If you’re wondering whether the Nothing Ear 1 earbuds still hold up crowded market, let’s break down everything you need to know. When these earbuds first hit the scene, they made quite a splash with their eye-catching transparent design and an ambitious goal to shake up the audio world. Back then, they launched at a really attractive price point of just $99. That alone turned a lot of heads, promising premium features like Active Noise Cancellation ANC and wireless charging without breaking the bank.
However, as with many tech gadgets, things evolve. Nothing has since released newer models like the Nothing Ear 2 and Nothing Ear a, and the Ear 1’s price even went up to $149 in 2022 before being replaced. Nowadays, you’ll find the Ear 1 listed as “sold out” on Nothing’s official site, meaning it’s primarily a consideration for the second-hand market or if you stumble upon some lingering stock. So, the big question remains: even as an older model, does the Nothing Ear 1 still offer a compelling experience, or has time truly moved on? Stick around as we pull back the curtain on these distinctive earbuds, covering everything from their unique looks to their sound performance, battery life, and overall usability, so you can decide if they’re still a good pick for you. If you’re looking for other great options, checking out general true wireless earbuds is always a good idea to see the latest and greatest.
The Iconic Transparent Design
The very first thing anyone notices about the Nothing Ear 1 is its undeniably cool and distinct transparent design. It’s clear that Nothing wanted to make a statement, and they certainly did, showcasing some of the internal components rather than hiding them away. This isn’t just about aesthetics. it’s a peek into the raw beauty of technology, even if it doesn’t reveal every single internal bit.
Form Factor and Comfort
When you first pick up the Ear 1 buds, you’ll immediately notice how incredibly light they are. Each earbud weighs in at a mere 4.7 grams. Seriously, that’s like, almost nothing! This featherlight build is a huge win for comfort, making them easy to wear for extended listening sessions without feeling any undue pressure or fatigue. I mean, who wants earbuds that feel like weights after an hour or two? Many users, myself included, have found them so comfortable that you can practically forget you’re even wearing them.
Nothing ships these with three sizes of soft, oval silicone ear tips small, medium, and large, which helps you get a snug and secure fit. Getting that proper seal isn’t just about comfort. it’s crucial for both sound quality and the effectiveness of the active noise cancellation. The earbud itself features a mix of transparent plastic on the stem and a milky white or matte black opaque plastic for the part that actually sits in your ear. There’s even a subtle red dot on the right earbud, mirroring one inside the case, making it super easy to know which bud goes where. This is a small detail, but it really makes a difference in everyday use.
The Charging Case
Just like the earbuds, the charging case boasts that signature transparent plastic, letting you peer at some of the magnets and charging pins inside. It’s a definite conversation starter and stands out from the sea of opaque earbud cases out there. While it looks awesome, some people might find its square shape a tad bulkier compared to other compact cases on the market. It might not easily slip into that tiny fifth pocket of your jeans, but it’s still slim enough to fit comfortably in most other pockets or bags.
The case feels solid and well-built, giving off a quality vibe with strong magnets that securely hold the earbuds in place and deliver a satisfying “snap” when you close it, much like premium alternatives. Plus, it supports Qi wireless charging alongside USB-C, which is a fantastic convenience feature, especially considering its original price point. This feature alone was a big differentiator in its class. Tcl nxtpaper 14 android tablet review
Sound Quality: A Sonic Signature
When it comes to earbuds, sound is king, right? The Nothing Ear 1 definitely aims for a sound profile that’s generally pleasing to most ears, particularly for its original price. Out of the box, they offer a fairly neutral sound profile with adequate bass, aiming for a balanced listening experience.
Driver Performance
Inside each Ear 1 earbud, you’ll find an 11.6mm dynamic driver. These are fairly large for earbuds, and they do a decent job of delivering sound. Reviews often describe the sound as having clear mids and bright, crisp highs, which helps vocals and instruments come through with good detail. Many users appreciate the “punchy bass” it offers, which isn’t overwhelming but adds a nice thump to your podcast. It’s a sound that’s designed to be enjoyable across a wide range of podcast genres, from pop and rock to podcasts.
