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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize exceptional sound quality and noise cancellation, the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EQ might be the better choice, despite being more expensive. However, if you're looking for good quality at a more affordable price point and are less concerned about top-tier noise cancellation, the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick could be a suitable alternative. The Beoplay EQ also offers a sturdy design and long-lasting materials, which might justify the higher cost in the long run. On the other hand, if budget is your primary concern and you're fine with a basic set of features, the Ear Stick could serve your needs well. 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 Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ
Very good for air travel
Advantages of the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick
Very good for phone calls
Key differences
Music
6.8/10
6.1/10
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ and "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick are both only fair for music, though the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
7.2/10
8.6/10
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for phone calls, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is good.
Noise Reduction
7.0/10
2.5/10
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is good for noise reduction, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is poor.
Battery
6.5 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ has 6.5 hours of battery life. The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$176
$99
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ has a price of $176 and the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick costs $99.
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ and "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick are both very good for gaming.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8/10
8.4/10
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ and "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
7.8/10
7.5/10
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ and "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick are both good for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.9/10
9.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick to have excellent build quality, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ has very good build quality.
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How the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ and the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick compare to other earbuds and headphones
"Bang & Olufsen’s audio products prioritize style and function just as much as sound quality. The company’s latest Beoplay EQ noise-cancelling true wireless earphones combine strong, accurate-leaning audio with solid noise cancellation in an exceedingly classy design."
"If the Ear (stick) fits your ears, its light weight means you can easily wear it until the unimpressive battery life totally drains. The IP54 rating of the buds lends some confidence that it’ll survive some light abuse too. Finally, for the person who only wears earbuds at their desk, the Nothing Ear (stick) with its decent microphone could offer a reasonable Zoom meeting solution."
Get a great deal on the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ or the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick
About Bang and Olufsen
Bang and Olufsen is an almost century-old electronic goods manufacturer based in Denmark with a very special focus on design. Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen created the first AC radio in 1925 and went on to develop televisions, telephones and, of course, headphones and loudspeakers. Today, they are partnered with several companies, like Audi, BMW and Aston Martin, to provide very high-quality audio solutions.
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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
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
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.