Although I have had some experience with open-ear headphones, I wasn't sure what to expect from a pair of open-ear earbuds like the Nothing Ear (open), simply because they are nothing like I have ever seen before.
In the past I have done reviews for traditional in-ear or over-ear audio products, so I know what to expect from them. For the Nothing Ear (open) I went in with a clean slate.
Now, I’ve always had a bit of a hit-and-miss experience with earbuds and how they fit, mostly because I have small ears. But I still gave them a fair shot, especially because these are made for athletes, not for those who casually enjoy music, often while sitting in a metro, or while working. After using them for a week, I can say this: they’re bold, interesting, and quite unlike anything else, but not without their fair share of flaws.
Design: Classic Nothing
Let’s start with the design because that’s where my first impression got complicated.
The Nothing Ear (open) comes in a sleek, pill-shaped case that feels premium to hold but is also larger than it looks in photos. It’ll fit in your jeans pocket, but definitely not that tiny coin pocket.
The plastic build feels sturdy enough, though the lid for my unit was slightly loose which made the buds rattle a bit when I would spin the case like a fidget spinner, which, to be honest, I did quite a few times. It’s oddly satisfying.
The earbuds themselves carry Nothing’s signature transparent design, continuing with that “tech-showcase” aesthetic that the brand has made its own. They’re extremely lightweight at just 8.1 grams, so you barely feel them when you wear them.
But here’s where my small-ear problem kicks in. These buds just didn’t fit my ears perfectly, no matter what I did. They did stay and never fell off during my tests. But it was never a snug fit.
In this open design, the buds sit in your outer ear instead of being pushed inside the canal. Because of this, when you workout, they are comfortable and good for your safety.
So, when I went for my morning jog, I could hear the ambient noise, people talking, traffic noise. Basically, it feels open and natural.
I also tried taking them to the gym, but that wasn’t such a great idea. I couldn’t block out my gym’s loud and weird music, and since these don’t have ANC, I had to switch to my ANC earbuds.
If you’re someone who likes listening to your own playlist in your gym, these aren’t meant for you.
The IP54 rating for both the buds and the case is reassuring though, so sweat or rain won’t cause trouble.
App Experience: The Nothing X App Brings True Power
If you buy these, don’t forget to download the Nothing X app, cause that’s where you can customise them.
It gives you control over pinch gestures, lets you activate low-latency gaming mode, and even allows you to assign ChatGPT as your voice assistant. But the highlight for me was the 8-band customisable EQ. I changed the frequencies according to my taste, and it genuinely makes a difference.
There are presets for “More Bass,” “More Treble,” “Balanced,” & “Voice”, but the advanced EQ lets you fine-tune the sound exactly how you like. It’s a great feature for those who care about audio personalisation.
The pinch controls themselves work well, single pinch for play/pause, double for skipping tracks, and triple for going back. But I didn’t find the volume control to be very convenient. You have to pinch and hold the buds to change the volume, which happens at a very slow pace. I found this to be a bit annoying.
Connectivity and Mic: Modern and Reliable
Connectivity is rock solid. You get Bluetooth 5.3, SBC & AAC codec support, Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair, low lag mode for gaming and even dual device connection, so switching between your laptop and phone is seamless.
For calls, the Nothing Ear (open) uses two microphones on each of the earbuds. In quiet enviroments, the audio captured by the buds sounds clear and natural, but in crowded environments, a lot of ambient noise creeps in. Still, it's perfectly serviceable for everyday calls or quick meetings.
Sound: Natural Clarity, Limited punch
Now, for the most important part of any earbuds review: the sound quality. Let me start with one thing: the Nothing Ear (open) isn’t trying to replace your ANC earbuds or studio monitors. These are built not for immersion but to let users be aware of their surroundings. The drivers sit in front of your ear canal, creating an airy, spacious sound.
The mid-range is where these shine; vocals sound crisp and forward, instruments are nicely separated, and the overall tonality feels open. This makes podcasts, acoustic music, and live recordings sound great.
The treble is detailed and brings sparkle to the mix without being sharp, though at higher volumes, you can get a hissing sound.
The bass, however, is where these buds struggle. Even after cranking up the bass with the “More Bass” preset, the low-end lacks the punch that in-ear earbuds or over-ear headphones deliver. You can still hear the beat, but just not feel it.
This open sound signature works beautifully in quiet or outdoor settings, like morning runs or cycling, where you want situational awareness. But in noisy environments, the experience takes a hit. Since there’s no isolation, external sounds often overpower the music, and you end up increasing the volume just to compensate.
It’s not bad, just context-dependent. Think of it as a “hear-your-surroundings” companion, not a “get-lost-in-your-playlist” pair.
Battery: As Solid As It Gets
Nothing claims that you’ll get 8 hours of playback on a single charge and up to 30 hours with the case. In my testing, though, I got around 6 hours of music playback, which I would say is pretty solid for a pair of earbuds.
The charging is also quick, and 10 minutes of charging will give you 10 hours of music playback.
Verdict
After a week with the Nothing Ear (open), I walked away both impressed and frustrated.
Impressed, because Nothing clearly knows how to build striking products that push boundaries. The design feels bold, the app integration is thoughtful, and the sound clarity in the mids is genuinely enjoyable.
But I was also a little frustrated with the Ear (open), because the fit didn’t work for me. The keyword in that sentence was “me”, which is to say they might me great for you.
The open nature of the design limits where and how you can enjoy them. They’re great for runners or people who need to stay alert while enjoying their music. But if you want a strong bass, a tight seal, these just won’t cut it.
If you're looking for earbuds that are ultra-lightweight, and have a futuristic design, the Nothing Ear (Open) will surprise you. But if you want an immersive audio experience, you will be better off looking somewhere else.
