Nothing Ear & Nothing Ear (a) share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Nothing Ear rather than the Nothing Ear (a).
Why Do I Recommend The Nothing Ear?
- The Nothing Ear supports LHDC high-resolution audio codec for clearer, more detailed music playback on compatible devices, while the Nothing Ear (a) supports only LDAC for slightly lower-bit-rate streaming.
- Nothing Ear features adaptive noise cancellation up to 45 dB for stronger suppression of background sounds in loud environments, whereas the Nothing Ear (a) reaches about 40 dB for moderate noise reduction.
- It comes with a Qi wireless charging case for convenient cable-free recharging at home or in cafés, while the Nothing Ear (a) uses a USB-C port only for wired charging.
- The Nothing Ear has a six-microphone Clear Voice system for clearer calls and better wind noise filtering, whereas the Nothing Ear (a) uses a four-microphone array.
- Nothing Ear supports an advanced 8-band equalizer in the Nothing X app for precise sound tuning across all frequencies, while the Nothing Ear (a) includes a simpler 3-band equalizer with limited adjustment.
- It includes adaptive transparency mode for automatically adjusting external sound levels when moving between quiet and busy areas, whereas the Nothing Ear (a) provides a fixed single-level transparency mode.
- The Nothing Ear features lower-latency gaming mode around 120 ms for better audio-video synchronization during fast-paced games, while the Nothing Ear (a) has a gaming mode closer to 180 ms.
- Nothing Ear has a higher ingress-protection rating for the charging case to resist dust and splashes during daily use, whereas the Nothing Ear (a) case has a lower rating that provides less environmental protection.
Maybe the Nothing Ear (a) price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Nothing Ear. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.
Side By Side Comparison
| Feature | Nothing Ear | Nothing Ear (a) |
| Codec support | LDAC + LHDC | LDAC |
| Wireless charging | Qi wireless charging supported | No wireless charging |
| Case charging port | USB-C + Qi | USB-C only |
| ANC approach | More advanced adaptive ANC tuning profile | Simpler adaptive ANC profile |
| Transparency mode | Adaptive/variable transparency | Single-level transparency |
| Call noise reduction | Newer Clear Voice processing with stronger wind reduction | Clear Voice processing tuned lighter |
| Ear tip fit test | Available in app | Not available |
| In-ear detection | Wear detection with auto play/pause | Wear detection with more basic behavior |
| EQ controls | Finer-grain | Simpler EQ with fewer bands/presets |
| Personalized sound | Wider-tuning “Personal Sound” range | Narrower-range “Personal Sound” tuning |
| Low-latency mode | Lower latency | Higher latency |
| Battery per charge (buds) | Shorter single-charge playback | Longer single-charge playback |
| Total battery with case | Slightly lower total hours than Ear (a) | Slightly higher total hours than Ear |
| Case size/weight | Slightly larger/heavier due to Qi coil | Slightly smaller/lighter |
| Water/dust resistance (case) | Higher case ingress rating | Lower case ingress rating |
| Microphone hardware | Higher-spec mic array and mesh | More basic mic array and mesh |
| Bluetooth features | Multipoint with faster switching priority | Multipoint with standard switching priority |
| Pairing experience | Additional platform niceties | Standard quick-pair experience |
| Price | Check Nothing Ear Price | Check Nothing Ear (a) Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- Active Noise Cancellation: Both earbuds include adaptive ANC to reduce surrounding noise for a more immersive listening experience on commutes, flights, or in busy offices. This shared feature lets users enjoy music or calls without needing to raise volume excessively.
- Transparency Mode: Each model provides a transparency mode that allows environmental sounds to pass through. This is helpful for staying aware of traffic, conversations, or announcements without removing the earbuds.
- Bluetooth Version: Both use Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring a stable connection, efficient power usage, and minimal audio lag when paired with modern devices. This keeps audio dropouts rare and improves battery performance.
- Multipoint Connection: Both can connect to two devices simultaneously. This makes it easy to switch between a phone and a laptop or tablet without manually disconnecting and reconnecting.
- Dynamic Driver Size: Both feature 11 mm dynamic drivers designed to deliver balanced bass and detailed mids/highs. This similarity contributes to consistent sound quality across the range.
- Fast Charging: A 10-minute quick charge provides several hours of playback on either model. This is convenient for last-minute power top-ups before leaving the house.
- USB-C Charging Port: Both cases charge through a USB-C port, which is now a universal standard for faster, more reliable wired charging.
- In-Ear Detection: Each earbud includes sensors to automatically pause playback when removed and resume when inserted. This saves battery life and avoids missed audio segments.
- Custom EQ via App: Through the Nothing X app, users can fine-tune audio profiles on both models. This allows personal adjustments for different genres or listening preferences.
- Personalized Sound Test: Both provide an in-app test to tailor sound output to the user’s hearing profile, helping to optimize clarity and frequency balance.
- Nothing X App Integration: Both pair with the Nothing X app for firmware updates, sound customization, and feature management, keeping the experience consistent across the lineup.
- Touch Controls: Each model provides customizable touch gestures for play, pause, skip tracks, and adjusting volume, enabling quick, phone-free control of audio playback.
Common Features
| Feature | Nothing Ear | Nothing Ear (a) |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Multipoint Connection | Yes | Yes |
| Dynamic Driver Size | 11 mm | 11 mm |
| Fast Charging | 10-minute quick charge | 10-minute quick charge |
| USB-C Charging Port | Yes | Yes |
| In-Ear Detection | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ via App | Yes | Yes |
| Personalized Sound Test | Yes | Yes |
| Low-Latency Gaming Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistance (buds) | IP54 | IP54 |
| Voice Assistant Support | Yes | Yes |
| Clear Voice Call Tech | Yes | Yes |
| Find My Earbuds | Yes | Yes |
| Nothing X App Integration | Yes | Yes |
| Touch Controls | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Check Nothing Ear Price | Check Nothing Ear (a) Price |
FAQ
Are the Nothing Ear and Nothing Ear (a) compatible with both Android and iOS devices? Do the Nothing Ear and Nothing Ear (a) support active noise cancellation? Is wireless charging available on both models? How long is the battery life for each model? Can both earbuds connect to two devices at once? Do both models have water resistance? Is the sound quality different between the two models? Do the earbuds have a transparency mode? How is call quality on both models? Do they include customizable touch controls? Is there a gaming or low-latency mode? Can I track the earbuds if I misplace them? Do they support fast charging? Is the fit detection feature available on both? What color options are available for each model? |