Nothing Ear (1) has finally made its debut, and people are already talking. A new tech product from Carl Pei’s latest venture, Nothing, the minimalist-looking wireless earbuds aim to break through the noise — quite literally — in a crowded market.
With a transparent design and a price that undercuts many flagship competitors, these earbuds piqued curiosity immediately. But design is only one part of the equation — it’s the performance and experience that truly matter. So how do they stack up?
What Makes the Nothing Ear (1) Stand Out?
First impressions can sometimes mislead. The Ear (1)‘s transparent casing and elegantly industrial finish are bold — refreshing in a market full of lookalikes. There’s a magnetism to its see-through aesthetic, which some might call gimmicky, but it undeniably sets the tone.
Each bud weighs just 4.7 grams, making them among the lightest in the market. They feel snug, almost invisible, but without compromising grip. This lightweight build is especially helpful during long listening sessions or workouts.
Here’s an idea of what you get out of the box:
- Transparent earbuds with silicone tips (three sizes included)
- A charging case with USB-C and wireless charging support
- IPX4 water resistance
- Bluetooth 5.2 compatibility
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
Timeline of Events
When Carl Pei, formerly of OnePlus, announced the launch of Nothing, expectations were sky-high. The Ear (1) was teased with minimal information for months, fueling speculation and interest.
After its global reveal in July 2021 and teasing features via social media, the buds officially went on sale in early August. Within minutes, the initial batch sold out in major markets like India and the UK.
Official Statements
“We’re building an ecosystem of iconic products and Ear (1) is just the beginning,” said Carl Pei, CEO of Nothing. “We started with design because they’re the first interaction people have with tech — the way it looks, feels, and connects to us emotionally.”
It’s clear that style and identity are baked into the company ethos.
Performance Over Aesthetics?
The Ear (1) isn’t just a pretty pair of earbuds. There’s substance beneath the surface — though perhaps not perfection. The 11.6mm dynamic drivers deliver warm sound, leaning slightly towards bass. Vocals are clean, but depending on your taste, some treble ranges might feel subdued.
ANC is solid for the price range. It won’t drown out city honks or airplane engines like premium models do, but routine office noise? That’s easily muted. Two noise cancellation modes — Light and Maximum — let you choose how much of the outside world you want to let in.
The Good
- Sleek, unique design
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Decent ANC for its price
- Wireless charging support
The Meh
- Battery life of around 4 hours with ANC on
- Touch controls can be finicky
- App still feels a bit raw and limited
There’s potential here — and a lot of it — but a couple of firmware updates might go a long way in addressing the quirks.
Community Response
YouTube creators, audiophiles, and even casual users have chimed in with opinions. The reactions? Well, mixed — but broadly positive. Most users praise the design and reasonable pricing. Others point out glitches in Bluetooth pairing or inconsistent ANC performance.
Here’s what tech reviewer Harsh Vardhan posted after testing it for a week:
“These buds make a fashion statement, no doubt. But if you’re chasing audiophile-quality sound or Bose-level noise cancelling, maybe hold back. For now.”
On Reddit and Twitter, users continue to share their thoughts — whether it’s unboxing experiences or side-by-side comparisons with leaders like Apple’s AirPods Pro or Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Pro.
The Learning Curve
Many users pointed out the usability learning curve. For instance, the gesture-based controls feel intuitive at first but can become unintentionally activated when adjusting buds. Customization options in the app remain basic but functional.
Battery indicators, EQ presets, and ANC toggles all live in the companion app, but some wish for more robust features — like adjustable EQ or auto-pause. It’s functional, just not fancy.
What’s Next?
The Ear (1) marks only the beginning for Nothing. With teases of other audio and tech products in development, the company is clearly aiming for more than just earbuds. It’s chasing mindspace in a sea of tech sameness.
So where do they go from here? A second version is likely — probably with longer battery life, more refined software, and improved ANC. And it might land sooner than we think, based on the update cycles we’ve seen from similar companies.
If you’re in the market for earbuds that balance looks and performance on a moderate budget, Nothing Ear (1) might check those boxes. It’s not a flawless product, but it’s a decent first strike — one that might pave the way for better things from a brand that seems hungry to prove itself.
And if nothing else, at least they’re quite the conversation starter.
