Nothing Ear 3

Name: Nothing Ear 3
Brand: Nothing
SKU: 5425

Manufacturer: Nothing

The Nothing Ear 3 are true wireless earbuds designed for everyday use, offering a lightweight in-ear fit at just 10.4 grams per earbud. They support active noise cancellation alongside a passive noise isolation design, and include an ambient sound mode for times when environmental awareness matters. The earbuds come with a charging case that extends total listening time to 32 hours, and wireless charging support adds a layer of convenience to the experience.

On the connectivity side, the Nothing Ear 3 run on Bluetooth 5.4 with LDAC and AAC codec support, enabling higher-quality wireless audio transmission. The earbuds feature a 12 mm driver unit covering a frequency range of 20 Hz to 40,000 Hz, along with spatial audio support. A six-microphone array with noise-canceling capability handles call quality, while multipoint connectivity allows simultaneous pairing with two devices. Fast charging is supported via USB-C, and the earbuds carry an IP54 rating for resistance against dust and water splashes.

Pros

Supports LDAC codec alongside AAC, enabling higher-quality wireless audio transmission
Six-microphone array with noise-canceling capability addresses both call clarity and voice input
Multipoint connectivity allows simultaneous pairing with two devices, useful for switching between sources
Wireless charging support adds convenience alongside the USB-C wired option
Fast charging is supported, reducing downtime between listening sessions
IP54 rating provides resistance to water splashes and dust, making the earbuds suitable for outdoor use

Cons

Battery life drops noticeably from 10 hours to 5.5 hours when ANC is active
Bluetooth range is limited to 10 metres, which may be restrictive in some environments
No aptX codec support in any variant, which may limit compatibility with certain Android devices
Notification reading is not available, reducing hands-free convenience for some users

Who is this for?

The Nothing Ear 3 are well suited to users who commute regularly or spend time in noisy environments, as the combination of active noise cancellation and passive noise isolation offers two layers of sound blocking. The broad frequency range and LDAC support make them a reasonable fit for those who prioritize audio quality from compatible sources. With IP54-rated water resistance, fast charging, and a total battery life of 32 hours via the case, they also work well for active, on-the-go users who need reliable daily-use earbuds that can handle varied conditions without constant recharging. The six-microphone noise-canceling array further makes them a practical choice for people who take frequent calls or attend remote meetings.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who rely heavily on aptX-based codecs — including aptX HD or aptX Adaptive — for high-resolution audio on Android devices will find no support for those formats here, which may be a limitation depending on their source hardware. The ANC battery life of 5.5 hours may also fall short for those who need extended listening sessions with noise cancellation continuously active, such as long-haul travelers or all-day office workers. Additionally, anyone seeking features like notification readout, NFC pairing, or Bluetooth LE Audio will find those capabilities absent from this model.

Design:

Fit	In-ear
Ingress Protection (IP) rating	IP54
water resistance	Water resistant
weight	10.4 g
has no wires or cables	✓
are neckband earbuds	✕
wingtips included	✕
has RGB lighting	✕
has stereo speakers	✓
has UV light	✕
Has a display	✕

The Nothing Ear 3 adopt an in-ear fit and a fully true wireless design with no cables or neckband, keeping things minimal and unencumbered. Each earbud weighs just 10.4 grams and includes stereo speaker output, while wingtips are not part of the package. The earbuds carry an IP54 rating, making them resistant to water and dust ingress — a practical consideration for daily use. RGB lighting, a UV light, and an onboard display are absent from the design, reflecting a clean, understated aesthetic.

Sound quality:

has active noise cancellation (ANC)	✓
has passive noise reduction	✓
driver unit size	12 mm
lowest frequency	20 Hz
highest frequency	40000 Hz
supports spatial audio	✓
has Dolby Atmos	✕
has Dirac Virtuo	✕
has a neodymium magnet	✕

The Nothing Ear 3 are equipped with a 12 mm driver unit and cover a frequency range spanning 20 Hz to 40,000 Hz, allowing for a broad sonic bandwidth. Both active noise cancellation and passive noise reduction are supported, giving users two layers of isolation from ambient sound. Spatial audio is also on board, adding a dimensional quality to playback. Dolby Atmos, Dirac Virtuo, and a neodymium magnet are not part of the sound hardware configuration.

