The OnePlus Buds Z Truly Wireless are comfortable, well-built in-ears designed to have a bass-heavy sound profile. While they deliver extra thump and punch, their sound profile may be overwhelming for fans of a more neutral sound. They're stable in your ear, and they even have an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance, though we don't currently test for this. Unfortunately, you can only access their controls and their companion app when you pair them with OnePlus phones. However, if you love a bass-heavy sound, they're a solid choice.
Our Verdict
The OnePlus Buds Z are okay for neutral sound. They have pretty neutral mid and treble ranges, so vocals and lead instruments are present in the mix, though sometimes a bit weak or distant. However, their bass-heavy sound profile may be muddy or overwhelming for fans of neutral sound. They don't have any sound customization options, either, and their in-ear design doesn't create a very open or spacious soundstage.
- Consistent audio delivery.
- No sound customization features.
The OnePlus Buds Z are satisfactory for commute and travel. They're comfortable enough to wear during long plane rides, and their portable design makes it easy to grab them and go. However, they struggle to block out background noises like bus and plane engines. Also, their 3.7-hour continuous battery life may not be long enough for international flights. Fortunately, they come with a portable charging case so you can power up on-the-go.
- Comfortable, stable fit.
- Portable design.
- Struggles to isolate against bass-heavy background noise.
- 3.7-hour continuous battery life.
The OnePlus Buds Z are good for sports and fitness. These comfortable in-ears have a stable fit, so they shouldn't fall out of your ears during your workouts. They even have an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance, though we don't currently test for this. Their portable design makes it easy to bring them along on-the-go. However, their controls only work with OnePlus phones, which may be annoying if you want to adjust the volume during your run.
- Comfortable, stable fit.
- IP55 rating for dust and water resistance.
- Portable design.
- Some features only work with OnePlus phones.
The OnePlus Buds Z are reasonable for office use. These comfortable headphones don't leak a lot of sound, so you can crank up the volume on your favorite music and podcasts without really bothering nearby coworkers. They can block out some background noises, including the sounds of coworkers chatting around you. Also, their 3.7-hour continuous battery life may not last through your workday, but at least their charging case offers around three extra charges for when you're on-the-go.
- Comfortable, stable fit.
- Don't leak a lot of noise.
- Struggles to isolate against bass-heavy background noise.
- 3.7-hour continuous battery life.
The OnePlus Buds Z aren't compatible with Xbox One or PS4. While they can be paired with Bluetooth-enabled PCs, their latency is likely too high to be suitable for gaming.
The OnePlus Buds Z are wireless headphones that aren't suitable for wired gaming.
The OnePlus Buds Z are decent for phone calls. Their integrated microphone has a decent recording quality, so whoever's on the other end of the line can understand you, even if your voice sounds a bit thin. The mic has decent noise handling too, and you should be heard clearly in moderately noisy environments, although loud noises can drown your voice out. However, the headphones struggle to block out some background noises, which can be distracting during your calls.
- Decent noise handling performance.
- Struggles to isolate against bass-heavy background noise.
Changelog
- Updated Nov 18, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
- Updated Jan 13, 2021: Review published.
- Updated Jan 08, 2021: Early access published.
- Updated Dec 01, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The OnePlus Buds Z come in 'White', and there's also a special edition in collaboration with designer Steven Harrington that features his striking artwork on the buds and the case. We tested the 'White' label, and you can see the label for the model we tested here.
If you come across another version, let us know in the discussions so we can update our review.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The OnePlus Buds Z are truly wireless in-ear headphones designed to have a bass-heavy sound profile. They're similar to the OnePlus Buds Truly Wireless, but their earbud tip design is more comfortable and more stable than a one-size-fits-all design. Like other OnePlus earbuds, their controls and their companion app are only accessible when paired with a OnePlus phone. See also our recommendations for the best AirPods alternatives, the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds, and the best truly wireless earbuds.
The Skullcandy Jib True Wireless are better headphones than the OnePlus Buds Z. The Skullcandy have better noise isolation, have a longer continuous battery life, and leak less sound. However, the OnePlus have a more comfortable and stable fit.
The OnePlus Buds Z are better than the OnePlus Buds. The Z have a more comfortable, stable fit thanks to their silicone earbud tips, which the original Buds lack. They have better noise isolation, and they leak less sound. Also, their default sound profile packs a lot of extra bass. However, the original Buds have longer continuous battery life.
The Apple AirPods Pro are better than the OnePlus Buds Z. The Apple are better built and have better noise isolation thanks to their ANC feature. Also, they have a more neutral sound profile, though some listeners may prefer the OnePlus' bass-heavy sound profile.
The OnePlus Buds Z are somewhat better headphones for mixed usage than the JLab Audio JBuds Air Executive Truly Wireless. The OnePlus are better built and more comfortable. Also, they're a better choice for phone calls, since their microphone has a better recording quality. Some listeners may prefer the JLab Audio's V-shaped sound profile, while others may prefer the OnePlus' bass-heavy sound profile.
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You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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