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Deal.ai › Compare

Apple AirPods 4 with ANC vs Nothing Ear (3)

The Nothing Ear (3) is the stronger pick on hardware: bigger 12 mm drivers, LDAC, Bluetooth 5.4, multipoint, up to 45 dB ANC and longer rated battery. The AirPods 4 with ANC win on ecosystem fit: instant pairing, Siri, Find My and seamless switching across Apple devices, and they are the more comfortable option for many ears. Owners of the AirPods rate them well overall, but the open-fit design leaks more sound and blocks less low noise than the Nothing's sealed tips. Buy the AirPods if you live in Apple's world; buy the Nothing if sound quality and noise blocking matter more than ecosystem tricks.

  • Choose the AirPods 4 with ANC if you use an iPhone, iPad and Mac daily and want hands-free Siri, automatic switching and a light open fit you can wear for hours.
  • Choose the Nothing Ear (3) if you want stronger noise cancelling, LDAC hi-res audio, multipoint pairing and longer battery, and you are not tied to Apple.

Prices

  • Apple AirPods 4 with ANC: $79.00 at Volshop (last seen Nov 5)
  • Nothing Ear (3): $109.99 at Amazon (checked today)
  • Difference: the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC is $30.99 cheaper than the Nothing Ear (3) at the latest prices (Nov 5 and Nov 12)
Apple
Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancelling

Apple AirPods 4 with ANC

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancelling

4.4(30,064 ratings)
$79.00at VolshopChecked Nov 5
See all prices and details
Visit Volshop
Pros
  • Instant pairing and automatic switching across Apple devices
  • Hands-free Siri and Find My support
  • Light open fit many people forget they are wearing
  • IP54 dust and water resistance
  • USB-C charging case
Cons
  • Open fit lets in more noise and leaks sound outward
  • No hi-res codec and no multipoint
  • Most features need an Apple device
  • Shorter total battery than the Nothing
Nothing
Nothing Ear (3)

Nothing Ear (3)

$109.99at AmazonChecked 52 min 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
  • LDAC support for hi-res streaming
  • Multipoint pairing to two devices
  • 10 hours per charge, 38 with case, fast top-up
  • Nothing X app with EQ and spatial audio on Android and iOS
Cons
  • No Apple handoff, Siri or Find My integration
  • Sealed tips need a good fit to sound right
  • Touch controls can misfire
  • Case is bulkier than Apple's

What separates them

Apple AirPods 4 with ANCNothing Ear (3)
Noise cancellingActive Noise Cancellation in an open-fit design; blocks less low-frequency noiseAdaptive ANC rated up to 45 dB with sealed ear tips
Sound hardwareApple-tuned drivers, AAC only, no hi-res codecCustom 12 mm drivers with LDAC, AAC and SBC
BatteryUp to 30 hours total with case10 hours per charge, up to 38 hours with case, 10 minutes for 10 hours
ConnectivityBluetooth, one Apple device at a time with fast handoffBluetooth 5.4 with multipoint to two devices at once
Apple ecosystemInstant pairing, Siri, Find My, automatic switching between Apple devicesWorks with any phone; no Apple handoff or Siri integration
Fit and sealOpen-fit, no silicone tips, lighter feel, less isolationSealed in-ear with multiple tip sizes, more isolation
Durability ratingIP54 on buds and caseIP54 on buds and case
Controls and appStem pinch controls, settings in iOS; limited on AndroidTouch controls, Nothing X app with EQ and spatial audio on both platforms

Price history

$119.99$74.99
Nov 1Nov 13
  • Apple AirPods 4 with ANC: lowest $74.99 on Nov 5 at Walmart; $119.88 on Nov 13.
  • Nothing Ear (3): lowest $109.99 on Nov 10 at Target; $109.99 on Nov 13.

