Review | Nothing Ear Stick wireless earbuds review: Apple AirPods rival’s comfortable open-ear design produces crisp mids and highs, but lacks decent bass
- Transparent earbuds are stylish, cost half as much as standard AirPods, and will last for seven hours on a single charge
- Their open-ear design makes them more comfortable, but they don’t block ambient sounds, and the bass is lacking punch
If the first set of wireless earbuds from Nothing, Ear 1 released in 2021, was meant to be an alternative to Apple’s AirPods Pro, then the UK-based start-up’s latest buds, the Ear Stick, are aimed at the non-Pro AirPods.
Design and hardware
The Nothing Ear Stick features an attention-grabbing transparent design that’s been a signature look for the company headed by OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei.
The case has a revolving-door-like covering that can be twisted open. The twisting action offers satisfying tactile resistance, and an audible click when the case is fully opened or closed.
The earbuds use a design known as “open ear”, meaning they sit in the concha [the cavity next to the ear canal] of the wearer’s ears, but outside the ear canal – the way standard AirPods fit. This design is generally considered more comfortable than in-ear earbuds like the AirPods Pro or Nothing’s Ear 1. It helps that the Ear Stick buds are light at 4.4g each.
The open-ear design means the buds do not block out sound at all, unlike in-ear buds that naturally block out ambient noise because their silicon tips provide a seal around our ear canal.
Nothing reps say the Ear Stick earbuds are not replacements or successors to the Ear 1, but rather companions. Consumers decide whether they want the in-ear or open ear fit, and the pros and cons each brings.
Software and features
The Ear Stick houses a custom-built 12.6mm driver, with three microphones for phone calls or summoning Google Assistant. At the edge of each stem is a touch-sensitive panel for controlling music playback and volume.
