Nothing has launched its first pair of open-ear headphones, the Ear Open, designed for users who want to stay aware of their surroundings while listening to audio. Priced at $149, the Ear Open is available for preorder starting today in the US, Canada, and Europe, with global availability beginning on October 1.
The open-ear design rests just inside the ear without using silicone tips, offering a more comfortable alternative to traditional earbuds. This design allows outside sounds to be heard, making them ideal for activities where awareness is important. The Ear Open joins the growing trend of headphones that forgo active noise-canceling (ANC) in favor of allowing ambient sound in, similar to products from Shokz and Bose.
With a battery life of eight hours on a full charge, and up to 30 hours when docked in its slim 19mm case, the Ear Open also supports quick charging via USB-C. A 10-minute charge provides two hours of listening. Each earbud is equipped with 14.2mm drivers, the largest Nothing has used to date, along with directional design to reduce sound leakage. The earbuds also feature two microphones and Nothing’s Clear Voice Technology 3.0 for clearer calls.
The Ear Open uses a “three-point balance system” with a silicone ear hook to keep the earbuds in place, though the hook design may pose challenges for those who wear glasses. The earbuds support Bluetooth 5.3, AAC, and SBC codecs, can connect to two devices simultaneously, and offer a Low Lag Mode for gaming, especially when paired with Nothing’s Phone.
