Nothing Ear (3)

Why this model

The Nothing Ear (3) are adaptive noise-cancelling wireless earbuds for anyone who wants a striking design that handles music and calls equally well, at the office or on the move. Nothing's signature see-through look is still there, but the case now uses recycled aluminium and has its own call microphone, the Super Mic.

In this Nothing Ear (3) review, we go over what the brand claims: up to 45 dB of noise cancelling, Hi-Res audio over LDAC, wireless charging and 38 hours of battery life with the case. We'll also tell you honestly when they're not the right pick, especially if you use an iPhone.

Design: see-through and recycled aluminium

Nothing sticks with what made its name: earbuds with visible components that look like nothing else out there. What's new is the case, with a recycled aluminium base topped by a transparent lid. On a desk, it looks more like a small design object than a charging case.

The white version goes for a bright look, with technical details showing through the translucent plastic. If you want design wireless earbuds that break from the usual smooth shapes, this is clearly where they shine.

Day to day: Super Mic and the TALK button

The most original idea in the Nothing Ear (3) is the Super Mic, a microphone built into the case and triggered by the TALK button. Hold the button to talk, or double-press it to keep it on for a longer call. You can customise the button in the Nothing X app.

For music, the adaptive noise cancelling adjusts to your surroundings, whether that's a noisy open-plan office or a train ride. The claimed IP54 rating means you can also keep them in for a run in light Belgian drizzle.

Nothing Ear (3) key specs

According to Nothing, noise cancelling reaches up to 45 dB and 24-bit Hi-Res audio streams over LDAC, alongside AAC and SBC, on Bluetooth 5.4. They work with both Android and iOS.

For battery life, Nothing claims up to 5.5 hours per charge with noise cancelling on and up to 38 hours in total with the case. The case charges wirelessly or over USB-C, and according to the brand, ten minutes of charging gives you up to 10 hours of playback.

Who they're for, and who should skip

The Nothing Ear (3) suit you if you take a lot of calls while working from home or travelling, own an LDAC-compatible Android phone and want a piece of tech that gets noticed. They're also an alternative to AirPods Pro if you prefer a bolder design.

Skip them if you're on iPhone and care about Hi-Res sound, since iPhones don't support LDAC. The same goes if you want long noise-cancelling sessions without a break, or if you'd rather have over-ear headphones than in-ear buds.

The matching guide

A speaker, an e-reader, a pocket camera: three objects you can leave out on display, and that genuinely earn their place every day.