Nothing Ear (3a)
pros and cons
- Thoughtfully designed and affordably priced.
- They pack value and special features not found in rivals.
- Well worth the $100.
- Their design may not be for everyone.
- Some of the new features require a subscription.
on Google.
I’ve been vocal about my love for Nothing products ever since I tested the brand’s first generation Ear (a) earbuds several years ago. Their yellow and black design language was so striking when compared to competitors, and the earbuds matched great sound with great value.
So when Nothing sent its third-generation buds my way, I was eager to give them a go. In a sea of minimalist gray tech, Nothing offers bold products with an edgy vibe and unique form factor.
Also: Nothing Headphone (a) review: The superior option for design and button enthusiasts
Plus, these earbuds have some unique recording functionalities I have yet to see in competitors. I spent a week working, exercising, and listening to music with the $100 Ear (3a) earbuds
Nothing adds a new 12mm driver to the Ear (3a) to increase the bass by 5 db. Even before I knew about that update, I detected a richer bass in the buds — and quite enjoyed that improvement. They deliver enhanced bass and clear sound, and the app simplifies creating custom EQs for different listening preferences. These features result in a pleasant listen every single time.
Another improvement in the Ear (3a) is its noise cancellation. Nothing altered its functionality to cancel noises across a wider frequency range, with the new earbuds offering three modes: low, mid, high, and adaptive. The noise cancellation on high is strong enough to dim the majority of the New York City subway’s screeches during my workday commute.
Also: Forget iPhone 17e: Nothing’s Phone 4a Pro costs less and looks a whole lot better
But equally as important is the transparency mode, which lets enough sound in to feel grounded to your environment without feeling berated by ambient environmental noise.
Other features on the Nothing app add to the already enjoyable user experience of the Ear (3a). I tried out Nothing’s fixed spatial audio feature while listening to Ariana Grande’s no tears left to cry, and it was so immersive it felt like I was listening to the singer in a church with beautiful acoustics.