I tested the new Nothing Ear (3) to Nashville and back, and won't travel anywhere with anything else

Nothing is back, and it’s unapologetically ambitious. Like much of what Nothing makes, the new Ear (3) is a design statement. Transparent stems, metal accents, upgraded drivers, smarter microphones, and adaptive noise cancellation deliver a better-than-expected level of call clarity.

I tested my Nothing Ear (3) on a recent trip to Nashville to see how the ANC copes with train and plane travel, and how the new Super Mic feature handles a week of interviews, calls, and voice notes. You can read my impressions below, but what I can say is every detail feels precise, from punchy sound quality and ANC that dimmed the plane snorer next to me for 11 hours, to design that focuses on the detail – stem angles and internal structures – proving that Nothing isn’t afraid to refine the little things that actually matter.

In a market crowded with incremental updates from Apple, Samsung, and Sony, Nothing has doubled down on its design philosophy and added genuinely distinctive features and tech, like the new Super Mic case and deeper personal tuning settings.

In doing so, Nothing is pitching the Ear (3) as an audiophile-friendly yet lifestyle-ready pair of buds, positioned above the Ear (2), but still undercutting most flagship in-ear buds. Taken as a whole, the release of Ear (3) demonstrates that Nothing now has a genuine roster and foothold in audio, even if its naming conventions have teething problems.

If you’re curious how Ear (3) compares to Nothing’s earlier releases, read my original Nothing Ear (2) review, and if you want to see how the brand tackled over-ears, read my Nothing Headphone 1 review.

Nothing Ear (3) review: specs

Despite a price point lower than that of high-end buds from Bose and Sony, the Ear (3) isn't lacking in specs and technology. The oversized 12mm drivers offer a deeper, wider soundstage than previous generations, while adaptive ANC and transparency ensure everyday versatility and clarity.

Not content to just compete with rivals, Nothing is offering something a little bespoke, in the form of the new Super Mic. This standout feature, though, is designed to capture your voice with near-studio-grade clarity, even in noisy environments.

While it may sound niche and here to grab headlines, the more Nothing syncs its app to AI chat, notetaking, and other productivity apps, the more an external mic is going to be needed. Or you can just record more of that lovely ASMR video.

Nothing Ear (3) review: design

Nothing has ever been subtle, and the Ear (3) doubles down on its design language. Transparent housings reveal the acoustic internals, accented with subtle metal touches that feel premium without being flashy. At just 5.2 g per bud, comfort is excellent; forty rounds of ear-shape testing have clearly paid off. Internal venting relieves pressure, avoiding that “plugged-in” sensation, while the stems sit naturally.

The charging case, crafted from 100% recycled aluminium and weighing in at a relatively hefty 61 g, feels almost over-engineered. It’s polished, precise, and durable, though bulkier than many rivals. If portability is your top priority, you’ll notice the size in your pocket, but that’s the trade-off for housing advanced features like the integrated Super Mic antenna.

Nothing Ear (3) review: features

Nothing has packed the Ear (3) with thoughtful functionality. The Super Mic case is a standout: press and hold to turn it into a dedicated microphone, and you’ll cut through background noise, even in a busy café, street or, in my case, an airport (I'm testing Ear (3) on a round trip from London to Nashville, to see… Train, as well as some work at Autodesk University 2025).

Super Mic is a genuinely unique addition that makes these buds especially appealing to content creators, but it also makes the case a thing of use and not simply a charging station. The aluminium casing feels robust and a step ahead of the usual plastic boxes that bubs come in.

The ANC system is more sophisticated than Ear (2), adapting up to 45dB across frequencies to 5kHz, and it checks your environment every 600ms to adjust. Transparency Mode is convincing rather than hollow, letting me hold conversations naturally while in the office or working from home. Combine that with Static Spatial Audio and Dynamic Bass Enhancement, and music playback feels deep and full-bodied.

Through the Nothing X app, you also get Audiodo’s Personal Sound calibration and an 8-band EQ, ensuring audio is tuned precisely to your ears. A quick personal setup sends audio signals to each ear, a little like having your eyes tested, and the outcome means there's none of that volume, bass, and treble shuffling to get the sound you want. Using this does mean these buds are personal, not for sharing or loaning.

