Compare Nothing Ear (a) Earbuds vs Edifier NeoBuds Planar Earbuds

ANC is consistently rated as very good for $99: strong enough for commuting, offices, and travel, but still a step below the very best premium earbuds. The ANC controls are a plus, with multiple levels and adaptive behavior giving users more flexibility than many earbuds at this price.

ANC is consistently described as effective or good, though several reviewers say rivals can block more noise and sub-bass rumble.

Android users get extra upside from features like Fast Pair and LDAC, making the Ear (a) a particularly good value outside closed ecosystems.

Android support is strong through Google Fast Pair and Android-accessible hi-res codec advantages, with multiple reviewers calling this out.

Nothing X is widely praised for being clean, stable, and genuinely useful rather than filler software, adding meaningful value to the overall package.

The Connex app is feature-rich and often praised as usable or intuitive, but one review found it ugly and another found parts of the UX clumsy.

aptX support is a strength, with reviewers repeatedly noting aptX Adaptive or aptX Lossless as part of the codec package.

Video and gaming latency are treated positively, with reviewers citing Game Mode, low latency, or fine video latency.

Bass is energetic and satisfying, with enough weight for pop and hip-hop, but the default tuning can lean bass-heavy until you dial it back in the app.

Bass impressions are split: several reviewers found bass light or lacking punch, while others reported strong, deep, or punchy bass with the right fit or tuning.

Battery life is a clear plus overall, especially with ANC off, and most reviewers found the case and quick top-ups easy to live with day to day.

Battery life is generally average to mediocre for the price, despite some reviewers noting acceptable totals or better-than-claimed playback.

Bluetooth stability is mostly solid, but there are scattered reports of stutters in interference-heavy areas, so reliability is good rather than flawless.

Bluetooth 5.4 is repeatedly noted and generally treated as a modern connectivity strength.

General build quality is good enough for the price, but the clear plastics and case finish draw some concern about scratches, creaks, and long-term wear.

Build quality is mostly viewed as solid or well made, though one reviewer criticized the plastic casing as cheap-looking.

Reviewers strongly support the hi-res playback side through Hi-Res certification and LDAC, LHDC, and lossless-capable codec support; no review specifically evaluates a DAC.

Physical controls are customizable and often reliable, but reviewers also mention a learning curve, weak squeeze feel, or slower response.

The case is generally liked for its smaller footprint and pocketability, though some reviewers found it fiddly to open, awkward to load, or prone to cosmetic wear.

Case feedback is mixed: some reviewers liked its robust, compact, or pocketable feel, while others called it ugly or chunky.

Charging is convenient thanks to fast USB-C top-ups, but the missing wireless charging is one of the most repeated compromises in the reviews.

Charging is a clear strength because reviewers repeatedly cite wireless or Qi charging alongside USB-C/wired charging.

Codec support is strong for the price, covering AAC and SBC broadly while also adding LDAC for higher-quality Android listening.

Codec support is one of the strongest consensus positives, repeatedly described as broad, exhaustive, or covering nearly every major hi-res codec.

Long-session comfort is one of the most consistently praised traits, with reviewers repeatedly calling the earbuds easy to wear for hours without fatigue.

Long-use comfort is generally positive, with several reviewers wearing them for hours or all day; one found comfort only medium.

Design is a major selling point: the transparent Nothing look feels distinctive, stylish, and far less generic than most earbuds in this price band.

Design opinions are divided between modern, futuristic, or individual styling and comments that the look is unattractive or an acquired taste.

Fit depends heavily on getting a proper seal; many reviewers achieved secure fits, but some noted seal loss or size sensitivity.

The included tip selection works for most listeners, but the fit options are not especially expansive, so very small ears may need more trial and error.

Ear tip options are strong, with multiple reviews noting wide sizing from extra small through extra large or several included pairs.

EQ options are helpful and easy to use, but customization depth is limited versus pricier models because the Ear (a) relies on a simpler 3-band approach.

EQ customization is powerful on paper, but reviewers are split because some liked the adjustable bands while others found the EQ limited or not very responsive.

Find My is a small but appreciated bonus that makes the feature set feel unusually complete for budget earbuds.

The app includes a find-my-earbuds beep feature, but evidence is limited to one review.

Frequency response and tonal accuracy are generally praised for detail and balance through mids and treble, while bass weight remains the main caveat.

Included accessories are solid, with reviewers noting multiple ear tips plus items such as a USB-C cable, pouch, or extra case cover.

Where instrument separation was discussed, the Ear (a) performed well, making layered parts and small details easier to pick out than expected for budget buds.

Instrument separation is a major strength, with reviewers repeatedly praising clean track separation, detail retrieval, and precise layering.

The integrated mic array is well documented, usually as three mics per bud or six total, though call performance varies by environment.

LDAC support is a real differentiator in this segment and repeatedly mentioned as one reason the Ear (a) feels more premium than its price suggests.

