Summary
Since Apple initially debuted its first translucent Ear (1) earphones in 2021, there has been no obvious competitor to Apple’s AirPods Pro 2, which are now regarded as one of the finest wireless earbuds. During the launch of the AirPods Pro, we presented a face-off between the AirPods Pro and Nothing Ear (1). In 2023, we presented a similar face-off between Nothing Ear (2) and AirPods Pro 2. Therefore, it is important to bring the topic up to speed since the Nothing Ear earbuds, which are the third model in the series, are regarded as the closest AirPods Pro 2 competitor that the small British firm has produced up to this point.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs Nothing Ear
Both of them feature a drop stem design, and the most recent flagship models have developed to deliver comparable generational advancements in terms of noise-cancelling performance, sound quality, and battery life. But the price of one model is much higher than that of the other.
In this comparison of the AirPods Pro 2 USB-C and Nothing Ear, we will examine the differences and similarities between the two in terms of their specifications, design, performance, battery life, and other aspects.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs Nothing Ear: SPECS COMPARED
Header Cell, Column 0 | Apple AirPods Pro 2 USB-C | Nothing Ear |
---|---|---|
Price | $249, £229 / AU$399 | $149, £129, / AU$249 |
Wireless charging case | Yes | Yes |
Chip | H2 | Not stated |
Noise cancelation | Adaptive | Adaptive |
Battery life (rated) | 5.5 hours (Spatial Audio and Head Tracking on) 6 hours (ANC on); 7 hours (ANC off); 30 hours (charging case with ANC on); 34 hours (charging case with ANC off) | 5.2 hours (ANC on), 24 hours (ANC on with charging case), 8.5 hours (ANC off), and 40.5 hours (ANC off with charging case) |
Durability | IP54 (buds and charging case) | IP54 buds; IP55 charging case |
Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 with SBC and AAC | Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC, LDAC, and LHDC |
Size | 1.22 x 0.86 x 0.94 inches (per bud); 1.78 x 2.39 x 0.85 inches (charging case) | 1.1 x 0.8 x 0.9 inches (per bud); 2.3 x 2.3 x 0.9 inches (charging case) |
Weight | 0.19 ounces (per bud); 1.79 ounces (charging case) | 0.2 ounces (per bud), 2 ounces (charging case) |
Special features | Adaptive transparency mode, adaptive EQ, personalized spatial audio, automatic switching, Ear Tip Fit Test, Find My (AirPods), “Hey Siri” voice-activated assistance, MagSafe charging case with built-in speaker, lanyard loop support | Personalized EQ, Transparency mode, dual connection, Ear Tip Fit Test, find my earbuds |
Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs Nothing Ear: PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
The price of the Nothing Ear has stayed the same as that of its predecessor, which was $149, £129, or $249 Australian dollars. This puts them squarely into the realm of noise-cancelling earbuds that are affordable, and it also makes them $100 less expensive than the Apple AirPods Pro 2, which retail for $249, £229, or $399 in Australia. Both black and white color variants are available for the Nothing Ear, which can be purchased from the original Nothing shop as well as from other internet retailers such as Amazon.
With the AirPods Pro 2 USB-C, Apple has maintained the same pricing of $249, or AU$399, which is the same as the price of the original AirPods Pro, which was introduced in 2019. The USB-C version, on the other hand, had a startling price reduction in the United Kingdom, going from £249 to £229. You may purchase them at the Apple store at the full asking price, but you can also get them from internet shops that provide discounts on a regular basis. They are exclusively available in white.
The victor is Nothing Ear.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs Nothing Ear: DESIGN AND FIT
There is not much about the design of the AirPods Pro 2 that has been altered from the original or that has not previously been explored. The majority of people are familiar with Apple’s AirPods.
In a similar vein, the Nothing Ear maintains the same design as its predecessors, and it has a great deal of attention to detail that is just not there in a lot of earbuds. From the minutely printed wording on each stem to the touch sensors that are plainly visible and the three microphones that are housed in each earpiece, the design of the Nothing buds is so impressive that it overshadows the AirPods Pro 2 in terms of its overall appearance.
During my most recent testing, I hardly felt the Nothing Ear that was placed into my ears, despite the fact that I have not had any issues with the comfort or fit of the AirPods Pro 2. An Ear Tip Fit Test proved that the pre-fitted mid-size ear tips were really the proper size and established an excellent seal in my ears. The ear tips performed well throughout my listening sessions, and the test also confirmed that they were the correct size.
Both of the earbuds feature tips that are somewhat oval in form, which helps to make them feel secure during exercises at the gym. However, it is crucial to note that the fit experience may vary from person to person who wears them.
Not only are the charging cases from Apple and Nothing small and portable, but they are also compact. The charging case of the AirPods Pro 2 comes equipped with built-in tracking, while the headphones of the Nothing are bigger but show the buds while they are charging.
