TechAudioHeadphonesNothing Ear (a) review: fashion-focused earbuds for style gurusThe Nothing Ear (a) is a first for the brand with a snappy yellow case designWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Sam Cross)T3 VerdictIf you’re the kind of person who favours form over function, this is the pair of earbuds for you. As the first Nothing product to come in colour, this is a statement which offers fair performance and a stunning design.Reasons to buy+Gorgeous yellow hue+Comfortable buds+Good soundReasons to avoid-ANC is poor-Colour won’t be to everyone’s taste-Pricey for what is on offerWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
TechAudioHeadphonesNothing Ear (a) review: fashion-focused earbuds for style gurusThe Nothing Ear (a) is a first for the brand with a snappy yellow case designWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Sam Cross)T3 VerdictIf you’re the kind of person who favours form over function, this is the pair of earbuds for you. As the first Nothing product to come in colour, this is a statement which offers fair performance and a stunning design.Reasons to buy+Gorgeous yellow hue+Comfortable buds+Good soundReasons to avoid-ANC is poor-Colour won’t be to everyone’s taste-Pricey for what is on offerWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
The Nothing Ear (a) is a first for the brand with a snappy yellow case design
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Sam Cross)T3 VerdictIf you’re the kind of person who favours form over function, this is the pair of earbuds for you. As the first Nothing product to come in colour, this is a statement which offers fair performance and a stunning design.Reasons to buy+Gorgeous yellow hue+Comfortable buds+Good soundReasons to avoid-ANC is poor-Colour won’t be to everyone’s taste-Pricey for what is on offer
(Image credit: Sam Cross)
(Image credit: Sam Cross)
T3 VerdictIf you’re the kind of person who favours form over function, this is the pair of earbuds for you. As the first Nothing product to come in colour, this is a statement which offers fair performance and a stunning design.Reasons to buy+Gorgeous yellow hue+Comfortable buds+Good soundReasons to avoid-ANC is poor-Colour won’t be to everyone’s taste-Pricey for what is on offer
T3 VerdictIf you’re the kind of person who favours form over function, this is the pair of earbuds for you. As the first Nothing product to come in colour, this is a statement which offers fair performance and a stunning design.
T3 Verdict
If you’re the kind of person who favours form over function, this is the pair of earbuds for you. As the first Nothing product to come in colour, this is a statement which offers fair performance and a stunning design.
Reasons to buy+Gorgeous yellow hue+Comfortable buds+Good soundReasons to avoid-ANC is poor-Colour won’t be to everyone’s taste-Pricey for what is on offer
Reasons to buy+Gorgeous yellow hue+Comfortable buds+Good sound
Gorgeous yellow hue
Comfortable buds
Good sound
Reasons to avoid-ANC is poor-Colour won’t be to everyone’s taste-Pricey for what is on offer
ANC is poor
Colour won’t be to everyone’s taste
Pricey for what is on offer
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Nothing Ear (a) deals
1 Amazon customer review☆☆☆☆☆
1 Amazon customer review☆☆☆☆☆
☆☆☆☆☆
$97View
$97View
$97View
$97View
$97
$97
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
While many will be happy to spend a small fortune on a pair of thebest wireless earbuds, that’s not always the case. Other users are more inclined to find the best bang for the buck.
That sees brands attempt to strike the delicate balance between the ticket price and the specs and performance on offer. While, inevitably, many miss the mark, this balance can often yield truly fantastic results.
Enter the Nothing Ear (a). The latest effort from everyone’s favourite tech start-up is here to try and whisk away your hard-earned cash with a stylish, spec-heavy solution. Any good? Let’s take a look.
(Image credit: Sam Cross)
(Image credit: Sam Cross)
Nothing Ear (a) review: Price and Release Date
The Nothing Ear (a) wireless earbuds launched on the 18th of April 2024. They were launched as part of a Community Update, which also saw theNothing Earunveiled.
The Nothing Ear (a) costs £99 / £99.
(Image credit: Sam Cross)
(Image credit: Sam Cross)
Nothing Ear (a) review: Design and What’s new?
This release marks a little bit of a departure for the brand. Previously, they had split their earbud offering between a standard in ear model, and theNothing Ear (stick). That’s a half-in design, with a pared down spec sheet to match.
This doesn’t fit that mould, however. Instead, the Ear (a) fits in beneath the Nothing Ear, which acts as the flagship. Still, it’s quite close in terms of both spec sheet and price point.
So, what’s different here? Well, for starters, there is that design. It’s the first Nothing-branded product that isn’t made in Black or White, with a stunning custard yellow hue.
It’s a bold choice, but I’m a fan. It’s certain to be a Marmite choice, and does feel a little unusual out on its own.
Elsewhere, we find a decent spec sheet. There’s actually a littlemorebattery life reported than on the flagship Ear, which seems like an odd choice.
Beyond that, though, the spec sheets are broadly identical. You won’t find the Advanced EQ or the wireless charging here, while the case resistance is IPX2 – down from IP55 on the flagship – but otherwise things look identical here.
(Image credit: Sam Cross)
(Image credit: Sam Cross)
Nothing Ear (a) review: Performance
Let’s start with the audio quality. That is broadly pretty good here – though you’ll need to do some work to get it there.
Thankfully, Nothing employs one of the better apps in the earbud market. Even without the Advanced EQ, I was able to tweak these to a more pleasing place.
Where the sound quality was salvageable, the ANC sadly wasn’t. These are rated to enjoy the same 45dB of active noise cancellation that the flagship earbuds do, but in practice, that just wasn’t the case.
Using these with the highest ANC setting still found quite a lot of external noise leaking in. It’s doing a little, but certainly not as much as we’d hope for. Fingers crossed that’s something which can be rectified with a software update.
It’s also worth noting that these are really comfortable. It’s something which is true of the whole Nothing range, but it’s worth mentioning again here. You’ll easily be able to wear these for a full day of listening without feeling fatigued.
(Image credit: Sam Cross)
(Image credit: Sam Cross)
Nothing Ear (a) review: Verdict
This is an unquestionably tough sell for Nothing. On the face of it, for just £99 these offer a decent spec sheet. In practice, though, I find they can’t quite keep up – particularly with the flagship Nothing Ear sitting just £30 more expensive.
While most will opt for those buds, there is certainly still a market for these. Fashion-focused individuals will love the colourful aesthetic, and leaning into that with a wider colour palate could be the answer for this range.
(Image credit: Sam Cross)
(Image credit: Sam Cross)
Nothing Ear (a) review: Also Consider
If you’re undecided over this one, take a look at the flagship Nothing Ear. That was unveiled at the same time, and offers quite a bit more in terms of the spec sheet, for only an extra £30.
Alternatively, theSony WF-C700Nis a great alternative. Coming from a big name brand, the buds offer good all-round performance, for a really great price.
Nothing Ear (a): Price Comparison
1 Amazon customer review☆☆☆☆☆
1 Amazon customer review☆☆☆☆☆
☆☆☆☆☆
$97View
$97View
$97View
$97View
$97
$97
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
This case turns your iPhone or Android phone into an e-reader, but there’s a catchActually, there are a couple…
Actually, there are a couple…
Traeger’s new Woodridge pellet barbecues have got me excited for grilling seasonTraeger debuts three new wood pellet grills
Traeger debuts three new wood pellet grills
How to watch the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct and what to expectWe should get a deep dive and more details on the Switch 2 in April
We should get a deep dive and more details on the Switch 2 in April
