In the crowded market of true wireless earbuds, the open-ear category remains a niche, catering to those who prioritize situational awareness and comfort over noise isolation. Into this space steps the Nothing Ear (Open), a product that combines the company’s signature design flair with a clear focus on audiophile-grade sound. After extensive use, it’s clear this is one of the most compelling open-ear options available today, setting a new standard for what users can expect in terms of comfort, design, and audio fidelity. At Big Billion deal price of ₹9,999 it’s a steal indeed and we will update you when the final prices are out.
Box Contents
- Nothing Ear (Open) Earbuds
- Charging & Carry Case
- USB-C Charging Cable
- User Guide & Documentation
Design, Build & Comfort
From the moment you see them, the Ear (Open) earbuds are undeniably a Nothing product. The unique hook design is both a sophisticated and innovative statement piece compared to other, more utilitarian options on the market. Initially, there’s a slight learning curve to placing them correctly, but once you find the optimal fit, they become so comfortable you can forget you’re even wearing them.
The buds and the hook themselves, made of durable plastic and rubber, have proven to be remarkably resilient, showing very little wear and tear even after months of heavy use. They feel secure during any activity, from a simple walk to a vigorous run, making them a fantastic companion for workouts and outdoor activities. The entire package, including the case, is IP54 rated for dust and splash resistance.
The charging case is equally unique – a slim, flat, and highly pocketable design. However, its transparent plastic construction, while visually striking, is a magnet for scratches, especially on the opaque bottom. This is a common trade-off for the aesthetic, but worth noting for those who prize pristine condition.
Hardware Tour: Controls, Microphones, and Case
The primary structure consists of the flexible ear hook, which contains a nickel-titanium wire for a secure yet comfortable fit, and the main cylindrical body that houses the driver and electronics. For controls, Nothing has opted for its signature pinch-press system, located on the main body of each earbud. This is a welcome choice over traditional touch controls, as it virtually eliminates accidental presses. The controls are intuitive: a single pinch to play or pause music and answer calls, a double pinch to skip tracks, and a triple pinch to go to the previous track. A pinch-and-hold gesture can be customized in the Nothing X app to cycle through functions like volume control.
The strategic placement of the two microphones on each earbud is key to the device’s excellent call quality. One microphone is positioned to clearly capture the user’s voice, while the second is tasked with monitoring and detecting ambient noise. This dual-mic data is then processed by the AI-powered Clear Voice Technology to effectively isolate the voice and suppress background sounds.
The hardware tour extends to the uniquely designed charging case. Discreetly placed on its side is a small, tactile button used to initiate Bluetooth pairing with a long press. Adjacent to the USB-C port on the bottom, a single LED indicator provides at-a-glance status updates: it glows white while charging, blinks to confirm pairing mode, and alerts you with a different color(amber) when the case battery is running low.
Sound Quality & Performance
This is where the Ear (Open) truly shines, though it’s important to be aware of a peculiar performance difference between platforms. During testing, a significant disparity in maximum volume became apparent between iOS and Android devices. While the Ear (Open) offers a full and rich volume range on an iPhone, the output is noticeably quieter on nearly every Android phone, sometimes by as much as 30%. This isn’t a major concern for indoor listening, but it can become an issue outdoors where ambient noise can easily overpower quieter music or podcasts. This inconsistency appears to be a software-level issue that could potentially be addressed in a future update, but as it stands, potential buyers should know that the user experience is currently superior and more versatile on iOS. That said, let’s dig in further into the audio performance of the Nothing Ear (Open).
Sound Signature: Masterfully Tuned
The audio quality is fantastic, to say the least. The sound signature is unique and hits all the right notes across frequencies, delivering an experience that feels masterfully engineered right out of the box. Mids are very clear, highs are smooth and never shrill, and vocal clarity is top-notch, blending perfectly with the rest of the soundscape. This excellence was consistent across a wide variety of genres, from Bollywood to Electronic and Psy Trance. The default “Balanced” EQ setting is so well-tuned that any adjustment feels like a step down; it is highly recommended to leave it as is.
