# Nothing Ear 3

- Source: https://stierproducts.com/products/nothing-ear-3
- Category board: https://stierproducts.com/categories/earbuds
- Placement: #12 of 24 in Earbuds, C tier
- Brand: Nothing
- LP on this board: 499
- Last researched: 2026-09-10T04:49:00.172Z
- Method: https://stierproducts.com/methodology
- Dataset: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22062813 - every board at once, one dated snapshot per release, same licence, prices and photographs left out
- Reuse: Text, rankings, tier assignments, LP values and verdicts are free to quote and reuse with attribution to stierproducts and a link to the source URL (CC BY 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Product photographs are not covered: they belong to their respective owners and are reproduced to illustrate the product being reviewed. Do not redistribute them under this licence.

## Verdict

RTINGS' current mid-range pick, a genuine consensus slot in the most measurement-driven guide.

## For

- RTINGS' mid-range pick, slotted directly beneath the Sony flagship
- Strong endorsement from the most lab-driven outlet in the field
- Cheaper alternative that could sound better than AirPods Pro 3
- Pitched as 'The AirPods Pro 3 Killer'

## Against

- Comes with trade-offs
- Confusing lineage (Ear, Ear 2, Ear, Ear A, now Ear 3)
- Support is mostly one high-profile video

## Evidence

Consolidated from 71 cited sources across 57 outlets

| Outlet | Said by | Stance | Link | Link status |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Tom's Guide | tomsguide.com | B | https://www.tomsguide.com/audio/earbuds/nothing-ear-3-review | fetched and confirmed |
| RTINGS | - | B | https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/best/by-type/truly-wireless-earbuds | fetched and confirmed |
| HardwareZone Singapore | Cheryl Tan | B | https://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/lifestyle/audio/nothing-ear-3-singapore-price-specs-audio-battery-life-microphone | fetched and confirmed |
| How-To Geek | Nick Lewis | C | https://www.howtogeek.com/nothing-ear-3-review/ | fetched and confirmed |
| r/Earbuds | u/LevyOUT | D | https://www.reddit.com/r/Earbuds/comments/1papnxa/nothing_ear_3_honest_review/ | fetched and confirmed |
| SoundGuys | Adam Birney | B | https://www.soundguys.com/nothing-ear-3-review-144486/ | fetched and confirmed |
| SoundGuys | SoundGuys | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ab9KE39iAgY | fetched and confirmed |
| the Guardian | theguardian.com | B | https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/oct/23/nothing-ear-3-review-good-looking-earbuds-with-super-mic-party-trick | fetched and confirmed |
| Aaron x Loud and Wireless | matthew tjen | B | https://www.loudnwireless.com/blog/nothing-ear-3-review-vs-airpods-pro-3-bose-sony-nothing-ear-2024- | fetched and confirmed |
| PCMag Middle East | me.pcmag.com | C | https://me.pcmag.com/en/headphones/33993/nothing-ear-3 | fetched and confirmed |
| Digital Reviews Network | Kevin Cheng | C | https://www.digitalreviews.net/reviews/audio/nothing-ear-3-review-super-mic-audio-australia/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Son-Vidéo.com: blog | Victor | B | https://blog.son-video.com/en/2025/10/nothing-ear-3-review-can-these-earbuds-bury-the-airpods/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Phonearena | phonearena.com | C | https://www.phonearena.com/reviews/nothing-ear-3-review_id7685 | fetched and confirmed |
| CNET | cnet.com | C | https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/nothings-new-ear-3-buds-had-me-talking-to-my-hand-which-is-kind-of-weird/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Trusted Reviews | Cam Bunton | B | https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/nothing-ear-3 | fetched and confirmed |
| Stuff | Tom Morgan-Freelander | C | https://www.stuff.tv/review/nothing-ear-3-review/ | fetched and confirmed |
| GSMArena.com | Michail | C | https://www.gsmarena.com/nothing_ear_3_review-news-70036.php | fetched and confirmed |
| Reviews.org | Fergus Halliday | C | https://www.reviews.org/au/technology/nothing-ear-3-review/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Alex Reviews Tech | Alex Kidman | C | https://alexreviewstech.com/nothing-ear-3-review-a-different-style-but-is-that-enough/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Flossy Carter | Flossy Carter | - | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMy_ouPL-n0 | fetched and confirmed |
| ShortCircuit | ShortCircuit | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-wLRCGj6o0 | fetched and confirmed |
| This is Tech Today | This is Tech Today | - | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UR69q1sx0qc | fetched and confirmed |
| Ho Young Won | Ho Young Won | - | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BitKPwyXKKQ | fetched and confirmed |
| Chilled Fossil | Chilled Fossil | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmQqTej8Uxc | fetched and confirmed |
| Product Feedback | Product Feedback | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5YJItXRsWE | fetched and confirmed |
| RichMe | RichMe | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHcg4tUdVSw | fetched and confirmed |
| Aaron X Loud and Wireless | Aaron X Loud and Wireless | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RrDiZp135o | fetched and confirmed |
| TecH MoE | TecH MoE | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oy3JxfvqUDw | fetched and confirmed |
