Short answer: the OnePlus Buds 3. It ranks #263 of 1448 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $89.99; the OnePlus Buds 4 ranks #1033, rated 3.3/5, and costs $108, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The OnePlus Buds 3 is the better-sounding choice. ANC earbuds with a dual dynamic driver, LHDC, AAC and IP55, measured by two reviewers. The catch: Upper bass is also about 1.7 dB high, giving a warm tilt, and a dip near 9.4 kHz slightly dulls the air.
Why pick the OnePlus Buds 4: True wireless buds with active noise cancelling, Bluetooth 5.4, LHDC alongside AAC and SBC, and IP55 resistance cover most commuter needs. The tradeoff: The extra bass bleeds upward with midbass 2.8 dB and low mids 1.6 dB above target, so vocals can sound thick, and the air band jumps 5.9 dB with a 6.5 dB peak at 8.1 kHz, adding a tizzy edge to cymbals.
Buy the OnePlus Buds 3. It is rated higher for sound quality than the OnePlus Buds 4 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
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ANC earbuds with a dual dynamic driver, LHDC, AAC and IP55, measured by two reviewers.
Amazon $89.99 eBay
True wireless buds with active noise cancelling, Bluetooth 5.4, LHDC alongside AAC and SBC, and IP55 resistance cover most commuter needs.
Amazon $108.00 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 20, 2026 at 10:35 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| OnePlus Buds 3 | OnePlus Buds 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $89.99 | $108.00 |
| Ranked | #263 of 1448 in In-Ear Headphones | #1033 of 1448 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Connection | True wireless | True wireless |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10.4mm dynamic woofer + 1 x 6mm dynamic tweeter | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LHDC | SBC, AAC, LHDC |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (44 with case) | 11 hours (45 with case, Manufacturer specified) |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP55 | IP55 |
| Weight | 0 lbs (4.8 g) per earbud | - |
| Harman Preference Score | 77 (average of 2 squig.link measurements scored separately, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 65 (average of 2 squig.link measurements scored separately, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.63 dB standard deviation | 2.53 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.53 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.12 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.1 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+4.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
Frequency Response Compared
Both headphones’ measurements overlaid on the Harman target. Above the target sounds louder in that range, below it quieter. Each curve combines the independent measurements credited below, shifted so its 500 Hz to 2 kHz average sits at 0 dB, so only the tuning is compared.
Measurement data: the OnePlus Buds 3 from dhrme and regancipher; the OnePlus Buds 4 from dhrme and regancipher, all via squig.link.
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