Nothing Ear (3) headphones are now significantly cheaper! They impress with their design and ANC, plus they have great ratings

Nothing Ear (3) headphones adhere to the brand’s unconventional style and boast very good features. Now you can get them at the lowest price they’ve ever been sold for on Alza. Instead of 3,799 CZK, they will cost 3,299 CZK, while at launch they cost much more.

Quick summary:
✅ Makes sense if you want stylish headphones with excellent build quality, LDAC support, and a well-designed app with EQ.
⚠️ Consider that ANC effectiveness varies significantly in reviews and that the sound is inherently bass-heavy, although tunable via the app.
💡 At 3,299 CZK, this is the lowest price on Alza; compared to the launch price of 4,499 CZK, you save 1,200 CZK.

Why these headphones are interesting

These Nothing headphones target people who want to stand out from the crowd of bland earbuds while not compromising on features. The main distinguishing feature is the iconic transparent design, which this time is complemented by a recycled aluminum case, giving it a more premium feel than previous generations. Inside, a 12mm dynamic driver powers the sound, and the headphones rely on LDAC codec support for higher-quality wireless transmission, which is a nice bonus at this price point. For 3,299 CZK, you primarily get style and a solid technical foundation.

Key parameters explained simply

Connectivity is handled by Bluetooth 5.4 with low latency (gaming mode around 110 ms), making them suitable for movies and gaming, not just music. The headphones support fast pairing on Android, Windows, and iOS, and through the Nothing X app, you can adjust the equalizer, ANC, and transparency mode. An interesting new feature is the “Super Mic” directly in the case, designed to improve call clarity in noisy environments when holding the case near your mouth. IP54 dust and splash resistance means you can confidently take them outdoors and for sports.

For battery life, you need to read the numbers carefully. The advertised 38 hours with the case applies without ANC enabled; the earbuds themselves can last up to 10 hours. However, once you turn on noise cancellation, battery life decreases to approximately 5.5 hours for the earbuds and about 22 hours with the case. On the other hand, fast charging is a welcome feature, with ten minutes in the case adding about ten hours of listening, as is wireless charging for the case in addition to USB-C.

Practical aspects: controls, app, comfort

According to users, the Nothing X app is a strong point. It offers a detailed equalizer with the option to import profiles via QR code, allowing you to fine-tune the sound to your preference or according to reviewer settings. This is important because the headphones are inherently tuned to a V-shape, meaning emphasized bass and treble. Those who don’t like this will appreciate the EQ. The headphones fit well in the ears, and the package includes a set of ear tips in various sizes; a proper seal is crucial here (also related to ANC effectiveness).

Controls are managed by haptic gestures on the headphones, along with wear detection and dual connection to two devices. However, persistent minor issues emerge here: some users complain about sensitive gestures that react even to face touches, loud audio indicators, and occasionally slower Bluetooth pairing. These are not major flaws but details that Nothing has carried over from previous generations.

What users say

The headphones have a rating of 4.8 out of 5 from 32 reviews on Alza, are recommended by 94% of customers, and have a low return rate (2.07%). However, the reviews are frankly mixed and worth reading. Most often, people praise the build quality, beautiful case, well-designed app with EQ, and the overall cohesive experience. Several users summarize that while the Ear (3) doesn’t excel in any single feature, as a balanced package, it’s hard to find better at this price.

The criticism is specific and fair to mention. The most controversy surrounds active noise cancellation: while one user writes that only background hum remains on the subway, another claims that ANC is practically ineffective on public transport. Much depends on the ear tip seal, but expect that ANC is not its main strength. Repeatedly, there’s also mention of bass-heavy tuning and, from several brand fans, that the price/performance ratio is worse than the previous generation. Those primarily concerned with noise cancellation will find better options for similar money; those who want style and tunable sound will be satisfied.

When it doesn’t make sense

If the strongest ANC for airplanes and public transport is your priority, you should rather look for headphones focused on noise cancellation, as this is a weaker, inconsistent aspect here. Similarly, if you want the best price/performance ratio from Nothing, consider the cheaper Nothing Ear (a) for 1,990 CZK, which many users consider a more valuable purchase. And if you dislike bass-heavy sound and don’t want to deal with an equalizer, be aware that without adjustments in the app, the bass might seem excessive. However, for those seeking design, build quality, and tunable sound with LDAC, this price remains attractive.

Verdict: who it’s worth it for

Nothing Ear (3) are stylish and well-built headphones with tunable sound, offering LDAC, a well-designed app, an aluminum case with Super Mic, and IP54 resistance for 3,299 CZK instead of 3,799 CZK, at the lowest price on Alza (compared to the launch price of 4,499 CZK, you save 1,200 CZK). However, they are not without compromises: ANC is controversial and the default tuning is bass-heavy. If you are mainly attracted by the look, build quality, and the ability to fine-tune the sound via EQ, the current price is a good opportunity. Those primarily seeking noise cancellation or the best value for money, should also consider alternatives.

For headphones, is effective noise cancellation more important to you, or style and the ability to customize the sound to your liking?