The TWS earbuds market under ₹3,000 is flooded with options, making it overwhelming to choose the right one. After extensive hands-on testing, we’ve narrowed down the field to just four exceptional choices. Whether you prioritize music quality, calling, battery life, or ANC, this guide will help you pick the perfect earbuds without the confusion.
Quick Comparison: Top 4 TWS Under ₹3000
| Feature | OnePlus Buds 3 Pro | Realme Buds Air 7 | CMF Buds 2 Plus | Samsung Galaxy Buds FE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~₹3,000 | ~₹3,000 | ~₹3,000 | ~₹3,000 (with ₹900 coupon) |
| Drivers | 12.4mm | 12.4mm | 12mm | 6.5mm or 12mm (unclear) |
| ANC | 49dB | 52dB (Best) | 50dB | Undisclosed (Excellent) |
| IP Rating | IP55 | IP55 | IP54 | Not specified |
| Battery | 44 hours | 52 hours | 61 hours (Best) | 35 hours |
| Codec | AAC, SBC | AAC, SBC, LHDC 5.0 | AAC, SBC, LDAC | Standard |
| Best For | Calling | Gaming & ANC | Battery & Value | Music Quality |
#1: OnePlus Buds 3 Pro – The Calling Champions
Price: ₹2,999 (approx.)
Why They Made the List
The OnePlus Buds 3 Pro deliver an excellent all-around package with one standout feature: exceptional call quality. After thorough testing of music output, ANC performance, and calling capabilities, these earbuds excel where it matters most for many users.
Key Specifications
Drivers: 12.4mm
ANC: 49dB active noise cancellation
IP Rating: IP55 (sweat and dirt resistant)
Battery Life: Up to 44 hours total playback
Codecs: AAC, SBC
Special Features: Low latency gaming mode, app support
What’s Excellent
Music Output: The 12.4mm drivers deliver fantastic music quality, especially for bass heads. The bass response is powerful without overwhelming the mids and highs. With app support, you can tweak the EQ to your preference, making these versatile for different music genres.
Call Quality (The Standout): This is where the OnePlus Buds 3 Pro truly shine. The calling quality is exceptional—arguably the best in this price range. Whether you’re in a quiet room or moderately noisy environment, voice clarity remains excellent on both ends.
ANC Performance: The 49dB active noise cancellation is tested and proven effective. It handles ambient noise well, making these suitable for commuting, office environments, or studying in cafes.
Build & Comfort:
- IP55 rating means they’re sweat and dirt resistant
- Cute, compact design
- Comfortable for extended wear
- Good seal for passive noise isolation
Gaming Mode: Low latency mode ensures audio sync during mobile gaming. Not the absolute lowest latency (Realme beats it slightly), but perfectly adequate for PUBG, COD Mobile, and similar games.
What’s Missing
No High-Res Audio Codec: Only AAC and SBC codecs are supported. The absence of LDAC, LHDC, or aptX HD means you’re not getting the highest possible audio quality if your source device supports better codecs.
Dual Pairing Limitations: While dual device pairing is supported, automatic play/pause when switching between devices doesn’t work. You’ll need to manually pause on one device before playing on another—a minor but noticeable inconvenience.
Who Should Buy
✅ Frequent callers – Voice quality is exceptional
✅ Bass enthusiasts – 12.4mm drivers deliver punchy lows
✅ Active users – IP55 rating handles sweat and dust
✅ App customization fans – EQ and settings adjustment available
#2: Realme Buds Air 7 – The ANC & Gaming Kings
Price: ₹2,999 (approx.)
Why They Made the List
After personal testing, the Realme Buds Air 7 emerged as having the best ANC in this price bracket at 52dB, along with impressive gaming performance and the highest-end audio codec support.
