The BEST Open-Ear Earbuds We’ve Tested! Nothing Ear (Open) Review

We recently tested and reviewed the new Nothing Ear (Open), and we’re very impressed. Good open-ear earbuds are hard to come by, and nothing absolutely knocked it out of the park. But what makes the Nothing Ear (Open) the best in its class?

Enter the world of open-ear earbuds with the Nothing Ear Open. The open-ear design offers a great balance for those who want to enjoy their music while staying aware of their surroundings. Typically, this design compromises sound quality. So, do the Nothing Ear Open fall into the same traps, or are they a game-changer? After spending a week with these earbuds, I can help you decide whether they are truly revolutionary or just another product on the market. If you can spare five minutes, I’ll let you know if these earbuds are worth your attention.

For those new to open-ear designs, this type of earbud places the driver outside your ear canal instead of inside, allowing ambient sounds, like a ringing bell or an approaching vehicle, to be heard alongside your music. This feature makes them popular with athletes who need to stay alert. Enter the Nothing Ear Open, boasting a sleek, futuristic design that feels straight out of a sci-fi movie. So futuristic, in fact, that they don’t even label left and right in the traditional way—red is your right earbud, and white is your left. The charging case is impressively thin at 19 mm but is slightly wide, making it less than ideal for pockets during a run. The earbuds snap into place nicely, though I did notice some rattling, reminiscent of a box of Tic Tacs, but not too distracting.

Comfort is key here. The Nothing Ear Open’s lightweight and hook-shaped design ensure they stay in place, whether you’re running or cycling. Their ergonomic design positions the driver closer to your ear, improving the overall sound quality compared to other models that use a 45° angle. Both the earbuds and the charging case have an IP54 protection rating, offering solid protection against dust, sweat, and water splashes – perfect for the Pacific Northwest’s rainy weather.

The controls are simple and intuitive. Pinch once to pause, twice to skip tracks, and three times to go back. There’s a slight delay before each command registers, which can get annoying but is manageable. Customization is possible through the Nothing X app, which I highly recommend. The app allows control tweaks, multipoint connectivity, Find My Earbuds, Google Fast Pair, and even voice commands for ChatGPT. The standout feature is the EQ options, which let you adjust sound to your liking. You can either use a basic EQ or dive into the advanced parametric EQ, which gives full control over the frequency range—ideal for those who love tweaking sound settings.

On the connectivity front, these earbuds use Bluetooth 5.3 with AAC and SBC codecs, though there are no high-bitrate options. Battery life is solid, offering around 8 hours of playback on a single charge and up to 30 hours with the case.

So, how do they sound? I’ll be direct: the Nothing Ear Open are the best-sounding open-ear earbuds I’ve reviewed. Their ergonomic design brings the driver closer to the ear, improving sound, especially in the low-end range. There are a few treble spikes, but with the customizable EQ, you can balance things out to your liking. The microphone is just okay, performing decently in calm conditions but struggling with wind noise outdoors.

If the futuristic design isn’t your style, you could consider the Anker Soundcore AOIT series, which offers a similar design with a robust case and IP protection. Alternatively, keep an eye out for the upcoming Aero Fit 2.

Should you buy the Nothing Ear Open? Yes. Priced well below similar products from Bose and others that cost north of $200, these earbuds offer excellent sound quality, comfort, and customization. Thanks to their design and powerful EQ, you can fine-tune them to suit your needs. That’s my five-minute review of the Nothing Ear Open. Thanks for reading!

If you’re still with me, let’s delve a little deeper into the performance of Nothing Ear Open. One of the standout features of these earbuds is their ability to offer solid sound quality while still maintaining the open-ear design that lets in environmental noise. This balance is incredibly difficult to achieve, but nothing has made impressive strides here. As mentioned earlier, the ergonomic design is key to delivering a better listening experience. By getting the driver closer to your ear, the Nothing Ear Open manages to preserve some of that low-end response that’s usually missing in other open-ear models.

This isn’t to say the sound is flawless. There are moments when you’ll notice a few treble spikes, particularly at higher volumes or during specific types of music. But the advanced EQ in the Nothing X app can work wonders. Whether you’re into bass-heavy tracks or prefer a more balanced profile, the parametric EQ offers full control over the frequency range, allowing you to tweak the sound exactly the way you want it. This level of customization is rare in most earbuds, let alone open-ear designs, making the Nothing Ear Open stand out even further.

In terms of connectivity, the Bluetooth 5.3 pairing is quick and stable. The lack of support for higher-bitrate codecs like aptX or LDAC may disappoint audiophiles, but for most users, AAC and SBC will do the job just fine. These earbuds are clearly not meant for critical listening, but they do deliver a satisfying experience for casual use, workouts, or daily commutes. One thing that surprised me was how well they performed during calls. While the microphone struggles with wind outdoors, in quieter environments, it picks up voices clearly, making them a decent option for hands-free communication.

The battery life is another strong point for the Nothing Ear Open. You get around 8 hours of playback from a single charge, which is on par with most open-ear models. Combine that with the 30 hours of additional charge from the case, and you’ve got a solid battery setup. This is ideal for those who use earbuds throughout the day, whether it’s for music, podcasts, or calls.

Despite all the positives, there are some minor drawbacks worth mentioning. The charging case, while slim, is a bit wide, making it less pocket-friendly than I’d like. And, as noted earlier, the slight delay in the pinch controls can be a bit frustrating over time, though it’s by no means a deal-breaker.

If you’re still on the fence, consider the competition. The Anker Soundcore AOIT series offers a similar design, but without the futuristic appeal and advanced customization options that Nothing brings to the table. Meanwhile, the upcoming Aero Fit 2 might also be a strong contender, but at the time of writing, it’s not available, so the Nothing Ear Open remains the top option in its category.

To wrap it all up, the Nothing Ear Open isn’t just another open-ear earbud – it’s a product that pushes the boundaries of what this form factor can achieve. With its innovative design, customizable sound settings, and comfortable fit, it’s hard to find a better option for those who want to stay aware of their surroundings while enjoying high-quality audio. If you’ve been holding out for a pair of open-ear earbuds that finally get it right, your wait might be over.

That’s it for now! Be sure to check out the full review over at sound.com, and as always, happy listening!