Nothing Ear B171

The Nothing Ear B171 delivers flagship-tier sound and call quality at a price that undercuts the big names. The 11mm ceramic driver pushes audio into the 97th percentile, and the 6-mic setup makes calls crystal clear. ANC is strong but not class-leading, and the build quality is the main compromise. At $69 to $144, it's a steal for commuters and music lovers, but gym-goers should look elsewhere.

Let's talk about that sound, because it's the headline act. The 11mm driver with a ceramic diaphragm is doing real work here. Nothing claims a 10% increase in airflow, which translates to less distortion and cleaner separation. Our sound score lands in the 97th percentile, which puts this thing in the same conversation as earbuds costing $250 or more. Bass is punchy without being bloated, and the Dynamic Bass Boost feature in the Nothing X app lets you dial it up if you're an EDM head. The codec support is also a big deal: LHDC 5.0 can hit 1 Mbps with 24-bit/192kHz, and LDAC tops out at 990 kbps. If you've got a phone that supports either, you're getting genuinely high-res audio, not the compressed AAC stream most earbuds settle for.

ANC is rated up to 45dB, which sounds impressive on paper, and our testing puts it in the 93rd percentile. That's strong, but not top-tier. The Smart ANC algorithm is clever, it detects noise leakage between the bud and your ear canal and compensates. In practice, it handles commutes and office chatter well, but it won't completely silence a screaming baby or a jackhammer. Users echo this: effective, but not class-leading. The transparency mode is there and works fine, though it's not the star of the show. Call quality is where this thing overperforms. Six mics with noise cancellation put it in the 98th percentile for mic performance. Multiple owners specifically call out how clear calls sound, even in windy or noisy environments. That's a bigger deal than most people realize until they try to take a call on cheap earbuds.

Against the Sony WF-1000XM5, the Nothing Ear holds its own on sound and actually wins on call quality. Sony's ANC is still the benchmark, and their build quality is noticeably better. But Sony charges a premium, and the Nothing Ear undercuts them significantly at the lower end of its price range. If ANC is your top priority, Sony is the safer bet. If you want 90% of the sound for 50% of the price, Nothing is compelling.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro is a closer fight. Samsung has better integration with Galaxy phones, better build quality, and more refined controls. But the Nothing Ear matches or beats them on sound quality and call clarity, and the multipoint connectivity is more flexible. The Apple AirPods Pro 3rd Generation is a non-starter for Android users, but if you're in the Apple ecosystem, the seamless integration is hard to beat. The Nothing Ear is the value play here, and it's a strong one. The Soundcore P31i and JLab Jbuds Pods are cheaper, but they're not in the same league on sound or features.

Here's where things get interesting. The Nothing Ear B171 is listed between $69 and $144 across US retailers, which is a wild spread. At $69, this is an absolute steal. You're getting sound and call quality that competes with earbuds at double or triple that price. At $144, it's still a good deal, but the calculus changes. You're now within striking distance of the Sony WF-1000XM5 or Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro, both of which offer better build quality and more refined ANC.

If you can find it at the lower end of that range, and our data shows Amazon has listings at $69, it's hard to argue against. The value proposition is simple: flagship-tier audio and call performance for budget-tier money. The trade-off is build quality and fitness durability. If you're careful with your gear and don't plan to sweat in these, the value is exceptional. If you're rough on earbuds or want something for the gym, you'll feel the compromises more.

The Nothing Ear (B171) is the kind of product that makes you realize how stale the true wireless market has gotten. You've got your AirPods, your Galaxy Buds, your Sony flagships, all doing their thing. Then Nothing comes along with a transparent design, a ceramic driver, and a spec sheet that reads like a wishlist. It's refreshing, even if the company's naming scheme makes you want to pull your hair out. This is the third 'Ear' product, but it's the one that finally feels like a complete package.

Who's this for? Honestly, it's for the person who wants flagship-tier sound and features without paying the Apple or Sony tax. The 11mm ceramic driver pushes out punchy, detailed audio that our database ranks in the 97th percentile for sound. That's not just good, that's 'embarrassing earbuds that cost twice as much' territory. And with LDAC and LHDC 5.0 support, you're getting high-res audio over Bluetooth, which is still a rarity at this price point.

The interesting bit is how Nothing balances ambition with practicality. You get hybrid ANC up to 45dB, six mics for calls, multipoint connectivity, wireless charging, and a battery that stretches to 40.5 hours with the case. But the build quality sits at a mediocre 34th percentile, and the fitness score is a rough 46.6 out of 100. So it's not a do-everything earbud. It's a very specific kind of excellent, and we'll dig into what that means.

If you're a fitness enthusiast or someone who's rough on their gear, the Nothing Ear B171 is not for you. The IP54 rating is splash-resistant at best, and the build quality sits in the 34th percentile, which means it feels less durable than competitors in the same price range. The fitness score of 46.6 out of 100 is a clear signal that these aren't workout earbuds. Look at the Soundcore P31i or JLab Jbuds Pods for something that can handle sweat and drops without falling apart.

Also skip these if you're deep in the Apple ecosystem and want seamless integration. The AirPods Pro 3rd Generation will give you instant pairing, spatial audio, and Find My integration that the Nothing Ear can't match. And if ANC is your absolute top priority, the Sony WF-1000XM5 is still the king. The Nothing Ear's ANC is good, but it's not class-leading, and if you're buying specifically to block out the world, Sony does it better.

If you're an Android user who cares about sound quality first, the Nothing Ear B171 is one of the best values on the market right now. The 97th percentile sound score, 98th percentile mic performance, and high-res codec support put it in a class that usually costs twice as much. The Nothing X app is genuinely useful, with EQ sharing, personal sound profiles, and a fit test. Call quality is a standout, and the battery life is solid enough that you won't be reaching for the case constantly.

But if you're a gym rat or someone who's hard on their gear, look elsewhere. The IP54 rating is fine for light rain or a sweaty walk, but it's not built for intense workouts, and the build quality doesn't inspire confidence. The fitness score of 46.6 out of 100 tells the story. If you want something for the gym, the Soundcore P31i or JLab Jbuds Pods are more durable options, though you'll sacrifice sound quality. For commuters and office workers, the Nothing Ear is an easy recommendation, especially if you can snag it at the lower end of that $69 to $144 price range.