Nothing’s New Earbuds Are Like a Fresh Set of Ears

A First Product With Something to Prove

Nothing was founded by Carl Pei, previously known as a co-founder of OnePlus. Instead of beginning with a smartphone, the company entered the market with true wireless earbuds, a category already crowded with products from Apple, Samsung, Sony, Bose, Jabra, and a small army of budget brands.

That decision made strategic sense. Earbuds are less complicated and less expensive to launch than smartphones, but they still provide an opportunity to establish a recognizable design identity. They also force a new brand to answer several difficult questions immediately: Can it build reliable hardware? Can it create useful software? Can it deliver acceptable sound? Can it manufacture something at scale without the charging case turning into a decorative paperweight?

The Ear (1) answered most of those questions positively. Nothing positioned the earbuds as an affordable alternative to premium noise-canceling models rather than as another bare-bones budget option. The company’s focus on online sales helped it offer features that were commonly associated with products costing considerably more.

The Importance of the $99 Launch Price

At $99, the Ear (1) arrived in an unusually attractive position. Apple’s first-generation AirPods Pro carried a substantially higher list price, while several midrange competitors either lacked active noise cancellation or omitted wireless charging.

Nothing included both. It also added in-ear detection, customizable gesture controls, Android Fast Pair, a companion app, and water resistance. On paper, the Ear (1) looked less like a cautious first attempt and more like a company emptying the feature cupboard before anyone could stop it.

The original price was part of the product’s magic. Nothing later increased the Ear (1) price to $149 in 2022, citing higher production costs and the significant development work added through firmware updates. At $99, the earbuds were disruptive. At $149, the competition became much less forgiving.

Transparent Design That Actually Had a Purpose

The Nothing Ear (1) did not simply place clear plastic over random components and declare victory. Its transparent stems exposed selected internal elements, including microphones, magnets, charging contacts, and pieces of circuitry. The charging case continued the same visual theme, allowing users to see the earbuds resting inside.

Each stem included a colored dot: red for the right earbud and white for the left. It was a small detail, but it eliminated the familiar morning ritual of rotating an earbud three times while wondering which side of the human head it belonged to.

The design process was more difficult than the finished product suggested. Transparent materials reveal glue, scratches, manufacturing tolerances, and internal components that opaque plastic can politely hide. Nothing’s designers had to consider how magnets were polished, how parts were joined, and which components were attractive enough to remain visible.

Lightweight and Comfortable

Each Ear (1) earbud weighed approximately 4.7 grams. That low weight, combined with a compact body and silicone ear tips, made the earbuds comfortable for many listeners during long sessions. Three ear-tip sizes were supplied to help users create a secure seal.

Comfort is difficult to capture on a specification sheet because every ear is shaped differently. However, long-term reviews repeatedly praised the Ear (1) for avoiding the pressure and soreness caused by bulkier models. One detailed account from a reviewer who normally struggled with in-ear products found the Ear (1) comfortable enough to wear until the battery ran out.

The stems also made the earbuds easy to remove without pressing the main housing deeper into the ear canal. They looked dramatic in photographs but felt surprisingly unobtrusive in daily use.

A Case Designed to Be Seen

The square charging case was larger than some competing cases, but it was unmistakable. A circular depression on the lid gave users a natural place to rest a thumb or spin the case absentmindedly during meetings.

The clear shell displayed the earbuds and charging hardware while a white interior cradle kept everything organized. The downside was that transparent plastic could collect scratches and fingerprints. After several weeks in a pocket with keys, the case might begin to look less like a museum exhibit and more like a museum exhibit visited by toddlers.

Nothing Ear (1) Sound Quality

The Ear (1) used 11.6-millimeter dynamic drivers, with hardware and sound tuning developed in collaboration with Swedish electronics company Teenage Engineering. The earbuds supported the standard SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs rather than higher-bandwidth options such as aptX or LDAC.

