Nothing’s Ear 3 earbuds evoke an immediate sense of familiarity, recalling most strongly the company’s debut model, the Ear 1. This resemblance isn’t simply due to the aesthetic continuity—though the transparent design language and visual minimalism certainly echo the original—nor is it only rooted in the sonic profile, which has evolved notably and now exhibits a richer and more refined audio performance. Rather, what truly links the Ear 3 back to its predecessor is a shared spirit of creative audacity—the same willingness to experiment and stretch the boundaries of what a young technology company dares to attempt, even if the results oscillate between impressive innovation and imperfect execution.
In the case of the original Ear 1, this exploratory energy manifested in a product that, while remarkably bold in its transparent, industrial design, also bore the rough edges typical of a company launching its first hardware. Early adopters encountered hardware shortcomings, minor malfunctions, and software instabilities, symptoms not of lack of vision, but of a startup’s unpolished ambition. The Ear 3, however, represents a more mature iteration of that same ethos. Its most daring new feature—aptly named the Super Mic—reinvents how a microphone system can exist in conjunction with earbuds. Instead of confining the microphones solely to the earbuds themselves, Nothing has integrated a pair of directional microphones directly into the charging case. This unconventional approach aims to offer improved vocal clarity during calls, voice memos, and interactions with AI assistants. And indeed, when the system performs optimally, it delivers brighter, more natural voice reproduction. Yet, results are inconsistent, revealing that the very innovation that sets it apart also introduces unpredictability.
At $179, the Ear 3 occupies an intriguing space within Nothing’s growing lineup. Despite its name implying a third generation, it is technically the company’s fourth flagship earbud, following the sequence of the Ear 1, the Ear 2, and the simply titled Ear. This naming idiosyncrasy contributes to the brand’s slightly enigmatic image. The key innovation here remains the Super Mic, a first not only for Nothing but for the entire wireless earbud industry. The case itself houses two microphones—one positioned along the side and another at the base—activated via a generous and tactile TALK button. During a phone call, a double press toggles between the earbuds’ internal mics and the case-based microphones, while a press-and-hold enables the feature temporarily. Outside of calls, that same button functions as a shortcut to trigger your preferred digital assistant, provided that at least one earbud is connected to your phone; the case itself cannot establish a direct Bluetooth link independently.
While Nothing hasn’t disclosed the specific technical details or specifications of these new microphones, it’s evident that physical positioning plays a crucial role in their potential advantage. A microphone located in front of one’s mouth, as when holding the case, naturally captures speech with greater clarity and richness than microphones situated near the ear—an enduring design challenge since the disappearance of wired earbuds with inline mics. Nothing’s approach, therefore, combines simplicity with ingenuity, offering a refreshingly pragmatic partial remedy to a long-standing audio problem. That said, its effectiveness fluctuates dramatically. In testing, its sound quality occasionally reached a professional level suitable even for casual social media content creation, yet at other moments it barely surpassed, or even underperformed, the built-in microphones of the earbuds themselves.
This inconsistency stems largely from the directional sensitivity that is both Super Mic’s greatest strength and its main weakness. When held steadily and pointed accurately, the microphones render voices with impressive depth, warmth, and fidelity. But adjust the distance, angle, or hand position even slightly—perhaps obscuring one of the microphones—and the clarity collapses. Using Super Mic effectively thus requires a degree of careful handling, an almost performative awareness of positioning. For users hoping to record quick, spontaneous voice notes or narrate videos while gesturing freely, that requirement can easily become a barrier to practicality.
Compatibility is another area of nuance. Super Mic functions anywhere the standard Bluetooth microphones do: voice and video calls, be it through traditional phone apps or popular services such as WhatsApp, Zoom, or WeChat. It even works for recording audio notes in iOS Voice Memos. Yet the feature falters when users attempt to record video directly through native camera applications on both iOS and most Android platforms. Creators interested in employing the case as a handheld microphone for platforms like TikTok must instead resort to third-party applications—Blackmagic being one example—that allow manual microphone selection. While later operating system updates, such as iOS 26, have begun permitting cross-application mic selection at the system level, seamless integration with Nothing’s hardware still lags behind that theoretical capability.
