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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for earbuds primarily for music, the Moondrop Nekocake offers good sound quality for its price, with a secure fit that's well-suited for exercise and portability. However, if your use extends to frequent calls, meetings, or gaming, then the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick may be a better choice, despite the higher cost, as they feature higher sound quality, better mic quality, and a low latency mode which is particularly beneficial for gaming and video. Additionally, while both are suitable for use with iOS and Android, only the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick offers ear detection capabilities, which can conveniently pause audio when removed. If noise isolation is a priority for activities like air travel, then you might prefer the Moondrop Nekocake, while for those looking for the best all-arounder and can accommodate a slightly higher price, the "Nothing" Ear Stick stands out. 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 Moondrop Nekocake
- Very 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
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
4.6
8.1
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for gaming, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Phone Calls
6.1
8.6
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for phone calls, while the Moondrop Nekocake is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.7
8.4
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Moondrop Nekocake is good.
TV and Video
5.0
7.5
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is good for TV and video, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
2.5
The Moondrop Nekocake is good for noise reduction, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is poor.
Battery
3.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Moondrop Nekocake has 3 hours of battery life. The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$39
$99
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Moondrop Nekocake has a price of $39 and the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick costs $99.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick has excellent build quality, while the Moondrop Nekocake has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
5.7
6.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick to be only fair for music, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
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How the Moondrop Nekocake and the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Moondrop Nekocake | "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$39 | $99 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Moondrop | "Nothing" Brand | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | November 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.7/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.2/10 | 8.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 4.7/10 | 8.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.6/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 3 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1 Hours | 1.2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 12 | 22 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 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 | 5.4/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.4 Grams | 4.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Moondrop Nekocake
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonics
Jarvin | January 2022
"What sets the Nekocake apart from its competition at this price point is the Moondrop Link app that allows the user to change the tonal balance of the Nekocake. This makes sure that it’s versatile enough to suit different sonic preferences while allowing some customization of controls."
"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 Moondrop Nekocake or the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick
About Moondrop
Moondrop is a Chinese brand of smart audio equipment, portable audio players, earbuds and headphones started in 2015. During the last few years they have become one of the major players in what is lovingly referred to as the Chi-fi market, the bulk of Chinese companies that have managed to actually compete with the western manufacturers in both prices and superior quality. Products such as the Blessing II, Chu and Kato are among the most popular offerings of the brand, more popular among those users that wish for good quality audio that won't break the bank. Besides audio, the brand also works in what they call the ACGN field (Animation, Comics, Games and Short Novels).
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Why trust us
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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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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