The Nothing Ear (stick) Truly Wireless earbuds are a great alternative to AirPods for those who prefer the traditional earbud design without ear tips. Their open-ear design allows for excellent environmental awareness, although a noise suppression feature was added in a later update. For those prioritizing noise isolation, active noise cancellation (ANC) earbuds might be a better choice. Similar to AirPods, the Nothing Ear (stick) utilizes pressure-sensitive stems for controls, though they lack the sliding volume adjustment feature found on AirPods.
One significant advantage of the Nothing Ear (stick) is their affordability compared to Apple AirPods. Despite the price difference, these earbuds offer a comprehensive app for customizing the EQ, which can be helpful for boosting the relatively weak bass. Durability is also addressed with an IP54 rating for the buds and an IP55 rating for the case, protecting them from dust and water splashes. Battery life is comparable to the Apple AirPods (4th generation).
However, the Nothing Ear (stick) lacks Apple-specific features like the H1/H2 chip for seamless device switching within the iCloud ecosystem and Apple Spatial Audio. While the cylindrical case is visually distinctive, it’s less practical than the AirPods case due to its tendency to roll. On the other hand, the Nothing Ear (stick) boasts a superior microphone system for calls, outperforming AirPods in this aspect.
