A Colourful Contender for the Commuter’s Crown

Nothing has always been a brand that stands out, not just for its transparent, industrial-inspired design but for its commitment to offering premium features at a more accessible price. The Nothing Ear (a) earbuds are a prime example of this philosophy. Positioned as the more budget-friendly sibling to the Nothing Ear, the Ear (a) aims to deliver a compelling blend of design, sound quality, and active noise cancellation (ANC) without the flagship price tag. We put them to the test to see if they are a genuine disruptor in the mid-range market.

Design & Comfort: Bold and Beautiful

The most striking aspect of the Nothing Ear (a) is their design. They retain Nothing’s signature transparent aesthetic, allowing you to see the internal components, a look that is both unique and visually appealing. While they share a similar shape and comfortable fit with the more expensive Nothing Ear, the Ear (a) introduces a fun, vibrant yellow color option alongside the more traditional black and white. The charging case is a different story—it’s a smaller, more pocketable “bubble” shape, which is a significant improvement over the larger, more rectangular case of the flagship model.

The earbuds themselves are lightweight and comfortable, with a stem design that feels secure in the ear. The included silicone ear tips create a solid seal, which is crucial for both audio and ANC performance. For those who prioritize a lightweight, stylish earbud that won’t strain their ears on a long commute, the Ear (a) is an excellent choice.

Sound Quality:

Energetic and Enthusiastic Despite their more affordable price point, the Nothing Ear (a) deliver an impressive audio experience. They feature a custom 11mm dynamic driver, which produces a sound that is both energetic and detailed. The bass has a satisfying punch, the mids are clear and well-defined, and the highs are crisp without being sibilant. For most listeners, the out-of-the-box tuning is excellent. For those who like to customize, the Nothing X app provides a simple yet effective equalizer to dial in the sound to your liking. The inclusion of the LDAC codec for high-resolution audio streaming is a huge win for Android users, giving them a taste of hi-fi audio that is often reserved for more expensive models.

Performance & Features:

• Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): Surprisingly Strong The ANC on the Nothing Ear (a) is one of its most impressive features, especially for the price. While it may not reach the near-perfect silence of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra or the Apple AirPods Pro 2, it is remarkably effective at muting a wide range of ambient noise. Low-frequency rumbles from trains and air conditioners are significantly reduced, and even higher-pitched sounds like office chatter are well-dampened. It’s a testament to Nothing’s commitment to providing a premium experience in a more affordable package. The transparency mode is also solid, allowing you to stay aware of your surroundings without a muffled or artificial sound.
• Connectivity and Smart Features: Simple and Reliable The Nothing Ear (a) are easy to set up and use, with seamless pairing via the Nothing X app. The earbuds support multipoint connectivity, allowing you to effortlessly switch between two devices without manually re-pairing. The stems feature intuitive “pinch” controls for playback and volume, which we found to be more reliable and less prone to accidental touches than the tap controls on some other earbuds.
• One notable feature is the integration with ChatGPT, which allows you to use the AI as a voice assistant with a simple gesture. While this feature is only available on Nothing phones, it hints at the brand’s forward-thinking approach to software and AI. Battery life is also a strong point, with up to 8 hours on a single charge with ANC off, and a total of up to 42.5 hours with the charging case.

The Nothing Ear (a) are a fantastic value proposition that punches well above their weight. They offer a unique, head-turning design, surprisingly strong noise cancellation, and a dynamic, engaging sound profile. While they make some compromises to hit their price point—such as a lack of wireless charging and some of the more advanced features found on the flagship Nothing Ear—these trade-offs are more than justified by the overall package.

For anyone in the market for a high-quality, mid-range earbud that doesn’t sacrifice performance for a lower price, the Nothing Ear (a) is an outstanding choice. It proves that you don’t have to break the bank to get a stylish, feature-rich audio experience.

Final Score: 9.0/10