Nothing Ear (a) 2026 Test: How Does This True Wireless Earbud at €70 Perform

With 4,6 g per earbud, the Ear (a) sits below the 5,6 g of the CMF Buds Pro 2, but slightly above the 4,5 g of the Ear (2). During a continuous two-hour session (train then walk), we noted no pressure in the ear canal nor tragus fatigue. The transparent polycarbonate shell does not bite into the ear, and the short stem limits the lever effect in motion.

Three sizes of silicone tips are provided. The default calibration suits a standard ear canal, but the acoustic seal remains perfectible on wider canals. In motion (brisk walking, light jogging), the fit remains stable, with no extraction noted over three weeks of testing, which confirms the IP54 certification against splashes and light perspiration.

The case, also in transparent plastic, opens with a firm hinge without perceptible play after several weeks of daily use. Compared to the CMF Buds Pro 2, the insertion is slightly less deep, which partly explains a more measured passive isolation.

The dynamic transducer of 11 mm and its sealed acoustic chamber draw a signature close to the Harman curve, with a slightly forward lower midrange (150 to 250 Hz) that gives body to male voices and electronic bass lines. The treble remains present up to around 8 kHz without marked aggression, with contained sibilance on female voices recorded up close.

In LDAC at 990 kbps from a compatible Android smartphone, the soundstage gains depth and the separation of layers becomes sharper on dense tracks, especially in electronic and produced pop. In AAC (mandatory on iOS, the Ear (a) does not offer aptX), the difference shows mainly as a slightly more compressed texture in the treble, noticeable on a reference headphone but discreet in mobile listening.

On classical and acoustic jazz, the soundstage remains correct but less wide than a Sennheiser Momentum 4, with a stereo image that lacks depth in the placement of sections. The signature convinces more on electronic music and contemporary pop than on orchestral recording.

The 45 dB of noise reduction announced by Nothing are a manufacturer measurement taken in the laboratory, rarely representative of real conditions. In the Paris metro and RER, we observed effective attenuation on continuous rolling noise, but greater resistance on impulsive sounds (braking, audible announcements), which remain partially audible.

In open-space offices, ANC substantially reduces background noise yet allows human voices to filter through in the 500-3000 Hz range, consistent with the physical limits of adaptive ANC on this price segment. On a plane, low-frequency engine noise is handled well, delivering a sense of isolation close to that of the Sony LinkBuds S (30 dB announced), despite the 15 dB gap on the specifications.

Against the CMF Buds Pro 2, the perceived difference is slight: both models handle continuous low frequencies effectively but show a similar limitation on vocal mid-range frequencies. Switching between ANC and transparency mode is rapid, without audible interruption, with an estimated transition time under 200 ms.

The transparency mode of the Ear (a) restores the sound environment with discreet digital processing: voices retain their natural timbre, without artificial resonance or noticeable whistling in light wind. When cycling or walking in the city, processing latency remains imperceptible to the ear, allowing reliable awareness of surrounding traffic.

Compared with the transparency mode of the AirPods 4, the benchmark in this category, the Ear (a) shows a slight shortfall in reproducing high ambient frequencies (sirens, high-pitched horns), which sound slightly muffled. The gap remains moderate and does not hinder everyday use while walking in urban areas or cycling, two contexts tested over several weeks in Vannes and during travel.

Each earbud carries three microphones dedicated to voice capture and ambient noise reduction for the listener. In open-space offices, intelligibility remains good, with the voice clearly separated from keyboard noise and surrounding conversations according to feedback from test listeners.

Outdoors, under moderate Atlantic wind during coastal walks around Vannes, capture degrades noticeably: the wind-reduction processing allows breath noise that partially masks consonants, a common shortcoming at this price level. In public transport the result lies between the two, with acceptable intelligibility as long as ambient noise stays stable and continuous.

During video calls (Teams, Google Meet), perceived latency remains low, with no disruptive lag between lip movement and sound for the remote participant, making the earbuds suitable for occasional remote work on the move.

The test protocol adopted by the editorial team: volume set at 70 %, codec LDAC enabled, ANC active, multipoint engaged on two devices (smartphone and laptop). On a simulated two-hour journey in real conditions, the measured discharge corresponds to a projected battery life close to the 5.5 h announced by Nothing, with no significant gap.

During a four-hour consecutive remote work session, mixing background music and video calls, consumption proved slightly higher than the manufacturer's values, with battery life reduced to around 5 h under these combined conditions. Fast charging recovers about 1 h of listening after 10 minutes in the case, a result consistent with the price segment.

The charging case does not support wireless charging, unlike the Ear (2): only the USB-C connection is available to recharge the set.

The Nothing X app offers a three-band equalizer supplemented by named presets (Balanced, More Bass, More Treble, Voice) as well as a custom equalization mode based on a quick hearing test. The interface remains stable on Android as on iOS, with no crashes observed during the weeks of testing, and correct responsiveness when changing ANC settings.

Multipoint works correctly between a smartphone and a laptop: an incoming call on the phone automatically switches the audio stream in less than two seconds, without interrupting the sound currently playing. Some inconsistencies were nevertheless observed during close reconnections, sometimes requiring manual disconnection via the app.

Since launch, Nothing has released several firmware updates, focusing on the stability of adaptive ANC and improved in-ear detection, a sign of active software support on this entry-level model.

The CMF Buds Pro 2 remains the most economical option and maintains a slightly higher weight without affecting the fit, but its shorter active ANC battery life (5 h) puts it at a disadvantage on long journeys. The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC, more expensive, compensates with superior active ANC battery life (7 h announced) and an IP55 certification, better suited for intensive sports use.

On the support side, Nothing has an established reseller network in France and offers replacement tips in sizes S, M and L directly via its online store, a variable point with some Chinese competitors. Nothing's after-sales service, still young on the French market, remains correct but less proven than that of Sony or Bose over time.

Three usage profiles emerge from several weeks of testing:

• Daily commute (metro, TGV, urban walking): the Ear (a) convinces with its comfort at 4,6 g and its effective ANC on continuous noises, despite persistent resistance to impulse noises.
• Light sport (walking, jogging): the IP54 certification and in-ear stability are sufficient for regular use, without aiming for the robustness of an IP55 model dedicated to intensive running.
• Nomadic telework: the functional multipoint and controlled video latency make it a relevant choice, provided one accepts degraded microphone capture in windy outdoor conditions.

The main limitations remain the reduced battery life in combined use (LDAC, ANC, simultaneous multipoint) and the absence of aptX Adaptive, which deprives non-LDAC compatible Android users of an alternative hi-res codec.