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Nothing Ear(1) Review: Transparent Buds!

Marques Brownlee@mkbhd4M viewsJul 29, 202110:12
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Promos

Behind the hype these $99 earbuds are actually a pretty great pickup. MKBHD Merch: shop.mkbhd.com Tech I'm using right now: amazon.com Intro Track: youtube.com Playlist of MKBHD Intro music: goo.gl Earbuds provided by Nothing for review. ~ twitter.com @MKBHD @MKBHD

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Nothing Ear(1) Review: Transparent Buds! delivers a thorough, hardware-focused look at a $99 pair of wireless earbuds that lean heavily into their translucent design. The reviewer starts by setting aside the hype surrounding the brand and emphasizes evaluating the product on its own merits, including comfort, fit, and build quality. He highlights the striking semi-transparent case and earbuds, noting how the internal layout is unusually neat for the price point, with careful cable management, visible components, and a magnetic, snap-in chassis that feels premium to the touch. The review then shifts to sound quality and ANC performance, acknowledging that while the Ear(1) doesn’t match flagship models, it delivers solid performance with effective noise cancellation and a V-shaped frequency response that suits casual listening. Battery life is described as adequate, with around four hours of ANC-enabled listening and up to 24 to 34 hours total with the case, which is respectable for the segment but not exceptional. Overall, the reviewer grades the design highly, the sound decent for the price, and the included software/app features useful but not deeply configurable, noting room for improvement in EQ, deeper customization, and stability in early software builds. The verdict suggests the Nothing Ear(1) stands out for its design and value, and is likely to appeal to users who prioritize aesthetics and convenience as much as audio performance, while acknowledging it won’t dethrone premium competitors like AirPods Pro. The video closes with a balanced takeaway: hype can be persuasive, but these earbuds offer a compelling package at a low mid-range price, especially if you value looks and features over absolute flagship-grade sound.

Topics · Audio · Hardware · Design · ConsumerTech · Wearables

Questions answered

What is the standout feature of the Nothing Ear(1) besides sound quality?
The standout feature is the transparent design of both the earbuds and the case, created in collaboration with Teenage Engineering, which emphasizes airflow and visibility of internal components while keeping a neat, premium look.
How does the ANC performance compare to premium rivals?
Active noise cancellation is strong for the price, especially at lower frequencies, but it is not on par with premium models like AirPods Pro, though it remains very effective for casual listening.
What are the notable software features available via the Nothing Ear companion app?
The app provides basic controls for noise cancellation settings, transparency mode, an equalizer toggle, and touch control customization for each earbud, plus a find-my-earbuds feature with a loud locator sound.