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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you prioritize overall sound quality and are willing to invest in a premium product, the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX provides excellent sound, active noise cancelling for quieter environments, and a robust build quality. However, they may not be the best for calls and are at a higher price point. The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick, while less expensive, offers a low latency mode making them suitable for gaming and video, with very good mic quality for calls. They lack noise cancellation, which makes them less ideal for noisy environments or air travel, but their design is optimized for both Android and Apple devices with more battery life in the case. Choose the Beoplay EX for top-tier audio and build quality in quieter settings, or the Ear Stick for a cost-effective option with good versatility, particularly in gaming and calls. 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 EX
- Good for music
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.9
6.1
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is good for music, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is only fair.
Gaming
9.3
8.1
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is excellent for gaming, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good.
Phone Calls
5.3
8.6
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for phone calls, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.1
8.4
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is only fair.
TV and Video
8.9
7.5
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is very good for TV and video, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is good.
Noise Reduction
8.3
2.5
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is very good for noise reduction, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is poor.
Battery
6.5 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has 6.5 hours of battery life. The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$399
$99
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has a price of $399 and the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick costs $99.
Build Quality
10.0
9.0
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has best in class build quality, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick has excellent build quality.
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How the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX | "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $99 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bang and Olufsen | "Nothing" Brand | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | November 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.4/10 | 8.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.3/10 | 8.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 9/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 22 | 22 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 10/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 4.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
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Dig into reviews and images
Leaf and Core
Danielle | January 2023
"If you’ve wanted truly wireless headphones, but couldn’t pick them up because they sound terrible, these will be the headphones that win you over. If you’re the kind of person who would consider spending $400 on headphones, these are the right truly wireless headphones for you."
"Nothing" Brand Ear Stick
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Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | December 2022
"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 EX 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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