Totally wireless earbuds (TWS) these days are about snug fits, being compact and coming with features like active noise cancellation (ANC) and transparency mode. But if you cast your mind back, TWS actually started out as something known mainly for its convenience. The first AirPods and even the most basic ones today, were simply about delivering a good audio experience in a convenient, and easy-to-use form factor. With the progress of technology, such basic TWS are getting increasingly rare to find, unless one heads to the extremely low-budget sections of the market, where accommodating extra features is a luxury. One can of course, go for the latest pair of AirPods, the AirPods (3rd Generation), but those will set you back by a sum of almost Rs 18,000, which might strike some as being a bit expensive for very basic TWS – you can in fact get their Pro siblings for a few thousand Rupees more for a much richer audio experience.
Fortunately, there is an alternative. And it just got even more affordable. In late 2022, Nothing, Carl Pei’s new venture, had released a pair of TWS that were very similar to the OG AirPods in design and functionality – the Nothing Ear (Stick) (review). While they came with some interesting design tweaks, they were at their core, essentially about convenience and ease of use, just like the first AirPods (review). When they were launched at Rs 8, 499, the Ear (Stick) TWS were criticised for being. too expensive, given their relatively limited feature set. However, the buds are now available for less than half their price at some retailers – we have seen them being sold at Rs 3,999. At that price, we think they are an absolute steal for someone who wants good, basic TWS with decent audio, minus too many bells and whistles, at an affordable price tag.
Looking as good as ever
Most unique-looking earbuds in the market (Express Photo)
They cut a very eye-catching package when they were launched and won the RedDot design award in 2023, and more than a year and a half later, the Nothing Ear (Stick) still looks very funky and nothing like anything in the TWS segment. Pun unintended. They come in a transparent cylindrical case, which was inspired by a lipstick. It opens like one too – you rotate the red top to access the two buds. The buds themselves are very striking with transparent stems inside which some circuitry is visible and white bulbous tops. The buds, like the original AirPods, are actually designed to hang from your ears and not go inside them. There are therefore no ear tips at all in the package. The right earbud has a tiny red dot on it and the left one has a white dot. It is a very striking design and with each bud being just a little over four grams in weight and the case about 46 grams, the Ear (Stick) is very easy to slip into a pocket and carry around.
The Ear (Stick) buds come with IP54 dust and water resistance, which makes them safe from splashes of water. They are very comfortable to wear, and while they do drop from the ear from time to time, they generally stay in place even during strenuous exercise routines and jogging sessions. They are on-ear rather than in-ear and are actually designed to let in some sound, rather than remove it altogether. Those who do not like buds that burrow into their ear canals will prefer their relatively more comfortable fit. But what really makes them special is their performance.
Very good sound, and effective controls (including volume)
While they miss out on ANC, they do offer good noise isolation (Express Photo)
The Ear (Stick) connect over Bluetooth and use the Nothing X app to connect with devices from other brands and work just as well with iPhones as with Android devices. They deliver very good, slightly bass-heavy sound through their 12.6 mm drivers, making them great for watching shows and action films and games, as well as listening to mainstream music. You also get a very good equaliser on the app, letting you adjust the frequency levels to suit your taste – you can choose from balanced, more bass, more treble, and voice and can even add a customised option.
The controls on the buds are simple and revolve around pinching and holding the stems of the buds – a single pinch will play or pause audio, and answer or end calls; a double pinch will take you to the next track or reject a call; and a triple pinch will take you to the previous track. In a very handy touch, pinching and holding the left bud will decrease volume, while doing the same on the right will increase it. There is no command assigned to a double pinch and hold, and we set it to invoke the assistant. The fact that the controls are on the stems rather than the buds themselves makes them easier to use without displacing the buds, which can happen in other TWS where the controls are on the outer part of the buds that are inside the ear, making them wobble every time we touch them.
No ANC, no problem, and super calling too
These earbuds can be compared to the OG AirPods (Express Photo)
While the Ear (Stick) does let in external sounds, we do not see this as a problem as it makes them perfect for use in areas where one has to be aware of one’s surroundings – such as running on the road, walking in the city or even working in an office, where one needs to hear one’s colleagues from time to time. The buds have a Noise Reduction option that reduces the impact of external noise (especially wind) but it is not really as good as ANC. So if you are looking for buds that totally drown out ambient sound, these are not for you.
On the other hand, if you want buds that handle calls very well and have good connectivity, then the Ear (Stick) are definitely for you. They handle calls very well indeed, and Bluetooth connectivity is so good that we have been able to handle calls with the phone in another room and a wall in between without any problems – a rarity in the sub-Rs 5,000 segment. The buds also come with very good ear detection – taking one out pauses the audio, and resumes it when you place it back. Add to this the ability to connect to different devices and switch between them and a battery life of about seven hours on the buds and 28 hours with the case (ten minutes of charging can also give you about 2 hours of listening!) and the Nothing Ear (Stick) at their new price, are an absolute blessing for those who want hands free calls with some smartness thrown into the mix.
From style icon to substantial bargain
With over 50 per cent discount, these earbuds offer excellent value proposition (Express Photo)
There will be some who will point out that one can get TWS with ANC, more features and battery life at the price of the Nothing Ear (Stick), but then ANC at these levels is seldom impressive, and the battery life of the Ear (Stick) is decent enough for most users. What’s more, the buds that seemed a little expensive at Rs 8,499 now punch well above their new price in the vicinity of Rs 4,000 – Rs 4,500, delivering a great mix of smart features and good performance. And they still look as insanely cool as ever. When launched, they did seem an expensive proposition and perhaps best suited for those who wanted a “different looking” pair of TWS, but at their reduced price, they score in terms of sheer ease of use and performance.
We have not often seen devices move from being fashion icons to functional supremos, but thanks to their price cuts, the Nothing Ear (Stick) have traversed that path in less than two years and done so without compromising on either design or performance. A word of advice: get them quickly if you are keen on them, as it is being rumoured that they will be taken off the stands soon, with Nothing all set to launch a new range of audio products.