Nothing B190

The Nothing Ear (3a) is a budget true wireless earbud with standout mic quality, strong ANC, and excellent battery life. It's great for calls, commuting, and gaming, but the build feels cheap and it's not suited for fitness. At $79 USD, it's a solid alternative to pricier options like the AirPods Pro 3rd Generation.

The 12mm dynamic driver is the star here. Nothing went bigger than the previous generation, and it shows. The sound profile is strong, landing in the 80th percentile overall. Hi-Res Audio certification means you're getting a wider frequency response, 20Hz to 40kHz, which translates to more detail in the highs and a fuller low end. It's not the absolute best sound we've tested, but it's well above average for this price. The Nothing X app gives you an 8-band EQ plus quick boosts for bass, treble, and vocals, so you can tune it to your taste.

ANC is where the Ear (3a) really surprises. The hybrid system recalibrates every millisecond and cancels noise up to 5000Hz, which is a wider range than most budget buds manage. At 45dB of reduction, it's not class-leading, but it's in the 93rd percentile. That means it handles airplane hum, office chatter, and street noise better than most earbuds at this price. The mic setup is even better, sitting in the 98th percentile. Six mics with noise cancellation mean your voice comes through crisp on calls, even in windy or loud environments. Battery life is solid too: 10 hours from the buds and 42 total with the case. A 5-minute quick charge gets you an hour of playback, and 10 minutes gets you 10 hours with the case.

Against the Apple AirPods Pro 3rd Generation, the Nothing Ear (3a) can't match the seamless iOS integration or the premium build. But it beats the AirPods on battery life and comes surprisingly close on ANC. If you're an iPhone user who wants the best call quality and doesn't mind spending more, the AirPods are still the safer bet. But if you want multipoint across iOS and Android, the Nothing is more flexible.

The Technics EAH-AZ100 is a more direct comparison in terms of audio quality. The Technics has a more refined sound signature and better build, but it costs a lot more. The Nothing Ear (3a) actually edges it out on mic quality and connectivity in our database. The Sony WF-C700N is a solid budget alternative, but its ANC is weaker and the battery life is shorter. The EarFun Air Pro 4+ is the closest on price, but the Nothing has better ANC and a more distinctive design. For gaming specifically, the Nothing scores 78.6 out of 100, which is strong for wireless earbuds, thanks to the low latency mode.

At $79 USD, the Nothing Ear (3a) is priced aggressively against the AirPods Pro 3rd Generation and Technics EAH-AZ100, both of which cost significantly more. You're getting 90th percentile battery life, 93rd percentile ANC, and 98th percentile mic quality for a fraction of the price. The trade-off is build quality, which sits in the 34th percentile. The case and buds feel more plasticky than premium options. But if you care about function over form, this is a lot of earbud for the money. The Sony WF-C700N and EarFun Air Pro 4+ are the closest competitors in this price range, and the Nothing holds its own against both.

The Nothing Ear (3a) is the latest true wireless earbud from a company that made its name on transparent tech and a clean design language. These sit in the budget to mid-range bracket, with US listings around $79 and Canadian pricing at $140 CAD. The pitch is simple: a big 12mm dynamic driver, hybrid ANC up to 45dB, Bluetooth 6.0, and a case that actually tells you what's going on. Nothing is clearly aiming these at people who want AirPods Pro features without the AirPods Pro price tag.

So is the Nothing Ear (3a) good for everyday listening? Based on our database, it's a mixed bag with some genuinely impressive highs. The mic quality and connectivity are top of the charts, and the ANC punches well above its price. But the build quality and social proof are weak spots, and the fitness score is rough. If you're buying these for calls, commuting, or gaming, there's a lot to like. If you're buying them for workouts, keep reading.

Nothing has also stuffed in some unusual extras like Audio Snapshot and call recording, which let you save up to a minute of media or two hours of calls directly on the buds. That's not something you see every day, and it could be a real differentiator for students or anyone who sits in a lot of meetings.

Skip the Nothing Ear (3a) if you're a runner or gym regular. The fitness score is one of the lowest in our database, and the fit just isn't secure enough for high-movement activities. If you want workout buds, look at something with ear hooks or a more secure in-ear design, like the Beats Fit Pro or Jabra Elite Active series. Also skip these if you care about premium build quality. The plastic construction feels cheap compared to the Technics EAH-AZ100 or even the Sony WF-C700N. And if you're deep in the Apple ecosystem and want the simplest possible experience, the AirPods Pro 3rd Generation is still the smoother choice, even at a higher price.

Should you buy the Nothing Ear (3a)? If you want great call quality, solid ANC, and long battery life without spending over $100, yes. These are some of the best budget earbuds for commuting, office use, and gaming. The mic quality alone makes them worth considering if you take a lot of calls.

But if you're looking for workout earbuds, look elsewhere. The fitness score of 43.2 is one of the weakest we've seen in this category. The IP54 rating means they can handle a little sweat, but the fit isn't secure enough for running or intense training. And if you care about premium materials and a solid feel in the hand, the build quality will disappoint. For everyone else, the Nothing Ear (3a) is a strong value pick that punches above its weight.