TWS true wireless earphones - $50 - $100
FOUR STARS - Halfway 2022, there are quite a few cheaper Active Noise Cancelling wireless earbuds with better battery life and features than the Nothing Ear 1.
Nothing Ear 1 specs and features:
Bluetooth 5.0
IPX4 waterproof rating (splash proof)
4 - 6 hours listening on a single charge (ANC on/ off)
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 5 times
Comes with 3 sets of ear tips, USB-C cable, English manual
$90 - Check price on Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon Germany, or other Amazon countries
Below this Nothing Ear 1 review, you will find comparisons of the Nothing Ear 1 vs 1more ComfoBuds Pro, Soundcore Life A3i, and SoundPEATS Mini Pro.
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Design, comfort and battery life
Much has been said and written about the design of the Nothing Ear 1, and everything still stands in mid-2022. Even though the earbuds have the proven, much-before seen oval ear parts that stay diagonally and very comfortable in your ears, they're attached to distinctive, transparent stems that show the technical parts underneath. Especially in combination with the white color version, it looks unique.
The charging case is a looker as well, with a transparant housing in which the earbuds lie sideways. It can recharge the earbuds 5 times fully before needing new power via USB-C or wireless charging itself, and thanks to a small hole for your finger in the lid, it's even fun to fiddle around with. It is on the bigger side though, and doesn't feel comfortable in a jeans pocket when you're walking.
The earbuds specs aren't that spectacular mid-2022 anymore, however. They're only IPX4 splashproof, meaning they can withstand some lightrain and water splashes, but lack the IPX5 rain and sweatproof level of most newer competitors.
The battery life may be the biggest disappointment, as the Ear 1 only delivers up to 4 hours of playtime with ANC on (up to 6 with the function turned off). Most newer competitors reach around 5,5 to even 7 hours of playtime with Active Noise Cancelling on.
Controls and connectivity
The Nothing Ear 1 has a control trick very little earbuds do, and it even works well: you can slide the stems up and down to increase or decrease the volume. The touch panels register your input well, and you shouldn't be afraid to accidentally touch the earbuds, as a single-touch doesn't trigger a command.
A double-tap on the left or right earbud pauses/plays music, but you can also take out an earbud to automatically pause music - it will resume when you put it back in again. You can skip or return a track by tapping the earbuds three times, and switch between ANC, Transparency mode, and ANC off by holding down the buds. You can tie activating the voice assistant to one of the commands via the app, but it's not possible to activate the (much-needed) low-latency mode from the earbuds directly.
Strangely, connectivity isn't perfect. While the earbuds pair and connect quickly, some hiccups between the left and right earpiece can occur.
Calls, movies and Games
It's doable to take a phone call or video meeting with the Nothing Ear 1. Your voice has enough volume and even sounds clear, although that can change to a tad muffled when there's noise around you. Those sounds itself, whether they're claps, rumblings, or accelerating vehicles, are reduced well. Wind noise is your usual enemy.
Unfortunately, like much older wireless earbuds, the Nothing Ear 1 doesn't always reach lipsync synchronization between audio and video. The audio is slightly too slow in YouTube videos, and there's a very noticeable delay in Instagram videos.
You can activate a low-latency mode from the app. With it, videos do play flawlessly, and synchronization in games is impressive too, with sound effects quickly following the action you see on your screen. Sadly, you can't activate the function from the earbuds itself, and as the low-latency mode attacks the connection stability in areas with many wireless signals, this is a weak spot.
App Support of Nothing Ear 1
The Nothing Ear 1 has a slick-looking, well-functioning free app for both Android and iPhone. The app support adds some useful features too:
Check the battery status of the earbuds independently (both systems) and case (Android only)
Update the firmware, including clear notes about what the update includes
Change some of the touch controls
Select between the normal sound or three alternative sound settings
Switch ANC modes, including the option to opt for Light instead of Maximum ANC
(De)activate the auto-pause function when you take an earbud out
(De)activate the low-latency mode
Find your earbuds on a map
You can choose from a dark and light look in the app
ANC and sound options aren't numerous
The firmware updates state what will change
While four sound settings (Balanced, More Treble, More Bass, Voice) doesn't seem like too many equalization options, one of the settings does actually improve the sound - more on that in the sound department.
As you need the app to activate the low-latency mode, it's as much as a useful addition, as it is a required one.
ANC Noise cancelling of Nothing Ear 1
The Ear 1 lets you cycle between ANC on, Transparency mode and ANC off by holding the earbuds. The functions are introduced by different beeps, and unless you're listening to your music loudly, the effects are immediately clear.
Active Noise Cancelling on the Nothing is solid. It filters most constant sounds, like distant traffic or electronic humming of a fridge or an airconditioner. It's less successful in reducing mid-tones, as the biggest part of door slams, a radio or tv playing, nearby chatter, or even your own keyboard typing, are still audible. These can bring rest to your head, however, and filter noise in a very natural feeling way.
The Transparency mode works really well too. It passes through sounds around you when you need it in a very natural manner, even when you're playing music up to moderate volume. It can be hard to pick up a conversation, but it's doable to hear and locate traffic around you.
The Nothing Ear 1 doesn't let in a terrible amount of wind noise when you're using ANC or Transparency mode, but if you want to rule everything out, it's nice you can also turn ANC off from the earbuds directly - which is also beneficial for extending the battery life. It's one of the stronger ANC earbuds under $100.
