While true wireless earbuds are all the rage these days, there’s still a market for affordable wired buds. They are great as a back-up if the battery dies and you’re not near an outlet. They’re simple to use without requiring charging. And some actually prefer the option to have wires. OnePlus’ latest model, the Nord Wired Buds, satisfy these needs.
At just $20 in Canada, the introductory wired earbuds feature a 9.2mm dynamic drivers and a 0.42cc sound cavity. With a three-button system, there’s a single inline mic for using them to make and receive phone calls as well or summoning a voice assistant. You can press, double press, triple press, and press and hold the buttons to activate different functions.
Connecting to a device using a 3.5mm which, in the case of the latest smartphones that don’t have a 3.5mm input will require an optional adapter, the wire is made of braided thread to be durable.
The buds are water- and sweat-resistant, meeting an IPX4 rating. A neat feature is built-in magnets: each earphone has one so they secure together for easy portability, or to wear comfortably around your neck when you aren’t actively listening. Clip them together to automatically pause the audio.
They are designed to fit comfortably in your ears for long listening sessions thanks to the rounded, ergonomic design. Each pair comes with three pairs of interchangeable silicon tips.
Available starting today direct from OnePlus, the buds, which come finished in black, will later be available for purchase on Amazon in both Canada and the U.S.
Last year, OnePlus launched its latest in the true wireless category for those who prefer a wire-free experience: the OnePlus Buds Z2 true wireless earbuds sell in Canada for $149.