Heyyy Everyoneee!
I’ve been given the opportunity, thanks to HeyUp, to test out and review the Nothing Ear (1), so let’s get started shall we?!
First off, you can view specs and details by heading right on over to the link below:
https://us.nothing.tech/products/ear-
This review will consist of 3 parts. The Ear(1) App, The Ear(1) Charging Case and The Ear(1) Buds.
-App(Android) ⭐⅘⭐
The Ear 1 App is a nice add on to have with the buds. Overall it has a bunch of useful features that we’d expect when looking into an accessory app. Set up is guided, quick and smooth.
From the app you can:
1. Check battery percentage of each bud and the case. However, you can only check the case percentage through the app when the buds are in the case.
2. Change the gesture and tap options for each bud.
3. Personalize sound options, such as max noise cancelling.
4. Personalize the Equalizer.
5. Change between Low/Normal Latency Modes for Gaming use.
6. Find my earbud, this feature uses a loud ring to help locate a nearby lost bud.
7. In ear detection on/off, which will play last media automatically once placed in the ear and then pause once removed.
-Charging Case ⭐⅗⭐
Right off the bat you’ll notice the charge case, at 34 hour total listen time, doesn’t have as much available listen time as some of the competition, like my other buds that have 100 hour listen time with the case. Ear 1 has 4 hour play time per charge, while some of the competitors have 8 hours or longer play time per charge. This could result in Ear 1 needing daily charge up if you use them frequently/daily.
Another slight drawback, as mentioned above, is you have to have the buds in the case, the case open and your phone in order to check the case battery which isn’t the most convenient. Whereas with my other buds and other competitors, you can just gently shake the case to check the cases charge.
A slight advantage to the Ear 1 case having a smaller battery/less listen time is that it allows it to be a bit lighter and more compact than some of the competition. The light weight makes them easy to fit into pockets or small spaces without anything else being weighed down. Some of the competition, like my other buds, are a bit heavier, not by much, due to the larger battery/longer listening time.
Another area the Ear 1 case makes up for some of its flaws is the wireless charging capability, which a good amount of the competition can do but it’s still a great feature to have. However, much like most wireless charging, it will most likely charge slower than plugging it in directly.
-Buds ⭐⅗⭐
While most of the gestures work seamlessly, the volume control gesture is a bit tricky at times. The touch gestures are a bit sensitive, so have to be careful when placing them in the ears.
Without any media playing on the buds(1) and a TV on low about 6 feet away, the noise cancelling is better than some and while it’s close, it’s not quite as good as my other buds. So there is still room for improvement as far as blocking out background noise completely. As with most buds, turning the volume up still helps limit outside/background noise.
Equalizer, first off, while there isn’t a large noticeable difference when adding more base or more treble, there is some. You’ll notice a larger difference when choosing voice instead of balance.
Overall sound and call quality is good and on par with similar priced earbud competitors.
Comfort, while they are light and comfortable to wear for the 4 hour play time, the stem style buds may not be suitable for everyone.
Overall 🌟⅗🌟
While Ear (1) isn’t perfect, nothing in life is. It has its pros and cons just like anything else.
Personally, for me, the biggest con is the 4 hour play time. It may get you through a workout but not a full work shift without needing charge from the case. Also, checking the charge on the case isn’t as convenient as my others.
I would recommend the Ear (1) in general conversation but do not think I’d go out of my way to tell everyone.
