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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If price is a significant concern, the JBL Quantum 100 headphones are a cost-effective option that can provide good quality sound for gaming and have a microphone suitable for calls. They are wired and not suited for exercise due to their size. On the other hand, the "Nothing" Ear Stick earbuds are more expensive but offer better portability, sweat and dust resistance, making them better for exercise. They also have a lower latency, which could benefit gaming and watching videos, alongside wireless convenience and a long battery life, but lack the over-ear comfort and immersive experience of the JBL Quantum 100 for long listening sessions. 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 JBL Quantum 100
- Good for music
Advantages of the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.0
6.1
The JBL Quantum 100 is good for music, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.5
8.6
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for phone calls, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.5
8.4
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The JBL Quantum 100 and "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick are both poor for noise reduction, though the JBL Quantum 100 is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
5.0 Hours
The JBL Quantum 100 does not have a battery. The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$20
$99
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The JBL Quantum 100 has a price of $20 and the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick costs $99.
Build Quality
6.5
9.0
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick has excellent build quality, while the JBL Quantum 100 has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
8.5
8.1
The JBL Quantum 100 and "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick are both very good for gaming.
TV and Video
7.1
7.5
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick and JBL Quantum 100 are both good for TV and video.
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How the JBL Quantum 100 and the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Quantum 100 | "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$20 | $99 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | "Nothing" Brand | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | November 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.5/10 | 8.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.6/10 | 8.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.2/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4/10 | 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 | 5.3/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 4.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
Shopping
JBL Quantum 100
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Dig into reviews and images
CNN Underscored
Wes Davis | July 2023
"I appreciate a functional piece of tech as much as I do gear on the bleeding edge, and the JBL Quantum 100 certainly falls in the former category. The sound is reasonably good, the built-in microphone is surprisingly reliable and it has a thoughtful design for the price. It lacks the convenience of Bluetooth, sure, but sometimes it’s nice not to have to worry about the finicky nature of wireless communication and go with good old hard-wired tech."
"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 JBL Quantum 100 or the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick
About JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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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.
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