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Deal.ai › Compare

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) vs Nothing Ear (a)

Buy the Nothing Ear (a) if you want noise cancellation, water resistance and long battery life. Buy the AirPods (2nd generation) only if you are deep in Apple's ecosystem and want hands-free Siri and easy pairing across iPhone, iPad and Mac. The AirPods are older, have no ANC, no water resistance and about 5 hours per charge, and owners often note loose fit and fading batteries after a few years. The Ear (a) is the more capable earbud for most shoppers, with adaptive ANC, IP54 and LDAC, though its stem design and app-dependent controls are less seamless on iPhone.

  • Choose the AirPods (2nd generation) if you use an iPhone, iPad or Mac daily and want instant pairing, hands-free Siri and a light fit without fussing over settings.
  • Choose the Nothing Ear (a) if you want active noise cancellation, water resistance and multi-day battery life from a single charge.

Prices

  • Apple AirPods (2nd generation): $40.00 at mercari.com (last seen Nov 2)
  • Nothing Ear (a): $55.00 at Amazon (checked today)
  • Difference: the Apple AirPods (2nd generation) is $15.00 cheaper than the Nothing Ear (a) at the latest prices (Nov 2 and Nov 15)
Apple
Apple AirPods (2nd generation)

Apple AirPods (2nd generation)

$40.00at mercari.comChecked Nov 2
See all prices and details
Visit mercari.com
Pros
  • Seamless pairing and switching across Apple devices
  • Hands-free Siri works well for calls and messages
  • Light, comfortable open fit for long wear
  • Find My support helps locate a lost bud
Cons
  • No active noise cancellation
  • No water or sweat resistance rating
  • About 5 hours per charge, short by current standards
  • Older design; batteries degrade over time
Nothing
Nothing Ear (a)

Nothing Ear (a)

$55.00at AmazonChecked 2 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Amazon

Store links may earn us a commission. As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

Pros
  • Adaptive ANC up to 45 dB with Transparency mode
  • Up to 9.5 hours per charge and 42.5 hours with the case
  • IP54 rating handles sweat and light rain
  • LDAC and Hi-Res certification for higher-quality streaming
  • Fast charge gives hours of playback in minutes
Cons
  • Less seamless on iPhone than AirPods
  • Touch controls take getting used to
  • Silicone tips need the right size for a good seal
  • App needed to customize EQ and controls

What separates them

Apple AirPods (2nd generation)Nothing Ear (a)
Noise cancellationNoneAdaptive ANC up to 45 dB plus Transparency mode
Battery lifeAbout 5 hours per charge, case adds moreUp to 9.5 hours per charge, up to 42.5 hours with case
Water resistanceNot ratedIP54 dust and water resistant
CodecsAAC and SBCAAC, SBC and LDAC for Hi-Res audio
Apple integrationInstant pairing, hands-free Siri, Find My, audio sharingBasic Bluetooth pairing; limited iOS extras
ControlsDouble-tap stem controls, Siri voiceTouch controls on the stem, configurable in the Nothing X app
Fit and designOpen-fit hard plastic bud, no ear tipsIn-ear with silicone tips and a transparent stem design
ChargingLightning case, no wireless charging on this modelUSB-C case with fast charge, 10 minutes for about 10 hours

Price history

$129.99$40.00
Nov 2Nov 15
  • Apple AirPods (2nd generation): lowest $40.00 on Nov 3 at mercari.com; $129.99 on Nov 12.
  • Nothing Ear (a): lowest $55.00 on Nov 15 at Amazon.

Prices at every store

Apple AirPods (2nd generation)

  • mercari.comNew

    Availability unknown

    $40.00Checked Nov 2
    Visit mercari.com
  • CellnowNew

    Availability unknown

    $50.00Checked Nov 2
    Visit Cellnow
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknown

    $64.99Checked Nov 2
    Visit eBay
  • SwappaNew

    Availability unknown

    $79.00Checked Nov 2
    Visit Swappa

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 6 stores and price history →

Nothing Ear (a)

  • Swiftronics USANew

    In stock

    $69.99+ $14.99 shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit Swiftronics USA
  • eBayNew

    In stockSold by one.stop.shoppee

    $92.92+ $24.90 shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit eBay
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $55.00Free shippingChecked 2 h ago
    Visit Amazon
  • Newegg.comNew

    Availability unknown

    $176.49Checked Nov 3
    Visit Newegg.com

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 4 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecApple AirPods (2nd generation)Nothing Ear (a)
With MicrophoneYesYes
ColorWhiteBlack, White, Yellow
With Charging CaseYesYes
StyleIn-earIn-ear
Wireless TypeBluetoothBluetooth
UseSports—
Assistant SupportSiri—
Height1.6″ tall—
Width0.6″ wide—
Depth0.7″ deep—
Release DateMarch 2019—
Max Battery Life5 hours—
Show all 16 specsShow fewer specs
SpecApple AirPods (2nd generation)Nothing Ear (a)
Noise Canceling—Yes
With Touch Controls—Yes
Water-Resistant—Yes
Driver Size—40 mm driver

What reviewers say

Apple AirPods (2nd generation)

Owners like the simple pairing and comfort for calls and everyday listening. Many complain about weak bass, outside noise, and a fit that slips during exercise.

What people mention
  • Sound qualityMixedOwners call the sound clean and balanced but say bass is weak compared with sealed in-ear models.
  • FitMixedMany find the open fit comfortable, while others say the buds slip out, especially while running.
  • Noise isolationCriticisedWith no tips or ANC, outside noise comes straight in on buses and planes.
  • PairingPraisedThe H1 chip pairs to iPhones and Macs almost instantly and switches between them.

Nothing Ear (a)

Owners generally see the Ear (a) as strong value: they like the look, the light weight and the ANC for the money. Most criticism centers on noise cancellation that is only average and on fit and battery life when ANC is on.

What people mention
  • Noise cancelingMixedOwners say ANC cuts steady background noise but does not silence a busy commute.
  • DesignPraisedThe transparent stems and yellow color option are what most buyers mention first.
  • FitMixedSome owners get a secure seal with the stock tips; others find the buds work loose.
  • BatteryMixedListening time is fine without ANC but drops noticeably when it is switched on.

Questions and answers

Which is better for running and the gym?
The Nothing Ear (a). It is IP54 rated for sweat and light rain and has a secure in-ear fit with silicone tips. The AirPods (2nd generation) have no water resistance rating.
Do the AirPods (2nd generation) have noise cancellation?
No. They are open-fit earbuds with no ANC and no Transparency mode. The Nothing Ear (a) offers adaptive ANC up to 45 dB.
Which lasts longer on a charge?
The Nothing Ear (a), by a wide margin: about 9.5 hours per charge with ANC off versus about 5 hours for the AirPods. The Ear (a) case extends total playback to roughly 42.5 hours.
Is the Nothing Ear (a) worth stepping up to from the AirPods?
Yes for most Android users and for anyone who wants ANC, water resistance and longer battery life. If you rely on hands-free Siri and instant switching between Apple devices, the AirPods remain the smoother choice.
Which has better sound quality?
The Nothing Ear (a) supports LDAC and Hi-Res Wireless Audio and has 11 mm drivers, so it can deliver more detail with a compatible Android phone. The AirPods use AAC and are tuned for a balanced, easy listen.
Do the Nothing Ear (a) work well with an iPhone?
They pair over standard Bluetooth and play audio fine, but you lose instant pairing, hands-free Siri and Find My. LDAC is not supported on iPhone, so they fall back to AAC.

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