnePlus buds Z has 5.0 Bluetooth which works perfectly even at a distance of 20 to 25 feet.
while makers claimed that they can stay connected up to 33 feet it was tasted in standard conditions but in reality, it works fine up to 20-25 feet. To get the most out of it having a oneplus phone is a must which is a con I would say.
You can't pair them with multiple devices at the same time. I shouldn't expect these features with the $50. Even Many premium TWS don't give multi-device support. I would give 8.5 out of 10 for strong and stable connection.
How is the Charging and Battery performance of OnePlus buds Z?
TWS has a common issue. They don't give great battery backup and OnePlus Buds Z isn't different. Makers claimed to give 5 Hrs of battery life with the single buds but I found them 3.5 Hrs to 4 Hrs maximum with the call.
without a call, it gives almost 5 Hrs with 60% volume. I wouldn't blame the model because the small size needs a small battery so no longer battery backup is obvious. With the fast charging feature, you can use OnePlus Buds Z for 120 minutes with just 10 minutes of charge.
unfortunately, this doesn't have wireless charging. In November 2020 OnePlus buds Z came on the market. Nowadays almost all TWS are coming with wireless charging. I don't know why OnePlus buds Z lacks this feature.
charging case has a LED indicator. when You keep the buds inside the case, charging starts and a green LED blinks which indicates that charging is on. With the charging case, you get 20 Hrs of playtime which isn't great but well.