That meant the Ear (1) was not marketed as an audiophile instrument. Its goal was to deliver an engaging, accessible sound that worked well with pop, rock, electronic music, podcasts, and everyday streaming services.

Bright, Spacious, and Energetic

The general sound signature leaned bright and lively. Vocals were clear, percussion had noticeable snap, and the presentation often felt wider than expected from inexpensive true wireless earbuds. Acoustic guitars, cymbals, and electronic effects were given plenty of air.

Bass was present and reasonably punchy, but it did not have the deep, controlled authority of more expensive flagship earbuds. Listeners who prefer enormous low-frequency impact might find the default tuning polite. The companion app included equalizer presets that could add bass, emphasize treble, or create a more balanced response, although it did not initially provide the detailed multi-band control available from some competitors.

Reviewers did not universally agree on the tuning. Some praised its detail and spaciousness, while others found the high frequencies slightly sharp or the low end too restrained. That disagreement is not unusual with audio products; one listener’s “sparkling detail” is another listener’s “why is that cymbal attacking me?”

Good Sound for the Price, Not Studio Perfection

The Ear (1) made the strongest impression when judged against other $99 earbuds. It offered separation, clarity, and energy that prevented music from sounding flat or congested. Podcasts and spoken-word content were particularly easy to follow because voices remained prominent.

Compared with premium products, weaknesses became clearer. Complex recordings could sound less controlled, sub-bass lacked weight, and treble could become tiring at higher volumes. Still, expecting reference-level sound from a first-generation pair of $99 wireless earbuds would be like ordering a diner breakfast and complaining that the chef did not perform tableside flambé.

Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode

Nothing equipped each Ear (1) earbud with three microphones. The active noise cancellation system offered Light and Maximum settings, along with a Transparency mode that passed outside sound through the microphones.

Maximum ANC was effective against steady low-frequency noises such as air conditioners, computer fans, and the rumble of public transportation. It was less successful with changing sounds, nearby conversations, clattering dishes, and higher-frequency noises. In other words, it could calm a coffee shop but could not remove the person conducting a video meeting at full volume two tables away.

Independent testing generally concluded that the ANC was useful but not groundbreaking. That was still impressive at the Ear (1)’s original price, where the mere presence of functional noise cancellation was a competitive advantage.

Transparency for Quick Conversations

Transparency mode made it possible to hear announcements, traffic, coworkers, or a cashier without removing the earbuds. The effect was not as natural as the best premium implementations, and amplified environmental sound could occasionally seem artificial. Nevertheless, it was convenient for short interactions.

A press-and-hold gesture switched between ANC and Transparency mode. The controls were reasonably intuitive after a brief learning period, although accidental touches could occur while adjusting an earbud.

Calls, Controls, and the Ear (1) App

Nothing promoted its Clear Voice technology as a way to separate speech from environmental noise. Call quality was generally strong in quiet rooms and acceptable outdoors, although reviewer experiences varied in windy or crowded locations.

The microphones were more impressive than expected from a first-generation budget product. They were suitable for phone calls, online meetings, and quick voice messages, but they could not consistently match a phone held close to the speaker’s mouth.

Touch Gestures That Mostly Made Sense

The stems supported taps, long presses, and vertical swipes. Users could play or pause audio, skip tracks, adjust volume, answer calls, and change noise-control modes without reaching for a phone.

Volume swiping was especially useful and was not universally available on rival earbuds at the time. Gesture assignments could be modified through the app, although customization was not unlimited.

Useful Software With Early Growing Pains

The companion application provided battery information, firmware updates, Find My Earbud functionality, noise-control settings, gesture customization, and basic equalizer presets.

Early users reported occasional connection issues and software bugs. Subsequent firmware updates improved stability and tuning, demonstrating both the benefits and risks of buying a first product from a young hardware company. The earbuds improved after launch, but early customers occasionally served as unpaid members of the quality-assurance department.

