True Wireless
OnePlus Nord Buds
72Good
$39
Full review dataOnePlus Nord Buds vs Soundcore P42i: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Soundcore P42i comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 78. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Soundcore P42i - Great overall at around $71.
True Wireless
Soundcore P42i
78Great
$71
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
OnePlus Nord Buds
Sound7.5
Battery7.0
Calls5.5
Value8.0
Soundcore P42i
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling8.0
Battery8.5
Calls7.5
Value9.0
Specifications
| Spec | OnePlus Nord Buds | Soundcore P42i |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $39 | $71 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2022 | 2026 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 12.4mm | dynamic |
| Driver size | 12.4 mm | 11 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 6.1 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 6.1 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Latency | 94 ms | - |
| Wireless range | 10 m | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 7 h | - |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 8.5 h |
| Battery incl. case | 30 h | 56 h |
| Full charge time | - | 60 min |
| Quick charge | 10 mins for 5 hours | 10 min = 3.5 h |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | Yes |
| ANC type | none | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | No | Yes |
| Companion app | No | Yes |
| Custom EQ | No | Yes |
| Wear detection | No | No |
| Controls | touch | touch |
| Voice assistant | supported | yes |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 4.82 g | 4.4 g |
| Case weight | 41.7 g | 51 g |
| Water resistance | IP55 | IP55 |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 4 | 6 |
| Call noise reduction | AI call noise cancellation | AI noise reduction |
What reviewers said
OnePlus Nord Buds
The OnePlus Nord Buds are a budget-friendly true wireless option that prioritize balanced, airy sound quality and solid battery life over extra features. They offer a comfortable fit, IP55 water resistance, and Bluetooth 5.2, but skip active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and app support. While they're a capable all-rounder for the price, the lack of ANC and limited feature set may leave some users wanting more.
- Pro:Balanced and airy sound for the price
- Pro:Solid battery life with charging case
- Pro:Comfortable fit and IP55 water resistance
- Con:No active noise cancellation or transparency mode
- Con:No volume controls on the earbuds
- Con:Microphone quality is below average
Soundcore P42i
The Soundcore P42i is a budget-friendly true wireless pair that punches well above its weight, offering adaptive noise cancellation, LDAC support, multipoint connectivity, and wireless charging in a comfortable, IP55-rated shell. With long battery life and a robust app suite, it delivers premium features without the premium price tag, making it an exceptional value pick for everyday listeners.
- Pro:Excellent value with premium features at a budget price
- Pro:Comfortable fit and strong adaptive ANC for the class
- Pro:Long battery life with convenient wireless charging case
- Con:Bass may not satisfy heavy bassheads
- Con:Touch controls can be finicky at times
- Con:Call quality is decent but not top-tier
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.