The Nothing Ear 1 earbuds were launched with great hype and excitement as the first product from Nothing, the company founded by Carl Pei, co-founder of OnePlus. With its transparent design and collaboration with Teenage Engineering, the Ear 1 turned heads across the tech world. But after its success, Nothing followed up with the Nothing Ear Stick, an even bolder product that continues the brand’s transparent and minimal design philosophy.
So, which one should you buy in 2025 — the Nothing Ear Stick or Nothing Ear 1?
We’ve tested both: the Nothing Ear 1 (White Edition) for a month and the Nothing Ear Stick (Black Special Edition) for two weeks. Let’s compare them in detail to help you make the right choice.
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Nothing Ear Stick Vs Nothing Ear 1: Comparison Table
| Features | Nothing Ear Stick | Nothing Ear 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Launching Year | 2022 | 2021 |
| Brand | Nothing | Nothing |
| Model Name | Ear Stick | Ear 1 |
| Series | Nothing Earbuds | Nothing Earbuds |
| Online Price Range | ₹8,499 | ₹7,299 |
| Customer Ratings | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Design: Transparent Art Meets Practicality
Nothing Ear Stick
The Nothing Ear Stick immediately stands out with its distinctive design. Inspired by classic cosmetic silhouettes, its cylindrical case looks like a lipstick tube. It’s slim, pocket-friendly, and twists open with a satisfying click. The case features white and transparent plastic, giving it a futuristic aesthetic.
However, the design, while unique, has some drawbacks. The inner component, made of finely knurled white plastic, collects dirt easily and can be tough to clean. Over time, dust builds up between the clear shell and the white interior.
The earbuds themselves are made of smooth plastic and lack customizable silicone tips, which means they might not fit everyone comfortably. The rigid structure can shift slightly during long usage.
Despite these issues, the Ear Stick remains one of the most beautifully designed earbuds in the midrange segment — sleek, minimal, and instantly recognizable.
Nothing Ear 1
The Nothing Ear 1 set a new benchmark for design when it launched. Its transparent body shows off the internals partially, creating a clean industrial look. Each earbud features red and white dots to mark the right and left sides, while the charging case holds them magnetically in place.
The Ear 1’s case is bulkier than the Ear Stick but offers wireless charging and more battery capacity. Its three silicone ear tip sizes ensure a snug fit for different ear shapes, and the earbuds are lightweight (4.7g each). Plus, with an IPX4 water resistance rating, they’re perfect for gym and outdoor use.
Design Verdict:
- Ear Stick: Stylish but less practical.
- Ear 1: More comfortable and functional.
✅ Winner – Nothing Ear 1
Connectivity: Stable and Smart Pairing
Nothing Ear Stick
The Ear Stick uses Bluetooth 5.2 for stable connectivity. It supports SBC and AAC codecs and connects seamlessly to Android or iOS devices. Pairing is quick — just press the silver button to start pairing mode.
The improved Nothing X app gives users control over battery levels, EQ customization, and gesture settings. You can choose between four sound presets or tweak your own with a three-band EQ.
Nothing Ear 1
Similarly, the Nothing Ear 1 supports Bluetooth 5.2 and AAC/SBC codecs. It connects quickly, though Android users might find AAC performance slightly inconsistent compared to Apple devices.
The Nothing X app allows sound customization, ANC control, and firmware updates. While it lacks aptX or LDAC support, its stable connection makes it reliable for everyday use.
Connectivity Verdict:
Both offer strong, consistent Bluetooth connections with app integration.
🤝 Winner – Tie
Performance: Sound Signature and Microphone
Nothing Ear Stick
Switching from in-ear to semi-open earbuds changes the sound experience. The Ear Stick produces bright and detailed mids but lacks bass depth. The half-in-ear design allows ambient noise to leak in, which helps with awareness outdoors but affects immersion indoors.
Vocals sound crisp, but without silicone tips or ANC, isolation is limited. The microphone performance is decent for calls, but background noise can sometimes interfere, especially in loud environments.
Nothing Ear 1
The Ear 1 offers a balanced, fuller sound profile. Its bass is not overpowering, keeping the midrange clear and vocals natural. The inclusion of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) greatly enhances the experience, blocking out surrounding sounds effectively.