The Ear (1) also lacked Bluetooth multipoint, so it could not remain actively connected to a laptop and phone at the same time. Switching devices required manual reconnection, an inconvenience for people who moved frequently between music, meetings, and calls.

Battery Life and Charging

Official battery estimates placed the Ear (1) at approximately four hours of playback with ANC enabled and 5.7 hours with ANC disabled. Including the charging case increased the totals to about 24 hours with ANC and 34 hours without it.

Those figures were respectable in 2021 but not exceptional. Four hours of ANC listening was enough for commuting, exercising, or a block of focused work, yet long flights required at least one return trip to the case.

Quick charging reduced the inconvenience. Placing the earbuds in the case for around 10 minutes could provide roughly 1.2 additional hours of playback. Charging the case for 10 minutes could supply up to eight hours of combined listening time under favorable conditions.

USB-C and Qi Wireless Charging

The case supported USB-C charging as well as Qi wireless charging. Wireless charging was a premium convenience that many competing earbuds omitted at the $99 level.

Owners could place the case on a compatible charging pad instead of searching for another cable. It was not essential, but neither is a dishwasher, and people become surprisingly attached to conveniences once they stop doing small chores manually.

Durability and Workout Use

The earbuds carried an IPX4 water-resistance rating, meaning they were designed to tolerate sweat and light splashes. That made them suitable for gym sessions, walks, and ordinary outdoor use in light rain.

IPX4 did not make them waterproof. They were not intended for swimming, showering, or being rescued from the bottom of a washing machine. The charging case also required more careful treatment than the earbuds themselves.

The lightweight fit was secure for moderate exercise, although stability depended heavily on choosing the correct ear-tip size. People engaging in intense running or jumping might prefer earbuds with stabilizing fins or ear hooks.

Where the Nothing Ear (1) Fell Short

The Ear (1) delivered an unusually complete package, but several compromises prevented it from becoming a true flagship killer.

Battery Life Was Only Average

Four hours with ANC could feel restrictive during travel or a full workday. Competing models eventually pushed far beyond that figure, making the Ear (1)’s endurance one of its most obvious aging points.

ANC Could Not Match Premium Leaders

The noise cancellation reduced steady background hum but lacked the adaptive sophistication and broader frequency control of flagship Sony, Bose, and Apple models.

No Multipoint or Premium Codecs

The absence of Bluetooth multipoint made switching between devices less convenient. The lack of aptX and LDAC also limited the product’s appeal to Android listeners seeking higher-quality wireless codecs.

The Transparent Case Needed Care

The case was memorable but relatively bulky and vulnerable to cosmetic wear. Its appearance was part of the reason to buy the product, which made every new scratch feel personally offensive.

First-Generation Software Was Inconsistent

Connectivity and firmware behavior improved over time, but early glitches reminded buyers that ambitious hardware from a young company often arrives with rough edges.

Why the Ear (1) Still Matters

The Nothing Ear (1) is no longer new, and later Nothing models have improved battery life, sound customization, connectivity, and noise cancellation. However, the original earbuds remain significant because they proved that design could be a genuine competitive feature rather than decorative packaging.

Nothing did not invent transparent electronics or stem-style earbuds. It combined those ideas into a coherent identity at a moment when the category was becoming visually stale. The Ear (1) also pressured competitors by offering ANC and Qi charging at a lower launch price.

Most importantly, the Ear (1) created a foundation. The transparent stems, dot-based labeling, lightweight comfort, playful cases, and accessible pricing continued through later Nothing and CMF audio products. Even reviewers who criticized the original product’s bugs often recognized that it brought welcome variety to the market.

The Ear (1) was not the best earbud in every measurable category. It was one of the rare earbuds people could identify from across a room, which is considerably more difficult than adding another hour to a battery estimate.

A Composite Real-World Experience With the Nothing Ear (1)

The following approximately 500-word experience is a representative scenario synthesized from documented specifications, long-term reviews, and common ownership reports rather than a claim of personal hands-on testing.

