According to WIRED, the Nothing Ear (3a) are some of the best $100 earbuds you can get. In a review by Chris Haslam, published August 3, 2026, the earbuds are praised for their stylish design, comfortable AirPods-like fit, and enjoyable, bass-rich sound. The device is Nothing's eighth earbud launch, following the original Ear (1) from 2021 and the Ear (a).
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With well over 2,000 different pairs on Amazon, we're approaching peak earbud.
WIRED's review notes that standing out in this "identikit landscape" is difficult, but Nothing's design language remains appealing. The Ear (3a) does not look that different from its predecessor, but it has been upgraded with a new case, a larger 12-mm driver, and unique recording functions.
Design and Build
According to WIRED, the Ear (3a) features transparent detailing and bright colors—a bold pink joins yellow, black, and white options. The compact case feels "reassuringly solid" and slips nicely into a pocket. The ample use of plastic often gives away cheaper earbuds, but the Ear (3a) feels significantly better than its competition, WIRED reported. A new LED strip on the case shows one, two, or three white dots to indicate remaining battery, while a red light warns when charge is below 20 percent. The review described this as "a very simple but useful addition."
Audio and Performance
The Ear (3a) is equipped with a larger 12-mm driver, which WIRED says contributes to an enjoyable, bass-rich sound. The active noise cancellation (ANC) is a few rungs below the best, and the Static Spatial Audio is described as dreadful. The fit is comfortable, with a stem design that comes close to AirPods Pro. Pinch controls are responsive and intuitive, allowing users to skip tracks, pause music, and switch noise-canceling modes, often without a second attempt. The stem controls can be customized via the Nothing X app, and a fit check test assesses the ear seal to ensure the right size silicone tips.
The reviewer notes that the Ear (3a) lacks the "executive class" of the premium Sony WF-1000XM6, but that is the point—they are fun, youthful, and eye-catching.
Audio Snapshot and Recording
The Ear (3a)'s most unusual feature is Audio Snapshot. By pinching both earbuds simultaneously, users can start recording a call or capture up to 60 seconds of whatever they are listening to or watching. It can also be set to capture the previous 30 seconds of audio. These recordings use the 32 MB of storage built into the earbuds, so no phone is required. Call recordings can last up to two hours, which WIRED found surprising given the storage capacity. Recordings upload to the Nothing X app, where they can be listened to, shared, and transcribed.
Transcription Service
WIRED describes two levels of transcription: Standard, which runs locally on the phone, and Pro, which uses cloud-based AI processing. Pro Transcription is included for three months after purchase, with a monthly allowance of 120 minutes, and requires a Nothing X account. The brand has not announced the price after the free trial. The reviewer tested Pro Transcription with notoriously difficult R.E.M. lyrics and found it did a surprisingly good job, while mumble rapper Playboi Carti was not as successfully transcribed. Call recording proved genuinely useful for capturing important calls on the move; a spoken warning informs the other party they are being recorded, and recording consent laws apply.
Key Specifications from WIRED's Review
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Driver size | 12 mm |
| Onboard storage | 32 MB |
| Audio Snapshot length | Up to 60 seconds |
| Rewind capture | Previous 30 seconds |
| Call recording duration | Up to 2 hours |
| Pro Transcription trial | 3 months |
| Pro Transcription allowance | 120 minutes/month |
| Price | $100 |
Pros and Cons at a Glance
| What WIRED likes | What WIRED doesn't like |
|---|---|
| Stylish design | ANC below best-in-class |
| Comfortable AirPods-like fit | Static Spatial Audio is dreadful |
| Enjoyable, bass-rich sound | Pro Transcription requires subscription after trial |
| Call recording genuinely useful | |
| Responsive controls | |
| Superb app you might actually want to use |
Fit, Controls, and App
According to WIRED, the fit is another strength. The reviewer, a long-time AirPods Pro user, says the stem design comes close to the fit and interface of AirPods Pro. The pinch controls are responsive and intuitive, and users can customize them via the Nothing X app. The app also includes a fit check test to ensure the correct silicone tips are selected. The case's LED strip is a simple but useful addition for battery monitoring.
WIRED ultimately finds that the Ear (3a) are some of the best $100 earbuds you can get, combining stylish design, useful recording features, and a solid app experience, despite compromises in ANC and Spatial Audio.
