AirPods 4 ANC vs Nothing Ear (3)
Choosing between Apple and Nothing often comes down to a specific pair of products. In the everyday wireless earbuds class, that pair is the AirPods 4 ANC and the Nothing Ear (3). Most of what matters is shared here; the differences are real but modest.
At a glance
- Sound & Noise Cancelling Tie
- Battery & Charging Nothing Ear (3) wins
- Features & Connectivity Tie
- Price Tie
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging2.5
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging5.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Nothing Ear (3) has 1.5 h more listening per charge
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 5.5 h for the Nothing Ear (3) versus 4 h for the AirPods 4 ANC. Ratings usually assume moderate volume and specific settings, so real results vary.
-
The AirPods 4 ANC has a 0.03 oz lighter build
The Nothing Ear (3) lists 0.18 oz; the AirPods 4 ANC comes in at 0.15 oz. That’s not a rounding error. The AirPods 4 ANC puts less weight on your ears or head, which adds up over a full day.
Design & Size
The AirPods 4 ANC is 0.03 oz lighter, making the Nothing Ear (3) the heftier of the two.
Fit & Build
| Spec | AirPods 4 ANC | Nothing Ear (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Open-fit earbuds with stem (no ear tips) | In-ear with stem |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IP54 |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 0.15 oz (winner) | 0.18 oz |
| Case weight | 1.22 oz | N/A (not specified) |
Sound & Noise Cancelling
Too close to call
On paper, the sound & noise cancelling comparison ends all square. Don’t let sound & noise cancelling decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
Battery & Charging
Nothing Ear (3) leads
In this area the Nothing Ear (3) has a lead the AirPods 4 ANC can’t close. The Nothing Ear (3) takes this one with 1.5 h more listening per charge. Longer listening per charge matters on long flights, workdays and road trips. On battery & charging alone, the Nothing Ear (3) gets the nod.
Battery (single charge)
AirPods 4 ANC: 4 h Nothing Ear (3): 5.5 h The Nothing Ear (3) runs longer before needing a break, so you’re less likely to be interrupted mid-podcast.
Features & Connectivity
Too close to call
This area ends level; whatever separates these two, it isn’t features & connectivity. Bottom line for features & connectivity: it’s a wash.
Full Specifications
Sound & Noise Cancelling
| Spec | AirPods 4 ANC | Nothing Ear (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Driver size | N/A (not specified) | 0.47 in |
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial audio | Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking | N/A (not specified) |
| Bluetooth codecs | N/A (not specified) | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | AirPods 4 ANC | Nothing Ear (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (single charge)Manufacturer rating, ANC on where available | 4 h Shortest listening per charge | 5.5 h (winner) |
| Battery (with case)Manufacturer rating | 20 h | N/A (not specified) |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Charging port | USB-C | USB-C |
Features & Connectivity
| Spec | AirPods 4 ANC | Nothing Ear (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 (Apple H2 chip) | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Heart-rate sensing | No | No |
| Controls | Force sensor on stem | N/A (not specified) |
Fit & Build
| Spec | AirPods 4 ANC | Nothing Ear (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Open-fit earbuds with stem (no ear tips) | In-ear with stem |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IP54 |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 0.15 oz (winner) | 0.18 oz |
| Case weight | 1.22 oz | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | AirPods 4 ANC | Nothing Ear (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $179 | $179 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
There’s no launch price gap between the AirPods 4 ANC and the Nothing Ear (3).
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked September 2025. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the AirPods 4 ANC if…
- you wear them for hours and want less weight on your ears (0.15 oz vs 0.18 oz)
- you already use other Apple products
Choose the Nothing Ear (3) if…
- you want longer listening per charge (5.5 h vs 4 h)
- you prefer staying with Nothing
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the AirPods 4 ANC or the Nothing Ear (3)?
The Nothing Ear (3) wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you’d trade the rest for a 0.03 oz lighter build.
Does the AirPods 4 ANC last longer on a charge than the Nothing Ear (3)?
The Nothing Ear (3) does better here. It lists 5.5 h for battery (single charge), while the AirPods 4 ANC lists 4 h.
Is the AirPods 4 ANC lighter than the Nothing Ear (3)?
The AirPods 4 ANC is lighter, by 0.03 oz.
Executive Summary
Honestly, the AirPods 4 ANC versus the Nothing Ear (3) is one of those matchups where your priorities matter more than the logo. What tips it for me is that the Nothing Ear (3) has 1.5 h more listening per charge. The AirPods 4 ANC isn’t without merit: a 0.03 oz lighter build is a real advantage.
For comfort, the AirPods 4 ANC fits better. For battery & charging, the Nothing Ear (3) is the better match.
My pick: the Nothing Ear (3) for most people, with the AirPods 4 ANC as the smarter choice if your top priority is a 0.03 oz lighter build.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.