The buds of both types have been given an IP54 rating, which indicates that they are protected against dust, perspiration, and moisture. The charging case for the Nothing has a rating of IP55, which is greater than the rating of IP54 that the charging case for the AirPods Pro 2 has.
The winner is a tie.
APPLE AIRPODS PRO 2 vs. NOTHING EAR: CONTROLS
When it came to registering motions, I discovered that the controls of the Nothing were more responsive than those of the AirPods Pro 2. This was also the case with the ear (2). When I initiated instructions, I had a nice feeling of tactile feedback, and I really like the breath sound that indicates that the transparency mode has been picked from the available options.
A single pinch input allows you to play, stop, and answer or hang up calls. A double pinch allows you to skip ahead or refuse incoming calls, while a triple pinch allows you to skip backward for calls that have been received. By pinching and holding either the left or right earbud, you may toggle between active noise cancellation on or off, as well as the transparency mode. Additionally, you can assign the volume adjustment and manual voice assistant activation on your playback device to either earbud by using a double pinch and hold motion.
Apple introduced touch volume controls to the Force Sensor, which operate perfectly on the AirPods Pro 2. These controls let users change the volume without touching the sensors by sliding their fingers over the surface. The single-press, multi-press, and long-press gestures that execute instructions with accuracy are still available for you to use in order to activate commands. Whenever one of the buds is removed, motion detection may be used to start the auto-pause function. The “Hey, Siri” wake word feature is the last piece of the puzzle, allowing users to take advantage of very effective hands-free digital help.
The winner is a tie.
APPLE AIRPODS PRO 2 VS. NOTHING EAR: SOUND QUALITY
Despite the fact that they do not support spatial audio, Nothing has pushed their individualized sound to the next level by including a package of capabilities in the outstanding Nothing X app. Once the customization test has been completed, listeners will be able to activate a frequency map that is specifically customized to their hearing. The exam takes several minutes to complete. Wearers have the ability to choose between “recommended” and “richer” profiles, and there is a slider that seems to control the quantity of low-frequency radiation that is being sent. As a result of my little experiment, I discovered that I felt most comfortable using the Recommended option with the intensity slider set to 100%.
Even without any adjustments to the equalization, the sound quality is excellent, with a bass that is both strong and deep. In order to get higher-quality streams, I prefer to connect to my Sony Xperia 1 IV using Bluetooth using the LDAC protocol on devices that are compatible with it. On the other hand, I am using my iPhone 12 Pro, which restricts Bluetooth communication to AAC, in order to evaluate the Nothing Ear in comparison to the AirPods Pro 2.
I take pleasure in the additional punch that the new 11mm ceramic drivers and tuning provide to my listening experience of music. However, when the new Bass Enhance mode is used, the increased energy that is provided to the lower frequencies comes at the sacrifice of clarity with regard to the voices throughout the song.
There is a lack of openness in the mid-frequencies and a loss of clarity in the high frequencies when compared to the acoustic balance of the AirPods Pro 2, which causes some songs that I listen to on a daily basis to seem almost too loud. There is a sense that Nothing may have borrowed Beats’ approach to bass, and it can soon seem like there is too much of a good thing. If you want to tailor the sound output to your satisfaction, you are in luck since there are a lot of complex equalization choices available. I highly suggest that you play with the advanced equalization settings.
A more robust and energizing sound is produced by the AirPods Pro 2, thanks to their adaptive equalization, upgraded drivers, and unique amplifiers. In iOS, you may still adjust the sound quality by selecting from a wide variety of equalization settings (EQ) presets. Last but not least, you will have dynamic headtracking in addition to personalized spatial audio. In this revised version, your ears and head are scanned in order to generate a tailored sound profile that improves the 3D effects that are produced when you listen to material that is compatible with Dolby Atmos.
The overall sound balance is one of complete equilibrium throughout the frequency spectrum, which provides music with the punch and delicacy that it deserves in equal measure. Despite the fact that the AirPods Pro 2 can only sustain a maximum bit rate of 320 kbps when utilizing the AAC codec, it consistently produces a smooth sound and is an expert at concealing any digital distortions that may be induced by low data transfers of audio signals via Bluetooth.
Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 are the winners.
APPLE AIRPODS PRO 2 VS. NOTHING EAR: ACTIVE NOISE CANCELATION
When it comes to the AirPods Pro 2, Apple claims that the active noise cancellation feature has undergone considerable enhancements and is now capable of “reducing up to two times more unwanted background noise.” While it is difficult to provide a precise assessment of this, the ANC is, in my opinion, quite successful. I am able to attest to their powerful powers of blocking out the external noises of my fellow gym attendees, and I can say that they are among the finest noise-cancelling earbuds available. I use them on a daily basis throughout my training sessions at the gym.