Some audiophile critiques point out that the bass, while present, could be richer and more substantial, and that there can be a slight dip in the mid-to-high frequencies, which might push some vocals a little to the background. However, for everyday listening and for the average user, the sound quality is generally considered good for the value. If you’re looking for high-resolution audio codecs like aptX, you won’t find them here. the Ear 1 supports SBC and AAC. While this isn’t a deal-breaker for most, it’s something audiophiles might note. For those interested in improving their wireless audio experience, exploring Bluetooth audio receivers can sometimes enhance connectivity and codec support.
EQ Customization and Presets
While the Nothing Ear 1 doesn’t offer a full, multi-band equalizer for precise tweaking, its companion app the Nothing X app does provide a few EQ presets: “balanced,” “more treble,” “more bass,” and “voice.” This allows you to tailor the sound a bit to your preference, giving you some flexibility if you want a little extra thump or clearer vocals. This limited customization might disappoint those who love to fine-tune every frequency, but for most, these presets are a welcome addition. It’s cool how these settings get saved directly to the earbuds too, so they carry over even if you switch devices. Corsair doom the dark ages stream deck review
Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode
One of the standout features of the Nothing Ear 1, especially at its original price, was the inclusion of Active Noise Cancellation ANC. This wasn’t something you typically found in budget-friendly true wireless earbuds when it first launched.
ANC Effectiveness
So, how good is the ANC? It’s decent, especially for the price. The Ear 1 can effectively reduce constant, low-frequency sounds like the hum of an airplane engine, a bus, or an air conditioner. This can make your commutes and travel much more peaceful. The app allows you to choose between “Light” and “Maximum” noise cancellation modes, giving you some control over how much of the world you want to block out.
However, it’s important to manage expectations. While good for its class, the ANC on the Ear 1 won’t rival the top-tier performance of premium earbuds like the Sony WF-1000XM5 or Apple AirPods Pro 2. These higher-end models typically offer more significant noise reduction, especially for mid-range sounds like human chatter. Still, for its segment, the Ear 1 delivered a commendable performance that was a significant value proposition.
Transparency for Awareness
Alongside ANC, the Nothing Ear 1 also features a Transparency Mode. This mode uses the earbuds’ microphones to let in ambient sounds, allowing you to hear your surroundings without having to take the earbuds out. This is super handy when you need to be aware of traffic, listen for announcements, or have a quick chat with someone. Reolink home hub pro review
Reviews suggest that while the Transparency Mode works, it might not sound as natural or as robust as Apple’s implementation. Some users have found the volume of the outside world a bit too low and wished for more adjustability within the app. Despite these minor criticisms, it’s a functional feature that adds to the overall utility of the earbuds, giving you flexibility in different environments. For those who prioritize this feature, newer earbuds with enhanced transparency modes might be worth looking into.
Battery Life That Keeps You Going
Nobody likes running out of juice in the middle of a great playlist or an important call. The Nothing Ear 1 offers a battery performance that, while not class-leading, is certainly respectable for its size and feature set.
Earbud Playtime
On a single charge, Nothing claims you’ll get about 4 hours and 30 minutes of playback with ANC turned on. If you switch ANC off, that jumps to approximately 6 hours. Many real-world tests have found these figures to be pretty accurate. For instance, SoundGuys measured 4 hours and 28 minutes with ANC on at 75dBSPL continuous playback.
While about 4-6 hours might not last you through an entire workday without a break, it’s perfectly sufficient for most commutes, gym sessions, or casual listening throughout the day. If you’re someone who uses earbuds for long, uninterrupted stretches, you might find yourself wishing for a bit more. However, the compact charging case is always ready to top them up.