Key Specifications
Drivers: 12.4mm
ANC: 52dB (highest in this list)
IP Rating: IP55
Battery Life: Up to 52 hours total playback
Codecs: AAC, SBC, LHDC 5.0
Gaming Latency: 45ms in game mode
What’s Excellent
Best-in-Class ANC: At 52dB, this is probably the best active noise cancellation you’ll find under ₹3,000. Tested in real-world conditions, it effectively blocks:
- Traffic noise during commutes
- Office chatter and AC hums
- Airplane cabin noise
- Crowd noise in public spaces
High-Resolution Audio: LHDC 5.0 codec support means if you have a compatible device (many flagship and mid-range phones), you can enjoy much better audio quality than standard AAC. This is a significant advantage over the OnePlus Buds 3 Pro.
Gaming Performance: The 45ms low latency in game mode is genuinely impressive. Audio-visual sync is tight, making these excellent for competitive mobile gaming where every millisecond counts.
Battery Life: 52 hours of total playback is substantial. With fast charging support, you won’t be tethered to a charger often. The charging case holds multiple full charges of the earbuds.
Dual Pairing: Supports connecting to two devices simultaneously, though like the OnePlus, automatic play/pause doesn’t work when switching.
What’s Missing
No Automatic Play/Pause: Despite having dual pairing, the earbuds won’t automatically pause on one device and resume on another when switching. This seems like a simple firmware feature that hasn’t been implemented—frustrating but not a deal-breaker.
Spatial Audio Issues: The earbuds offer spatial audio features, but enabling them actually degrades overall audio quality. Best to stick with normal mode for optimal sound.
Who Should Buy
✅ Commuters & travelers – Best ANC for blocking ambient noise
✅ Mobile gamers – 45ms latency is excellent
✅ Audiophiles on budget – LHDC 5.0 delivers high-res audio
✅ Heavy users – 52-hour battery life is generous
#3: CMF by Nothing Buds 2 Plus – The Battery & Value Champions
Price: ₹2,999 (approx.)
Why They Made the List
The CMF by Nothing Buds 2 Plus (yes, that’s the full name) deliver exceptional value for money with the longest battery life in this comparison and excellent all-around performance.
Key Specifications
Drivers: 12mm
ANC: 50dB active noise cancellation
IP Rating: IP54 (adequate protection)
Battery Life: Up to 61 hours (best in class)
Codecs: AAC, SBC, LDAC
Special Features: Game mode, app support, timely firmware updates
What’s Excellent
Unbeatable Battery Life: At 61 hours of total playback, this is the battery champion. If you frequently forget to charge your devices or need earbuds that last through long trips, these won’t disappoint.
Solid ANC & Transparency: 50dB of active noise cancellation is very good—not quite as powerful as the Realme’s 52dB, but still effective for most scenarios. The transparency mode quality is also excellent, allowing natural ambient sound when needed.
LDAC Support: Unlike the OnePlus (which has no high-res codec) and offering an alternative to the Realme’s LHDC, these support LDAC. If your phone has LDAC but not LHDC, these are your best bet for high-resolution audio.
Call Quality: Excellent calling performance in most environments. While not quite matching the OnePlus Buds 3 Pro or Realme in extremely noisy conditions, they’re still very good.
App Support & Updates: The companion app works well for EQ adjustments and settings. Firmware updates arrive on time, suggesting good long-term support from CMF/Nothing.
What’s Missing
Size: The case is noticeably larger than competitors. While not massive, it’s less pocket-friendly and can be a hassle to carry in tight jeans pockets or small bags.
No Automatic Play/Pause: Like the others, automatic play/pause when switching between paired devices doesn’t work—a common limitation in this price range.
Who Should Buy
✅ Long-haul users – 61-hour battery is unmatched
✅ Budget conscious – Best overall value
✅ LDAC device owners – Proper high-res codec support
✅ Nothing ecosystem fans – Integrates with other Nothing products
#4: Samsung Galaxy Buds FE – The Audiophile’s Choice
Price: ₹3,899 (MRP) → ₹2,999 (with ₹900 coupon)
Why They Made the List
After personal testing, the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE deliver the best music quality in this entire list. The fit is exceptional, and the combination of passive + active noise cancellation is outstanding.
