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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Etymotic ER2SE earbuds are more expensive, offer a closed design that's better for noise isolation, and are well-suited for critical listening due to their sound quality. In contrast, the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is less expensive, has an open design which creates a more spacious sound but leaks more sound and offers less noise isolation, and includes an integrated microphone. The Ear Sticks also feature a low latency mode which may be favorable for watching videos or gaming, while the ER2SE lacks this feature. Ultimately, if sound isolation and audio quality for listening to music are your priorities, go for the Etymotic ER2SE. If you're looking for a pair of earbuds with more features such as an integrated microphone and low latency for multimedia, the "Nothing" Ear Stick may be the better choice. 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 Etymotic ER2SE
- Very good for music
Advantages of the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.8
6.1
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is only fair.
Gaming
6.2
8.1
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER2SE is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.9
8.6
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER2SE is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
8.4
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER2SE is good.
Noise Reduction
9.1
2.5
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is poor.
Battery
N/A
5.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER2SE does not have a battery. The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick has 5 hours of battery life.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
7.8
7.5
The Etymotic ER2SE and "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick are both good for TV and video.
Cost
$100
$99
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick costs $99.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Etymotic ER2SE and "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick both have excellent build quality.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $99 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | "Nothing" Brand | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | November 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 8.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 22 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 4.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Etymotic ER2SE
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | April 2022
"Etymotic isn’t playing around: it takes audio seriously and has mastered the art of the noise-isolation earphone. Sure, the fit of the earbuds looks silly but it’s a signature Etymotic thing and could be considered charming by some. If you’re looking for best-in-class audio for a realistic price, the ER2SE is it."
"Nothing" Brand Ear Stick
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Dig into reviews and images
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."
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About Etymotic
Etymotic Research is an American based research, development and manufacturing company founded in 1983. They invented the first insert earphones that were used for the diagnosis and research of hearing loss and other auditory disorders. They went on to pioneer the market of high fidelity, isolating, in-ear earphones.
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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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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