The star of the show, however, is the bass. Powered by large 14.2 mm drivers, the low-end response is unlike any other TWS product. Nothing has done something truly special here, avoiding the muddy “thump” common in this category and instead delivering high-end clarity on individual bass notes, accompanied by a soft, satisfying low-frequency rumble that is astonishing for an open-ear design. This level of tuning allows the listener to discover nuanced elements in a song, approaching an in-ear monitor experience. Furthermore, sound leakage is managed surprisingly well; in quiet indoor situations, people nearby might hear a vague sound, but outdoors, it’s a complete non-issue.
Call Quality & Connectivity
Microphone performance is excellent. Callers on the other end often don’t even notice a switch from the phone to the earbuds, a testament to the AI-powered Clear Voice Technology. Pairing is quick, the connection is stable, and the Dual Connection feature for switching between two devices works seamlessly. For videos, there is no noticeable audio-visual lag, even in the standard mode.
Battery Life & The Nothing X App
Battery life is another major highlight that genuinely exceeded expectations. The design, with its distinct hook, may allow for a larger battery than is typical for TWS earbuds, and the real-world performance certainly reflects this. The official claim of 8 hours on a single charge is not only accurate but holds up even under heavy use; during testing, it survived marathon listening sessions outdoors without issue. Perhaps most impressively, even after six months of consistent use, the battery health remains strong with no noticeable signs of degradation, which speaks volumes about its longevity. Combined with the charging case, you can confidently expect a total of 30 hours of playback, making battery anxiety a non-issue.
The Nothing X app is a simple and reliable hub for managing essential features like Dual Connection and customizing controls. While an advanced EQ is available, the product’s default tuning makes it largely unnecessary.
Conclusion
The Nothing Ear (Open) is a triumphant product that confidently carves out its space in the audio market, successfully catering to a specific and often underserved audience. For those who have long disliked the intrusive pressure of in-ear canals and crave an open, ambient listening experience without sacrificing audio quality, this is the product they’ve been waiting for. It delivers a rare combination of unparalleled all-day comfort, a rock-solid secure fit that holds up during the most vigorous workouts, and a marathon battery life that simply refuses to quit. Its true masterpiece is the sound signature, with masterfully tuned drivers producing an audio experience that is arguably best-in-class, highlighted by a uniquely clear and satisfying bass.
However, the final recommendation comes with a significant caveat that divides its audience. For iPhone users, the Ear (Open) is an unqualified success and an enthusiastic recommendation. For Android users, the experience is diminished by a baffling software issue that results in significantly lower maximum volume, rendering the earbuds frustratingly quiet in noisy outdoor environments. While it remains a brilliant device for indoor listening on Android, this single flaw prevents it from being the universal champion it’s so close to becoming. At its price point, the Ear (Open) outclasses its direct competitors and represents excellent value, and one can only hope that a future software update will resolve the Android volume issue, allowing it to finally be the undisputed king of the open-ear category for everyone.
Pricing and Availability
The Nothing Ear (Open) is priced at ₹9,999 in India. However, this is an introductory price that will be available only during Flipkart’s Big Billion Days sale. At this price, it represents exceptional value. But if you remember right, their first price tag was quite high, at 19k which will make it a harder recommendation and we are waiting to see what the price is going to be once the Flipkart Big Billion Days get over.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Exceptional default sound tuning with detailed, high-clarity bass.
- Superb all-day comfort and an incredibly secure fit for workouts.
- Excellent real-world battery life and long-term battery health.
- Unique, premium, and sophisticated design.
- Top-tier microphone quality for voice calls.
Cons:
- Critical low-volume issue on most Android devices, hampering outdoor use.
- The transparent charging case is highly susceptible to scratches.
- The exposed earpiece design can collect dirt over time.