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Shokz OpenFit Air Open-Ear Earbuds vs Nothing Ear 3 Wireless Earbuds

The Shokz OpenFit Air are for shoppers who want to stay aware of their surroundings and wear earbuds for hours; the Nothing Ear 3 are for those who prioritize active noise cancellation and high-resolution audio. The Nothing Ear 3's latest price is $95.97 (as of November 5, 2026), while the Shokz OpenFit Air is listed at $95 in stock (as of November 5, 2026). Both are similarly priced, so the choice comes down to fit and features.

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Shokz
Shokz OpenFit Air Open-Ear Earbuds

Shokz OpenFit Air Open-Ear Earbuds

4.5(3,800 ratings)
See all prices and details

Choose the Shokz OpenFit Air if you want open-ear comfort, long battery life, and situational awareness for running or office use.

Pros
  • Open-ear design keeps you aware of surroundings
  • Long 28-hour total battery life with case
  • Quick charge feature
  • Comfortable for extended wear
  • Multipoint pairing for two devices
Cons
  • No active noise cancellation
  • Charging case not waterproof
  • Older Bluetooth 5.2
  • Limited frequency response (50Hz-16kHz)
Nothing
Nothing Ear 3 Wireless Earbuds

Nothing Ear 3 Wireless Earbuds

4.5(302 ratings)
See all prices and details

Choose the Nothing Ear 3 if you need active noise cancellation, a more secure in-ear fit, and higher-resolution codecs like LDAC.

Pros
  • Active noise cancellation
  • LDAC support for high-res audio
  • Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint
  • Wireless charging case
  • IP54 water resistance on earbuds and case
Cons
  • Battery life only 5.5 hours with ANC on
  • In-ear fit may not suit everyone
  • Heavier charging case (71.4g)
  • Requires compatible device for LDAC

What separates them

Shokz OpenFit Air Open-Ear EarbudsNothing Ear 3 Wireless Earbuds
Fit styleOpen-ear, rests on the earIn-ear, seals the canal
Noise cancellationNone (passive only)Active noise cancellation
Battery lifeUp to 28 hours with case5.5 hours continuous with ANC on
Bluetooth version5.25.4
Audio codecsSBC, AAC (likely)LDAC, AAC, SBC
Water resistanceIP54 (earbuds), case not waterproofIP54 (earbuds and case)
ChargingUSB-C, quick chargeUSB-C, wireless charging, fast charge
WeightLightweight per earbud (approx. 8.5g)Charging case 71.4g

Price history

$109.00$65.99
Nov 1Nov 5
  • Shokz OpenFit Air Open-Ear Earbuds: lowest $65.99 on Nov 2 at DoorDash.
  • Nothing Ear 3 Wireless Earbuds: lowest $95.97 on Nov 5.

Prices at every store

Shokz OpenFit Air Open-Ear Earbuds

  • Best BuyCheck price at Best Buy
  • B&H Photo-Video-AudioCheck price at B&H Photo-Video-Audio
  • Home DepotCheck price at Home Depot
Prices and history →

Nothing Ear 3 Wireless Earbuds

  • Best BuyCheck price at Best Buy
  • Nothing USCheck price at Nothing US
  • eBayCheck price at eBay

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Prices and history →

Specs compared

SpecShokz OpenFit Air Open-Ear EarbudsNothing Ear 3 Wireless Earbuds
Headphone Cup TypeOpen-EarIn-ear
Body Part UseEarEars
Noise Cancellation TypeNo (passive or active)Active
Max Battery Life28 hours (with charging case)5.5 hours (continuous playback with active nois…
Recharge Time2 hours (empty case with charging cable)70 min
Rechargeable BatteryYesYes
Connectivity TechnologyWireless, BluetoothWireless, Bluetooth
Wireless TypeBluetoothBluetooth
Bluetooth Version5.25.4
Compatible DevicesPhoneiOS 13 or later, Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) or l…
Ports And InterfacesUSB-CUSB-C
Transmission Range33 ft10 m
Show all 26 specsShow fewer specs
SpecShokz OpenFit Air Open-Ear EarbudsNothing Ear 3 Wireless Earbuds
Driver Size50 mm12 mm
Frequency Response50Hz - 16kHz20 - 40000 Hz
Headphone Impedance32 ohm32 Ohm
Sound OutputStereoStereo
Audio HighlightsDirectPitch™ Techonology24-Bit Hi-Res LDAC Audio
Water ProtectionIP54IP54
WaterproofNo (charging case)Yes
Standby Time30 days—
Sensitivity96.2dB ± 2.5dB—

What reviewers say

Shokz OpenFit Air Open-Ear Earbuds

  • 4.5 / 53,800 ratings

Owners rate the OpenFit Air highly, mostly for comfort and awareness during runs and work. Many say the sound is clear for open-ear buds, though bass and loud-room use draw complaints.

What people mention
  • Fit and comfortPraisedOwners say the over-ear hook is light and stays comfortable through long runs and workdays.
  • AwarenessPraisedReviewers value hearing traffic and coworkers while listening, which is the point of the open design.
  • BassCriticisedMany say low end is weak next to sealed earbuds, so bass-heavy music sounds flat.
  • Sound leakageMixedDirectPitch limits bleed, but owners report others can hear the audio at high volume in quiet rooms.

Nothing Ear 3 Wireless Earbuds

  • 4.5 / 5302 ratings

Rated 4.5 out of 5 from 302 ratings, buyers are broadly positive about the sound and noise cancellation for the price. The main complaints center on battery life with ANC on and the case size.

What people mention
  • Sound qualityPraisedOwners describe detailed, balanced sound with strong treble from the ceramic drivers.
  • Noise cancellationPraisedReviewers say ANC cuts commute and office noise well for the price.
  • Battery lifeCriticisedBuyers note 5.5 hours with ANC on means frequent charging.
  • Case sizeMixed

Questions and answers

Which is better for running?
The Shokz OpenFit Air is better for running because its open-ear design lets you hear traffic and surroundings. The Nothing Ear 3 has a secure in-ear fit and IP54 water resistance, but it blocks ambient sound.
Which has longer battery life?
The Shokz OpenFit Air offers up to 28 hours total with the charging case. The Nothing Ear 3 gives 5.5 hours continuous playback with ANC on, plus additional charges from the case.
Is the Nothing Ear 3 worth the extra cost?
At $95.97 (as of November 5, 2026) versus $95 for the Shokz OpenFit Air, the Nothing Ear 3 costs about the same. It is worth it if you need active noise cancellation and LDAC audio.
Which is more comfortable for all-day wear?
The Shokz OpenFit Air is generally more comfortable for all-day wear because it does not seal the ear canal. The Nothing Ear 3's in-ear design may cause fatigue over long periods.
Do both have water resistance?
Both earbuds have IP54 water resistance. The Shokz OpenFit Air's charging case is not waterproof, while the Nothing Ear 3's case is also IP54 rated.

More comparisons

  • Shokz OpenFit Air Open-Ear Earbuds vs Raycon Open-Ear Fitness Buds
Water Resistant
Yes
—
Style—In-Ear
Weight—71.4 g (Charging case)
Dimensions—5.55 cm x 2.225 cm x 5.6 cm (Charging case)
Material—Ceramic (diaphragm)
Some find the 71.4 g case too large for a pocket, though wireless charging is appreciated.