Key Specifications
Drivers: 6.5mm or 12mm (Samsung’s specs are inconsistent)
ANC: Undisclosed dB rating (but excellent in practice)
IP Rating: Not specified
Battery Life: Up to 35 hours total playback
Codecs: Standard Samsung codecs
Special Features: Excellent passive noise isolation, superior fit
What’s Excellent
Best Music Quality: This is the standout feature. The music output is simply superior to all other earbuds in this list:
- Balanced sound signature – Bass doesn’t overpower vocals or treble
- Excellent soundstaging – Instruments feel separated and positioned
- Natural tonality – Music sounds true to the recording
- Detail retrieval – You’ll hear nuances missed on cheaper earbuds
If you’re buying TWS primarily for music listening, these are unmatched at this price.
Perfect Fit: The ergonomics are excellent. These stay securely in ears during workouts, commuting, and daily activities. The comfortable fit also aids passive noise isolation.
Hybrid Noise Cancellation: While Samsung doesn’t disclose the ANC dB rating, the combination of:
- Excellent passive noise isolation (from the fit)
- Active noise cancellation
- Results in amazing overall noise blocking
Call Quality: Very good, especially in noisy environments. The microphone array effectively isolates your voice from ambient noise.
What’s Missing
Ecosystem Limitations:
- Dual pairing only works within Samsung’s ecosystem
- Live translation features require Samsung devices
- In-ear detection only works after removing both earbuds (weird behavior)
No Wireless Charging: Despite confusion online, these do NOT support wireless charging. The case must be charged via cable. This has been personally tested and confirmed—no wireless charging whatsoever.
Limited App Support on iOS: iPhone users won’t get proper app support or functionality. If you’re on iOS, skip these entirely and go for the Realme Buds Air 7 or CMF Buds 2 Plus instead.
Battery Life: At 35 hours, it’s the shortest in this comparison. Still adequate for most users, but if battery life is critical, look elsewhere.
Driver Size Confusion: Samsung’s own specifications are inconsistent, listing both 6.5mm and 12mm drivers in different places. However, the actual driver size matters less than the excellent sound quality delivered.
Who Should Buy
✅ Music lovers – Best audio quality in this price range
✅ Samsung ecosystem users – Full feature integration
✅ Android users – Proper app support (avoid if on iOS)
✅ Fit-conscious buyers – Exceptional ergonomics
Who Should Avoid
❌ iPhone/iOS users – Limited functionality without proper app
❌ Long battery life seekers – Only 35 hours vs 61 hours on CMF
❌ Wireless charging fans – Not supported despite online claims
Detailed Feature Comparison
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
Winner: Realme Buds Air 7 (52dB)
- Realme Buds Air 7 – 52dB (Best for commuting and noisy environments)
- CMF Buds 2 Plus – 50dB (Excellent all-rounder)
- OnePlus Buds 3 Pro – 49dB (Very good, sufficient for most use)
- Samsung Galaxy Buds FE – Undisclosed (Excellent in practice due to hybrid approach)
Real-World Impact: All four offer effective ANC, but the Realme’s extra 2-3dB makes a noticeable difference in very noisy environments like airplanes or busy streets.
Music Quality
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Buds FE
Ranking:
- Samsung Galaxy Buds FE – Best soundstaging, tonality, and balance
- Realme Buds Air 7 – Excellent with LHDC 5.0, great detail
- OnePlus Buds 3 Pro – Great for bass heads, app EQ helps
- CMF Buds 2 Plus – Very good, LDAC support is valuable
For Different Music Preferences:
- Bass heads: OnePlus Buds 3 Pro or Realme Buds Air 7
- Balanced/Neutral: Samsung Galaxy Buds FE
- Classical/Acoustic: Samsung Galaxy Buds FE
- EDM/Hip-Hop: OnePlus Buds 3 Pro
Call Quality
Winner: OnePlus Buds 3 Pro
Ranking:
- OnePlus Buds 3 Pro – Exceptional voice clarity
- Realme Buds Air 7 – Excellent, especially with ANC on
- Samsung Galaxy Buds FE – Very good in noisy environments
- CMF Buds 2 Plus – Good but slightly behind the top three
For Professional Use: If you’re on frequent video calls or phone meetings, the OnePlus Buds 3 Pro are the safest bet.
