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Nothing Ear (a) Review – Best Budget Earbuds of 2025?

Definitely Not "Nothing"

In the ever-competitive world of wireless earbuds, where even budget models are becoming increasingly capable, Nothing Ear (a) emerges as a serious contender for the title of best budget earbuds of 2025

These earbuds pack features you’d normally expect from much more expensive models  — Hi-Res Audio with LDAC, adaptive ANC up to 45 dB, dual device connectivity, and an impressive 42.5-hour battery life.

Nothing, the tech brand known for its transparent design philosophy and clean aesthetic, brings both form and function together in the Ear (a). 

But what truly sets it apart is the thoughtful integration of intelligent features at a price point that’s accessible to most users. From the punchy bass of its 11mm drivers to the ChatGPT voice assistant integration, the Ear (a) doesn’t just follow trends — it helps set them.Having thoroughly assessed the Nothing Ear (a) across various real-world use cases, we’re confident in recommending these as the top-performing budget earbuds of 2025.  Let’s take a closer look at what makes it shine.

Nothing Ear (a)

Bottom Line

The Nothing Ear (a) punches well above its price with impressive sound quality, sleek design, and solid ANC—making it the best budget earbuds you can buy r

What We Like

What We Don't Like

  • Only IPX2 water resistance
  • Adaptive ANC requires optimal usage conditions
  • Full features are best with Nothing phones
View on Amazon

Unboxing the Nothing Ear (a) Earbuds

The unboxing experience reflects Nothing’s design DNA — minimalist, transparent, and eco-conscious. Inside the package, you’ll find: 

  • Nothing Ear (a) earbuds
  • Charging case
  • USB Type-C charging cable
  • Silicone ear tips (3 sizes: Small, Medium, Large)
  • Safety and warranty information
  • Quick start guide

Nothing Ear (a) Design and Style

Carrying forward Nothing’s signature transparency-inspired aesthetic, the Nothing Ear (a) doesn’t just look unique — it feels purposefully crafted. The design isn’t ornamental; it’s functional, minimal, and instantly recognisable.

The charging case, inspired by pill packets, features a slim, curved rectangular form that fits comfortably in the hand and pocket. Weighing just 39.6 grams, and with each earbud at a mere 4.6 grams, the entire package feels light but durable, perfect for all-day portability. 

During our evaluation, the bold yellow colourway stood out, adding a playful twist, while the semi-transparent shell lets you see some of the internal parts, which look cool and feel true to Nothing’s design style.

While many budget earbuds stick to safe, simple designs, the Nothing Ear (a) takes design risks that work. We also found that the shape of the earbuds isn’t just about looks. It helps them fit securely and comfortably in the ear, which also improves how well they block out noise even before the passive noise canceling kicks in.

In a market crowded with uninspired designs, the Nothing Ear (a) earns its place by offering a genuinely premium, thoughtfully designed product that feels far more expensive than it is.

Nothing Ear (a) Comfort

After assessing Nothing Ear (a) over long listening sessions, we found comfort to be one of its standout qualities, especially considering its lightweight and ergonomic build. From short walks to hours-long work sessions, these earbuds stayed securely in place without causing fatigue or discomfort, something we don’t often experience at this price point.

Each earbud weighs just 4.6 grams, and that minimal weight, combined with a thoughtfully contoured design, ensures they sit snugly in the ear without feeling intrusive. We tried the three included sizes of silicon ear tips, S, M, and L, and found that most users can achieve a stable, personalized fit. In our assessment, the medium tips offered the best seal and comfort for average-sized ears, which also improved passive noise isolation.

Even after wearing them for a full workday, we experienced no ear fatigue, which speaks volumes about the balanced pressure distribution and the soft texture of the silicone tips. The earbuds are ergonomically angled, which makes them feel natural, even when used while lying down or during workouts.

Nothing Ear (a)   Waterproof Ability

Nothing Ear (a) exhibited solid resistance to sweat and light moisture. With an IP54 rating, the earbuds handled light rain and gym sessions without issue, maintaining consistent performance throughout.