Power:

Battery life	10 hours
Battery life of charging case	32 hours
Battery life (ANC)	5.5 hours
charge time	1.2 hours
battery power	55 mAh
battery power (charging case)	500mAh
has wireless charging	✓
Has a solar power battery	✕
has a battery level indicator	✓
has a rechargeable battery	✓

The Nothing Ear 3 earbuds carry a 55 mAh rechargeable battery that delivers up to 10 hours of playback, which drops to 5.5 hours when active noise cancellation is enabled. The accompanying charging case holds a 500 mAh battery and extends the total available listening time to 32 hours. A full charge takes 1.2 hours, and both wireless charging and a battery level indicator are supported, making it straightforward to monitor and replenish power. Solar charging is not available on this model.

Connectivity:

has fast pairing	✓
Has USB Type-C	✓
Bluetooth version	5.4
has LDAC	✓
has LDHC	✕
has Bluetooth LE Audio	✕
has aptX Adaptive	✕
has aptX Low Latency	✕
has aptX HD	✕
has aptX	✕
has aptX Lossless	✕
has aptX Voice	✕
has Auracast	✕
maximum Bluetooth range	10 m
supports Bluetooth pairing using NFC	✕
Can be used wirelessly	✓
has AAC	✓

The Nothing Ear 3 connect wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.4 with a maximum range of 10 metres, and support fast pairing for a quicker setup experience. Supported audio codecs include LDAC and AAC, while aptX in all its variants — including aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX Low Latency, aptX Lossless, and aptX Voice — are not available. Bluetooth LE Audio, Auracast, LDHC, and NFC pairing are likewise absent. The charging case uses USB Type-C for wired charging, rounding out the connectivity options on this model.

Features:

has ambient sound mode	✓
has in/on-ear detection	✓
has find device feature	✓
Supports fast charging	✓
multipoint count	2
can read notifications	✕
has a mute function	✓
can be used as a headset	✓
control panel placed on a device	✓
Has voice prompts	✓
travel bag is included	✓
Has an in-line control panel	✕
Has a temperature sensor	✕
Has a built-in camera remote control function	✕

The Nothing Ear 3 include a practical set of features for daily use, among them ambient sound mode, in/on-ear detection for automatic playback pausing, and a find device function. Multipoint connectivity supports simultaneous pairing with two devices, and the earbuds can function as a headset with a mute function available during calls. Fast charging is supported, and voice prompts are present for audio feedback. Device-side touch controls are available, though an in-line control panel is not included. A travel bag comes in the box, while notification reading, a body temperature sensor, and a built-in camera remote are not part of the feature set.

Microphone:

number of microphones	6
has a noise-canceling microphone	✓

The Nothing Ear 3 feature a six-microphone array paired with noise-canceling microphone technology, aimed at reducing unwanted background sound during calls and voice input.

Final Verdict

The Nothing Ear 3 present a well-rounded set of specifications for a true wireless earbud aimed at everyday listeners who value both noise management and audio fidelity. The pairing of active noise cancellation with LDAC codec support gives the earbuds a meaningful edge for those who want higher-quality wireless audio without compromising on isolation. A six-microphone noise-canceling array, IP54 water resistance, wireless charging, and multipoint connectivity round out a feature set that holds up well for commuters, remote workers, and active users alike. Where the earbuds fall short — notably in ANC endurance and the absence of aptX codec variants — is unlikely to matter for the majority of intended users. Taken as a whole, the Nothing Ear 3 deliver a technically capable package that covers the practical needs of most daily use scenarios without significant gaps.