Nothing Ear A

Name: Nothing Ear A
Brand: Nothing
SKU: 3772

Manufacturer: Nothing

The Nothing Ear A are true wireless earbuds designed for everyday use, combining a lightweight 9.6 g build with a compact in-ear fit. They carry an IPX2 and IP54 ingress protection rating, offering sweat resistance suited to active use. The earbuds connect over Bluetooth 5.3 and support fast pairing, making initial setup straightforward across compatible devices.

On the audio side, the Ear A use an 11 mm driver unit covering a 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz frequency range, with active noise cancellation and passive noise isolation both on board. LDAC codec support and AAC are included for higher-quality wireless audio transmission. Battery life reaches 9.5 hours per earbud charge — dropping to 5.5 hours with ANC active — while the charging case extends total playback to 33 hours. The case charges via USB-C with fast charging supported, though wireless charging is not available. Six microphones handle call pickup and noise cancellation duties, and multipoint connectivity allows pairing with up to two devices simultaneously.

Pros

Supports LDAC codec for higher-quality wireless audio transmission
Multipoint connectivity allows simultaneous pairing with two devices
Six-microphone array with noise-canceling capability handles call clarity effectively
Ambient sound mode and active noise cancellation give flexible listening control
Fast charging is supported, and the charging case provides up to 33 hours of total battery life
A travel bag is included in the box, adding practical portability out of the box

Cons

Wireless charging is not supported — the case relies on a wired USB-C connection only
Battery life drops notably from 9.5 hours to 5.5 hours when ANC is active
Maximum Bluetooth range is limited to 10 m
No aptX codec support in any variant, limiting compatibility with aptX-dependent devices
IPX2 and IP54 ratings offer only sweat resistance, with no full waterproofing

Who is this for?

The Nothing Ear A are a practical fit for everyday wireless listening, particularly for users who move between multiple devices throughout the day, as multipoint connectivity supports simultaneous pairing with two devices. The combination of active noise cancellation and ambient sound mode makes them well-suited to commuters or office users who need to switch between focused listening and situational awareness. Those who value higher-quality wireless audio will also appreciate LDAC codec support, and the inclusion of a six-microphone noise-canceling array makes these earbuds a reasonable choice for frequent voice and video calls.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who need their earbuds to handle exposure to rain or water submersion will find the sweat-resistant IPX2 and IP54 ratings insufficient for outdoor sports or wet environments. Those heavily invested in the aptX ecosystem — relying on aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, or aptX Low Latency for low-latency or high-resolution audio — will find no support for any of those codecs here. Additionally, users who prefer the convenience of wireless charging for their case will need to adapt, as cable-only charging via USB-C is the only option available.

Design:

Fit	In-ear
Ingress Protection (IP) rating	IPX2, IP54
water resistance	Sweat resistant
weight	9.6 g
has no wires or cables	✓
are neckband earbuds	✕
wingtips included	✕
has RGB lighting	✕
has stereo speakers	✓

The Nothing Ear A use a true wireless, in-ear design with no neckband or wires, and weigh just 9.6 g. They carry a dual IPX2 and IP54 ingress protection rating, making them sweat resistant for active use. Wingtips are not included, and the earbuds feature stereo speakers while omitting RGB lighting, keeping the overall build clean and minimal.

Sound quality:

has active noise cancellation (ANC)	✓
has passive noise reduction	✓
driver unit size	11 mm
lowest frequency	20 Hz
highest frequency	20000 Hz
has a neodymium magnet	✕

The Nothing Ear A are equipped with an 11 mm driver unit and cover a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. Both active noise cancellation and passive noise reduction are supported, giving the earbuds two layers of sound isolation. The drivers do not use a neodymium magnet.

Power:

Battery life	9.5 hours
Battery life of charging case	33 hours
Battery life (ANC)	5.5 hours
charge time	1.5 hours
battery power	46 mAh
battery power (charging case)	500mAh
has wireless charging	✕
has a battery level indicator	✓
has a rechargeable battery	✓

Each earbud holds a 46 mAh rechargeable battery delivering up to 9.5 hours of playback, which reduces to 5.5 hours when active noise cancellation is enabled. The 500 mAh charging case extends total battery life to 33 hours, and a full charge takes 1.5 hours. A battery level indicator is built in, though wireless charging is not supported — the case charges by cable only.

Connectivity:

has fast pairing	✓
Has USB Type-C	✓
Bluetooth version	5.3
has LDAC	✓
has LDHC	✕
has aptX Adaptive	✕
has aptX Low Latency	✕
has aptX HD	✕
has aptX	✕
has aptX Lossless	✕
audio latency	120 ms
has aptX Voice	✕
maximum Bluetooth range	10 m
supports Bluetooth pairing using NFC	✕
Can be used wirelessly	✓
has AAC	✓

The Nothing Ear A connect wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.3 with a maximum range of 10 m and an audio latency of 120 ms. Fast pairing is supported, while NFC pairing is not. For audio codecs, LDAC and AAC are both available, whereas aptX in all its variants — including aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX Low Latency, aptX Lossless, and aptX Voice — as well as LDHC are absent. The charging case uses USB Type-C.

Features:

has ambient sound mode	✓
has in/on-ear detection	✓
has find device feature	✓
Supports fast charging	✓
multipoint count	2
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	✕

The Nothing Ear A include a solid set of practical features, among them ambient sound mode, in-ear detection for automatic music pausing, a find device function, and a mute option for calls. They support multipoint connectivity for up to two devices simultaneously and can be used as a headset with voice prompts enabled. Controls are handled via an on-device control panel — there is no in-line control panel on a cable. Fast charging is supported, and a travel bag is included in the box. A body temperature sensor is not present.

Microphone:

number of microphones	6
has a noise-canceling microphone	✓

The Nothing Ear A feature a 6-microphone array with noise-canceling capability, allowing them to filter out background sound during calls and voice input.

Final Verdict

The Nothing Ear A present a well-rounded set of specifications for a true wireless earbud, with LDAC codec support and active noise cancellation standing out as the most compelling aspects of the package. The six-microphone array, dual-device multipoint pairing, and ambient sound mode round out a feature set that addresses the needs of daily commuters and remote workers alike. Its limitations — namely the absence of wireless charging, reduced battery life under ANC, and a modest Bluetooth range — are real but unlikely to be dealbreakers for the intended audience. Overall, the Nothing Ear A is a technically capable option for users seeking versatile, cable-free listening with meaningful noise management and high-quality audio codec support built in.