The charging case, rated IPX2, offers minimal splash protection, which is fine for everyday use but not built for high-moisture environments. While the earbuds hold up well in damp scenarios, it’s best to keep the case dry to avoid long-term wear.

Nothing Ear (a) Battery Life and Charging

When it comes to battery performance, the Nothing Ear (a) delivers beyond expectations, especially for a pair of budget-friendly earbuds. 

On paper, the specs are impressive: up to 42.5 hours of total playback with active noise cancelation (ANC) off, and 9.5 hours of continuous use from the earbuds alone. With ANC on, users can still enjoy up to 24.5 hours with the case, and 5.5 hours with just the buds, which is highly respectable in its class.

We found the figures to be remarkably accurate. Even with ANC turned on and volume at around 60%, we consistently got over 5 hours of listening time, with the case adding multiple recharges before needing a top-up.

Another standout is the fast charging. In just 10 minutes, you get up to 10 hours of playback (ANC off), which proved extremely useful in last-minute situations during our tests. Charging is handled via a USB-C port, keeping things simple and modern.

Nothing Ear (a)   Sound Quality and Performance

The sound quality of the Nothing Ear (a) genuinely impressed us, especially considering its budget-friendly price tag. These earbuds are equipped with 11mm dynamic drivers featuring a dual-material diaphragm (PM1 + TPU), and the result is a well-balanced, full-bodied audio experience that outperforms many competitors in this range.

Through our in-depth testing, we found the bass response to be punchy and deep without overwhelming the mids  —  ideal for genres like electronic, hip-hop, and pop. The mids are clear and present, offering solid vocal clarity, while the trebles remain crisp without sounding harsh. Whether you’re streaming high-energy tracks or enjoying an acoustic playlist, the Ear (a) handles it with finesse.

One major advantage is Hi-Res Audio with LDAC support, which delivers a noticeable upgrade in detail and resolution when used with compatible devices. We tested it with LDAC on a supported Android phone, and the difference in audio depth and clarity was instantly clear — something rarely found at this price point.

The Adaptive ANC also enhances the listening experience by maintaining consistent sound quality regardless of your surroundings. Combined with low-lag mode for gaming and video, the Nothing Ear (a) provides a refined, performance-first sound that clearly reflects careful tuning and real-world usability.

Nothing Ear (a)  Controls

The controls on the Nothing Ear (a) are thoughtfully designed and offer a seamless, intuitive experience that stood out during our daily use. Instead of relying on traditional touch controls, which can often be hit-or-miss, Nothing has opted for pinch controls, which we found to be significantly more accurate and responsive. Even during workouts or commutes, accidental inputs were rare, and the response was consistent.

We loved the customisability available via the Nothing X app. Users can assign specific actions like volume control, noise cancelation toggle, voice assistant activation, or track skipping to gestures like double press, triple press, or long press. This level of customisation is usually reserved for more premium earbuds, and its presence here shows how Nothing has prioritised usability.

Additionally, features like in-ear detection  —  which pauses playback when you remove a bud, worked reliably in our experience. We also tested the low-lag mode, which can be activated automatically during gaming, further enhancing control precision.

Nothing Ear (a)   Connectivity

The connectivity on the Nothing Ear (a) is one of its most reliable strengths, and we can confirm that it delivers exactly what it promises. Equipped with Bluetooth 5.3, the earbuds offer a stable, low-latency connection that consistently holds up in both indoor and outdoor environments. We experienced no dropouts or lag, even in crowded signal areas like cafes and metros.

One standout feature is the Dual Connection, which lets you stay connected to two devices simultaneously  —  a huge plus for multitaskers. During our testing, switching between a phone call on a smartphone and media playback on a laptop was smooth and uninterrupted, with no noticeable lag or need to manually reconnect.

In terms of codec support, we confirmed compatibility with LDAC for hi-res audio streaming, along with AAC and SBC for broader device support. Whether we used an Android device or iOS, the pairing was quick, and reconnection after putting the buds back in the case was almost instant..

Nothing Ear (a)  Call Quality

Call quality is a major win here. Whether on a busy street, in a windy outdoor environment, or inside a quiet room, the three-microphone setup combined with Clear Voice Technology ensures voices come through with notable clarity.

