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Apple AirPods 4 with ANC vs Nothing Ear (open)

Buy the AirPods 4 with ANC if you use an iPhone, iPad or Mac and want noise cancellation, Spatial Audio and hands-free Siri in an open-fit earbud. The Nothing Ear (open) is a hook-style open earbud that sits outside the ear canal, so it stays put and lets in traffic and conversation, but it has no active noise cancellation and no Apple integration. Reviewers rate the AirPods higher on call clarity and software polish; the Nothing wins on all-day comfort for people who dislike silicone tips.

  • Choose the AirPods 4 with ANC if you want active noise cancellation, Adaptive Audio and tight Apple device switching in a small open-fit bud.
  • Choose the Nothing Ear (open) if you want an ear-hook design that stays secure for hours and keeps you aware of your surroundings.

Prices

  • Apple AirPods 4 with ANC: $49.50 at mercari.com (last seen Nov 5)
  • Nothing Ear (open): $99.00 at Nothing US (last seen Nov 11)
  • Difference: the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC is $49.50 cheaper than the Nothing Ear (open) at the latest prices (Nov 5 and Nov 11)
Apple
Apple AirPods 4 with ANC

Apple AirPods 4 with ANC
4.3(7 ratings)
$49.50at mercari.comChecked Nov 5
See all prices and details
Visit mercari.com
Pros
  • Active Noise Cancellation in an open-fit bud
  • H2 chip gives instant pairing and switching across Apple devices
  • Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking
  • IP54 dust and water resistance on buds and case
  • Voice Isolation keeps calls clear in wind
Cons
  • Only about 4 hours per charge with ANC on
  • No silicone tips, so bass and isolation are modest
  • Best features need a recent iPhone or Mac
Nothing
Ear (open)

Nothing Ear (open)

Ear (open)

4.8(4 ratings)
$99.00at Nothing USChecked Nov 11
See all prices and details
Visit Nothing US
Pros
  • Hook design stays secure through long runs and workouts
  • Open ear keeps you aware of traffic and people
  • Comfortable for people who dislike tips in the canal
  • Works the same on Android and iOS
  • Hands-free wake for Google Assistant, Alexa and Siri
Cons
  • No active noise cancellation at all
  • Little bass and sound leakage at high volume
  • Fewer codecs and no spatial audio on iPhone

What separates them

Apple AirPods 4 with ANCNothing Ear (open)
Fit styleOpen-fit in-ear bud that rests at the ear opening, no silicone tipEar-hook that wraps over the ear and sits outside the canal
Noise cancellationActive Noise Cancellation plus Transparency and Adaptive AudioNone; open design lets ambient sound in by design
Battery with ANCUp to 4 hours per charge with ANC onNo ANC to drain; open design runs longer per charge
Apple integrationH2 chip, instant pairing, hands-free Siri, Personalized Spatial Audio, Find MyStandard Bluetooth; Siri only through the phone
Durability ratingIP54 on both earbuds and caseWater-resistant, no dust rating published
ControlsStem pinch controls and automatic ear detectionOn-ear touch controls on the hook
CallsDual beamforming mics with Voice IsolationMic on the hook, more wind exposure outdoors

Price history

$119.99$49.50
Nov 1Nov 11
  • Apple AirPods 4 with ANC: lowest $49.50 on Nov 6 at mercari.com; $119.99 on Nov 11.
  • Nothing Ear (open): lowest $99.00 on Nov 5 at Walmart.