Prices at every store

Apple AirPods 4 with ANC

  • PC Richard & SonNew

    In stock

    $119.88Free shippingChecked 2 min ago
    Visit PC Richard & Son
  • VolshopNew

    Availability unknown

    $79.00Checked Nov 5
    Visit Volshop
  • 12thmantechnology.comNew

    Availability unknown

    $114.99Checked Nov 3
    Visit 12thmantechnology.com
  • CrutchfieldNew

    Availability unknown

    $119.00Checked Nov 5
    Visit Crutchfield

Also available at

  • eBayCheck price at eBay
  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 23 stores and price history →

Nothing Ear (3)

  • TargetNew

    In stock

    $109.99Free shippingChecked 52 min ago
    Visit Target
  • Best BuyNew

    In stock

    $137.00Free shippingChecked 52 min ago
    Visit Best Buy
  • Swiftronics USANew

    In stock

    $129.99+ $14.99 shippingChecked 52 min ago
    Visit Swiftronics USA
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

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

    $109.99Free shippingChecked 52 min ago
    Visit Amazon

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 4 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecApple AirPods 4 with ANCNothing Ear (3)
colorWhiteBlack
Noise CancelingYesYes
With MicrophoneYesYes
With Charging CaseYesYes
StyleIn-earIn-ear
Wireless TypeBluetoothBluetooth
Water-ResistantYesYes
occasionAirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation—
multipack_quantity1—
UseSports—
Assistant SupportSiri—
Battery life30 h—
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecApple AirPods 4 with ANCNothing Ear (3)
Headphone styleIn-Ear—
Noise control technologyActive Noise Cancellation—
WirelessY—
Wireless technologyBluetooth—
FeaturesBuilt-in Microphone, Voice-Activated—
BrandApple—
Rec. useCasual Listening—
Works withiPhone—
Ip codeIP54—
Assembled product weight

What reviewers say

Apple AirPods 4 with ANC

  • 4.4 / 530,064 ratings

Rated 4.4 out of 5 from about 30,000 ratings. Buyers praise the comfortable open fit and easy iPhone pairing; some report receiving counterfeit units that lacked genuine Apple features.

What people mention
  • FitPraisedOwners say the open design stays comfortable for long wear.
  • Noise cancellingMixedReviewers find ANC helpful but weaker than sealed in-ear models.
  • BatteryMixedThe 30-hour case total is fine, but time per charge is short.
  • SetupPraisedPairing with iPhone and Siri is described as quick and simple.
Reviews
  • The best wireless earbuds under $200

Questions and answers

Which has better noise cancelling?
The Nothing Ear (3). Its sealed tips and adaptive ANC rated to 45 dB cut engine and traffic noise more than the open-fit AirPods 4, which block mainly higher sounds.
Do the AirPods 4 work well with Android?
They pair over Bluetooth and play audio, but you lose instant pairing, Siri, Find My and firmware updates, which need an Apple device. The Nothing works fully on both platforms.
Which is better for running and gym use?
Both are IP54. The Nothing's sealed tips stay put better during sweaty workouts; the AirPods' open fit is more comfortable but looser and lets in gym noise.
Is the Nothing Ear (3) worth stepping up to over the AirPods?
If sound quality, noise blocking and battery life are your priorities, yes. If you own several Apple devices and value Siri and automatic switching, the AirPods are the better fit.
Which has longer battery life?
The Nothing Ear (3): 10 hours per charge and up to 38 with the case, versus 30 hours total for the AirPods 4 with ANC.
Can both connect to two devices at once?
Only the Nothing Ear (3) has multipoint. The AirPods 4 switch automatically between devices signed into the same Apple account but do not hold two connections at once.

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0.15 oz
—
In/Out typeWireless—
Inputs/OutputsUSB Type-C—
AccessoriesCharging Case (USB-C)—
Battery consumption typeIntegrated Rechargeable Battery—
Power typeBattery—
Maximum transmission range1 ft—
Compatible smart control systemsSiri—
Virtual assistantSiri—
Cord length1 in—
Generation4th Generation—
MaterialPlastic—
Video game platformMac—
With Adaptive EQYes—
Height1.19″ tall—
MicrophoneYes—
BluetoothYes—
Battery Time (in use) (h)5.0—
NFCNo—