Case Charging and Fast Charge
The transparent charging case is where the real stamina comes in. With a fully charged case, you can extend your total listening time significantly. Nothing states that the case provides up to 34 hours of total playback with ANC off, and around 24 hours with ANC on. This means the case holds multiple extra charges, keeping your earbuds ready to go for days on end without needing to find a wall outlet. Ikarao Break X1 All-in-One Karaoke Machine for Adults: Your Ultimate Party Starter?
And let’s talk about fast charging – it’s a lifesaver! If you’re in a hurry, just 10 minutes of charging the earbuds in the case will give you about 1 hour of playback. If the case itself needs a boost, a quick 10-minute charge can provide up to 8 hours of listening time for the earbuds. The case can be charged via USB-C or conveniently placed on any Qi-certified wireless charger, adding to its versatility. This flexibility in charging options is a huge plus for daily convenience.
Connectivity and Smart Features
The Nothing Ear 1 packs a suite of features designed to make your listening experience smooth and intuitive. Good connectivity and smart controls are often what make or break a pair of true wireless earbuds.
Bluetooth and Pairing
The Ear 1 uses Bluetooth 5.2, which provides a stable wireless connection and decent range. For Android users, the experience is even smoother thanks to Google Fast Pair, allowing for quick and seamless pairing by simply opening the case near your device. iPhone users, don’t worry, you can still easily connect by holding the pairing button on the case and selecting the earbuds from your Bluetooth settings.
While the initial launch saw some users report connection issues and bugs, Nothing has largely addressed these with subsequent firmware updates. It’s always a good idea to update your earbuds to the latest firmware after connecting them for the first time to ensure the best performance. However, some Reddit users still occasionally report glitches like one earbud not connecting or intermittent audio cutouts. This is a reminder that while software updates have improved things, minor quirks can still pop up. Asus proart disply 6k pa32qcv review
The Nothing X App and Controls
The dedicated Nothing X app available for both iOS and Android is your command center for the Ear 1. It’s designed to be straightforward and user-friendly, letting you monitor individual earbud and case battery levels, switch between ANC and Transparency modes, and select those EQ presets we talked about.
The earbuds also feature customizable touch controls on their stems. You can typically double-tap to play/pause or skip tracks, and tap and hold to cycle through ANC and Transparency modes. The app lets you tweak these gestures to your liking, which is a nice personal touch. Another handy feature is wearer detection, which automatically pauses your podcast when you take an earbud out and resumes when you put it back in. Plus, there’s a “Find My Earbud” feature that makes your misplaced bud emit a loud beep – super useful for those “where did I put that thing?” moments.
Durability and IPX4 Rating
For those who plan to use their earbuds during workouts or in unpredictable weather, the Ear 1 comes with an IPX4 rating. This means they are sweat and splash resistant, so a little rain or an intense gym session won’t typically cause any issues. While you shouldn’t submerge them, this level of water resistance provides peace of mind for active users. The overall build quality, mostly plastic with durable components, feels good and should withstand daily wear and tear, even a few accidental drops.
The Value Proposition: Price and Alternatives
Understanding the Nothing Ear 1’s current value requires looking at its journey through the market and how it compares to both its successors and competitors.
Evolution of Pricing
As mentioned earlier, the Nothing Ear 1 initially made waves with its aggressive $99 price tag. This made it an incredibly competitive option, offering features like ANC and wireless charging that were often found in much more expensive earbuds. However, in 2022, Nothing increased the price to $149 USD. This change coincided with the launch of the Nothing Ear stick, which came in at the $99 price point, effectively taking over the Ear 1’s original budget-friendly niche. The Nothing Ear 1 has since been superseded by models like the Ear 2 and Ear a, and it’s no longer officially sold new by Nothing. Rog xbox ally handhelds review
This means if you’re looking for an Ear 1 today, you’re likely going for a refurbished unit or finding it through third-party sellers. Its value is now judged against what newer models offer at similar price points.
