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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If sound quality is your top priority and you are willing to invest more, the Grado GT220 would be a strong choice; however, they are less versatile for activities like exercising due to their average durability and lack of sweatproof certification. The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick, on the other hand, offers excellent call quality and is ideal for video gaming due to its low latency mode. They also provide convenience features like ear/head detection and app customization. While its music performance is slightly lower than the Grado GT220, it's more affordable and robust for various activities including workouts, with better battery life in the case, albeit slightly shorter battery life on the earbuds themselves. Neither model offers active noise canceling, so if external noise isolation is critical, you might want to consider other options. 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 Grado GT220
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Gaming
5.1
8.1
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for gaming, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Phone Calls
6.9
8.6
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for phone calls, while the Grado GT220 is only fair.
TV and Video
5.5
7.5
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is good for TV and video, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The Grado GT220 and "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick are both poor for noise reduction, though the Grado GT220 is somewhat better.
Cost
$259
$99
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Grado GT220 has a price of $259 and the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick costs $99.
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Key similarities
Music
6.3
6.1
The Grado GT220 and "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick are both only fair for music.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8
8.4
The Grado GT220 and "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Battery
5.5 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Grado GT220 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick has 5 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
8.8
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick to have excellent build quality, while the Grado GT220 has very good build quality.
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How the Grado GT220 and the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Grado GT220 | "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$259 | $99 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Grado | "Nothing" Brand | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | November 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.4/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 8.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 8.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5.5 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 36 | 22 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 4.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Grado GT220
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Alex Schiffer | October 2020
"With its superb and functional interface and its highly satisfying imaging, Grado has shown a new talent for delivering a solid true wireless system, and with future improvements, has the potential to really be one of the best."
"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."
Get a great deal on the Grado GT220 or the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick
About Grado
Grado Labs is a small, family-owned, business based in Brooklyn New York that specializes in high-end, boutique, dynamic headphones and turntable cartridges. They boast a particular house sound, that is to say their products have a particular sound signature unique to Grado, that some audiophiles seem to really like and are unable to find anywhere else. Their high-end headphones are all hand made, completely in house, from a variety of exotic woods and materials going so far as to making one of their most popular products out of hemp.
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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.
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