Nothing Ear 3: Stylish Earbuds with Unique Super Mic Feature

Introduction to the Nothing Ear 3

The latest offering from Nothing, the semi-transparent Ear 3 earbuds, brings an exciting new feature to the table: the Super Mic. This innovative addition allows users to enjoy a microphone-in-the-hand experience, making conversations and recordings clearer, especially in noisy settings. Priced at £179 (€179/$179/A$299), the Ear 3 comes in at £50 more than its earlier models, yet still manages to be more affordable than premium competitors like the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Apple AirPods Pro 3.

Design and Comfort

Staying true to Nothing’s distinctive aesthetic, the Ear 3 maintains a semi-transparent design infused with unique elements that differentiate them from standard earbuds. The upgraded materials include aluminum, giving the earbuds a polished appearance. The shape has been ergonomically refined to enhance comfort during extended listening periods.

Weighing in at just 5.2 grams each, the earbuds fit snugly and create an effective seal in the ear, ensuring a delightful listening experience. The added squeeze controls on the stalks allow users to manage playback, noise cancellation, volume, and access their voice assistant. Although these controls are somewhat limited, they can be customized to suit individual preferences.

Charging Case and Battery Life

The Ear 3 comes with a compact yet robust square flip-top charging case, providing a total battery life of at least 22 hours when combined with the earbuds’ six hours of playback time. The case can be charged via USB-C in just over an hour or around two hours using Qi wireless charging.

Microphone Quality and Super Mic Feature

While the built-in microphones in the earbuds perform adequately, sometimes producing a slightly robotic sound, they excel at minimizing background noise. However, the Super Mic feature stands out with its superior sound quality, offering richer audio with less compression, making it ideal for voice notes, transcription, and phone calls. Despite this, it may not meet the standards for use as a lapel mic or other recording devices.

Specifications Overview

• Water Resistance: IP54 (splash resistant)
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4 (supports SBC, AAC, LDAC)
• Battery Life: 5.5 hours with ANC (22 hours with case)
• Earbud Dimensions: 30.5 x 21.5 x 20.8 mm
• Weight: 5.2 g each
• Driver Size: 12 mm
• Charging Case Dimensions: 56 x 55.5 x 22.3 mm
• Charging Case Weight: 61 g
• Charging Method: USB-C

Sound Quality and Performance

The Ear 3 earbuds support Bluetooth 5.4, offering high-quality audio formats such as SBC, AAC, and the premium LDAC for compatible Android devices. They can connect to two devices simultaneously; however, this may affect the responsiveness of the Super Mic feature.

Continuing the legacy of their predecessors, the Ear 3 earbuds deliver impressive sound quality for their price. The audio experience is rich and well-balanced, with a notable emphasis on bass without compromising the clarity of other frequencies. Users can further tailor their sound preferences using the exceptional Nothing X companion app, which enhances the overall listening experience.

Conclusion

In summary, the Nothing Ear 3 earbuds present a compelling combination of style, comfort, and innovative features, highlighted by the Super Mic. While the price point has increased, the earbuds still offer good value compared to high-end competitors. With their impressive sound quality, effective noise cancellation, and customizable controls, the Ear 3 stands out as a noteworthy option in the bustling market of Bluetooth headphones and audio gadgets.