Today we’ll be comparing two powerful earbuds, Oppo Enco Air 3 and boAt Nirvana Ion. They are known for different things. Oppo Enco Air 3 buds are known for their sound quality and customization. Oppo started as an audio company so they ensure the highest sound quality when it comes to their products.
boAt Nirvana Ion are known for their powerful battery life. They are the first TWS in the budget price range to offer a battery life of up to 120 hours. They can easily last up to a week with moderate usage.
But how well do they perform in other areas? And how well will they perform when put against each other? We wanted to put them to the test and see which one rises to the top.
How to Choose the Best Earbuds for You?
There are a lot of factors that go into choosing earbuds. Factors like sound quality and battery life usually have a high priority. Things like design can be subjective and you can choose according to your preference.
We’ve divided this review into sections so you can make a better decision for yourself. Give priority to features that are most important to you.
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Overview of Both the Headphones
Here’s an overview of the Oppo Enco Air 3 and boAt Nirvana Ion.
1. Oppo Enco Air 3
Oppo Enco Air 3 are a new addition to Oppo’s Enco Air series. They come with powerful 13.4 mm audio drivers, bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and a low latency mode for gaming. Sound quality is their strong point. They come with three sound modes and an additional surround sound experience.
2. boAt Nirvana Ion
boAt Nirvana Ion has one the best battery lives in the market with 24 hours on the buds and 120 hours with the case. They also have features such as crystal bionic sound and a dual equaliser with a bass-heavy mode. Additional features include ENx technology for clear calls and low latency mode for gaming.
Specifications Comparison
| Brand | Oppo | boAt |
| Model | Enco Air 3 | Nirvana Ion |
| Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless |
| Price | Rs 2999 | Rs 1999 |
| Features | Oppo Alive Audio, Low-latency gaming mode, DNN for calling | Crystal Bionic Sound, Quad Mics ENx™ Technology(Clear Voice Calls), 120 Hours Playback(24hrs/charge), Beast™ Mode(Low Latency for Gaming) |
| Wireless type | Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Ear placement | In-ear | In-ear |
| Battery Backup | 25 hours | 120 hours |
| Maximum Operating Distance | 10 meters | 10 meters |
| Item Weight | 37 g | 50 g |
| Manufacturer | Guangdong Oppo Mobile Telecommunications Corp, Ltd. | Imagine Marketing Ltd. |
| Compatible Devices | All Bluetooth Devices | All Bluetooth Devices |
| Noise Control | Passive Noise Isolation | Passive Noise Isolation |
Oppo Enco Air 3 Vs boAt Nirvana Ion: 4 Factor Comparison
Here are the factors we tested Oppo Enco Air 3 and boAt Nirvana Ion on.
1. Functions & Connectivity
Here is a comparison of all the connectivity features and functions of the earbuds.
Oppo Enco Air 3
Oppo Enco Air 3 come with the latest Bluetooth 5.3 version. This makes their connection super fast and they also offer Insta Wake N Pair to connect your earbuds instantly.
You get dual connectivity, you can connect and use two devices at the same time. The earbuds will switch depending on which device is playing the audio.
These earbuds also come with sound equalisers. You can switch to 3 different sound modes through the app. So they let you customise the sound to your preference.
boAt Nirvana Ion
boAt Nirvana Ion comes with Bluetooth version 5.2 which is slightly outdated. However, they come with Insta Wake N’ Pair so your earbuds will connect when you open the case. Their connectivity is fast and they get paired instantly.
They do not support Dual Device Pairing so you can’t connect them to two devices at once. There is also no app support to customise sound.
Who Wins?
Oppo Enco Air 3 win for having the latest 5.3 version of Bluetooth and also having dual device connectivity. They also have app support which is missing with boAt.
2. Battery Life
Here is a comparison of battery life and which earbuds have better playtime.
Oppo Enco Air 3
Oppo Enco Air 3 comes with a 27 mAh battery on the earbuds and 300 mAh with the entire case. They promise a battery backup of 6 hours with the earbuds and 25 hours with the case.
However, after using them during testing, they only lasted us 4 hours and 20 hours with the case. We were disappointed with the battery. So you won’t be able to use them for long hours and will have to keep charging.
The case takes 2 hours to fully charge.
boAt Nirvana Ion
boAt Nirvana Ion comes with a powerful 600 mAh battery with the case and 70 mAh on each earbud. boAt promises a playback of 24 hours with the earbuds and 120 hours with the case.
This battery life will only apply if you use them at 60%. However, we used them during testing and even after 2 hours of usage, most of the battery was left.
With moderate use, they will easily last you a week.
The charging case takes 2.5 hours to fully charge which is decent.
Who Wins?
boAt Nirvana is the undefeated winner here with their powerful battery life that lasts up to a week.
3. Build and Design
Here is a comparison of how the build quality differs across these earbuds.
Oppo Enco Air 3
Oppo Enco Air 3 comes in a transparent jelly case. The earbuds have a half-in-ear design with a transparent panel that ties them in with the case.