However, out of the box, the Ear 1 can sound slightly compressed. Fine-tuning through the Nothing X app helps open up the soundstage. Overall, its mix of clarity, balance, and ANC support makes it a better performer for most listeners.
Performance Verdict:
🎧 Winner – Nothing Ear 1 (better bass, ANC, and clarity)
Battery Life and Charging
| Feature | Nothing Ear Stick | Nothing Ear 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Playback per charge | 7 hours | 5 hours (with ANC off) |
| Case recharges | 3 times | 5 times |
| Charging type | USB-C (No wireless) | USB-C + Wireless |
| Total Battery Life | ~28 hours | ~34 hours |
Nothing Ear Stick
The Ear Stick offers 7 hours of playback on a single charge, which is quite good given it lacks ANC. The case provides three extra charges, totaling around 28 hours. However, there’s no wireless charging, only USB-C.
Nothing Ear 1
The Ear 1’s case can recharge the earbuds five times, and it supports wireless charging — a major convenience. Battery life drops slightly when ANC is enabled, but it’s still impressive overall.
Battery Verdict:
⚡ Winner – Nothing Ear 1
Comfort and Fit
The Nothing Ear 1 provides customizable silicone tips in three sizes, ensuring a snug and comfortable fit. You can wear them for long periods without discomfort.
In contrast, the Nothing Ear Stick’s rigid design looks stylish but might not fit all ear shapes properly. Extended listening sessions can require frequent readjustment.
Fit Verdict:
🦻 Winner – Nothing Ear 1
Noise Cancellation
This is where the Ear 1 shines. It comes with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), reducing up to 40 dB of background noise. The Ear Stick, however, lacks ANC completely, relying only on its open design for natural sound awareness.
If you commute or work in noisy environments, ANC is a must-have feature — and Ear 1 delivers it efficiently.
🔇 Winner – Nothing Ear 1
Microphone and Call Quality
The Nothing Ear Stick features a solid triple-mic setup, but its open design lets in external noise, affecting clarity during calls.
The Nothing Ear 1, equipped with Clear Voice Technology and better isolation, handles calls more effectively, minimizing background interference.
📞 Winner – Nothing Ear 1
App Support & Features
Both use the Nothing X app, offering equalizer settings, touch control customization, and battery monitoring.
However, the Ear 1 includes ANC and transparency mode controls, making it more feature-rich.
📱 Winner – Nothing Ear 1
Nothing Ear Stick Vs Nothing Ear 1: Quick Results
| Particulars | Nothing Ear Stick | Nothing Ear 1 | Which One Is Better? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | Good | Good | Any |
| Connectivity | Good | Good | Any |
| Sound Performance | Better (Lively mids) | Good (Balanced) | Nothing Ear Stick |
| Battery | Good | Good | Any |
| ANC Feature | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Nothing Ear 1 |
| Comfort | Average fit | Excellent fit | Nothing Ear 1 |
| Microphone | Decent | Clearer | Nothing Ear 1 |
| Value for Money | Stylish midrange | Practical choice | Nothing Ear 1 |
Pricing List (as of 2025)
| Model | Official Price (INR) | Amazon / Flipkart Discount Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing Ear Stick | ₹8,499 | ₹7,999 |
| Nothing Ear 1 | ₹7,299 | ₹6,499 |
| Replacement Ear Tips (Ear 1) | ₹299 | ₹249 |
| Charging Cable (USB-C) | ₹499 | ₹399 |
Final Verdict: Nothing Ear Stick Vs Nothing Ear 1
After using both models extensively, here’s the bottom line:
The Nothing Ear Stick is a visually stunning and uniquely designed pair of earbuds. Its cylindrical case feels premium, and its lightweight design is perfect for casual listening. However, the fit limitations, lack of ANC, and no wireless charging make it less appealing for everyday heavy use.
The Nothing Ear 1, on the other hand, combines beautiful design with practicality — offering better fit, sound quality, active noise cancellation, and wireless charging support. It’s the more complete and versatile option overall.
🎧 Our Recommendation: Go for Nothing Ear 1 if you want an all-rounder earbud with ANC and superior comfort.
💄 Choose Nothing Ear Stick only if you prioritize design aesthetics and light, open-ear listening comfort.