LDAC support is repeatedly confirmed and is part of the broader hi-res codec strength.

Lossless support is strong, with several reviewers citing aptX Lossless or hi-res lossless transmission.

Voice isolation can be impressively effective in some tests, yet reviewer consensus is more mixed once wind and heavier background noise enter the picture.

Microphone noise reduction is mixed: some reviewers heard good background or wind handling, while others called reduction spotty or said it struggled in a cafe simulation.

Call quality is usually clear enough for everyday use, but it is not universally excellent, with some reviews reporting compressed or only average-sounding calls outdoors.

Call quality ranges from clear and coherent to quiet, processed, or merely decent depending on conditions.

When reviewers called out the mids, they usually praised clear vocals and an open midrange, though the tuning is still more fun than strictly neutral.

Midrange and vocals are mostly clear and detailed, though one review noted vocals sometimes dipped in the mix.

Cross-platform behavior is a quiet strength, with reviewers liking that the core experience works well across Android, iPhone, and PC instead of favoring one ecosystem too heavily.

Multi-platform support is supported by Android/iOS app availability and broad chip/device compatibility, though evidence is narrower than for codecs.

Multipoint is a standout convenience feature here, with most reviews praising smooth two-device switching, though a few noticed occasional prioritization hiccups.

Multipoint is widely supported and often works well, but one review reported having to switch devices manually and another noted high-res limitations.

Passive isolation gets limited but positive support, with one review describing decent isolation with a proper fit.

Portability is positive where mentioned, with reviewers calling the package compact or the case pocketable; foldability is not relevant to this earbud form factor.

Preset EQ quality is generally usable, especially Dynamic or Electrostatic, but reviewers do not treat the presets as universally ideal.

Case light color customization is repeatedly noted, usually as eight-color or LED customization rather than lighting on the buds themselves.

In-ear detection and related sensor-based conveniences add polish, though fit sensitivity can occasionally trigger false pauses until the tips are dialed in.

Sensors are present and useful, especially wear detection, but performance ranges from working well to laggy or unreliable.

Smudge resistance has limited but positive evidence from one review praising the matte finish for preventing fingerprints.

Setup and day-to-day software use are repeatedly described as fast, intuitive, and frustration-free, which helps the earbuds feel polished beyond their price.

Setup and software simplicity are mixed: pairing can be easy, but reviewers also cite sluggish mode switching, finicky setup, or UX rough edges.

Across the reviews, sound quality is the Ear (a)'s biggest strength: lively, clear, and more refined than most sub-$100 rivals, even if it stops short of true flagship polish.

Sound quality is the core strength, with most reviewers praising detail, clarity, and planar character, while some warn that the tuning is specialized or inconsistent.

Soundstage depth is mixed, with one reviewer finding no depth while others heard a firm foundation, space, or an immersive stage.

Several reviews describe the presentation as wider and more spacious than expected at this price, helping music and movies feel less boxed in.

Soundstage width is usually positive, with reviewers describing expansive, large, open, or better-positioned staging.

Spatial audio is a weakness because one review explicitly says this feature is absent.

Fit security is usually strong enough for commuting and light workouts, though a few reviewers still had occasional loosening depending on ear shape and activity.

Stability is generally good, with several reviewers describing secure fit during running or workouts, though one had to readjust during runs.

The pinch-based controls are usually described as responsive and more reliable than typical tap controls, although some advanced gestures take practice.

Control responsiveness is mixed, ranging from reliable pressure controls to accidental activation, delay, and sluggish mode changes.

Transparency mode is usable and sometimes above average for the class, but it is also one of the most common weak spots, especially versus flagship rivals.

Transparency mode is serviceable but not top-tier; reviewers mention useful voice or awareness modes but also muffled highs and unnatural sound.

Treble detail is generally strong for the class, but some listeners noted the top end is not as airy or extended as pricier earbuds.

Treble clarity is a major positive for detail and sparkle, but brightness, sibilance, or restrained treble can become track-dependent issues.

USB-C charging is clearly supported and repeatedly mentioned for the case or included cable.

Value is strongly divided by region and price: some reviewers justify the price for sound, but many call $299 expensive or a hard sell.

Voice assistant integration is supported through native assistant control or voice-assistant interaction, with limited direct evaluation.

Volume output is strong, with enough headroom for outdoor use, though not every reviewer found it exceptionally loud versus the broader market.

Volume output is a concern in the two reviews that discuss it, with both saying the earbuds are on the lower side or not very loud.

The buds are seen as gym- and commute-friendly thanks to their splash resistance, but the lower-rated case means the protection is not equally robust everywhere.

Water and sweat resistance is positive, with reviewers consistently citing IP55 or IP54 protection for sweat, rain, dust, or workouts.

Weight comfort is mostly positive because the earbuds are described as lightweight, though one reviewer did not find them especially light in the ear.