Nothing Ear (2024) Review: A Symphony in Your Ears

The Nothing Ear (2024) earbuds are a sleek audio powerhouse that promises exceptional sound quality and advanced features in a compact package. Equipped with cutting-edge technology like adaptive noise cancelation, ChatGPT interactivity, and pinpoint controls, these earbuds aim to revolutionize the listening experience. But do they live up to their promise as a top-tier wireless earbud?

Price and Availability

The Nothing Ear (2024) is available in black or white and can be purchased directly from Nothing and other retailers for $149.99.

Sleek Style and a Familiar Feel

The Nothing Ear (2024) is a nice-looking device, and I appreciate the transparent design that Nothing is known for. The case slides smoothly in and out of my pockets, and the earbuds feel comfortable in my ears for the most part. I like the sleek and modern look of everything, and they're easy to carry around.

However, one thing that bothers me about this product is the earbuds' ear inserts. I've always swapped out the standard inserts for foam ones on my wireless earbuds, but unfortunately, my usual foam inserts don't seem to fit in the charging case. This is a shame because I've grown accustomed to using them.

Despite this drawback, I've found that the overall design and feel of the Ear (2) are still excellent. The weight and balance of the earbuds are just right for me, making them easy to wear for long periods. It's clear that Nothing put some thought into designing these earbuds, which shows in that attention to detail.

Smooth App Sailing

This is the first time I've ever needed to install an app to use a pair of headphones, and I have to admit, it's been a pleasant surprise. The Nothing X app that comes with the Ears (available for Android and iPhone) makes pairing a breeze. Thanks to that, I was able to quickly pair the earbuds with new devices without even thinking about it.

The app has a lot of excellent features, but what stands out to me is the level of control it gives you over the headphones. At a glance, you can toggle active noise-canceling (ANC), adjust equalization settings, customize how you interact with the headphones, and more.

At first, I was a bit perplexed that I needed an app to use headphones, since all my other wireless earbuds have always worked without one. However, I've come to appreciate the app, as it makes it much easier to get the most out of the Nothing Ear (2024).

A Symphony in Your Ears

For small headphones, the Nothing Ear (2024) packs a surprising punch. The sound quality is quite impressive, and I'm thoroughly happy with the overall audio experience. I've been putting them through their paces with a variety of content, including podcasts, audiobooks, and music. For example, I've been listening to the Linux Unplugged podcast, and the earbuds have done a great job of bringing out the nuances of the hosts' conversations. I've also been listening to the audiobook of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, and the earbuds have transported me to Middle-earth with their clear and immersive sound.

On the music front, I've been listening to various playlists on Spotify, and Nothing Ear (2024) has handled everything from energetic electronic tracks to mellow acoustic tunes with ease. The sound is well-balanced and detailed, with good bass response and clear highs.

The only real drawback I've encountered in the listening department is that the earbuds tend to fall out of my ears during intense exercise. While biking, I found myself repeatedly adjusting them to keep them secure. This was a bit frustrating, but it may be just a quirk of my ear shape rather than a design flaw.

Silence Is Golden

Despite such small earbuds, the Nothing Ear (2024)'s noise-canceling capabilities are excellent. They do a good job of blocking background noise, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in music or podcasts. This makes the Ears ideal for anyone looking to escape the distractions of daily life. By canceling out ambient noise, the earbuds help you focus on what matters most - your audio.

I was very impressed by the earbuds' performance during bike rides. The Active Noise Cancelation (ANC) feature worked seamlessly and eliminated wind noise and traffic sounds, creating a more peaceful audio experience. Even when I was around loud noises like sirens or car horns, the earbuds reduced the noise to a manageable level. This made my rides much more enjoyable, as I was able to focus on my music.

Special Features

The big thing about the Nothing Ear (2024) is the ChatGPT feature. With it, you can ask ChatGPT questions just like you would with AirPods and Siri, Samsung headphones and Bixby, etc.

The feature itself is interesting, but unfortunately, I wasn't able to adequately test it as I do not own a Nothing phone or an iPhone. However, this feature looks pretty interesting, and if it ever comes to other versions of Android, I'd be excited to check it out.

Should You Buy the Nothing Ear (2024)?

The Nothing Ear (2024) is a solid choice for anyone looking for true wireless earbuds with excellent sound quality, effective noise cancelation, and a sleek design, all at an affordable price of $149. Despite a few quirks, such as ear insert compatibility issues, fit problems during intense workouts, and limited access to special features like ChatGPT (depending on your device), the overall experience is well worth the investment.