Nothing claims that it has improved the performance of the ANC system to the point that it is nearly twice as effective as its predecessor. A new intelligent noise cancellation algorithm is included in the earbuds. This algorithm monitors the ear canal for any noise that may be leaking in between the earbuds and the ear canal and then adjusts the noise cancellation appropriately. With Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Ear takes into consideration any distractions that may be present in the background and automatically applies one of three noise cancellation levels: high, medium, or low.
While the technology is successful in practice and does a good job of lowering the general background level of noise from the outside world, it does not totally eliminate such sounds. Although I was using the Nothing Ear at the gym, I was still able to hear music coming from the public address system as well as the individual who was using the rowing machine behind me. Despite the fact that it is a challenging test, the active noise cancellation (ANC) of the ear could not equal the degree of external noise reduction that I generally experience while working out with the AirPods Pro 2.
Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 are the winners.
APPLE AIRPODS PRO 2 VS. NOTHING EAR: SPECIAL FEATURES AND APP
Ear users should download the Nothing X app because it gives them easy access to a variety of features, including the ability to customize touch control, noise control, ear tip fit test, find my earbuds (within range), personal sound profile, dual connection, and firmware updates.
The on-ear detection feature is also included, and it works without a hitch. Additionally, Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair are also supported. If you remove one earbud, the music will be muted very immediately, and it will begin fairly immediately after you put it back in place.
ANC, adaptive equalization, announced messages with Siri, audio sharing, automatic switching, control customization, Ear Tip Fit Test, equalization, Find My Support, “Hey Siri” voice activation, Live Listen, personalized spatial audio, and transparency mode are some of the features that are included in the AirPods Pro 2’s extensive list of features.
The charging case for the AirPods Pro 2 emits a tone via the speaker to signal charging statuses, low battery, pairing, or to assist in locating the case in the event that it is lost. This tone can be monitored using the Find My app. In general? Apple’s iOS provides full control.
The winner is a tie.
APPLE AIRPODS PRO 2 vs. NOTHING EAR: BATTERY LIFE
The battery life of the ear has been improved to 5.2 hours with active noise cancellation (ANC) turned on, which is equivalent to about 8.5 hours without ANC. Although it is not nearly as powerful as some of the finest inexpensive wireless earbuds, it is an improvement over its predecessor, which only lasted for four hours when active noise cancellation was turned on. In addition, the capacity of the charging case has been increased, and the total playing time has been increased to 40.5 hours, which is 36 hours longer than the Ear (2). A quick charge that takes just ten minutes is said to provide up to ten hours of usage.
When comparing the AirPods Pro 2 to the AirPods Pro, Apple improved the battery life of the AirPods Pro. This means that a full charge will let you listen for 5.5 hours with active noise cancellation (ANC) and 30 hours with the charging case.
Despite the fact that both charging cases allow wireless charging and rapid charging, the case for the AirPods Pro 2 offers a greater variety of charging alternatives, including MagSafe and compatibility with Apple Watch chargers.
The winner is a tie.
APPLE AIRPODS PRO 2 VS. NOTHING EAR: VERDICT
Considering the price, the Nothing Ear is packed with a variety of functions. They serve as an excellent illustration of how the wireless earbuds industry in the middle market has expanded and how consumers’ expectations have changed in response to the pricing. The sleek interface, the customizable sound profile, and the overall performance that is offered at the price were all things that pleased me about Nothing, despite the fact that its battery life still seems short.
That is something that Apple needs to take into consideration when it comes to the pricing range of the next AirPods model that it offers. One hundred dollars cheaper than the manufacturer’s suggested retail price of the AirPods Pro 2, the Nothing Ear is compatible with both the iOS and Android operating systems, supports high-quality audio codecs, and is also compatible with a number of Apple features.
Due to improved noise cancellation and a more well-balanced sound in general, the AirPods Pro 2 are able to emerge victorious despite the fact that they are much more expensive than their predecessors.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 USB-C | Nothing Ear | |
---|---|---|
Price and value (5) | 4 | 5 |
Design (15) | 15 | 15 |
Controls and app (10) | 8 | 9 |
Sound quality (25) | 22 | 19 |
Active noise cancelation (25) | 22 | 19 |
Connectivity (10) | 8 | 10 |
Battery life (10) | 6 | 6 |
Total score (100) | 85 | 83 |
Apple AirPods Pro 2 USB-C
For
- World-class noise cancelation
- Dolby Atmos spatial audio
- Improved battery life
- Strong adaptive experience
Against
- Lackluster call quality
- Lanyard costs extra
For
- Impressive sound balance
- Effective personalized sound
- High-quality audio codec support
- Strong Transparency mode
Against
- Pinch control awkward for those with larger hands
- ANC performance behind rivals
- Noise canceling impacts sound balance