Short answer: the OnePlus Buds 4. It ranks #956 of 1291 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.2/5, at $114; the AFUL Explorer ranks #965, rated 3.1/5, and costs $119.99, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
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.
The case for the AFUL Explorer: Bass extends flat to 20 Hz and sits on target across 38 measurements, giving full, even low end without boom. Watch for: The presence region is about 7 dB low with an 8.6 dB dip near 4.1 kHz, the deepest in this group, so vocals sound distant and instruments lose definition.
Buy the OnePlus Buds 4. It is rated higher for sound quality than the AFUL Explorer and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
True wireless buds with active noise cancelling, Bluetooth 5.4, LHDC alongside AAC and SBC, and IP55 resistance cover most commuter needs.
Amazon $114.00 eBay
Bass extends flat to 20 Hz and sits on target across 38 measurements, giving full, even low end without boom.
Amazon $119.99 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 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 4 | AFUL Explorer | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $114.00 | $119.99 |
| Ranked | #956 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones | #965 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 64 (median of 2 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 63 (median of 38 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.50 dB standard deviation | 2.68 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.12 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.99 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+4.1 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | True wireless | Wired |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | - |
| Battery Life | 11 hours (45 with case, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LHDC | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IP55 | - |
| Driver Type | - | Hybrid |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 8mm dynamic + 2 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | - | 26 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 108 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | - | 10Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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