The Environmental Noise Cancelation (ENC) does a solid job of suppressing background distractions without making the audio sound overly processed. We also noticed that wind resistance had been significantly improved compared to previous models  —  even during light jogging or breezy commutes, the voice remained stable and comprehensible.

The additional airway and wind-reducing stem design reduces ambient interference by up to 60% compared to Ear (2). We took calls in windy outdoor settings, cafés, and subways — all without complaints from the other side.

Nothing Ear (a) vs. Nothing Ear

Both the Nothing Ear (a) and the flagship Nothing Ear represent Nothing’s signature design and sound philosophy, but they cater to different types of users  —  one focused on essential features and value, the other pushing the limits of premium wireless audio.

Starting with battery life, the Nothing Ear delivers up to 40.5 hours of playback with ANC off, while the Ear (a) slightly edges ahead with 42.5 hours. However, the Nothing Ear includes fast wireless charging, a convenience missing from Ear (a) that enhances daily usability.

In terms of sound, the Nothing Ear steps up with an 11mm dynamic driver and a custom ceramic diaphragm, which offers richer clarity, deeper bass, and more refined low distortion output. Our testing found that highs and mids are more defined on the flagship, especially with Hi-Res Audio support for both LDAC and LHDC 5.0. Meanwhile, the Ear (a) supports LDAC and holds its own with a clean, well-balanced sound profile, particularly for the price bracket it targets.

On the ANC front, the Nothing Ear provides up to 45 dB Adaptive ANC and advanced algorithms for better environmental detection and noise filtering. The Ear (a) delivers solid performance but lacks the adaptive intelligence found in its sibling.

Extras like personal sound tuning, Bass Enhance algorithms, greater airflow control, and wireless charging round out the premium Ear’s features. Still, the Ear (a) impresses with how much it offers at a more affordable price  —  ideal for those seeking core Nothing performance without the flagship price tag.

View on Amazon: Nothing Ear

Nothing Ear (a) vs. OnePlus Buds 3

In the world of feature-packed mid-range wireless earbuds, both the Nothing Ear (a) and OnePlus Buds 3 offer impressive options for everyday listening.

The Nothing Ear (a) uses a custom 11mm driver that gives you clear, natural sound. The OnePlus Buds 3 tries to boost the bass using its BassWave™ tech and dual drivers, but this can make the sound feel too heavy or less natural. In real use, the Nothing Ear (a) gives you sharper vocals, clearer instruments, and a more balanced sound overall.

Both have strong noise cancelation (around 49–50dB), but Nothing’s noise canceling feels smoother and more reliable in different situations. Whether you’re in a busy street or a quiet room, Nothing blocks out noise more naturally, while the OnePlus Buds 3 sometimes feels too aggressive or uneven.

When it comes to looks and comfort, the Nothing Ear (a) clearly stands out. Its transparent design is unique, and it’s also very lightweight and comfortable to wear for hours. The OnePlus Buds 3 look good too, but they’re more standard in design.

Finally, the Nothing X app is easy to use. It lets you adjust sound settings, update the earbuds, and change controls  —  and it works faster and more smoothly than the HeyMelody app OnePlus uses.

In short, both earbuds cater to those who want good sound, effective ANC, and solid connectivity, each taking a slightly different approach in design and tuning.

View on Amazon: OnePlus Buds 3  

Final Words

The Nothing Ear (a) isn’t just another affordable pair of wireless earbuds — it’s a statement that budget audio gear can be both smart and stylish without breaking the bank. With class-leading features like Hi-Res Audio via LDAC, powerful adaptive ANC, dual-device connectivity, and exceptional battery life, these earbuds offer way more than you’d expect for the price.

Whether you’re listening on the go, gaming, working, or simply enjoying music at home, the Ear (a) proves to be consistently reliable, thoughtfully designed, and genuinely enjoyable to use. It reflects Nothing’s bold design language while delivering practical, real-world performance. For anyone looking to get the most value for their money in 2025, the Nothing Ear (a) sets a new standard — and earns our strongest recommendation in the budget category.