| Product Feedback | Product Feedback | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5pX8rMxl7Y | fetched and confirmed |
| Picky Audio | Picky Audio | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh_Dd-tDw1o | fetched and confirmed |
| SoundGuys | SoundGuys | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVkpeHDAM3c | fetched and confirmed |
| SoundGuys | SoundGuys | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GO1pjAC_yo | fetched and confirmed |
| Audio Zone | Audio Zone | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDxONKFlXaU | fetched and confirmed |
| Tech Bandicoot | Tech Bandicoot | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqTB-Ggj6qo | fetched and confirmed |
| Brian MacDuff | Brian MacDuff | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kof52QcSE1E | fetched and confirmed |
| Best IEM | Best IEM | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pffcD9QdY0 | fetched and confirmed |
| Jeff Springer | Jeff Springer | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm3CT_wY6ks | fetched and confirmed |
| LeechTM | LeechTM | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7YyZV-ovl8 | fetched and confirmed |
| Mike O'Brien | Mike O'Brien | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2N3_57yY9k | fetched and confirmed |
| Aaron X Loud and Wireless | Aaron X Loud and Wireless | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTTQskAInY8 | fetched and confirmed |
| 13 Galaxy | 13 Galaxy | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JLDZ7ALpmU | fetched and confirmed |
| Topes de Gama | Topes de Gama | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBeoKQM58dI | fetched and confirmed |
| Now & Then Tech | Now & Then Tech | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7iAiyZD4KQ | fetched and confirmed |
| Matthew Manuel Reviews | Matthew Manuel Reviews | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJs0UxJeaP8 | fetched and confirmed |
| RAIN's AUDIO LAB | RAIN's AUDIO LAB | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxuujsTXLdw | fetched and confirmed |
| Tagmond Tech | Tagmond Tech | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCJQOMFYNzw | fetched and confirmed |
| Now & Then Tech | Now & Then Tech | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7oe6pLvXx8 | fetched and confirmed |
| TechTalk | TechTalk | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LXI9ytIcBc | fetched and confirmed |
| r/NothingTech | u/uspigcar | D | https://www.reddit.com/r/NothingTech/comments/1ukg9ti/nothing_ear_2_problem_literally_fell_apart_and/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Pcmag | James Peckham | B | https://www.pcmag.com/news/nothing-wants-you-to-speak-into-the-charging-case-for-its-new-earbuds | fetched and confirmed |
| T3 | t3.com | C | https://www.t3.com/tech/earbuds/nothing-ear-3a-review | fetched and confirmed |
| Nine.com.au | nine.com.au | C | https://www.nine.com.au/shopping/technology/nothing-ear-3-review-pros-cons-are-they-worth-it-latest-earbuds-everything-to-know-20251021-p5rnqj.html | fetched and confirmed |
| T3 | t3.com | D | https://www.t3.com/tech/earbuds/nothing-ear-3-earbuds-hands-on | fetched and confirmed |
| Irish Examiner | Noel Campion | B | https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/technology/arid-41724234.html | fetched and confirmed |
| Tom's Guide | tomsguide.com | B | https://www.tomsguide.com/audio/earbuds/nothing-ear-3-vs-airpods-pro-3-vs-airpods-4 | fetched and confirmed |
| ZDNET | Nina Raemont | - | https://www.zdnet.com/article/i-replaced-my-airpods-with-these-nothing-earbuds-and-dont-regret-it/ | fetched and confirmed |
| MakeUseOf | Brady Snyder | B | https://www.makeuseof.com/i-sound-better-on-calls-and-meetings-thanks-to-these-earbuds-and-their-hidden-trick/ | fetched and confirmed |
| SoundGuys | SoundGuys | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhN15-Cr-xk | fetched and confirmed |
| TechRadar | techradar.com | B | https://www.techradar.com/audio/earbuds-airpods/nothing-ear-3-review | fetched and confirmed |
| WellPlayed | Zach Jackson | C | https://www.well-played.com.au/nothing-ear-3-review/ | fetched and confirmed |
| SoundGuys | SoundGuys | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq_JvYmh29A | fetched and confirmed |
| SoundGuys | Dave Carr | B | https://www.soundguys.com/nothing-ear-3-vs-nothing-ear-2024-should-you-upgrade-145259/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Mike O'Brien | Mike O'Brien | - | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiwyZghy378 | fetched and confirmed |
| Carl Yates - Thoughts on Tech | Carl Yates - Thoughts on Tech | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ByQtLRUEa0 | fetched and confirmed |
| TechMishka | TechMishka | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfRrFZ8N71g | fetched and confirmed |
| TK Bay | TK Bay | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39JJa5-sIkU | fetched and confirmed |
| Septien Patterson | Septien Patterson | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZocH8P4OUQ | fetched and confirmed |
| Beebom | Beebom | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PpX5QaBPJg | fetched and confirmed |
| Ho Young Won | Ho Young Won | - | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZW5U7itYG4Y | fetched and confirmed |
| Alex Kidman | Alex Kidman | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh3CX7lJiAQ | fetched and confirmed |
| EL JEFE REVIEWS | EL JEFE REVIEWS | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPlLfpyGE5o | fetched and confirmed |

