Nothing Ear (stick)

Eye-catching design Long battery life IP54 rating

Big buds may cause fit problems No voice assistant support

“The Nothing Ear Stick earbuds and case look incredible, with a design that's unlike any other, but the just-acceptable sound quality and simple feature list mean they don't live up to expectations.”

Comfortable half-in-ear fit ; 29 hours of battery life ; Reliable sound

There's no noise cancelling ; Lacks wireless charging

You need to consider the Nothing Ear (stick) if you want a pair of half-in-ear headphones but you don't want to spend hundreds on them. They're jam-packed full of handy features like custom EQ settings and in-ear detection, it's just a shame that they...

Improved sense of space, dynamics and bass clout ; Touch-sensitive stems work well ; Even stronger aesthetic

No ANC or transparency profiles ; Minor drop-out anxiety concerning the fit

Nothing's design language is unmistakable and fans of the brand's trademark white, black, and red-accented earbuds will likely flock to purchase their shiny new set. And sonically, we say go for it – as long as you don't require ANC or plan on wearing...

Fun charging case ; Press controls work great ; Much-improved voice calls

Fit could be more secure ; Not entirely bug-free ; No wireless charging

That makes them a good pair of earbuds for the price but not a good pair of earbuds for everyone.

Unique design ; Cylindrical case design ; Good sound quality for the money ; IPX4 rated

No noise cancelling ; Touch controls can be fiddly ; Needs more bass

Just like the Ear (1) before them, the Nothing Ear (stick)'s appeal is two-fold: design and price. The Nothing buds don't look like anything else on the market and the charging case definitely has that element of coolness about it. Plus, the design...

Detailed sound quality ; Clear call quality ; Responsive touch controls ; Impressive Bluetooth 5.3 range ; Easy-to-use app

Divisive design ; No ANC ; No wireless charging ; Plenty of noise leakage

The Nothing Ear (stick) is another solid entry into the company’s earbuds lineup, packing a uniquely divisive aesthetic and powerful sound into a less intrusive, half in-ear design. Unfortunately, it falls victim to all the common half in-ear problems.

Sound is clean and sharp ; Software is simple and functional ; Design is unique and beautiful ; Battery life is adequate ; Hardware controls are elegant and easy

Missing deep bass sound ; One size only ; Significant hardware flaw with rogue debris ; No user-friendly option for hardware cleaning

Comfortable & secure ; Good battery life ; Spacious sound ; In-ear detection

Bass can be lacking ; No ANC ; Tiny USB cable

The ‘half-in’ design of the Ear (Stick) buds means they are something of a ‘love it or hate it’ prospect. But if you’re looking for affordable open-style earbuds that are comfortable and airy, with good sound quality, then you’ve just found a great pair.

Distinctive looks ; Comfy enough for all-day wear

Buds won’t sit firmly in all ears ; Bass and sound isolation a step behind in-ear rivals

If you hate earphones that sit inside your ear canals, the Ear Stick is a comfy alternative that looks the part. It doesn’t give up too much on the sound quality front, but rivals offer more features – and often for less cash.

Surprisingly good sound for just $99 ; IP54 dust, water and sweat resistance ; Responsive touch controls ; Long battery life ; Cool design

Cylindrical case not as compact as the competition ; No wireless charging ; No ANC