Morning: Pairing and Commuting

A typical day with the Ear (1) begins with opening the transparent case and removing the earbuds using the red and white indicators. Pairing with a previously connected phone is usually quick, and compatible Android devices benefit from Fast Pair.

On a bus or train, Maximum ANC softens engine rumble and ventilation noise. It does not create total silence, but podcasts become easier to understand without raising the volume excessively. Nearby conversations remain partially audible, especially during pauses, yet the overall environment feels less tiring.

The light weight becomes noticeable after 30 or 40 minutesnot because the earbuds demand attention, but because they largely disappear. There is little sensation of a heavy object pulling downward, and the stems provide an easy grip when it is time to remove them.

Midday: Work, Music, and Calls

At a desk, the Ear (1) works best with energetic playlists and vocal-focused content. Pop tracks sound lively, guitars have a clean edge, and podcasts remain crisp. Bass-heavy music can benefit from the app’s enhanced-bass preset, although listeners expecting nightclub-level impact may remain unsatisfied.

Switching from a laptop to a phone reveals the absence of multipoint. The earbuds must be disconnected or selected manually, which feels increasingly old-fashioned during a day filled with calls and online meetings.

In a quiet room, microphone quality is more than adequate for a conversation. Speech sounds understandable and background fans are reduced. Walking outside introduces more uncertainty: traffic is manageable, but strong wind may compete with the voice-processing system.

Touch controls make quick adjustments convenient. A vertical swipe changes volume, a tap pauses music, and a long press switches noise modes. Occasionally, adjusting the fit triggers an unintended command, producing the classic earbud experience of pausing a song while attempting to scratch an ear.

Afternoon: Battery Reality

With ANC running for much of the day, the four-hour battery estimate becomes relevant. The earbuds may need to return to the case around lunchtime or midafternoon. Fortunately, a short charging break provides enough power for another commute or workout.

The clear case makes it easy to confirm that both earbuds are correctly seated. Qi charging is useful at a desk: placing the case on a charging pad turns battery management into a passive habit rather than another cable-based responsibility.

Evening: Exercise and Relaxation

During a moderate gym session, the IPX4 rating provides reassurance against sweat. The buds generally remain secure when the correct tips are installed, and their low weight reduces movement. For intense sprinting, fit will depend more heavily on individual ear shape.

Later, Transparency mode helps when walking through a parking lot or ordering food. The outside world sounds slightly processed, but hearing traffic and voices without removing the earbuds is practical.

At the end of the day, the overall impression is not that the Ear (1) dominates every category. The impression is that it makes daily wireless audio pleasant, stylish, and surprisingly complete for its original price. Its shortcomings appear in predictable placesbattery endurance, device switching, and premium-level ANCbut none completely erase the charm of the design or the comfort of the fit.

Final Verdict: More Than a Transparent Gimmick

The Nothing Ear (1) succeeded because its appearance was supported by genuinely useful features. Active noise cancellation, comfortable construction, responsive gestures, wireless charging, respectable microphones, and lively sound made it far more than a fashion accessory.

Its original $99 price was central to that success. The product offered a taste of premium convenience without requiring a premium budget. It also reminded the wireless-earbud industry that electronics could be functional without looking as though they had been issued by the Department of Beige Plastic.

Battery life and ANC performance were merely average, and early software issues prevented the experience from feeling completely polished. Listeners demanding deep bass, premium codecs, multipoint connectivity, or the strongest possible noise cancellation had better alternatives.

For everyone else, the Ear (1) represented an unusually confident debut. Nothing took a familiar category, exposed its inner workings, and gave consumers something fresh to look at and listen to. That is why the earbuds still deserve attention: not because they were flawless, but because they made “different” feel useful again.

Note: The Nothing Ear (1) originally launched in 2021 and has since been succeeded by newer Nothing earbuds. Current availability, pricing, app compatibility, and firmware support may vary by retailer and region.

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