## Nearest alternatives on this board

| Rank | Product | Tier | Page |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 7 | 7Hz Salnotes Zero | A | https://stierproducts.com/products/7hz-salnotes-zero |
| 8 | EarFun Air Pro 4 | A | https://stierproducts.com/products/earfun-air-pro-4 |
| 9 | Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro | B | https://stierproducts.com/products/anker-soundcore-liberty-5-pro |
| 10 | Nothing Ear | B | https://stierproducts.com/products/nothing-ear |
| 11 | Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro | C | https://stierproducts.com/products/samsung-galaxy-buds-4-pro |
| 13 | Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 | C | https://stierproducts.com/products/google-pixel-buds-pro-2 |
| 14 | Roseselsa Ceramics Ultra | C | https://stierproducts.com/products/roseselsa-ceramics-ultra |
| 15 | Sony LinkBuds Fit | C | https://stierproducts.com/products/sony-linkbuds-fit |
| 16 | Sony WF-C710N | C | https://stierproducts.com/products/sony-wf-c710n |
| 17 | Anker Soundcore Space A40 | C | https://stierproducts.com/products/anker-soundcore-space-a40 |

The full board is at https://stierproducts.com/categories/earbuds.

## What this tier means

- C: Fair. Acceptable in the right situation, outclassed at its price.

## How to read this

- Each category is researched in four independent runs, one per lens (expert consensus, value, reliability, community pulse). Every run ranks a board of candidates that deliberately includes products buyers cross-shop but should avoid. Placements score on a ranked ladder (LP), and tiers are derived from LP, so no tier is ever assigned by hand.
- LP is this product's points on its own category ladder. It is comparable within a category and not across categories.
- Link status reports what our pre-publication link check found when it fetched the cited URL. It says nothing about the quality of the review.
- A citation with no usable link is listed rather than dropped, and is excluded from the counted total above.

## Image

https://stspimgdevmfyk46r5vwkay.blob.core.windows.net/images/products/nothing-ear-3.webp

Product photographs are not covered: they belong to their respective owners and are reproduced to illustrate the product being reviewed. Do not redistribute them under this licence.