Battery life is an essential component for true wireless headphones, and thankfully, it's something the OnePlus Buds Z2 nail. For $99 earbuds, the Buds Z2 stand out as one of the more compelling options available right now. They have 11mm drivers, active noise canceling, a transparency mode, and in-ear playback detection. These are features expected for earbuds in the $150 - $200 range, so the fact that they're all available for just $99 is pretty impressive.
Here's the thing, though. Whether it be the OnePlus Buds Z2 or any other earbuds, none of these things matter if the battery life isn't good. One of the best things about true wireless earbuds is how convenient they are. They can slide into a pocket, be taken anywhere, and are ready to go at a moment's notice. However, if the battery doesn't last as long as it should, all of this is for naught.
So — how's the battery life on the OnePlus Buds Z2? In short, it's very, very good. With active noise cancellation enabled, OnePlus says the Buds Z2 last for up to 5 hours of continuous playback. When factoring in additional endurance from the charging case, total battery life is up to 27 hours. And those numbers only get better when ANC is turned off. Without noise-canceling, the Buds Z2 last up to 7 hours for continuous listening and get total battery life of 38 hours.
How Buds Z2 Battery Life Compares To Other Earbuds
Those are undoubtedly impressive numbers on their own. Compared to other earbuds, though, do the Buds Z2 hold their own? A great comparison is with Apple's AirPods Pro. These $249 earbuds last up to 4.5 hours with ANC enabled, or up to 5 hours with ANC turned off. For total battery life, the AirPods Pro are only rated for 24+ hours with the charging case. The Buds Z2 also outshine the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2. Samsung's earbuds deliver between 5 and 7.5 hours of continuous listening depending if ANC is on or off. For total endurance, that number is either 20 or 29 hours.
In short, the OnePlus Buds Z2 have excellent battery life. There are other earbuds out there with even longer endurance, but considering all the Buds Z2's features and the low price tag, there's nothing to complain about on the battery front. Furthermore, OnePlus's 'Flash Charge' system quickly refuels the earbuds when they do eventually die — providing up to 5 hours of playtime after just 10 minutes of charging.
Source: OnePlus