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1 / 14@bold_ridge_43 · Owner-reported
Owned over 2 years · Still using it: yes, daily · Posted
Impressive sound and battery life for years, last few months earbud battery life has dropped off massively. Still interested in buying again
@steady_timpani_13 · Owner-reported
Owned 1–2 years · Still using it: yes, daily · Posted
The battery becomes terrible after one year
@humble_nebula_12 · Owner-reported
Owned 1–2 years · Still using it: yes, daily · Posted
pretty comfy and looks great
Own it? Your review joins these
Three answers, four quick reads, one sentence nobody tells you before buying · About 2 minutes · No account needed · Photo optional
At 5.7, its noise cancelling beats 13% of wireless earbuds we've measured.
Measured on 89 of the 254 we've cataloged.
At 4.7, its audio quality beats 47% of wireless earbuds we've measured.
Measured on 60 of the 254 we've cataloged.
2 of 3 would buy again. 3 of 3 still use it daily.
Owned 1–2 years to over 2 years.
What gave out: Battery (2)
above average for wireless earbuds — based on 237 of 254 we've cataloged.
above average for wireless earbuds — based on 234 of 254 we've cataloged.
IP54 appears on 16% of the 233 wireless earbuds we've cataloged (of 254).
Adaptive appears on 8% of the 173 wireless earbuds we've cataloged (of 254).
Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | 6.9 |
| 25 | 7.8 |
| 32 | 8.8 |
| 40 | 9.9 |
| 50 | 10.8 |
| 63 | 10.6 |
| 80 | 9.0 |
| 100 | 6.7 |
| 125 | 4.6 |
| 160 | 2.7 |
| 200 | 1.8 |
| 250 | 1.7 |
| 315 | 1.3 |
| 400 | -2.4 |
| 500 | -4.1 |
| 630 | -0.9 |
| 800 | -0.3 |
| 1000 | 0.1 |
| 1250 | 2.1 |
| 1600 | 5.2 |
| 2000 | 7.3 |
| 2500 | 8.8 |
| 3150 | 8.5 |
| 4000 | 8.6 |
| 5000 | 9.9 |
| 6300 | 8.1 |
| 8000 | 6.0 |
| 10000 | -0.5 |
| 12500 | 2.6 |
| 16000 | -6.3 |
| 20000 | -29.1 |
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 3.0 |
| 26 | -7.3 |
| 33 | 0.5 |
| 41 | 0.6 |
| 52 | 0.8 |
| 65 | 0.9 |
| 82 | 1.4 |
| 103 | 1.2 |
| 130 | 1.3 |
| 163 | 2.5 |
| 205 | 2.8 |
| 259 | 3.4 |
| 325 | 4.2 |
| 410 | 4.9 |
| 516 | 2.4 |
| 613 | 4.9 |
| 772 | 8.5 |
| 972 | 10.7 |
| 1220 | 11.8 |
| 1540 | 14.6 |
| 1940 | 19.6 |
| 2440 | 25.5 |
| 3070 | 24.4 |
| 3870 | 19.3 |
| 4870 | 20.4 |
| 6130 | 17.1 |
| 7720 | 16.2 |
| 9720 | 20.8 |
| 12200 | 14.8 |
| 15400 | 18.7 |
| 19400 | 22.4 |
Total attenuation (dB) with ANC on — passive isolation plus active noise cancelling. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Total attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 0.5 |
| 26 | -9.0 |
| 33 | 1.8 |
| 41 | 2.4 |
| 52 | 6.8 |
| 65 | 4.2 |
| 82 | 5.5 |
| 103 | 4.1 |
| 130 | 3.4 |
| 163 | 7.1 |
| 205 | 5.6 |
| 259 | 6.2 |
| 325 | 6.3 |
| 410 | 7.3 |
| 516 | 5.7 |
| 613 | 9.7 |
| 772 | 13.6 |
| 972 | 22.5 |
| 1220 | 19.1 |
| 1540 | 21.5 |
| 1940 | 22.5 |
| 2440 | 25.5 |
| 3070 | 25.1 |
| 3870 | 21.8 |
| 4870 | 24.9 |
| 6130 | 22.9 |
| 7720 | 16.5 |
| 9720 | 19.4 |
| 12200 | 5.8 |
| 15400 | 15.8 |
| 19400 | 21.2 |
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (1–5), modeled from the measured response. Higher is better across timbre, distortion, and immersiveness — add other models to see where this one lands.
The verdict
If you have $100 to spend on earbuds, the Nothing Ear (a) is a good option. These are jack-of-all-trades earbuds that don't excel in any particular way, but also don't have any major drawbacks.
✓Liked: Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC, Battery life, ANC, Microphone quality
✕Could be better: Basic equalizer, Minor connection issues
What readers who own the Nothing Ear (a) report after living with it. Owner-reported, checked before publishing; ordered photo-verified first, then newest.
Owner reviews are not paid for, not solicited from specific owners, and not edited by us. The commission SoundGuys may earn on this page comes from retail links, never from owner reviews.
3 owner reviews
Every author writes under a generated pseudonym. A signed-in author’s email is never shown. Read more · The reader says they own it. We have not seen proof, and we say so — no label here is proof of a purchase. Read more · Owned over 2 years · Still using it: yes, daily · Posted
Would buy againImpressive sound and battery life for years, last few months earbud battery life has dropped off massively. Still interested in buying again
Every author writes under a generated pseudonym. A signed-in author’s email is never shown. Read more · The reader says they own it. We have not seen proof, and we say so — no label here is proof of a purchase. Read more · Owned 1–2 years · Still using it: yes, daily · Posted
Would not buy againThe battery becomes terrible after one year
Every author writes under a generated pseudonym. A signed-in author’s email is never shown. Read more · The reader says they own it. We have not seen proof, and we say so — no label here is proof of a purchase. Read more · Owned 1–2 years · Still using it: yes, daily · Posted
Would buy againpretty comfy and looks great
Video reviews and comparisons for this product.
Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterPersonal Sound is my favorite feature on the Nothing Headphone (1)Tailor your listening with this easy-to-miss Nothing Headphone (1) feature.
Tom TriggsContributorPhone-specific features suck. Here's whyHeadphone manufacturers are marching to the same somber beat.Tom TriggsContributorThe best Nothing Headphone (1) alternativesIs the hype for nothing?Tom TriggsContributorI uncovered a major issue with the Nothing Headphone (1)Nothing's worse than headphones that don't fit.Tom TriggsContributorWhat do all the Nothing Headphone (1)'s EQ presets sound like?Let's explore what's in store for you.
Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeHow long should your earbuds last? Our battery tests have the answerEarbuds don't last long, but how much is enough?Christian ThomasEditor-at-large
1 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
The battery beat their expectations
0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
Expected more from the noise cancelling
1 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
The battery beat their expectations