Also read: The best wireless ANC earbuds
Sound quality of Nothing Ear (1)
The Nothing Ear 1 was rarely praised for its sound quality, but it can be improved with a setting from the app.
Out of the box, there's little separation between instruments and different layers in the sound of the Nothing Ear 1. Everything feels close together in the music, with the exclusion of vocals that still have a moderately forward position. Skip to a comparably priced pair of ANC earphone like the 1more ComfoBuds Pro, SoundPEATS Mini Pro or Soundcore Life A3i for example, and you're greeted with more openness and more instruments and effects coming from your left and right.
In the default Balanced sound, Nothing's tonality is a bit strange. While a somewhat bloating mid-bass and boosted lower-mids inject warmth into the music, mids have a cold and dark vibe - most noticeable in usually warmer sounding guitars. Meanwhile, both female and male vocals lack body, with early rolled-off treble preventing from singers reaching their higher outbursts - their potential. Electric guitars can also fall flat because of this reason.
Happily, there's a quick fix to this that helps in most occasions. The equalizer option More Treble and a bit of volume together boost vocals more forward and allow for more openness atop of the sound. Center-mids benefit greatly from this equalizer, with clearer placement and tonally better reproduction of guitars and piano play. The More Treble-setting balances things out. It can add a slight hissy edge and make cymbals splashy, but treble is mostly in control.
There are more positive notes. The mid-bass can be a bit rubbery, but generally provides a steady, sometimes even nicely stab-like thump. The sub-bass (the darkest bass tones you can feel as much as hear) can rumble loosely, while the bass section never overpowers the rest of the music.
With the More Treble equalizer option, the Nothing Ear 1 moves beyond its strange cold-dark tonality mostly suitable for background listening, and instead presents a pleasant and versatile sound.
Nothing Ear 1 comparisons
Nothing Ear 1 vs 1more ComfoBuds Pro
The comparably priced 1more ComfoBuds Pro has a more treble-focused sound than the Nothing Ear 1, with more vibrant yet controlled higher vocals, more air in the sound and a crispier presentation of center-mids like guitars and piano play. The Ear 1 sounds smoother thanks to more lower-mids emphasis and a fuller mid-bass, yet even with the More Treble mode, the 1more maintains a more natural tonality. Other than sound, 1more's execution of features is better. Connectivity is more reliable, its ANC is slightly stronger, its microphones are better for phone and video calls, and battery life is up to 1,5 hours longer per charge. The Ear (1) has a stronger Transparency mode.
1more ComfoBuds Pro review ($60-80)
Nothing Ear 1 vs Earfun Air Pro 2
Released around the same time, the Earfun Air Pro 2 had much less hype than the Nothing Ear 1, but make no mistake: the Earfuns are better wireless earbuds. Latency is better, strengthened further by a gaming mode you can activate from the earbuds, calls are clearer both indoors and outside, it has IPX5 instead of IPX4 waterproofing, its Active Noise Cancelling is stronger, and battery is up to 2 hours longer with ANC on. The Air Pro 2 has a fuller and more dynamic sound, with a more powerful mid-bass, more detailed lower mid-tones and a warmer tone. The Nothing Ear 1 with More Treble has a more open sound with clearer vocals and more natural upper-mids.
Earfun Air Pro 2 review ($60-80)
Nothing Ear 1 vs Soundcore Life A3i
The A3i is the a little-known sensation from Soundcore, Anker's popular brand of wireless earbuds. It's about 25 dollars cheaper than the Nothing Ear 1 and boasts 7 instead of 4 hours battery life with ANC on. It's IPX5 rainproof instead of Nothing's IPX4 splashproof, while ANC strength is comparable. The Soundcore has actual buttons instead of touch panels, and it delivers clearer calls than the Nothing. Transparency mode is stronger on the Ear 1.
When it comes to music, Soundcore's app support comes with 22 preset and custom equalizers, of which many are more usable than the Ear 1's variations. For the sound in general, the Life A3i has a more textured and more impactful bass, and mids have a pleasant warmer undertone. It delivers a more engaging sound, whereas the Ear 1's More Treble mode has a more natural presentation of center-mids.
Nothing Ear 1 vs SoundPEATS Mini Pro
The $60 SoundPEATS Mini Pro has a punchier and deeper mid-bass than the Nothing Ear 1, and its sound is also more geared towards the upper-mids, that bring forth forward and crisp vocals, although with a more metallic edge and (even) more splashiness than the Nothing. In the More Treble mode, the Ear 1 has a more balanced approach, in which both male vocals and center-mid instruments like guitars are more flexible: they reach the darker lower-mid tones easier than on the Mini Pro. The SoundPEATS has slightly longer battery life, a higher (IPX5) waterproof level and performs even better in gaming, while its ANC is comparable.
SoundPEATS Mini Pro review ($50-60)
Verdict
They may have had less hype, but there are plenty of (cheaper) alternatives to the Nothing Ear 1 with just as strong ANC, better battery life, and better latency. Halfway 2022, the question is: do you love Nothing Ear 1's design enough to prefer it over even better and cheaper alternatives?
Four stars - Good
Buy Nothing Ear 1/ check price:
Buy Nothing Ear (1) on Amazon US
Buy Nothing Ear (1) on Amazon UK
Buy Nothing Ear (1) on Amazon Germany
Buy Nothing Ear (1) from other Amazon countries
I bought the Nothing Ear (1) myself to test and review. My reviews are 100% independent and non-commercial - read about it here.
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