The apparent alternative
If you want what Nothing is doing with earbuds and wish to get began, the default alternative for many customers would be the ear (1). The earbuds have a transparent design that permits you to view the innards, and so they sound unimaginable. The silicone ear ideas make sure the earbuds present a good seal, and ANC does a superb job tuning out noise in your neighborhood. They additionally include an IPX4 score that is nice for exercises, and the case costs wirelessly. They are heavier and nuzzle into your ear, however for those who do not thoughts the design, the ear (1) is my advice.
ForGood design that provides a cosy fitStandout sound qualityANC works very well in every day useIPX4 scoreCase has wi-fi chargingAgainstDoesn’t final so long as Ear (stick)No AptX Case is susceptible to scratching
An excellent various
The Ear (stick) follows an fascinating half in-ear design that sits on the outer ear, and since there is not any angled sound nozzle, you get a extra relaxed match. The cylindrical case can be distinctive, and it provides loads of aptitude to the design. That mentioned, there are a number of points: you miss out on ANC, there is not any wi-fi charging, and the earbuds aren’t pretty much as good a worth. But for those who do not just like the match of the ear (1) and need one thing that is lighter, the Ear (stick) is an effective various.
ForLight-weight design is nice for every day useDelivers over six hours of music playbackPhenomenal sound qualityIP54 ratingAgainstMisses out on ANCNo wi-fi chargingNot pretty much as good a worth
Nothing ear (1) vs Ear (stick): What’s the sameWhy you possibly can belief Android Central
Our skilled reviewers spend hours testing and evaluating services so you possibly can select the most effective for you. Find out extra about how we take a look at.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)There are loads of similarities between the ear (1) and Ear (stick), and inconsistent naming conference apart, Nothing nailed the design transient with each earbuds. They share an analogous design for the stalk that sees a transparent housing showcasing the insides. It is an fascinating design, and whereas I might have appreciated to see a transparent coat for the shell as nicely, that is not the case.That mentioned, the plastic chassis feels good, and it’s sturdy — I’ve used each ‘buds for a number of months now, and so they’re going robust. The case additionally deserves a point out right here as that provides loads of character to every earbud. The ear (1) has a sq. case with an indentation on one facet, and it does job holding the earbuds. I just like the design of the case and the truth that it’s simply pocketable, however one concern is that it tends to scratch simply.The Ear (stick) has a cylindrical case that appears extra elegant, nevertheless it is not pretty much as good for pocketability. While I like the sleek twist motion and the eye to element right here, I’m keen on the extra muted design of the ear (1) case.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Both earbuds have ingress safety of some form, with the ear (1) providing an IPX4 score whereas the Ear (stick) has IP54. So whereas each earbuds have the identical stage of water ingress safety, the Ear (stick) has mud safety as nicely.Now, as for the sound high quality itself, there’s a lot to love with each earbuds. The ear (1) has a dynamic sound that lends itself nicely to loads of genres, and it’s among the many finest wi-fi earbuds at the least with regards to the soundstage. The Ear (stick) builds on that by delivering a wealthy and full sound with a totally participating bass, good timbre, and an airiness that is lacking on the ear (1).Both earbuds sound nice, nevertheless it’s clear that Nothing took the time to tune the Ear (stick), and that’s noticeable when utilizing each earbuds subsequent to one another. You do not get the AptX codec, however I discovered each earbuds to be simply high-quality for streaming Spotify or YouTube over SBC.Nothing ear (1) vs Ear (stick): What’s completely different?(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The ear (1) follows an analogous design aesthetic to most earbuds on this phase, providing silicone ear ideas that nuzzle into your ear cavity. I like this design as I get a good seal that does not budge even throughout exercises, and so they’re gentle sufficient that I do not really feel fatigued even after prolonged use.The Ear (stick) include a bulbous shell that does not have an angled sound nozzle, so it would not fairly nuzzle into your ear. Nothing says that this half in-ear design is aimed toward those who do not just like the match of the ear (1), and whereas I’m not an enormous fan of the design, I’ve to confess that the earbuds do not trigger as a lot fatigue because the ear (1).As for the shell design, the ear (1) has a shiny coat for the shell whereas the Ear (stick) is decked out in matte, and the Ear (stick) has a stalk that is barely elongated, so controlling quantity and music playback is a bit more straightforward. That mentioned, one of many downsides of the design is that they do not create a good seal, and which means you miss out in a number of areas.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The key omission is ANC; the Ear (stick) has passive noise isolation, and it really works nicely in most use instances, however the lack of ANC means they don’t seem to be well-suited for those who work in a loud surroundings. The ear (1) would not have any such drawbacks, and the earbuds do a terrific job tuning out the noise in your neighborhood.But due to the dearth of noise isolation, the Ear (stick) lasts over six hours with a single cost, simply an hour greater than the ear (1). The case has sufficient cost for 22 hours of playback, so you may solely have to cost these earbuds as soon as per week. On that word, there is not any wi-fi charging right here — the cylindrical case would not enable for it.Nothing ear (1) vs Ear (stick): Which do you have to purchase?(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)For my cash, I’d get the ear (1). You get extra worth in your cash, and the earbuds do a wonderful job in all areas. The design is intriguing, you get glorious noise isolation and good sound high quality, and you do not miss out on any of the extras.The Ear (stick) is an effective various for those who do not like the best way the ear (1) match, however know that they are not pretty much as good a worth. Nothing did a terrific job with the general design and tuning of those earbuds, however they miss out in a number of areas as nicely. If you need the most effective sound high quality and do not thoughts the omissions, the Ear (stick) is what you need to get. If you need an all-rounder, get the ear (1).Only one concern: the ear (1) is not truly on sale in all markets, with Nothing nudging customers to get the Ear (stick) as an alternative. India is a key area for the model, and the ear (1) has been unavailable after November 2022. It’s unlikely that it is going to be restocked, so for those who’re trying to purchase Nothing’s earbuds in India in 2023, you will have to get the Ear (stick).
The apparent alternative
The ear (1) has design, delivers a good seal that is nice for exercises, sounds nice, and does a superb job tuning out ambient noise. Overall, it’s a implausible worth.
An excellent various
The Ear (stick) will get loads proper, and it’s tuned extremely nicely. You miss out in a number of areas, however if you need a relaxed match and the most effective sound high quality that Nothing has to supply, get these earbuds.