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Image © AmazonNothing Ear 3a
At a glance
- Brand
- Nothing
- Type
- True Wireless
- Fit
- -
- Connection
- Wireless
- Noise cancelling
- Yes
- Released
- 2026
Score breakdownoutstanding overall
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling8.0
Battery8.5
Calls7.1
Value9.4
REVIEW: The Nothing Ear 3a is a great wireless earphone under $100 with bassy sound and the option to record sounds and phone calls. Test vs Nothing Ear a, OnePlus Buds 4, Redmi, and Realme.
The HearWiki takeAI-condensed
The Nothing Ear 3a earbuds deliver a bass-forward, engaging sound signature in a comfortable, lightweight design. With adaptive noise cancellation, clear call quality, and a robust feature set including LDAC and multipoint, they offer strong all-around value for the price. The companion app adds useful extras like sound recording and call capture, making these a versatile pick for everyday use.
What works
- Engaging bassy sound
- Effective adaptive ANC
- Clear call quality with 6 mics
- Comfortable and lightweight fit
- Feature-rich companion app
What doesn't
- No wireless charging
- Battery life drops to 6 hours with ANC
- Average build quality for the price
Paraphrased from published reviews & specs - not an original hands-on test. Our AI disclosure.
Specifications
| Driver | 12 mm dynamic |
|---|---|
| Driver type | dynamic |
| Driver size | 12 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 40 kHz |
| Sound signature | bass-heavy |
| Impedance | 32 Ω |
Audio
| Driver | 12 mm dynamic |
|---|---|
| Driver type | dynamic |
| Driver size | 12 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 40 kHz |
| Sound signature | bass-heavy |
| Impedance | 32 Ω |
Wireless
| Bluetooth | 6.0 |
|---|---|
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes |
| Wireless range | 15 m |
Battery
| Battery life | 10 h |
|---|---|
| Battery life (ANC on) | 6 h |
| Battery incl. case | 42 h |
| Full charge time | 60 min |
| Quick charge | 5 min → 1 h |
| Wireless charging | No |
Features
| Active noise cancelling | Yes |
|---|---|
| ANC type | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes |
| Custom EQ | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes |
| Controls | touch |
| Voice assistant | ChatGPT |
Design
| Weight | 4.5 g |
|---|---|
| Case weight | 40.9 g |
| Water resistance | IP54 |
| USB-C | Yes |
Calls
| Microphones | 6 |
|---|---|
| Call noise reduction | Yes |
| Call NR technology | AI ENC |
Where to buy
Retailers we matched to this exact model. Prices are periodic snapshots - the link always opens the retailer's current listing.
What the reviews said
3 source(s) feeding this product's score.
What YouTube reviewers say
Video reviews we found, each condensed to its verdict. They do feed the HearWiki score, at a measured weight below what a published written review carries.
14:53Nothing ear 3a - Too Good for $99
The reviewer finds the Nothing Ear 3a to be an exceptional value at $99, offering impressive sound quality, strong ANC, and a unique call-recording feature that sets it apart. While there are minor drawbacks like no wireless charging and a less clean transparency mode, the overall performance and customization options make these earbuds a top recommendation for most people.
PositiveWatch on YouTube
6:16Nothing Ear (3) vs. Nothing Ear (3a): There's a clear winner!
The reviewer compares the Nothing Ear (3) and Ear (3a), finding both to be solid earbuds with similar sound, ANC, and features. The Ear (3a) is the clear value pick at $99, offering slightly better battery life and a bassier sound, while the Ear (3) is the better overall set due to clearer audio, super mic, and bone conduction, but the gap is small.
MixedWatch on YouTube
16:33NEW! Nothing Ear (3a) RANKED
The reviewer finds the Nothing Ear (3a) a solid upgrade over the previous Ear (a) with improved comfort, battery, and call quality, but criticizes significant firmware bugs like an extreme EQ shift when toggling noise canceling and overly loud mode-switch sounds, which dampen the overall experience in a competitive budget market.
MixedWatch on YouTube
10:09Nothing Ear (3a) Review: Almost there...
The reviewer finds the Nothing Ear 3a to be a solid budget option with good features and future-proofing, but notes that the out-of-the-box sound is overly bassy and lacks clarity. However, the sound can be easily improved using the app's equalizer, making the earbuds a worthwhile purchase for $99.
MixedWatch on YouTube
Summaries are AI condensations of each video's own conclusion, not transcripts. Titles, thumbnails and view counts belong to their channels.
What owners say
A sample of buyer reviews, quoted as written. They aren't verified and they don't feed the HearWiki score - that comes from published reviews only.
via Amazon customer reviews
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Where it sits in our rankings
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