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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize wireless convenience and low latency for gaming and calls, the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick could be worth the higher price; they also offer active EQ and customization through an app. However, if you're on a budget and mostly listen to music or watch TV, the Sony MDREX15AP earbuds provide good isolation and sound quality for the price, though their wired connection and lack of features like sweat resistance and a microphone for clear calls could be limiting. The Sonys excel in portability and are wired, so no worries about battery life. Choose the "Nothing" Ear Stick for a feature-rich, modern experience or the Sony for an affordable, straightforward option without the need for charging. 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 "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony MDREX15AP
- Very good for music
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.1
8.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is very good for music, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is only fair.
Gaming
8.1
6.7
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for gaming, while the Sony MDREX15AP is only fair.
Phone Calls
8.6
3.5
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for phone calls, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
5.4
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
TV and Video
7.5
9.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is excellent for TV and video, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
7.0
The Sony MDREX15AP is good for noise reduction, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick has 5 hours of battery life. The Sony MDREX15AP does not have a battery.
Cost
$99
$20
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick has a price of $99 and the Sony MDREX15AP costs $20.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick has excellent build quality, while the Sony MDREX15AP has very good build quality.
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How the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick and the Sony MDREX15AP compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick | Sony MDREX15AP |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | "Nothing" Brand | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2022 | March 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.2/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 3.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.2/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.6/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7/10 | 4.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 22 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.4 Grams | 3.1 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
"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."
Sony MDREX15AP
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Make It Sound Great
Pete Anthony | June 2022
"At the ultra budget $10 price-point (and we’ve seen the no-mic version go for as cheap as $7), I’d say these are a decent option if you’re looking for a passable pair of earbuds for basic use that’s as cheap as possible. I wouldn’t say they feel or sound as good as some of the ultra-budget alternatives out there – of which there are a few at this point – but some might disagree. I will say though that the cable is a little bit nicer than those of that same competition."
Get a great deal on the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick or the Sony MDREX15AP
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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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