If you are looking for the best wireless headphones on the market, you have many options. And of course if you're looking for the best, you'll have to shell out a pretty penny.
My current favorite are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones. In my opinion, they offer the best option for many people. The best pair I've ever heard is the Devialet Gemini II, but both will set you back several hundred pounds.
If you're on a budget, you still have options. Introducing the Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro headphones that I tested today. Will they be able to establish themselves in the industry? Let's go, let's go, let's go.
Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro Review: Price and Release Date
The Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro in-ear headphones cost £79 in the UK. You are not currently registered in the US.
These headphones were launched on July 10, 2023 and we offer them with the best features at an affordable price.
Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro Review: Details
One of the things that initially impressed me about this model was the use of bamboo in the dynamics. According to Oppo, this ensures a "very detailed high-frequency listening experience" with minimal distortion.
The material itself is said to be 60% lighter, 56% stronger and 63% more elastic, which helps provide a more comfortable listening experience. We'll come back to it later, but it's definitely new material.
The brand offers some very impressive battery life numbers. Users can use the headphones for up to seven hours on their own, for a total of 30 hours using the included charging case. Again, we'll talk about my findings later.
Elsewhere, you'll find an IP55 water and dust resistance rating on the headset, which should be more than enough to handle everyday life without bothering the user a bit.
Multipoint connectivity is provided for use with multiple devices, and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity provides low latency for gaming. In addition, all this happens in the frequency range from 10 Hz to 40 kHz. The range of hearing is wider than that of humans, which means you also get ultrasonic and infrasonic sounds for a more immersive experience.
Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro Review: Performance
OK, let's talk about how they work in practice. Let's start with the most important thing: sound quality. When it comes to core functionality, most headphones are a weak point.
Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality on offer here. Sound quality is generally good, with plenty of high-end detail and good bass richness. I can't say for sure that this is all due to the bamboo driver, but it certainly fits the claims made about it.
Overall, it's a fairly average sound profile, but it does the job well. You will also be happy with this harmless character, because it is really impossible to change him. The app you use with them — Hemelody, you might think — leaves a lot to be desired.
No user can match. Instead, users only have access to a few, very fine-tuned settings. There's enough bass boost and natural boost to accentuate the lows and highs, but don't expect major changes.
My issues with the app extend to other features as well. For example, Oppo Alive Sound is a custom setting in the app. Still, I don't understand why you would destroy it. The difference is night and day. Anyway, it's been ages since I picked it up.
However, there are good points. The layout of the noise cancellation and transparency controls is clear and uncluttered, with the ability to switch between different ANC levels.
Yes, and while we're at it: this ANC is very strong. Using the "High" mode helped block out a lot of extraneous noise, including conversations from coworkers in the office.
The headphones also have touch controls. Once again I have no complaints. Everything worked well, with minimal misclicks or accidental double clicks. That's a good thing, because using over-ear headphones with touch sensitivity can quickly become annoying.
Also, the battery life is very good. I had trouble achieving the advertised seven hours with the buttons themselves - six hours might be more accurate in my experience. As for the case? I have no idea. Since this has been going on for so long I've lost track of it, so it can't be a major problem.
Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro Review: Verdict
Finally, are these headphones worth the money? And the answer is very simple: yes. For £79 you're getting a great set of headphones from a well-known tech company.
Of course I have complaints. The app is very outdated and I would like to see a more convenient equalizer control. However, this does not affect everyone. If you're looking for just the right sound, these might hit your fancy.
Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro Review: Alternative Choice
I only recommend headphones here. The No Ear (2) is my first choice for many people as the sound profile punches above its weight for the price.
At £129, they're more expensive than the headphones from Oppo. But I think the difference is reasonable and valid, especially if you want control.
The Sony WF-C700N headphones are also worth mentioning. They have great apps and battery life and are another good option if you're looking for a more popular brand.
