I’ve been using the Nothing Ear (open) for a while now, and I have to say—they really surprised me! I usually wear in-ears or over ears in my daily life. In-ears more for traveling, gardening and so on while I use my over ears for gaming, watching movies etc. So I never really had any interest or desire to look at open ear buds but using the Nothing Ear (open) really changed my view on these!
Design & Comfort:
What sets these apart, it’s already in the name: Their open-ear design. They don’t go inside your ear but sit just outside and are super comfortable, even after wearing them all day! The silicone bands make sure they stay secure in place—whether I’m sitting at my desk, laying on a bed or just doing casual gardening where you move around a lot. They also never get in your way with sunglasses and you only really notice them once you turn your head around.
Sound Quality:
I was a little skeptical about the sound quality since they aren’t noise-isolating, but to my surprise the sound is clear and immersive, (I gonna steal that one from @adbo) “It genuinely feels like you have personal mini speakers following you around that nobody else can hear”. Of course, you can still hear what’s going on around you, which is a big plus for me when I’m traveling (as long as it’s not too loud) have work colleagues who try to talk to you or anything similar. On a side note tho, if you like punchy bass you’re better off with for example in-ears or over-ears as the bass isn’t as havy and punchy compared to those.
Battery Life:
The 8-hour battery life is solid. I’ve worn these for a full day of work, and I never had to worry about recharging until the day was over. That’s a huge win in my book—nothing worse than your earbuds dying mid-task!
Case:
The case is very sturdy and covered with a protective film so it can’t be that easily scratched. The Nothing Ear (open) buds snap quickly into their position thanks to the strong magnet and even if you shake the case while it’s open (not too hard of course) they wont fall out. Like all nothing ear products the right side has a red and the left site a white dot (on the case and buds) so you never gonna place them wrong. The only downside is the battery case of the Nothing Ear (open) buds. If you walk around while they are in their case it sounds like you walk around with Tic Tacs.
Comparison to Other Models:
Compared to in-ear buds, the Nothing Ear (open) wins hands down for comfort. There’s no pressure in or on your ears, which is such a relief. That said, I do still reach for my in-ear buds with ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) when I really want to block everything out, like when vacuuming, mowing grass or if I’m in a noisy environment.
Final Thoughts:
If you’re looking for something comfortable, secure, and great for non-isolated listening, the Nothing Ear (open) earbuds are a fantastic choice. Whether you’re working, or just enjoying some music, they deliver a great experience without cutting you off from your surroundings. They are the perfect hybrid in my opinion between in-ears, speakers and over ears.
