Nothing Ear (a) Review: Should You Buy? Wireless earbuds have come a long way. Every year, brands try to improve sound quality, noise cancellation, and design. But with so many options, is the Nothing Ear (a) worth its ₹8,000 price tag? Let’s dive into my hands-on experience with these earbuds.
Nothing Ear (a) Review: Should You Buy?
Unboxing Experience & First Impressions
Opening a new gadget is always exciting. When I unboxed the Nothing Ear (a), the first thing I noticed was the bright yellow case. It’s bold, playful, and completely different from the transparent cases of previous Nothing earbuds. But if yellow isn’t your style, you’ll be relieved to know that they also come in black and white.
Holding the case in my hand, I felt a mix of excitement and curiosity. It’s slim, rectangular, and slightly smaller than the Nothing Ear (2) case. Honestly, it reminded me of a mini lunchbox! While it looks cool, the lid still wobbles slightly when closed—a small issue Nothing needs to fix.
Inside, the earbuds look almost identical to the Nothing Ear (2). They weigh just 4.8 grams each, making them light and comfortable. I’ve worn them for hours, and they stay secure even when I shake my head or go for a jog. The silicone ear tips provide a snug fit, ensuring passive noise isolation.
Quick Specs Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | ₹8,000 |
| Weight | 4.8g per earbud |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3, Dual Connection, Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair |
| Battery Life | Up to 42.5 hours (with case & ANC off) |
| Driver Size | 11mm |
| Codec Support | LDAC, AAC, SBC |
| ANC (Noise Cancellation) | Up to 45dB |
| Water Resistance | IP54 (earbuds), IPX2 (case) |
Comfort & Fit
I’ve tried several wireless earbuds, but fit is always a hit or miss. With the Nothing Ear (a), I was pleasantly surprised. The earbuds sit comfortably without causing any ear fatigue. I even wore them during a long flight, and they didn’t feel heavy or uncomfortable.
The in-ear detection works flawlessly. As soon as you remove an earbud, the music pauses. Pinch controls are responsive, and you can customize them in the Nothing X app. Adjusting volume, skipping tracks, or enabling ANC is quick and easy.
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Sound Quality: Bass-Heavy but Impressive
The 11mm drivers deliver a strong audio performance. But let’s address the elephant in the room—the bass.
Right out of the box, the bass enhancement was set to Level 3. Even after reducing it, the earbuds remained bass-heavy. If you love thumping beats, you’ll enjoy these. Songs like “The Search” by NF sound powerful and immersive. The bass is punchy but doesn’t overshadow the vocals.
But on lighter songs, like “Masakali” or orchestral scores, the bass feels unnecessary. It slightly overpowers the instruments, which might disappoint audiophiles.
The soundstage is wide, and vocals are clear. High frequencies are handled well, unlike the Nothing Ear (2), which struggled with treble in some cases.
I also compared the Nothing Ear (a) with competitors:
- Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro – Better-balanced sound but weaker ANC.
- Realme Buds Air 5 Pro – Clear vocals, but bass isn’t as deep.
- OnePlus Buds 3 – Good overall sound but lacks the same immersive feel.
LDAC Support: A Step in the Right Direction
Nothing switched from LHDC to LDAC for high-resolution audio. While the difference is subtle, LDAC offers a slightly better bitrate and clarity. If you have a LDAC-supported phone, you’ll get richer audio.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): Surprisingly Good
On paper, 45dB ANC might not sound impressive. But in real life, it performs better than expected.
I tested these in crowded metros, traffic, and office environments. The earbuds completely blocked vehicle noises and reduced background chatter. Indoors, they also eliminated fan and AC noises efficiently.
Even the transparency mode is well-tuned. Conversations sound natural, not robotic, which isn’t always the case with budget ANC earbuds.
Call & Mic Quality: One of the Best
I take a lot of calls on the go, so mic quality matters. Nothing Ear (a) has three microphones, and they perform exceptionally well.
During calls, my voice was clear and natural, even in noisy areas. The background noise suppression worked great. In comparison, the Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro and Realme Buds Air 5 Pro have decent mics but aren’t as good.
The only competitor that does better is the OnePlus Buds Pro 2R, but its sound quality isn’t as strong as the Nothing Ear (a).
Battery Life & Charging
Battery life depends on how you use them. With ANC on, I got around 7.5 to 8 hours on a single charge. With ANC off, the earbuds lasted even longer. The case extends total usage to 42.5 hours.
A quick 10-minute charge gives 10 hours of playback, which is a lifesaver when you’re in a hurry. However, wireless charging is missing, which is a slight letdown.
What’s Missing?
While the Nothing Ear (a) does a lot of things right, it’s not perfect.
- No Advanced EQ or Personalized Sound – These features were present in the Nothing Ear (2).
- No Wireless Charging – Expected at this price.
- Bass-Heavy Tuning – Some might prefer a more balanced sound.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy?
The Nothing Ear (a) is a great pair of earbuds, but is it worth ₹8,000?
✅ What I Liked:
✔️ LDAC support for high-quality audio.
✔️ Best-in-class ANC in this price range.
✔️ Great call quality.
✔️ Cool design (if you like yellow).
❌ What Could Be Better:
❌ Bass-heavy tuning might not suit all users.
❌ No personalized EQ settings.
❌ Wireless charging is missing.
Alternatives to Consider
If ₹8,000 feels too high, check out:
- Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro (₹5,000) – Better-balanced sound, but ANC isn’t as strong.
- OnePlus Buds 3 (₹6,000) – Good overall performance but not as immersive.
Final Thoughts: If you love deep bass, clear vocals, and strong ANC, the Nothing Ear (a) won’t disappoint. But if you prefer a balanced sound signature, there are better options at a lower price.
Would I buy it at ₹8,000? Probably not. At ₹6,000, it would be an easy recommendation. If Nothing drops the price, these earbuds will be a no-brainer.
