Nothing Ear (a) Wireless Earbuds, 45dB Hybrid Noise Cancelling Earbuds, Hi-Res Audio, Advanced Equaliser, Dual Connect, 6 Mics, 42.5H Playtime Ear Buds Wireless Bluetooth, Black

Why it's worth it

Nothing's Ear (a) delivers hybrid noise cancellation rated at 45 dB, an 11 mm driver with real low-end punch, and a case that's actually fun to look at. You give up premium build and long-haul battery, not core performance.

The gap between budget and flagship earbuds has narrowed more than most people realize. TechRadar measured Nothing's earbuds hitting 42 dB of peak attenuation, on par with far pricier models, and the Ear (a) uses the same hybrid approach — it monitors the seal continuously and pushes cancellation harder when it detects leakage. For a bus ride or an open-plan office, you'll struggle to tell the difference from something costing several times as much.

The bass is the surprise. Nothing packs an 11 mm driver into a compact housing with extra room for sound waves to resonate, and owners repeatedly describe the low end as bigger than they expected — sometimes too big. The Nothing X app has a proper equalizer, so you can dial it back in about thirty seconds if it's not your taste.

From our review of 8 wireless earbuds, by David Sinclair, Managing Editor

What we like

• +The gap between budget and flagship earbuds has narrowed more than most people realize
• +The bass is the surprise
• +Practical stuff is here too
• +The transparent design isn't just a look — the buds are light, and owners who wear them at the gym and around the house report…

What to know

• –Longevity is the recurring concern
• –You need the app for anything beyond basic playback — equalizer, noise-cancelling levels, controls