Realme Buds Air 3 review: Impressive noise cancellation on a budget

Advertisement
Realme Buds Air 3 review:  Impressive noise cancellation on a budget
Business Insider India
  • The noise cancellation on the Buds Air 3 brings an impressive audio experience at a low price.
  • Realme link app gives you the freedom to enjoy music.
  • ANC, bass boost+, and 30 hours of playback make it an ideal pick at ₹3,999.
Advertisement
For a truly wireless earbuds lover, the Realme Buds Air 3 pegs itself among the best products in the sub-5k price segment. The Realme Buds Air 3 continues to sport the same shape as its predecessor - Buds Air 2. It now has some The cobblestone-shaped charging case is comfortable to hold in the hand.

Priced at ₹3,999, it comes with features like 42dB ANC (active noise cancellation) along with Transparency mode allowing you to minimize noise cancellation. Also, it has touch controls and a design that’s said to cut down wind noise. The Realme Buds Air 3 has passed the Rheinland high-performance noise cancelling certification.

Pocketable design that doesn't feel cheap
Realme Buds Air 3 review:  Impressive noise cancellation on a budget
Business Insider India

The Realme Buds Air 3 is available in 2 colour options Galaxy White and Starry Blue. The design is pocket-friendly and perfectly fits in the pocket. The case is made of plastic and is shiny, which attracts fingerprints and might also be prone to scratches when used for long. I’m using the white version and it asks for regular wiping to keep it clean. The charging case measures 110.5x103x39.6mm and weighs just 57grams. It is slightly bigger and heavier than its predecessor, but it is still compact.
Complimentary Tech Event
Transform talent with learning that works
Capability development is critical for businesses who want to push the envelope of innovation.Discover how business leaders are strategizing around building talent capabilities and empowering employee transformation.Know More
Realme Buds Air 3 review:  Impressive noise cancellation on a budget
Business Insider India

The stem part has a matte metal finish that feels premium and it weighs about 4.2 grams. Realme Buds Air 3 features an optical sensor that automatically pauses the audio when you remove it from your ears and resumes audio when you put it back. These earbuds fit perfectly in your ears and don’t fall even when cycling and running. The IPX5 water resistance rating prevents it from sweat, water splash, and rain however, the case is not water-resistance.

Active Noise Cancellation & audio performance
Realme Buds Air 3 review:  Impressive noise cancellation on a budget
Realme Link

Advertisement

The noise cancellation of the Realme Buds Air 3 has surprised me a lot. As I plugged them into my ears the loud noises nearby like a fan or people talking were efficiently filtered. The normal mode in noise cancellation control worked decently. Also, don't expect it to block 100% of noise nearby, which is how noise cancellation usually works. So it’s an easy recommendation for those who commute.
Realme Buds Air 3 review:  Impressive noise cancellation on a budget
Realme link

To analyze sound output, I tried listening to a variety of genres and it has impressed me so far. The Buds Air 3 supports a DBB driver (Dynamic Bass Boost) which does a fair job at delivering clear vocals and powerful bass. The audio is loud for ANC earbuds, you might find mids and highs mixing up but it will only be noticeable distinctly to audiophiles. So if you are particular about details and dynamic range, you should look at a slightly costlier segment.

When I switched to Bass Boost+ the vocals were still clear and the bass was heavy and deep. For everyday pop music, the Buds Air 3 performance is more comprehensive. It would be unfair to expect this to take on the premium buds, but it’s quite impressive for what it does for its price. If you observe minute details in the frequencies then you might be disappointed and that also means it’s not for audiophiles. What’s good is that it lets you have control of switching presets for different sound styles through the Realme link app. Overall the Bass Boost+ effect doesn't disappoint me. After switching to game mode, the delay of Buds Air 3 can be as low as 88ms, which means there’s practically no delay in listening to game sounds.

I have been using Buds Air 3 for the last few days and as a fitness freak, I faced a wind noise problem while running. I’m impressed with the noise cancellation performance as Buds Air 3 eliminates wind noise and the audio is clearly audible.

How is it to use?
Play /pause audio, answer call / hang callsDouble-tap
Reject callsLong press 2 seconds
Next or previous trackTriple tap
Switch between normal, ANC, and transparency modeLong press one of the earbuds for 2 seconds
Turn on the game modeLong press both earbuds 2 seconds

Advertisement
It is compatible with the Realme Link app. Once linked, it was easy for me to jump around features. Such as multi-device connection, and the switching between noise-cancelling modes. You can also set your own customized hearing sense to create the most suitable sound style for your ears by using customized audio tuning.

Calling performance is also decent, be it connectivity, range, or mic performance there hasn’t been a single instance of trouble during calls. However, some users did complain of the voice being muffled, which makes it just about how any sub 5K TWS sounds on calls.

Battery Life
The Realme Buds Air 3 promises up to 30 hours of total battery life without active noise cancellation (ANC) and 22 hours of total battery life with noise cancellation enabled. The green light in the case indicates that the battery is full, and when it turns red, it is low.
Realme Buds Air 3 review:  Impressive noise cancellation on a budget
Business Insider India

You can also see the battery left in the case through the Realme Link app when the earbuds are placed in the case. Based on my limited usage, it took about 2 hours to fully charge the case and an hour to charge the earbuds. The battery life is pretty decent in every mode so far, but I still have to test it for some more time to give actual numbers.

Should you buy Realme Buds Air 3?
Advertisement
The Buds Air 3 with sub 4K price tag puts it into a very competitive segment for TWS, but it still manages to make a space for itself. If you are someone who loves slapping bass and thumping sound profile and don’t want to spend a lot, this could be a good option for you. It is value for money as they offer good audio quality with decent noise cancellation. Additionally, you will get access to a lot of bonus features like dual device connectivity, gaming mode, decent battery and smart control. I would suggest it is a sensible pick for everyday use in this price range.

SEE ALSO:
This new Android malware sits silently on your phone to remotely take control of your device
Amazon Fab Phones Fest 2022: best offers on mid-range smartphones
{{}}