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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize noise cancellation and frequent air travel, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 may better suit your needs with top-tier noise isolation. However, for durability and exercise, the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is sweatproof and dustproof, which Apple’s option is not, making it more suitable for active users or outdoor environments. The "Nothing" Ear (2) also supports the LHDC codec for potentially higher audio quality, a feature not present in the AirPods Pro 2. Consider compatibility too; the AirPods are optimized for Apple devices, while the "Nothing" Ear (2) has a broader compatibility range, including Android. Lastly, the "Nothing" Ear (2) offers longer battery life and a lower price, which may be significant if you're budget-conscious or require extended use without charging. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods Pro 2
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 has no clear advantages over the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2).
Advantages of the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
Very good for TV and video
Good for exercise
Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Noise Reduction
9.1/10
8.0/10
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is excellent for noise reduction, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good.
Battery
6.0 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 has 6 hours of battery life. The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$199
$149
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 has a price of $199 and the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) costs $149.
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 and "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) are both good for music.
Gaming
8.4/10
8.5/10
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) and Apple Airpods Pro 2 are both very good for gaming.
Phone Calls
7.8/10
7.9/10
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) and Apple Airpods Pro 2 are both good for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8/10
9.1/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) to be excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Apple Airpods Pro 2 is very good.
TV and Video
7.8/10
8.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) to be very good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Pro 2 is good.
Build Quality
9.0/10
9.0/10
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 and "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) both have excellent build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods Pro 2 and the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) compare to other earbuds and headphones
"Apple's upgraded H2 chip begets better active noise canceling (ANC) and battery life, while the case's U1 chip and integrated speaker lets you precisely locate it from the Find My app. If you own an iPhone, the new AirPods Pro is an obvious choice."
"For the price the Nothing Ear (2) is pretty good. It fits well, and the IP54 rating (and IP55 with case) is durable enough for daily life. Most of its unique features are found in the Nothing X app, such as personalized frequency responses, and personalized, adjustable ANC."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Pro 2 or the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.