Battery Life
Winner: CMF Buds 2 Plus (61 hours)
Ranking:
- CMF Buds 2 Plus – 61 hours (Unbeatable)
- Realme Buds Air 7 – 52 hours (Excellent)
- OnePlus Buds 3 Pro – 44 hours (Good)
- Samsung Galaxy Buds FE – 35 hours (Adequate)
Real-World Usage: Even the “worst” battery life (35 hours) means roughly 5-7 days of typical usage (1-2 hours daily listening).
Gaming Performance
Winner: Realme Buds Air 7 (45ms latency)
Ranking:
- Realme Buds Air 7 – 45ms low latency (Best)
- OnePlus Buds 3 Pro – Low latency mode (Very good)
- CMF Buds 2 Plus – Game mode available (Good)
- Samsung Galaxy Buds FE – Standard latency (Adequate for casual gaming)
For Competitive Gaming: The Realme’s 45ms latency makes audio-visual sync tight enough for competitive play.
Build Quality & Durability
Best IP Rating: OnePlus Buds 3 Pro & Realme Buds Air 7 (IP55)
- OnePlus Buds 3 Pro: IP55 (sweat + dirt resistant)
- Realme Buds Air 7: IP55 (sweat + dirt resistant)
- CMF Buds 2 Plus: IP54 (adequate protection)
- Samsung Galaxy Buds FE: Not specified (likely splash resistant)
For Workouts: Both OnePlus and Realme are certified safe for intense workouts and outdoor use.
High-Res Audio Codec Support
Why Codecs Matter
Standard Bluetooth audio uses lossy compression (AAC, SBC) that reduces quality. High-resolution codecs (LDAC, LHDC, aptX HD) preserve more detail from the original recording.
Codec Availability:
- Realme Buds Air 7: LHDC 5.0 (Best quality, needs compatible phone)
- CMF Buds 2 Plus: LDAC (Excellent, more widely supported)
- OnePlus Buds 3 Pro: AAC, SBC only (Standard quality)
- Samsung Galaxy Buds FE: Samsung proprietary codecs
Does Your Phone Support It?
LHDC 5.0 Support:
- Most Realme flagships
- Some OnePlus devices
- Select Xiaomi phones
- Not on iPhone
LDAC Support:
- Most Android phones running Android 8.0+
- Sony phones have native support
- Not on iPhone
AAC Support:
- All iPhones
- All Android phones
- Universal but lower quality
Recommendation: Check your phone’s codec support. If you have LHDC, get the Realme. If LDAC but no LHDC, get the CMF. If neither, codec support matters less—focus on other features.
Common Issues & Limitations
What ALL Four Lack
1. Automatic Play/Pause When Switching Devices
Despite all four supporting dual device pairing, none automatically pause music on one device when you start playing on another. This is frustrating but manageable—you just manually pause before switching.
Why This Matters: If you’re watching YouTube on your laptop and your phone rings, the earbuds won’t auto-pause your laptop audio. You’ll hear both until you manually pause one.
2. Device Switching Could Be Smoother
While dual pairing works, the transition between devices isn’t seamless on any of these earbuds. Expect 2-3 seconds of silence when switching.
Individual Quirks
OnePlus Buds 3 Pro:
- No high-res audio codec
Realme Buds Air 7:
- Spatial audio degrades quality (disable it)
CMF Buds 2 Plus:
- Larger case, less portable
Samsung Galaxy Buds FE:
- In-ear detection only triggers after removing both buds
- No wireless charging despite online confusion
- Limited iOS functionality
Not Recommended: What We Excluded
Why No Boat Earbuds?
