Nothing Ear (a) B162
The 11mm dynamic driver and LDAC support deliver Hi-Res Wireless Audio with deep bass and customizable EQ, while the hybrid ANC effectively cuts up to 45 dB of noise. Its transparent-inspired design and 42.5-hour total battery life offer a distinctive look and all-day endurance at a competitive price. These earbuds are best for budget-conscious listeners who want strong noise cancellation and detailed, personalized sound for music and calls.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
The Nothing Ear (a) delivers best-in-class battery life and surprisingly good sound and call quality for the price. The ANC is just okay, and the comfort is a real problem, landing in the bottom 1st percentile. If they fit your ears, they're an absolute bargain.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Battery life is best-in-class at 42.5 hours total. 100th
- Sound quality is rich and highly customizable through the excellent Nothing X app. 99th
- Call clarity is a standout, thanks to the effective six-mic setup. 97th
- LDAC and multipoint connectivity add serious value at this price. 94th
Cons
- Comfort is a major weak point, scoring in the bottom 1st percentile.
- Active noise cancellation is just average for blocking voices and irregular noise.
- The case hinge feels flimsy and the buds are awkward to put back.
- No wireless charging, which feels like a miss in this category.
What owners think
The Word on the Street
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 8 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
The 11mm driver pushes out rich, tunable sound that lands in the 91st percentile in our database, which is impressive for this price bracket. LDAC support is a nice bonus for Android users who want higher-quality streaming. Call quality is a standout too, with the six-mic setup hitting the 98th percentile, making your voice clear even with some background noise. The hybrid ANC is rated to block up to 45dB and sits in the 94th percentile, but real-world use shows it's just okay at handling chatter and higher frequencies. The real star is battery life, a chart-topping 42.5 hours that puts it in the absolute best tier we've seen.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | true wireless |
| Ear Tips | Small, Medium, Large |
| Weight | 0.3 kg / 0.7 lbs |
Audio
| Driver Type | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 11 |
| Drivers | 1 |
| Freq Min | 20 |
| Freq Max | 40000 |
| Impedance | 32 |
| Hi-Res Audio | Yes |
| Codecs | LDAC |
| Surround | Simulated Surround, Stereo |
Noise Control
| ANC | Yes |
| ANC Type | hybrid |
| Transparency | Yes |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| Multipoint | Yes |
| Wired Connector | USB Type C |
| Range | 10.1 |
Earbud Battery
| Battery Life | 42.5 |
| Charge Time | 2 |
| Fast Charging | ✓ |
| Charging | USB-C |
Case Battery
| Case Battery | 42.5 |
| Case Charging | USB-C |
| Wireless Charging | No |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| Mic Count | 6 |
| NC Mic | Yes |
Features
| Voice Assistant | ✓ |
| Touch Controls | Yes |
| App | Nothing X |
| Gaming Mode | Yes |
| Bone Conduction | No |
| Water Resistance | Yes |
vs Competition
Stacked against the Sony WF-C700N, the Nothing Ear (a) crushes it on battery life and app customization, but the Sony buds are way more comfortable for long sessions. The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro offer a more polished and premium experience with better ANC, but at a much higher price. The EarFun Air Pro 4+ is a closer fight, trading blows on sound and features, but the Nothing's unique design and superior mic performance give it an edge for calls. You're really choosing between the Nothing's standout features and the all-day comfort of its rivals.
| Spec | Nothing Ear (a) B162 | Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro | Sony WF-C700N WFC700N/B | Soundcore P31i | EarFun Air Pro 4+ | Anker Space A40 A3936 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear |
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | hybrid | dynamic |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 | 5.2 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 5.2 |
| Battery Life Hours | 42.5 | 6 | 15 | 10 | 12 | 10 |
| Case Battery Hours | 42.5 | 26 | 15 | 50 | 54 | 50 |
| Water Resistance | ✓ | IP57 | IPX4 | IP55 | IP55 | IPX4 |
| Multipoint | true | true | true | - | true | true |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | User Sentiment | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nothing Ear (a) B162 | 93.5 | 97.4 | 35 | 91.2 | 99.5 | 1.3 | 79.9 | 99.4 | 73.1 |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro Compare | 97.4 | 97.4 | 98.9 | 93.5 | 76.9 | 94.7 | 79.9 | 99.7 | 90.3 |
| Sony WF-C700N WFC700N/B Compare | 97.4 | 83.9 | 81.4 | 82.9 | 82 | 73.7 | 97.2 | 89.9 | 73.1 |
| Soundcore P31i Compare | 90.6 | 97.4 | 91.9 | 97.4 | 94.2 | 73.7 | 97.2 | 87.5 | 90.3 |
| EarFun Air Pro 4+ Compare | 97.4 | 97.4 | 91.9 | 99.8 | 96 | 73.7 | 97.2 | 99.4 | 90.3 |
| Anker Space A40 A3936 Compare | 97.4 | 97.4 | 81.4 | 94.9 | 94.2 | 73.7 | 79.9 | 97.4 | 73.1 |
Price
Value & Pricing
For the $59 to $80 street price, the Ear (a) packs an absurd amount of value. You're getting chart-topping battery life, excellent call quality, and sound that you can tweak to your heart's content. The feature set, including LDAC and multipoint, usually costs a lot more. If you can get past the comfort issues, it's a steal.
Best Buy 6 offers From $59
Price History
Read more
Overview
Nothing's Ear (a) buds are a weird mix of top-tier battery life and genuinely good sound, wrapped in that signature transparent design. They nail the basics for everyday listening and calls, but there's a catch that might be a dealbreaker for some.
Common Questions
Q: How good is the noise cancellation on the Nothing Ear (a)?
It's effective at reducing low, constant hums like engine noise, but it struggles more with voices and sudden sounds. It's solid for the price, but not class-leading.
Q: Are these earbuds comfortable for small ears?
Comfort is the biggest complaint, with our data showing it in the bottom 1st percentile. The shape can cause discomfort after a few hours, so they might not be the best for smaller ears or all-day wear.
Q: Do these support wireless charging?
No, the case charges via USB-C only. For wireless charging at a similar price, you'd need to look at competitors like the EarFun Air Pro 4+.
Who Should Skip This
If all-day comfort is your top priority, look elsewhere. The fit is the Achilles' heel here, scoring dead last in our comfort rankings. Runners or anyone with smaller ears will likely find them painful after a short while, so check out the Sony WF-C700N for a much more secure and comfy fit.
Verdict
Grab the Nothing Ear (a) if you want incredible battery life, fun sound, and a design that stands out, all without spending a ton. They're perfect for desk warriors and commuters who take a lot of calls and love to tinker with EQ settings. Just know that the fit can be a literal pain point for some.