Convenience hasn’t been forgotten either: Dual Connection lets you switch devices effortlessly, wireless charging is supported, and a 10-minute quick charge gives up to 10 hours of playback with buds and case combined.

Nothing Ear (3) review: performance

This is where the Ear (3) delivers on its promises. These buds produce clean highs and punchy lows. Honestly, I'm not an audiophile to judge percentages, but Ear (3) sounds great to me. Bass feels powerful yet controlled, while vocals and mids cut through with clarity.

For day-to-day listening, they’re dynamic and engaging without being fatiguing, though not as comfy for long sessions as Headphone (1), which are peak plush ear cups, or the Ear (Open) that I can wear all day but lacks the depth of sound and ANC of Ear (3). I did wear them on the flight from JFK to Nashville, a two-hour trip, and these buds were comfy all the way – though I will say the stem controls are incredibly sensitive.

The adaptive ANC is solid, but while Nothing claims 45dB, real-world performance doesn’t quite rival Sony or Bose’s over-ear kings when it comes to sub-bass rumble or wind reduction (or indeed, subduing the man behind me from London to JFK who insisted on telling the whole plane about his new payment app invention that Syria, the country, is onboard with). That said, it’s more than capable for commuting, office use, or even flights, loud men aside.

Call quality is where the Ear (3) really works hard. The bone-conduction VPU paired with the Super Mic case ensured my voice cut through the noise and distraction while on calls. This mic and buds combo feels like an industry first that genuinely changes how useful earbuds can be for communication, if you can get used to clicking the little TALK button and speaking into a box, Star Wars-style.

Controls are handled by pinch gestures, which feel more accurate than taps, though adjusting volume via pinch-and-hold can be fiddly compared to swipe gestures offered by Apple. Like much of Ear (3), a trip to the Nother X app can customise many of these gestures, though not fundamentally so; don't expect to drop pinch combos for swipes.

Nothing Ear (3) review: comparison

Nothing has a mix of ear buds and headphones to choose from now, from budget CMF Buds to the Ear range, Ear (Open), and my favourite, the cushy Headphone (1). For the first time, the brand has a mix of audio tech to choose from, so where does Ear (3) fit?

If you loved the Ear (2) or Ear but wanted more punch, more intelligence, and better calls, the Ear (3) is the upgrade you were waiting for. By contrast, if you’ve been tempted by the Headphone (1) but don’t want the bulk of over-ears, the Ear (3) delivers a surprisingly close experience in a pocketable form.

Finally, something to consider: if you’re curious about the Ear (Open), think carefully about your priorities: they’re the most comfortable for long wear and awareness, but the Ear (3) is the clear winner for sound, ANC, and calls.

Nothing Ear (3) review: who's it for

The Ear (3) is for listeners who value personalised audio tuning, strong ANC, and next-level call clarity. If you’re constantly on calls, working remotely, or want earbuds that stand out both visually and technically, they’re a brilliant fit. Audiophiles and casual listeners alike will enjoy the sound quality, and design-conscious buds users will appreciate Nothing’s transparent aesthetic and quirky Super Mic idea.

That said, they’re not perfect. If you want earbuds with class-leading ANC or need extensive battery life for all-day sessions, you’ll hit limits. Likewise, if you prefer ultra-slim charging cases or more intuitive swipe-based controls, rivals like Apple and Sony may suit you better.

But Nothing Ear (3) does feel like an evolution the brand has been promising for some time: transparent, tactile, and technically ambitious. They bring meaningful upgrades over the Ear and Ear (2) while carving out space in a competitive market with features no rival currently offers, especially the Super Mic and AI app connectivity.

They’re not flawless, the case is bulkier than some might like, and battery life could be better (when everything, ANC, etc is on), but these are minor nitpicks in what is otherwise a superbly feature-filled set of earbuds. Ear (3) doesn’t just play sound; it changes the way you listen and the way you communicate, and for that, I'm sure they'll find a dedicated user.

But it if…

• A big step up in audio customisation
• Love the Super Mic and case
• Noise cancelation impresses

Don't buy it if…

• Some may find the case too bulky
• Noise cancellation has issues with loud men