Boat Airdopes IV and other Boat models were excluded because:
- Music quality isn’t as good as these four
- Build quality is typically inferior
- ANC performance (when available) is weaker
If you must buy Boat: The Airdopes IV are decent, but they don’t match the top four in any category except possibly price (they’re sometimes cheaper).
Why No Anker/Soundcore?
While Anker makes decent products, the TWS models in this price range didn’t outperform these four in testing. Their strengths lie more in the sub-₹2,000 or ₹4,000+ segments.
Buying Guide: Which One Should YOU Get?
For iPhone Users
Best Choice: Realme Buds Air 7 or CMF Buds 2 Plus
Avoid: Samsung Galaxy Buds FE (limited app functionality)
Why: Both Realme and CMF offer proper iOS app support and functionality. The Samsung app is limited on iOS, restricting features and customization.
For Samsung Phone Users
Best Choice: Samsung Galaxy Buds FE
Why: Full ecosystem integration, including live translation, seamless device switching within Samsung devices, and optimized features. The superior music quality is a bonus.
For Audiophiles
Best Choice: Samsung Galaxy Buds FE
Second Choice: Realme Buds Air 7 (if you want high-res codec)
Why: The Samsung’s music quality is simply the best. If your phone supports LHDC 5.0, the Realme is a close second with better codec support.
For Frequent Callers
Best Choice: OnePlus Buds 3 Pro
Second Choice: Realme Buds Air 7
Why: Call quality on the OnePlus is exceptional. The Realme is very close, with the added benefit of better ANC during calls.
For Commuters/Travelers
Best Choice: Realme Buds Air 7
Why: The 52dB ANC is the most effective at blocking train, bus, and airplane noise. The 52-hour battery life means you won’t run out during long journeys.
For Mobile Gamers
Best Choice: Realme Buds Air 7
Second Choice: OnePlus Buds 3 Pro
Why: The Realme’s 45ms latency is best for competitive gaming. OnePlus is close behind and perfectly adequate for casual gaming.
For Battery Life Priority
Best Choice: CMF Buds 2 Plus
Why: 61 hours of total playback is unbeatable. If you charge devices infrequently or need earbuds for extended trips, these won’t disappoint.
For Best Overall Value
Best Choice: CMF Buds 2 Plus
Why: At ₹2,999, you get 61-hour battery, 50dB ANC, LDAC support, good music quality, excellent call quality, and timely updates. The most balanced package for the price.
For Bass Heads
Best Choice: OnePlus Buds 3 Pro
Why: The 12.4mm drivers deliver punchy, powerful bass without muddying vocals. App EQ lets you push bass even further if desired.
Final Recommendations
The Safe Choice
Go for: OnePlus Buds 3 Pro
If you want: Good all-around performance with exceptional calling
The Spec Champion
Go for: Realme Buds Air 7
If you want: Best ANC, gaming latency, and high-res audio codec
The Value King
Go for: CMF Buds 2 Plus
If you want: Longest battery life and best value for money
The Audiophile Pick
Go for: Samsung Galaxy Buds FE
If you want: Best music quality and you’re on Android (especially Samsung)
Conclusion: You Can’t Go Wrong
The good news? All four of these TWS earbuds are genuinely excellent choices under ₹3,000. There’s no “bad” option here—just different strengths for different priorities.
Pick based on your primary use case:
- Calling: OnePlus Buds 3 Pro
- ANC/Gaming: Realme Buds Air 7
- Battery/Value: CMF Buds 2 Plus
- Music Quality: Samsung Galaxy Buds FE (Android users only)
You’re getting exceptional value regardless of which you choose. Happy listening!
Which TWS earbuds are you leaning toward? Let us know in the comments what matters most to you—calling, music, gaming, or battery life!
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