While these Nothing Ear (a) buds have been around for a while, I tested them extensively, and the results were rather surprising. They may not be the absolute best, but considering their price, they offer more than expected. Forget about the confusing naming—Nothing Ear 1, then Nothing Ear 2, and instead of Nothing Ear 3, we get Nothing Ear (a). Enough with the chitchat; let’s dive into this detailed review to see if these earbuds are truly worth it.
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Quick Specs
| Specifications | Nothing Ear (a) |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 11mm custom driver |
| ANC | Yes |
| Battery Life | Buds: 5.5hrs(9.5hrs without ANC) Total with case: 24.5hrs(42.5hrs without ANC) |
| Weight |
4.8g per bud |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC, USB-C |
| Waterproof | IP54 buds/ IPX2 case |
| Frequency | Not Defined |
| MISC | 3 mics per bud with Clear Voice Tech 3.0, Nothing X app, Custom EQ, Bass Enhance, Find My Earbuds, Low Lag Mode. |
| Price | $100 | $80 on deals and discounts |
Design
The Nothing Ear (a) feature a more pocketable design compared to the main Nothing Ear lineup, sporting a bubble-shaped charging case that is both smaller and lighter than the standard Nothing Ear. It’s also the only product in the lineup available in Yellow. If the bright color isn’t your thing, Nothing offers black and white options for a more subtle look.
I love that the Nothing Ear (a) come with ear tips that create a secure seal, preventing them from falling out even during vigorous activities. They also feel quite comfortable on the ears. The earbuds closely resemble their more expensive sibling, the Nothing Ear, and are lightweight, making them comfortable for extended use. They stay firmly in place without the need to jam them deep into the ear canal, and I didn’t experience any heat buildup even after hours of use.
These earbuds come with an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, making them reliable companions whether it's raining or sunny. They are also great for gym use. However, the charging case has only an IPX2 rating, so extra care is needed when handling it around water.
Sound Quality
As expected from budget-friendly earbuds, the sound isn’t the best out there, and they may not satisfy audiophiles. While they won’t blow you away with premium sound, most casual listeners will find the quality good enough for everyday music listening.
Many users will enjoy the default sound signature of these earbuds without needing to tweak the equalizer settings. However, the Nothing Ear (a) won’t match the performance of premium earbuds that cost three times as much.
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Out of the box, the Nothing Ear (a) emphasize bass slightly. These earbuds struggle with delivering finer details in music. For instance, the upper high frequencies are barely audible, which reduces the shimmer on cymbals and other percussion elements. Additionally, the standard dynamic drivers lack the clarity of the ceramic diaphragm drivers found in the more expensive Nothing Ear. Still, for most users, the sound quality is adequate, delivering clear mids and decent separation between instruments.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
The Nothing Ear (a) feature a Smart ANC algorithm that evaluates the seal between the earbuds and the ear canal, then adjusts the ANC accordingly. On average, the ANC reduces environmental noise by about 57%.
You can adjust the noise cancellation between low, medium, or high settings. There’s also an Adaptive ANC mode that dynamically adjusts ANC strength based on surrounding noise. While the ANC performance isn’t as impressive as top-tier noise-canceling earbuds, there is still a noticeable reduction in background noise, such as traffic sounds, when walking outdoors. This makes them a good choice for commuting, though they may struggle in environments with extreme noise levels like airplanes.
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Phone Call Quality
For those who frequently take calls on the go, the Nothing Ear (a) have onboard microphones equipped with Nothing’s Clear Voice Technology. This helps isolate your voice from background noise, ensuring the person on the other end of the line can hear you clearly, whether you're in a noisy office or a bustling street.
During calls, voices sound natural, and background noise is significantly reduced, making these earbuds a great option for professionals who rely on hands-free communication.
Controls
The Nothing Ear (a) feature pressure-sensitive panels on the stems of each earbud. A simple squeeze controls music playback, answers calls, or switches listening modes. This system is intuitive, easy to learn, and prevents accidental input, unlike tap controls on other earbuds. The default controls are as follows:
| Gestures | Left Bud | Right Bud |
|---|---|---|
| Single Pinch | Play/Pause, Answer/End Call | Play/Pause, Answer/End Call |
| Double Pinch | Skip Forward, Decline Call | Skip Forward, Decline Call |
| Triple Pinch | Skip Back | Skip Back |
| Pinch and Hold | Noise Control | Noise Control |
Nothing X App
The Nothing X app provides a simple, user-friendly interface for controlling the Nothing Ear (a). Unlike the Nothing Ear, you don’t get access to an advanced equalizer or hearing test, but you can still tweak the sound with a basic three-band equalizer. The app also features a five-level Bass Enhance mode, which dynamically boosts low frequencies in real time.
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Other settings in the app allow you to adjust ANC strength, enable in-ear detection, and activate low-latency mode. It also includes an ear tip fit test and a "Find My Earbuds" feature, which plays a loud sound to help locate lost earbuds.
Battery Life
In my battery tests, the Nothing Ear (a) lasted 8 hours and 49 minutes of playback on a single charge. The charging case provides additional charges, with Nothing claiming a total battery life of up to 42.5 hours. While wireless charging isn’t supported, you can recharge the case via USB-C. Fast charging for 10 minutes provides 10 hours of playback time, making them great for quick top-ups before heading out.
ChatGPT Integration
Nothing has now integrated both the Nothing earbuds and Nothing OS with ChatGPT, allowing users to access the chatbot directly from their devices. With the latest Nothing OS and ChatGPT installed, users can pinch the earbuds to engage with the AI assistant. While this adds value, its usefulness depends on how comfortable you are with AI interactions.
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Price
The Nothing Ear (a) retail for $100, but discounts often bring the price down to $80. At this price, its main competition includes Sony’s WF-C700N and the slightly more expensive Sony LinkBuds S. For context, the Technics EAH-AZ80 ($299) and Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 ($249) offer premium features like multi-device connectivity and superior spatial audio, but at significantly higher prices.
For budget-conscious buyers, the Nothing Ear (a) provide a tempting option, offering expressive sound quality and solid noise cancellation at a reasonable cost.
Should You Buy Them?
If you’re looking for wireless earbuds under $100, the Nothing Ear (a) are worth considering. While they aren’t the best in any single category, they don’t have any glaring weaknesses either. They offer good overall performance in connectivity, battery life, noise cancellation, and sound quality. The durable and comfortable design, quality microphone, and customizable app settings make them a solid choice.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Customizable controls
- Comfortable fit
- IP54-rated buds and IPX2-rated case
- Stylish and lightweight design
Cons:
- Battery life could be longer
- Sound quality is average
- No wireless charging
Alternatives
- For better noise cancellation: Consider JLab JBuds ANC 3 for their strong ANC and snug fit.
- For better sound and premium features: Try the Nothing Ear, which offers superior ANC and sound quality while retaining Nothing’s signature aesthetic.
Overall, the Nothing Ear (a) strike a good balance between affordability, functionality, and design, making them a compelling choice in the budget wireless earbuds market.