How it Stacks Against Newer Models and Competitors
When the Ear 1 was priced at $99, it offered exceptional value. At $149, its position became a bit more challenging, especially with the likes of the 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini offering similar features and strong ANC for less.
Now, comparing it to its successors:
- Nothing Ear stick: Positioned as a more affordable option around $99 at launch without ANC, focusing purely on comfort and sound.
- Nothing Ear 2: This is the direct upgrade, typically priced at $149. It improves upon the Ear 1’s ANC, offers better battery life, and more advanced EQ options. If you’re looking for the full Nothing experience with all the latest refinements, the Nothing Ear 2 is generally the recommended choice.
- Nothing Ear a: A newer, more budget-friendly option, often praised for its sound quality and value, potentially making it a strong contender if you’re looking for a cheaper entry point into the Nothing ecosystem.
In the broader market, the Ear 1 competes with a huge range of true wireless earbuds. While its transparent design still makes it unique, many newer earbuds around the $100-$150 mark now offer comparable or superior ANC, battery life, and sound customization. However, if you can find the Nothing Ear 1 at a significantly discounted price closer to its original $99 or less, it could still represent a solid deal for its unique design, decent sound, and effective ANC. It truly paved the way for Nothing’s audio lineup and remains a memorable entry in the true wireless earbud space. Aqara g410 doorbell camera review
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Nothing Ear 1 design unique?
The Nothing Ear 1 stands out with its signature transparent design, both for the earbuds themselves and their charging case. This allows you to see some of the internal components like the circuit board, magnets, and microphones, which gives them a distinct, tech-forward aesthetic compared to most other earbuds on the market. It’s a real head-turner.
Is the sound quality of Nothing Ear 1 good for audiophiles?
While the Nothing Ear 1 offers a generally good and enjoyable sound profile for most listeners, with clear mids and punchy bass, it’s not typically considered “audiophile-grade” by strict audiophile standards. It lacks support for higher-resolution audio codecs like aptX and offers limited EQ customization only presets. For casual listening and a wide range of podcast genres, it’s impressive for its original price, but serious audiophiles might look for more advanced options like some high-resolution earbuds.
How effective is the Active Noise Cancellation ANC on the Nothing Ear 1?
The ANC on the Nothing Ear 1 is considered decent and effective, especially for its price point. It does a good job of reducing constant low-frequency sounds like engine hums or air conditioning noise, making commutes and travel more peaceful. However, it doesn’t quite match the top-tier performance of more premium earbuds from brands like Sony or Apple when it comes to blocking out a wider range of noises, such as human voices.
What is the battery life of the Nothing Ear 1?
The Nothing Ear 1 earbuds offer approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes of listening time with ANC on, and about 6 hours with ANC off on a single charge. The transparent charging case extends the total battery life to up to 34 hours with ANC off or 24 hours with ANC on. It also features fast charging, giving you about an hour of playback from a 10-minute charge. Tineco Floor One S9 Artist Steam Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner Review: Your Ultimate Guide to Sparkling Floors
Can I use the Nothing Ear 1 for phone calls?
Yes, the Nothing Ear 1 includes microphones and supports phone calls. While many reviews found the call quality to be good in quieter environments, effectively reducing some background noise, some users have reported that the microphone can be a bit quiet or sound a little hollow, especially for calls in very noisy or very quiet enclosed rooms. For consistent high-quality calls, especially in varied environments, some users might prefer dedicated earbuds for phone calls.
What are some common issues reported with the Nothing Ear 1?
While many initial bugs were fixed with firmware updates, some users have still reported occasional connectivity issues, such as only one earbud connecting or brief audio cutouts. Some feedback also mentions the microphone being quiet for calls and the Transparency Mode not being as natural or adjustable as desired. It’s also worth noting that the product is no longer actively sold new by Nothing, meaning future software support might be limited compared to newer models.
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