Let me paint you a picture. You’re on the 7:45 AM train, the world is a cacophony of screeching brakes and a dozen overlapping conversations. Or maybe you’re at your kitchen-table-turned-desk, and the neighbor has decided today is the day to test his new leaf blower’s maximum capacity. Your focus is a precious, fragile thing. And your gear should be its guardian.
That’s the battleground where I tested the OnePlus Buds 4. This isn’t just a review about sound quality—it’s a review about sanity. After two solid weeks of using them as my daily drivers for everything from back-to-back Zoom calls to cross-country flights, I have an answer to the question on everyone’s mind.
Spoiler: It’s a resounding almost. Let’s get into it.
First Impressions: The “Glacier Blue” Moment
The unboxing experience is, as you’d expect from OnePlus, satisfying. It feels premium without being wasteful. The case itself is a sleek, oval pebble that feels fantastic in the hand. I opted for the “Glacier Blue” color, and it’s a stunner—a subtle, silvery blue that looks more sophisticated than flashy.
The Buds slip into your ears with a confident click. They’re light, but not so light that you forget they’re there. It’s a Goldilocks fit—just right. And for someone with notoriously finicky ears that usually reject earbuds after an hour, this was a very, very good sign.
Insert image of the OnePlus Buds 4 case and earbuds in “Glacier Blue” resting on a notebook and pen.
The Crown Jewel: Adaptive Noise Cancellation That Actually Works
This is the main event. The feature that makes or breaks a pair of earbuds for work and travel. The OnePlus Buds 4 boast “Adaptive Noise Cancellation,” and I’m thrilled to report it’s not just marketing fluff.
How does it work? The earbuds constantly monitor the ambient sound around you and adjust the level of noise cancellation on the fly. On the train, it slams the door shut on the low-frequency rumble. In a noisy coffee shop, it deftly mutes the general chatter but cleverly lets through higher-frequency sounds like a barista calling out an order, so you don’t miss your triple-shot oat latte.
But the real magic is for work calls. The “Zen Mode” AI Noise Cancellation for calls is a game-changer. I took a call while a garbage truck was doing its rounds outside my window. My colleague’s response? “I can hear you perfectly. What garbage truck?”
For the modern professional, that feature alone is worth the price of admission.
Sound Quality: A Balanced Diet for Your Ears
You’re not buying these to be an audiophile holed up in a soundproof room. You need earbuds that can handle a punchy podcast, a cinematic Teams call, and your “Deep Focus” playlist with equal prowess.
The OnePlus Buds 4 deliver a beautifully balanced sound profile. The bass is present and punchy when it needs to be (thank you, dual drivers), but it doesn’t overwhelm the mids and highs. Vocals on calls and in songs are clear and crisp. The soundstage is wide enough to feel immersive without being unnatural.
It’s not the most aggressive, exciting sound signature on the market—and that’s the point. It’s a refined, all-rounder profile that refuses to fatigue your ears, even after a four-hour listening session. And that is a massive win.
Battery Life: The Trusty Workhorse
Battery anxiety is the enemy of productivity and travel. OnePlus claims up to 9 hours of playback with the ANC on, and the case provides an additional 27 hours.
In my real-world testing? I never once ran them to zero in a single day. A typical 8-hour workday, peppered with calls, music, and a few video breaks, would leave me with about 30% left. The case lives in my bag, and I only thought about charging it once a week. It’s a set-and-forget system that just works.
Insert a simple table comparing key specs:
| Feature | OnePlus Buds 4 Performance | Why It Matters for Work & Travel |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (ANC On) | ~9 hours (earbuds) | Survives a long workday or flight without a recharge. |
| Charging Case | +27 hours | Forget your charger for a weekend trip; you’ll be fine. |
| Fast Charge | 10 hours of play from a 10-min charge | A lifesaver when you’re running out the door. |
| Call Quality | Exceptional with AI Noise Reduction | You’re crystal clear, even in a windy or noisy environment. |
The Gripes: No Product is Perfect
Let’s be real for a second. Are these the absolute best TWS earbuds money can buy? Well, it depends.
The touch controls, while customizable, can be a tad sensitive. I accidentally hung up on my boss once while adjusting the earbud. A minor panic attack later, I’d say there’s a slight learning curve.
And while the companion app is functional, it lacks the deep, granular EQ customization that brands like Sony offer. If you love to tweak every frequency, you might feel a little handcuffed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I’ve been getting DMs, so let’s tackle the big questions head-on.
1. Are the OnePlus Buds 4 waterproof?
They have an IP55 rating, which means they’re dust-protected and sweat-resistant. Perfect for a workout or getting caught in the rain, but I wouldn’t take them for a swim.
2. How is the microphone quality for calls?
As I mentioned, it’s a standout feature. The AI does a phenomenal job isolating your voice. Whether you’re on a busy street or in a windy park, the person on the other end will hear you clearly. It’s one of the best I’ve tested in this price range.
3. Can you connect the OnePlus Buds 4 to two devices at once?
Yes! The dual connection feature is seamless. I’m connected to my laptop and my phone simultaneously. When a call comes in on my phone, the Buds automatically switch over. It’s a small feature that makes the work-from-anywhere life infinitely smoother.
4. Are they comfortable for all-day wear?
For me, absolutely. The ergonomic design and lightweight build are winners. However, everyone’s ears are different. If you have major issues with in-ear tips, it might be worth checking the return policy, just in case.
The Final Verdict: Who Are These For?
So, after all this, where do we land?
The OnePlus Buds 4 are not just a minor upgrade; they are a thoughtfully designed tool for a specific kind of person. They are for the hybrid worker, the frequent traveler, the busy professional who needs one device that can do it all without fuss.
They master the fundamentals: incredible call quality, effective and smart noise cancellation, all-day comfort, and battery life you can trust. Are there more powerful or customizable options out there? Sure. But for nailing the core experience of work and travel, the OnePlus Buds 4 hit a sweet spot that is incredibly hard to beat.
They don’t just play music; they build a bubble of focus around you. And in today’s world, that’s not just a feature—it’s a superpower.
What do you think? Are the OnePlus Buds 4 on your shortlist? Share your thoughts or ask any other questions in the comments below!