True Wireless
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)
84Great
$125
Full review dataApple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) vs Nothing Ear (a): which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) - Great overall at around $125.
True Wireless
Nothing Ear (a)
78Great
$80
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)
Sound8.5
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery7.5
Calls8.0
Value7.5
Nothing Ear (a)
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling7.5
Battery8.5
Calls8.0
Value8.5
Specifications
| Spec | Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) | Nothing Ear (a) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $125 | $80 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2022 | 2024 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 11 mm | 11 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 16 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 9.5 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 5.5 h |
| Battery incl. case | 30 h | 42.5 h |
| Quick charge | - | 10 min = 10 h (ANC off) |
| Wireless charging | Yes | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | Yes |
| ANC type | adaptive | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | No | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | No |
| Controls | both | touch |
| Voice assistant | Siri | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 10.6 g | 4.8 g |
| Case weight | 50.8 g | 39.6 g |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IP54 |
| Foldable | No | - |
| Detachable cable | No | - |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Call noise reduction | - | Clear Voice Technology 3.0 |
What reviewers said
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)
These wireless earbuds deliver strong active noise cancellation and a natural-sounding transparency mode, making them a solid pick for Apple users. With around 6 hours of playback per charge and a case that boosts total listening time to 30 hours, they offer dependable daily use. The IP54 rating adds some protection against sweat and splashes, while Bluetooth 5.3 ensures a stable connection for most devices.
- Pro:Excellent active noise cancellation
- Pro:Natural transparency mode for ambient awareness
- Pro:Decent battery life with case
- Con:No multipoint connection
- Con:Limited to AAC codec
- Con:No custom EQ in app
Nothing Ear (a)
The Nothing Ear (a) is a budget-friendly true wireless pair that delivers a warm, immersive sound signature and a distinctive design. It offers a robust feature set for the price, including adaptive ANC, LDAC support, and strong battery life, though its controls and multipoint connectivity can be finicky. Overall, it's a compelling everyday option for those seeking style and solid performance without breaking the bank.
- Pro:Warm, immersive sound
- Pro:Excellent battery life with case
- Pro:Adaptive ANC and transparency mode
- Con:Tricky touch controls
- Con:Multipoint connection issues on Android
- Con:Case lacks wireless charging
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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