Nothing Ear (Stick)

The Nothing Ear (stick) on-ear buds sound better than most other similar-style earphones—and are more interesting to look at.

The Nothing Ear Stick are less of a successor and more of an alternative to the Ear 1, designed with a different audience in mind. The open fit feels less snug in the ear and lets in a ton of background noise. Combined with the lack of ANC, the earbuds feel much less suited to use in loud environments where you’d rather not hear what’s going on around you.

Nothing's design language is unmistakable and fans of the brand's trademark white, black, and red-accented earbuds will likely flock to purchase their shiny new set. And sonically, we say go for it – as long as you don't require ANC or plan on wearing them for running (they're a little insecure for that).

No, the Ear (stick) aren’t any kind of revolution. They’re certainly not disruptive in the way business circles like to apply the word. But they are eye-catching both in design and in pricing. And if they have some definite negatives to the supposed universality of the way they fit then they have some equally definite positives to the way they sound. And that’s got to count for something.

Nothing's third product is another set of wireless earbuds, this time with a half in-ear design that prioritizes comfort over maximizing sound quality and active noise cancellation.

The Ear (stick) benefits from much better tuning and a half in-ear design that's ideally suited for all-day use. The earbuds share the same design foundation as the ear (1), and while they miss out on active noise cancellation and wireless charging, they absolutely nail one thing: sound quality. With a bright and engaging sound that's highly enjoyable, the Ear (stick) excel in the area that matters the most.

For $99, the Ear Stick deliver relatively clear audio, but they're far from market-leading -- not with the lack of ANC and the sound leakage issues. If you are looking to start or add to a quirky headset collection or gift your fashionista friend or family member, Nothing makes a strong case going into the holiday season. But if you're more interested in keeping up with sound trends, look elsewhere.

If you hate earphones that sit inside your ear canals, the Ear Stick is a comfy alternative that looks the part. It doesn’t give up too much on the sound quality front, but rivals offer more features – and often for less cash.