Moreover, because the case communicates with the earbuds, which then relay audio to the smartphone, the Super Mic chain introduces a perceptible latency. During video recording, I found that this delay created slight desynchronization between lip movement and audio—something minor for voice calls but disruptive for unedited video content. Nevertheless, testing confirmed one area of excellence: Nothing’s noise suppression for calls. Even in high-noise environments—such as standing beside a construction worker wielding a jackhammer—the system filtered out background clamor almost entirely, leaving only a faintly clipped rendition of my own voice. The tradeoff here demonstrates the delicate balance between aggressive noise cancellation and natural voice preservation.
Turning to general active noise cancellation, performance proved more typical of this price class. Environmental sounds—ranging from city traffic to the mechanical rumble of public transport—were dampened but not extinguished. For users seeking the near-total quietude of higher-end models, brands like Bose, whose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds retail for $299, remain in a different league. Nonetheless, for daily commuting or gym sessions, the Ear 3’s ANC performs adequately.
Beyond the microphone experiment, the Ear 3 delivers a satisfying audio experience, offering a comprehensive suite of modern sound features. High-resolution LDAC audio compatibility enables richer streaming for those with supporting devices, while customizable equalizers—available in both three-band and eight-band formats—grant detailed tonal control. Spatial audio adds an immersive layer for cinema-like listening, and a dedicated low-latency mode optimizes performance during gaming. Multipoint connectivity, allowing the earbuds to maintain active links with two devices at once, enhances usability for multitasking professionals or hybrid work setups. The default tuning presents a lively, bass-forward sound signature, but through multiple saveable EQ profiles and a dedicated bass enhancement toggle, listeners can fine-tune the output to personal taste.
Battery performance lands solidly within expectations, if not extraordinary. With active noise cancellation enabled, users can expect approximately five and a half hours per charge; disabling ANC extends that figure to around ten hours. Combined with the case’s reserved energy for three additional charges, total playback reaches roughly 22 hours with ANC and up to 38 hours without. Recharging is efficient—just over one hour via USB-C or two through Qi wireless charging. These numbers mark an incremental improvement over previous models rather than a revolution, but they sustain Nothing’s reputation for providing good endurance in a stylish package.
Visually, the Ear 3 retains the distinctive aesthetic DNA that defined the brand from day one. The interplay of transparent and opaque materials—primarily white, black, and clear plastic—continues to make the design unmistakably Nothing. The most evident evolution lies in the addition of metallic accents integrated into both the earbuds’ stems and the charging case, a modification that subtly elevates both the tactile sensation and signal performance. The case, with its aluminum details, feels marginally more substantial in hand, yet the product overall remains dominated by high-quality plastic. Build integrity remains strong, though there’s a modest downgrade in environmental protection: the Ear 3’s IP54 rating offers dependable resistance against dust and splashes, but falls slightly short of the previous model’s IP55 case protection.
Aside from the introduction of Super Mic, the Ear 3 makes relatively restrained advancements compared to its immediate predecessors. Battery life gains are modest, metal embellishments provide subtle premium flair, and spatial audio support enriches immersion—but the overall package feels evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Given last year’s Ear already represented excellent value, these refinements, though minor, ensure the Ear 3 remains a worthy competitor within its price bracket. Still, for those seeking maximal value, the discounted older models might tempt more strongly.
Ultimately, the appeal of the Ear 3 hinges on how much value a user places on Super Mic’s conceptual boldness. The feature itself is captivating as a statement of direction—it reaffirms Nothing’s identity as an inventor unafraid to test conventions. Yet, in practice, its inconsistency and latency make it feel like a fascinating prototype more than a polished solution. For prospective buyers, the Ear 3 may thus represent a glimpse into the future rather than a decisive reason to upgrade now. If Nothing continues refining this concept, perhaps the forthcoming Ear 4 will finally transform the promise into perfection.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/tech/792839/nothing-ear-3-review-audio-super-mic-price
