I just tried Nothing’s new open-ear earbuds — and boy do they look funky

Nothing Ear (open) worn by Ryan Epps
(Image credit: Future)

It feels like every day a new set of earbuds are launching and Nothing's already on its third of the year with its Nothing Ear (open), a new concept designed for runners and athletes alike. 

As the name suggests, Nothing's newest release are among the swath of open-ear earbuds that are designed to fit around the ear while leaving enough room over the ear canal so wearer's can hear what's around them — hence why these come without ANC, unlike this year's Nothing Ear and Nothing Ear (a)

Packed within is one of the largest custom drivers built by Nothing yet on a 14.2mm size, which sits right behind the Nothing Ear (stick) and its 12.6mm custom driver. All the latest features — including pinch controls, low lag mode and advanced EQ — are present on the new design. 

Nothing claims the new buds are rated for up to eight hours of charge and its accompanying case adds an additional 30 hours on top. Both are also rated IP54 durability, perfect against sweat and light puddles. The Nothing Ear (open) is launching at $149 USD / $199 CAD / £129 GBP in the US, Canada, and UK come October 1. 

An open look with Nothing's pizzazz 

Nothing Ear (open) on blue background

(Image credit: Future)

There's something to be said about Nothing's bespoke design language and chic. While the new Nothing Ear (open) doesn't quite have that same transparent look as its two predecessors from earlier in the year, it's still a looker and sports a bulging metallic tip on the end of its ear flap for dual comfort and stability. 

Although ANC might be absent on the Nothing Ear (open), it still comes resplendent with a slew of assorted features like Nothing's AI-enhanced Clear Voice technology, which aims to reduce background noise and isolate your voice when on calls. Akin to many among the best wireless earbuds, pinch controls make a return on this new design. 

As the name implies, the Nothing Ear (open) also leverages Open Sound Technology. Nothing explains this as a "more immersive audio experience" without losing the sounds around you. That's perfect for runners who face traffic and pedestrians in the midst of a morning trot — which I must say, after trying myself, works quite well. 

Open-ear earbuds are somewhat similar to bone conduction headphones, which literally use the wearer's facial bones to transmit sound. While the Nothing Ear (open) won't be among the best bone conduction headphones, they certainly deliver where it counts on an 8-hour total charge and an IP54 durability rating. 

Nothing Ear (open) worn by Ryan Epps

(Image credit: Future)

While the fit is a bit awkward and loose to a degree, I never found the Nothing Ear (open) to fall out of my ears, which is the case on several alternative earbuds, like the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. These stayed firmly in my ear and the music was crisp and punchy despite not being fully set within my ear canal. 

We'll have to fully test these buds but they could land on our list of the best cheap wireless earbuds thanks to their $149 price. That sits at the same rate as the Nothing Ear launched earlier in the year and are just about $30 less than the newly announced Bose QuietComfort Buds.

And similar to their predecessors, the Nothing Ear (open) will also come equipped with ChatGPT, furthering the AI-fueled world of 2024 and beyond. Stick to Tom's Guide for a full review of the Nothing Ear (open) as well as a deeper look into its AI chops as we did with the Nothing Ear ChatGPT integration.

The Nothing Ear (open) preorders are set to launch today on Nothing's storefront. You can scoop up a pair in stores come October 1 for US, Canada, and UK regions with European availability starting on October 7.

More from Tom's Guide

Ryan Epps
Staff Writer

Ryan Epps is a Staff Writer under the TV/AV section at Tom's Guide focusing on TVs and projectors. When not researching PHOLEDs and writing about the next major innovation in the projector space, he's consuming random anime from the 90's, playing Dark Souls 3 again, or reading yet another Haruki Murakami novel. 

Read more
Honor Earbuds Open
I'm a big open-ear skeptic — but these new wireless earbuds just changed my mind
Photograph of the Anker Soundcore C40i earbuds
I just tested these $99 open wireless earbuds and they're amazing for the price
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds with Tom's Guide Price Drop badge
This massive Bose Ultra Open earbuds deal saves you $50
Final ZE3000 SV ANC
The best audio brand you've never heard of just launched an AirPods 4 rival for half the price
Shokz OpenFit 2
I ran, cycled and worked out with the Shokz OpenFit 2 — here’s my verdict
Shokz OpenFit 2
Shokz just announced the OpenFit 2 at CES 2025 — here are the 4 updates I'm most excited about
Latest in Audio
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
There are some great updates coming to the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro — but you probably won't be able to get them
Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro
WiFi earbuds are real and they're coming — but they won't replace your AirPods just yet
the black shure movemic 88+ for phone-first content creation, with wireless bluetooth connection and a receiver for camera connection
I just tested the ultimate wireless mic for on-the-go TikTokers and content creators
Honor Earbuds Open
I'm a big open-ear skeptic — but these new wireless earbuds just changed my mind
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones being held up in front of urban building with price drop badge
Save $100 on Bose's flagship noise canceling headphones — QuietComfort Ultra headphones slashed to $329 at Amazon
Black and ecru (off-white) color versions against a office window
New Sony XM6 leak reveals what colors to expect — here's everything we know
Latest in News
close-up on cameras in a leaked Google Pixel 9a render
Google Pixel 9a rumors — what Google’s planning as the iPhone 16e and Nothing Phone 3a ramp up the pressure
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Thursday, March 6 (#634)
Galaxy Z Fold 6 shown in hand
Samsung just killed the crease with this breakthrough foldable phone display
Sam Altman
ChatGPT-4.5 delayed in surprise announcement — and it could launch with a controversial new payment model
Green skull on smartphone screen.
Over 1 million Android devices infected with password-stealing, pre-installed botnet malware — how to stay safe
Switch 2 console and logo
Nintendo Switch 2 — analyst just tipped release window