If you have a preference for the half-in-ear design then you’ll like them. They will take some time getting used to if you haven’t used them before. You won’t get the sound isolation and custom fit that comes with silicone earbuds.
The earbuds are exceptionally lightweight at 3.7 gm each.
boAt Nirvana Ion
boAt Nirvana Ion has a premium looking case. Their earbuds are slightly bigger to accommodate the bigger battery but it’s not something that is noticeable.
The stem has a wave design and texture which gives it additional grip.
The earbuds only weigh in at 5 gm despite the battery. They are lightweight and you won’t feel like you have anything on. They also come with extra ear tips in the box so you can adjust them according to preference.
Who Wins?
boAt Nirvana comes with silicon earbuds that give a universal fit and also provide sound isolation.
4. Sound Quality
Here is how sound differs between these earbuds.
Oppo Enco Air 3
Oppo Enco Air 3 buds come with 13.4 mm audio drivers that let them create loud sounds.
They have a sound equalizing option. The app lets you choose between 3 sound modes. You also get an Alive Audio mode that uses spatial audio to give you a 360 degree surround sound experience.
You get good bass and a great sound experience with these buds. You can tune it to your liking if you don’t end up liking it.
The gaming mode give you 47 ms latency. You won’t face any issues while gaming. We tested them out and faced no lags. The latency might vary with phones and the promised latency would only work with select Oppo phones.
boAt Nirvana Ion
boAt Nirvana comes with 10 mm audio drivers and dual equalizers which let you switch between 2 different sound modes.
There is a normal mode and a bass-heavy mode. The balanced mode is good for everyday listening while the bass-heavy mode is good for listening to music. It is something bass lovers will enjoy.
The gaming mode offers 60ms of latency. We faced no issue while testing it out. You’ll be able to hear everything going on in the game with no issue.
Who Wins?
Oppo wins this round for having more sound equalization opens. It also gives the Alive Audio mode which gives a great listening experience.
Highlights for the Headphones
Here are the highlights of the Oppo Enco Air 3 and boAt Nirvana Ion.
Oppo Enco Air 3
- Sound customization – Different sound modes and alive audio option.
- Gaming mode – Low latency for lag free gaming.
- Design – lightweight design that can be worn comfortably.
boAt Nirvana Ion
- Battery Life – Powerful battery life that will last a week.
- Sound – comes with a bass mode for bass lovers.
- Comfort – comes with silicone ear buds.
Who Won?
Winner – boAt Nirvana Ion
Nirvana Ion had two important features that made them hard to ignore. A powerful battery life and comfort. This ensures you can wear them all day without worrying.
They are also not behind on sound compared to Oppo with 2 sound modes that are sufficient for every day. They are great pair of earbuds that you can get for everyday use.
Winner’s Pros and Cons in Detail
Here are all the pros and cons of boAt Nirvana Ion
Pros
- Battery life – battery lasts for a week with moderate use.
- Build – premium and durable build.
- Sound – Has sound equaliser and 2 sound modes.
Cons
- Touch controls – has limitations and can’t be customised.
- Features – no dual device pairing.
- Customization – no app to adjust sound.
Why Did Oppo Enco Air 3 Lose?
Oppo Enco Air 3 is a fan-favourite when it comes to sound customization. However it misses out on essential features such as battery life and comfort. This makes them suitable for occasional use and not as everyday earbuds.
FAQ’s
What is boat nirvana ion’s release date?
boAt Nirvana Ion was released on 23rd March, 2023.
What is the price of Oppo Enco buds 3 in India?
The price of Oppo Enco Buds 3 in India is Rs. 2999.
Is boAt Nirvana Ion worth buying?
Yes, boAt Nirvana Ion is worth buying because they come with a ton of features including a 120 hour battery backup.
What is the price of Nirvana Ion in India?
The price of Nirvana Ion in India starts from Rs 1999.
Does OPPO Enco Air have noise cancellation?
No, Oppo Enco Air 3 doesn’t have active noise cancellation.
Conclusion
After thorough testing of both earbuds, it’s safe to say that boAt Nirvana Ion has emerged as the better choice. Oppo Enco Air Buds 3 was a strong contender but it could not beat Nirvana Ion when it came to battery life and comfort.
We’ve decided that boAt Nirvana Ion were the best from our tests but feel free to do your own research.
Oppo Enco Buds will be a good choice for you if you prefer their in-ear earbuds designs. There aren’t a lot of options in the market and they are one of the best ones.
We hope this review gave you all the necessary information on these two earbuds. Check our review page to read in-depth reviews on both earbuds.
Meet Sadiq Iqbal, a tech enthusiast and avid gamer who discovered his passion for technology through his love for gaming. Over time, this grew into a fascination with other tech related gadgets and he now likes spending time testing, and reviewing different products. He stays up to date with the latest tech, and his knowledge in the field makes him a trusted source. Through TechWizard, he hopes to help people find the right tech for them.