Apple AirPods 5 vs Nothing Ear (3)

The AirPods 5 are the easier pick for iPhone owners: instant pairing, hands-free Siri, Live Translation and Conversation Awareness tie them tightly to Apple devices, and CNET says the noise cancellation is substantially better than the previous generation. The Nothing Ear (3) wins on hardware: 12mm drivers, LDAC, up to 45dB ANC, IP54 on both buds and case, and far longer battery life per charge. Owners of the AirPods praise the fit and the sound upgrade but note the design looks unchanged and there is no hearing aid feature; the Nothing is the better value for Android users and anyone who wants more playback time between charges.

• Choose the AirPods 5 if you use an iPhone and want the tightest Apple integration, hands-free Siri and strong noise cancellation in a familiar design.
• Choose the Nothing Ear (3) if you want longer battery life, LDAC high-resolution audio, a tougher IP54 build and multipoint across Android and Windows.