Prices at every store

Apple AirPods 4 with ANC

  • WalmartNew

    In stockSold by TheRightOne

    $74.99Free shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit Walmart
  • Quick Ship ElectronicsNew

    In stock

    $86.99Free shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit Quick Ship Electronics
  • mercari.comNew

    Availability unknown

    $49.50Checked Nov 5
    Visit mercari.com
  • MarevelleNew

    Availability unknown

    $99.99Checked Nov 1
    Visit Marevelle
All 23 stores and price history →

Nothing Ear (open)

  • Nothing USNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $99.00Checked Nov 11
    Visit Nothing US
  • WalmartNew

    Availability unknown

    $99.00Checked Nov 5
    Visit Walmart
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

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

    $99.00Checked Nov 5
    Visit Amazon
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknown

    $151.36Checked Nov 5
    Visit eBay

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 5 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecApple AirPods 4 with ANCNothing Ear (open)
With MicrophoneYesYes
ColorWhiteWhite
With Charging CaseYesYes
StyleIn-earIn-ear
Wireless TypeBluetoothBluetooth
Assistant SupportSiriGoogle Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Siri
UseSportsSports
Water-ResistantYesYes
Noise cancellationActive Noise Cancellation—
ChipH2 headphone chip—
Dust water resistanceIP54—
Earbud height1.19 inches (30.2 mm)—
Show all 24 specsShow fewer specs
SpecApple AirPods 4 with ANCNothing Ear (open)
Earbud width0.72 inch (18.3 mm)—
Earbud depth0.71 inch (18.1 mm)—
Earbud weight0.15 ounce (4.3 grams)—
Case height1.82 inches (46.2 mm)—
Case width1.97 inches (50.1 mm)—
Case depth0.83 inch (21.2 mm)—
Case weight1.22 ounces (34.7 grams)—
Listening time ANCUp to 4 hours—
Noise CancelingYes—
Connectivity

What reviewers say

Apple AirPods 4 with ANC

Buyers who left feedback on the discounted listing call the earbuds good value and say they stay put during runs and long wear. One buyer suspected a counterfeit from the packaging.

What people mention
  • ValuePraisedBuyers describe the earbuds as excellent quality for a low price.
  • FitMixedOwners say they stay locked in during runs, but the open design fits differently from ear to ear.
  • ComfortPraisedLong wear is reported as comfortable, helped by the shorter stem and no silicone tips.
  • AuthenticityCriticisedA plastic-wrapped box with a crooked opening seal made one buyer suspect a counterfeit.

Nothing Ear (open)

Owners of open-ear earbuds like this generally value the awareness and comfort but accept weaker bass and less isolation than sealed in-ears. Nothing's Ear (open) draws similar comments: praised for fit and situational awareness, criticised for sound leakage and call clarity in noisy places.

What people mention
  • FitPraisedOwners say the hook-style fit stays secure through runs and long wear.
  • AwarenessPraisedUsers like hearing traffic, announcements and colleagues while listening.
  • BassCriticisedReviewers say low end is thin because the ear canal is left open.
  • Sound leakageCriticisedPeople nearby can hear the audio at higher volumes.
Reviews
  • Best Noise-Canceling Earbuds for 2026 - CNET

Questions and answers

Which is better for running?
The Nothing Ear (open) holds on with an ear hook, so it survives sweat and sudden movement without pressure in the canal. The AirPods 4 with ANC are IP54 and stay in for most runners, but the open fit loosens for some people on hard runs.
Does the Nothing Ear (open) cancel noise?
No. It is an open design that intentionally lets sound in. If you want to block airplane or traffic noise, the AirPods 4 with ANC is the only one of the two that does it.
Which sounds better?
The AirPods 4 with ANC has more bass and a fuller sound because the driver sits closer to the canal, and Adaptive EQ tunes it to your ear. The Nothing is thinner on low end but sounds more open and natural for podcasts.
Do the AirPods work with Android?
They connect over Bluetooth, but you lose instant pairing, Spatial Audio, hands-free Siri and firmware updates. The Nothing Ear (open) gives the same experience on Android and iPhone.
Which is more comfortable for long wear?
The Nothing Ear (open) suits people who dislike anything inside the ear canal, and the hook carries the weight. The AirPods are lighter per bud but press at the ear opening for some wearers after a couple of hours.
Is the step up to the AirPods worth it?
If you own an iPhone and want noise cancellation, better calls and Spatial Audio, yes. If you mainly want awareness and a secure fit for workouts, the Nothing does that job without the Apple extras.

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Wireless
—
With Adaptive EQYes—
Impedance—32 ohms