QC Earbuds (2024) vs Nothing Ear (3)
Different logos, same mission. The QC Earbuds (2024) and the Nothing Ear (3) both want to be your next pair. This is less a contest than a fine-tuning exercise: both cover the same ground, with only a few meaningful gaps.
At a glance
- Sound & Noise Cancelling Tie
- Battery & Charging QC Earbuds (2024) wins
- Features & Connectivity Tie
- Price Tie
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging10.0
- 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 QC Earbuds (2024) has 3 h more listening per charge
On battery (single charge), the QC Earbuds (2024) posts 8.5 h against 5.5 h for the Nothing Ear (3), a gap big enough to feel in everyday use. Ratings usually assume moderate volume and specific settings, so real results vary.
-
The Nothing Ear (3) has a tougher IP54 rating
On paper, the Nothing Ear (3) is a touch ahead here, listing IP54 against IPX4. A higher water resistance rating gives more protection against sweat and rain during workouts.
Design & Size
Fit & Build
| Spec | QC Earbuds (2024) | Nothing Ear (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | In-ear with stability bands | In-ear with stem |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IP54 (winner) |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | N/A (not specified) | 0.18 oz |
Sound & Noise Cancelling
Too close to call
The differences on sound & noise cancelling are small enough to ignore in daily use. Treat sound & noise cancelling as common ground and look elsewhere for the deciding factor.
Battery & Charging
QC Earbuds (2024) leads
This is one of the QC Earbuds (2024)’s strongest areas. On battery & charging, the Nothing Ear (3) falls well short. The QC Earbuds (2024) delivers 3 h more listening per charge. Longer listening per charge matters on long flights, workdays and road trips. If this section decides it for you, choose the QC Earbuds (2024).
Battery (single charge)
QC Earbuds (2024): 8.5 h Nothing Ear (3): 5.5 h The QC Earbuds (2024) runs longer before needing a break, so you’re less likely to be interrupted mid-podcast.
Features & Connectivity
Too close to call
Swap one for the other and you’d lose nothing on features & connectivity. The takeaway: features & connectivity is not where these two differ.
Full Specifications
Sound & Noise Cancelling
| Spec | QC Earbuds (2024) | Nothing Ear (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Driver size | N/A (not specified) | 0.47 in |
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | QC Earbuds (2024) | Nothing Ear (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (single charge)Manufacturer rating, ANC on where available | 8.5 h (winner) Longest listening per charge | 5.5 h |
| Battery (with case)Manufacturer rating | 32 h Most total battery | N/A (not specified) |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Charging port | USB-C | USB-C |
Features & Connectivity
| Spec | QC Earbuds (2024) | Nothing Ear (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Multipoint | Yes | N/A (not specified) |
| Heart-rate sensing | No | No |
Fit & Build
| Spec | QC Earbuds (2024) | Nothing Ear (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | In-ear with stability bands | In-ear with stem |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IP54 (winner) |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | N/A (not specified) | 0.18 oz |
Price
| Spec | QC Earbuds (2024) | 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
The launch prices are identical, so value comes down to which strengths you prefer.
These are US launch prices, recorded September 2025; what you pay today may be higher or lower.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the QC Earbuds (2024) if…
- you want longer listening per charge (8.5 h vs 5.5 h)
- you already know your way around Bose’s products
Choose the Nothing Ear (3) if…
- you want the tougher water resistance rating (IP54 vs IPX4)
- you trust Nothing and want to keep things familiar
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the QC Earbuds (2024) or the Nothing Ear (3)?
For most people, the QC Earbuds (2024) is the stronger choice, unless what you want most is a tougher IP54 rating.
Which has better battery life, the QC Earbuds (2024) or the Nothing Ear (3)?
Going by the official figures, the QC Earbuds (2024) leads: 8.5 h versus 5.5 h for battery (single charge). Screen use, settings and efficiency will shape your own results.
Executive Summary
If you’ve narrowed it down to the QC Earbuds (2024) and the Nothing Ear (3), you’ve already done the hard part. Let me help with the rest. The QC Earbuds (2024) has 3 h more listening per charge, and for most people that’s not a small thing. The Nothing Ear (3) does have a strong card to play: a tougher IP54 rating.
I’d steer battery & charging fans toward the QC Earbuds (2024) and durability fans toward the Nothing Ear (3).
My pick: the QC Earbuds (2024). The Nothing Ear (3) only comes out ahead if you care more about a tougher IP54 rating than anything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.