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Nothing Ear 2 announced: Everything you loved about Ear 1, but better

They look a lot like the Ear 1, but have better specs, better battery life, and more refined features.
By
March 22, 2023
TL;DR
  • Nothing launched the Nothing Ear 2, its third set of true wireless earbuds.
  • The Ear 2 look much like the Ear 1 but have better specs, more features, and a refined design.
  • Starting today, you can get the Ear 2 for $149 / £129 exclusively from Nothing’s website.

Nothing launched its first product — the Nothing Ear 1 — on July 27, 2021. It followed up that release with the slightly different Nothing Ear Stick in June 2022. Today, it’s launching yet another pair of true wireless earbuds. But this time, they are the true follow-up to the original Ear 1.

The appropriately named Nothing Ear 2 might look like an iterative version of the Ear 1, but there’s quite a bit going on under the hood that makes these earbuds a big step up over the original. If you want to get an in-depth look at these new earbuds, be sure to check out our full Nothing Ear 2 review. Continue on for a summary of what to expect.

Nothing Ear 2: What’s different?

nothing ear 2 vs nothing ear 1 case 2
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

The image above shows the Nothing Ear 1 next to the Ear 2. At first glance, you might think Nothing is pulling a fast one and just re-releasing a 2021 product. However, there are actually many differences here, both outside and inside.

  • Design: Although the earbuds appear to look the same, the case and the buds themselves have been redesigned. The case is a bit smaller and uses fewer materials in its construction. The earbuds have the same shape but have been completely redesigned inside to accommodate all the other changes on this list.
  • Codecs: The Nothing Ear 2 support LHDC 5.0, a significant step up over the Ear 1, which only supported AAC and SBC (both are also available on the Ear 2). LHDC 5.0 ensures a frequency transmission of up to 24 bit/192kHz at speeds of up to 1Mbps. In other words, Bluetooth will sound closer to wired than ever before.
  • Bluetooth: Speaking of Bluetooth, the Ear 2 jump up to Bluetooth 5.4 from the original’s Bluetooth 5.2. They also now support multi-point connections, allowing you to connect the earbuds to two devices simultaneously.
  • Controls: Instead of tapping on the stems of the earbuds for playback control, you now squeeze the stems. This should be easier and more accurate for starting/stopping playback, switching tracks, etc. You can modify these controls in the Nothing X app.
  • ANC: The active noise-cancelation (ANC) has been upgraded in the Nothing Ear 2. Not only is it more effective at blocking sound, but it also can change to suit your specific ear canal shape. It also has a new Adaptive Mode that can increase or decrease ANC automatically by listening to your surroundings.
  • Battery life: With ANC off, Nothing says you can get up to 6.3 hours of playback on the Ear 2, a step up over the Ear 1’s claimed longevity of six hours. With ANC off and a fully-charged case, you can get up to 36 hours of playback before running out of juice.
  • Durability: The Ear 2 are IP54 rated while the case is IP55 rated. The Ear 1 were only IPX4 rated.
  • Personal Sound Profile: The Nothing X app still has equalizer controls, but now they are more refined and automatic. Using the Personal Sound Profile, you can run through a hearing test, and the Nothing X app will give you equalized levels personally catered to your hearing.

Nothing Ear 2: Specs

nothing ear 2 vs nothing ear 1 buds 2
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
Nothing Ear 2
Size
Earbuds: 29.4 x 21.5 x 23.5mm
Case: 55.5 x 55.5 x 22mm
Weight
Earbuds: 4.5g
Case: 51.9g
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.3 with Bluetooth Multipoint
Google Fast Pair
Microsoft Swift Pair
AAC/SBC/LHDC 5.0
Sensors
In-ear detection
Pressure sensor for controls
Battery life
Earbuds, ANC on: Up to 4 hours of listening
Earbuds, ANC off: Up to 6.3 hours of listening
Earbuds with case, ANC on: Up to 22.5 hours of listening
Earbuds with case, ANC off: Up to 36 hours of listening
Charging
USB-C
Wireless up to 2.5W
Speaker
11.6mm dynamic driver
Noise cancellation
ANC up to 40db
Water resistance
Earbuds: IP54
Case: IP55
Colors
White, Black

Nothing Ear 2: Image gallery

Nothing Ear 2: Pricing and availability

nothing ear 2 closed case 3
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

You can buy the Nothing Ear 2 starting today, March 22. For now, the exclusive place to buy them is Nothing.tech. In the United States, you’ll pay $149 for the earbuds, while United Kingdom residents will pay £129 (~$157). They only come in one colorway for now, which is white. We assume a black model will launch eventually, but Nothing would not comment on this.

Tomorrow, March 23, buyers can head to the Nothing Store Soho in London to grab a pair of these earbuds. And, starting on March 28, the Nothing Ear 2 will hit general sales through third-party retail partners.

Nothing Ear 2Nothing Ear 2
Nothing Ear 2
Very comfortable earbuds • Squeeze controls • Bluetooth Multipoint
MSRP: $149.00
A very comfortable and powerful pair of true wireless buds
With a focus on refinement, the Nothing Ear 2 offer a similar, ergonomic design to the original Ear 1 wireless earbuds, now with improved connectivity, higher quality materials, better controls, and cleaner sound.