Nothing Ear Ear (3)

The Nothing Ear (3) true wireless earbuds deliver outstanding sound and best-in-class call quality in a unique transparent design. The hybrid ANC is highly effective, and the overall package is an incredible value, especially at its lower sale prices. Just don't expect a premium build or a gym-ready fit, and you'll be thrilled with what you get.

Let's talk about what these actually sound like. The 12mm dynamic driver with that ceramic diaphragm delivers a punchy, engaging sound signature right out of the box. Bass is deep and textured without bleeding into the mids, which is a common trap for bass-forward earbuds. Vocals come through clear and present, and there's a nice sparkle in the high end that doesn't tip into harshness. In our database, the sound quality lands in the 92nd percentile, which puts it in the 'one of the best on the market' conversation for this price range. LDAC support is a nice bonus for Android users who want to squeeze out every bit of detail from their hi-res tracks.

The hybrid ANC is effective, clocking in at the 92nd percentile as well. That 45dB reduction figure isn't just marketing fluff, it genuinely knocks down the low hum of airplane engines and the rumble of a subway car. It's not quite at the level of the absolute best from Bose, but it's close enough that most people won't notice the difference. Transparency mode is natural-sounding and easy to toggle. The mic system is a standout, hitting the 97th percentile in our rankings. In our call tests, the 'Super Mic' did an impressive job of isolating our voice even with simulated street noise blaring in the background. It's a genuine strength.

Stacked against the Sony WF-1000XM6, the Nothing Ear (3) hold their own surprisingly well in sound and ANC, but Sony still leads in overall polish, build quality, and a more robust feature set like speak-to-chat. The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are a closer match on price and offer a more compact design with better water resistance for workouts, but their mic quality doesn't touch what Nothing has achieved here. Compared to the Apple AirPods Pro, it's a classic iOS versus Android story. If you're deep in the Apple ecosystem, the seamless integration of the AirPods is hard to quit, but for everyone else, the Nothing Ear (3) offer a more exciting sound profile and a design that doesn't look like every other stem-style bud on the market. The Technics EAH-AZ100 are a dark horse competitor with phenomenal sound, but they lack the same level of ANC and call clarity.

At a street price that dips as low as $106, the Nothing Ear (3) are an aggressive value proposition. You're getting top-tier sound and mic quality that rivals earbuds costing $50 to $70 more. The main trade-off is in the build and some missing premium features like wireless charging. If you can snag these on sale, the value is hard to beat. The Sony WF-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra are technically superior in a few areas, but they'll also cost you significantly more. For the money, the Nothing Ear (3) deliver a flagship-level audio and call experience in a package that feels fresh and fun.

The Nothing Ear (3) earbuds are the latest true wireless buds from a company that's built its reputation on transparent design and a no-nonsense approach to tech. If you've been searching for earbuds that look as interesting as they sound, these are probably already on your radar. The iconic see-through shell is still here, but it's what's inside that makes the Ear (3) a serious contender in the crowded mid-range market. You're getting a 12mm dynamic driver with a ceramic diaphragm, Hi-Res Wireless Audio with LDAC support, and a hybrid ANC system that promises up to 45dB of noise reduction.

Call quality is a major focus this time around, with Nothing packing in a six-mic array and what they call 'Super Mic' technology. The claim is it can filter out background noise up to 95dB, which is a bold statement for earbuds in this price bracket. With Bluetooth 5.4, multipoint connectivity, and a lightweight 5g per bud build, the spec sheet reads like a checklist of everything you'd want for daily use, whether you're taking calls on a busy street or just trying to drown out a noisy commute.

We've seen these floating around between $106 and $179 depending on the retailer, which puts them in a direct fight with some heavy hitters. The question isn't just whether the Nothing Ear (3) are good, it's whether they're good enough to pull you away from the default choices from Sony, Samsung, or Apple. And based on our testing and data, the answer is more interesting than a simple yes or no.

If you're a fitness fanatic who needs earbuds that can handle a sweaty 5K without budging, the Nothing Ear (3) are not for you. The fit is comfortable for casual use but lacks the wing tips or ear hooks that keep sport earbuds locked in place. You'd be better off with something like the Beats Fit Pro or the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro, which offer better water resistance and a more secure fit. Also, if you demand a premium, dense feel in your tech, the plasticky build here might leave you wanting compared to the metal-accented Sony WF-1000XM6.

The Nothing Ear (3) are a fantastic pair of true wireless earbuds for anyone who prioritizes sound quality and call performance above all else. They look cool, sound great, and make you sound great on the other end of a call, which is a harder trick to pull off than most companies admit. The ANC is strong enough for daily commutes and office work, and the companion app gives you enough EQ control to tweak the sound to your liking.

You should buy these if you want a stylish, great-sounding pair of daily drivers and you don't want to pay Sony or Bose prices. The call quality alone makes them a top pick for anyone who takes a lot of calls on the go. Just know that you're trading a bit of premium build feel and some fitness-friendly features for that value. If you're okay with that, the Nothing Ear (3) are an easy recommendation.