Nothing Ear (1) First Impressions: Is It Worth ₹21,999?

Nothing, the UK-based tech brand founded by Carl Pei, has launched its latest audio product—the Nothing Ear (1)—in India priced at ₹21,999. Marketed as a premium True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbud with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and a transparent design, it aims to compete with industry leaders like AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM5.

But does it justify its price tag? This first impressions review covers:
✔ Design & Build Quality
✔ Sound Performance & ANC
✔ Battery Life & Features
✔ Comparison with Competitors
✔ Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?

1. Design & Build: A Unique Aesthetic

Transparent Design (Nothing’s Signature Style)

Housing: Semi-transparent plastic case and earbuds
LED Light Indicator: Shows battery status and pairing mode
Fit & Comfort: Lightweight (4.7g per earbud) with three silicone tip sizes

Build Quality

IPX4 Rating: Sweat and splash resistance
Case: Compact but feels slightly plasticky compared to AirPods Pro

First Impressions: The design stands out, but durability remains a question.

2. Sound Performance: Clear Audio but Not Perfect

Audio Quality

Driver: 11.6mm dynamic driver
Sound Signature: Balanced with slight bass emphasis
Clarity: Good mids and highs, but lacks depth compared to Sony XM5

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)

ANC Modes: Light, Maximum, and Adaptive
Effectiveness: Blocks 70-80% of low-frequency noise (weaker than Bose QC Earbuds II)

Transparency Mode

Works well for conversations but picks up wind noise

First Impressions: Good for casual listening, but audiophiles may want more refinement.

3. Battery Life & Features

Feature	Performance
Battery (Earbuds)	5 hrs (ANC on), 7 hrs (ANC off)
Case Charging	34 hrs total with case
Fast Charging	10 mins = 8 hrs playback
Wireless Charging	Supported (Qi-compatible)

Additional Features

Bluetooth 5.3: Stable connectivity
Touch Controls: Customizable via Nothing X app
Low Latency Mode (58ms): Good for gaming

First Impressions: Battery life is average, but fast charging helps.

4. How Does It Compare?

Feature	Nothing Ear (1) (₹21,999)	AirPods Pro 2 (₹24,900)	Sony WF-1000XM5 (₹29,990)
ANC	Good (80% noise reduction)	Excellent (90%)	Best-in-class (95%)
Battery	5 hrs (ANC on)	6 hrs (ANC on)	8 hrs (ANC on)
Sound	Balanced, decent bass	Spatial Audio, richer mids	Hi-Res, deep bass
Case	Transparent, wireless charging	MagSafe charging	Premium matte finish

Key Takeaway: Nothing Ear (1) is cheaper than rivals but compromises slightly on ANC and sound depth.

5. Pros & Cons

Pros

✔ Unique transparent design
✔ Good ANC for the price
✔ Lightweight & comfortable
✔ Fast charging & wireless support

Cons

✖ Bass could be punchier
✖ ANC not as strong as Sony/Bose
✖ Case feels less premium

6. Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?

Worth It If:

You love Nothing’s design philosophy
Need good ANC under ₹25,000
Prefer balanced sound over heavy bass

Skip If:

You prioritize best-in-class ANC (go for Sony XM5)
Want richer sound depth (consider Sennheiser Momentum TWS 3)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – A stylish, well-performing TWS, but not the best in sound or ANC.

Where to Buy & Pricing

Price: ₹21,999 (India)
Availability: Nothing Website, Flipkart, Amazon
Launch Offer: Free Nothing case (worth ₹1,999)

Author Profile

Sourashis Chanda

Author (Intern) at Bitlance Tech Hub Private Limited | [email protected]

Sourashis Chanda brings readers their unique perspective on Business, Economy, Health and Fitness. With a background in Health and Physical Fitness of 2years, I am dedicated to exploring [what they aim to achieve with their writing, on the sustainable Economy of the country, various pro tips about business, latest goverment news, with some tips in health are and Fitness.