Nothing has created an aesthetically unique product, all while coming in at a very competitive price point. Indeed, almost every aspect from the packaging to the product has a creatively unique twist that gives pause to recognize & appreciate the little details that the Nothing Team designed into these earphones. The Ear Stick’s most comparable product on the market is currently Apple’s AirPods 3rd generation which retails for $169, $69 more than the Ear Stick. Please do note that these earphones are in a separate category from the Ear 1’s since they lack ANC as well as the in ear Silicone tips. Now for those who are in the market for new wireless earphones and are undecided here are some facts to note.
-The Ear Sticks lack ANC (Active Noise Canceling)
-The Ear Sticks Retail for $99 USD
-The Ear Sticks charge via Case with A USB-C cable
-The Ear Sticks have a unique Rotating Cylindrical charging case
-The Ear Sticks have an app that helps you modify features on the buds as well as providing Firmware Updates
-The Ear Sticks each have a custom 12.6 mm dynamic driver
-The Ear Sticks have three high definition mics that are Wind Proof/ Crowd Proof
Packaging ⅗
To Start let’s begin with the packaging, the buds come in a long Rectangular Tube packaging that has pull & tear bars that allow you access to the Ear Sticks themselves as well as your Accessories. Keep in mind that this packaging is a tear and discard type of packaging so you can’t keep it on display after unboxing. Now I did tear one of the pull tabs and had to use tweezers in order to access the contents of the packaging so I would prefer updated packaging or a stronger tab for any future devices Nothing makes. You are then greeted by the innovative Cylindrical design of the Ear Stick’s Case and a paper cylinder containing your USB-C charger & Paperwork.
Ear Stick Case ⅘
Now the case itself evokes a feminine mystique reminiscent of lipstick combined with this retro futuristic tech incorporating Nothing’s see-through plastic aesthetic. ⅘ for the Design aspect of these buds, they simply remind me of my childhood and the big blue see-through mac I would play games on. The case feels nice when you swivel it to access the buds, and it doesn’t fly open when you drop the case keeping your buds protected. The chosen colors are predominantly White with Red and hints of metallic Silver all culminating into a stunning aesthetic. As for listening time you can achieve up to 29 hrs of listening time with the charging case. For those who love fidgeting with things the case’s swivel design is very satisfying to play with.
Ear Stick Buds 3.5/5
The Buds themselves have a plastic build with accents of metal mesh and the iconic see-through plastic as well. They do not sit inside the ear canal as other buds do, rather they hug the inside opening, being less intrusive for those who prefer that kind of open ear fit. Now even the buds Left and Right indicators are replaced by a White & Red Dot, White being Left and Red being Right. That’s not immediately obvious to everyone, though one can eventually figure it out, finding which bud fits in which ear. However, It’s the small details that sets Nothing apart from other companies. Each bud weighs 4.4 grams being very light and not as heavy as other buds on the market making long time listening more comfortable. The Buds Drivers are custom 12.6 mm dynamic drivers, which sound nice and crisp, though nothing extraordinary for $100 buds. The buds themselves provide 7 hours of listening time before you need to charge them in their case. Now what did impress me was the microphone quality of the Ear Sticks, with three high definition mics on each bud, they really help to isolate your voice and sound true to life. As for controlling the buds with gestures you must pinch the bud’s stem rather than tapping. The pinch receiver used to control the buds is located on the sides of the stems. Keep in mind that it’s a semi strong pinch you must perform, this however has the added benefit of having no accidental pausing or playing or any skipping of your desired content.
-A single pinch will pause and play your content and removing a bud from your ear will achieve the same result if you have auto pause enabled.
-A double pinch will skip forward
-A triple pinch will go back a track.
-While a pinch and hold will slowly decrease the volume on one ear bud
-A pinch and hold will slowly increase volume on the other earbud.
Keep in mind you can customize these gestures on the app to your preference.
Nothing App 4.5/5
The App is very seamless, efficient, and minimalistic once paired with your device. It explains what actions control which functions, and allows you to customize those actions as well as the EQ of the buds. Keep in mind that the EQ Adjustments are somewhat minimal as compared to other buds. The app also provides you with a Find My Buds feature that makes a bug like sound to locate a missing bud. Personally, I feel like they could make that noise louder. Perhaps through a firmware update, since in a quiet house, I had trouble hearing the chirp under a pillow while testing the feature. Overall I found the app easy to maneuver and understood what I could customize and how to install a new firmware update.
Final Thoughts 3.5/5
Overall I’d say Nothing has made an affordable product that appeals predominantly to Android users. Not to say that IOS users won’t enjoy the Ear Sticks, its just more likely for them to use the AirPods as their UI is much more of a Seamless experience. However, if all you had was $100, and you wanted something as close to AirPods as you could get, then the Ear Sticks are for you. You get a average product at a good price that offers decent features all packed into a unique design. I’d say your paying more for the Esthetic Design than you are for the quality of the buds which is more average. I think the Ear Sticks are more geared for an Android user on a budget who really enjoys aesthetically unique looking products. If you are an IOS user I’d recommend Apple’s AirPods as the better buy for only $69 more. In conclusion I’m very grateful to the Hey-Up Team & Community for this amazing opportunity to review this product. I hope you enjoy the review and that it helps someone out there make an educated decision before buying the Ear Sticks by Nothing.
