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Nothing’s New Ear 3 Fix One of the Worst Things About Wireless Earbuds

As I said in my AirPods Pro 3 review, wireless earbuds have reached a ceiling. Generally, the basics—sound, active noise cancellation (ANC), and battery life—can only be improved by so much each generation. The feature that arguably gets the least attention is microphone quality. I’m constantly asking people on calls and Zooms whether they can hear me and if my voice sounds clear or not. The answer is typically no to both if I’m asking. Tech startup Nothing—you know them for their transparent wi

Topics: buds ear mic super voice

The Nothing Ear 3 have a clever feature I wish my other earbuds had - and they're less than $180

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways Nothing announces the Ear 3, the third generation of its flagship earbuds. A functioning microphone inside the charging case is the standout feature. The earbuds will be available to preorder for $179 on Sept. 18. Following the release of its capable flagship smartphone and nothing-short-of-interesting over-ear headphones, Nothing is releasing the next generation of its flagship earbuds, the Ear 3. Nothing introduce

Nothing Ear 3 scores sweet audio upgrades but double-duty case is the low-key star

C. Scott Brown / Android Authority TL;DR Nothing has announced its newest in-ear earbuds, called the Ear 3. The Nothing Ear 3 features upgraded sound, improved microphones, and LDAC codec support. The case is constructed from recycled aluminum and features dual microphones, enabling it to function as a standalone microphone. After launching the Ear and Ear A last year, Nothing shifted its focus to experimenting with offbeat audio products, such as its open-ear earbuds and atypically shaped h

Nothing’s Ear 3 buds have a walkie-talkie style ‘super mic’

Nothing has unveiled its latest premium earbuds, the Ear 3 ($179), which look ready to pair tastefully with its newest Phone 3. The company has refined its headphone series with an aluminum finish (in places) across both the buds and the case. Also housed inside the case is the Ear 3’s new standout feature/gimmick: the Super Mic. It’s like a walkie-talkie for your wireless headphones, pitched as a noise-banishing mic option — but I’ll get to that later. A slightly revamped design apparently gi

Topics: buds ear mic super voice

Nothing's new earbuds have a feature I wish was on my AirPods Pro - and they're cheaper

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways Nothing announces the Ear 3, the third generation of its flagship earbuds. A functioning microphone inside the charging case is the standout feature. The earbuds will be available to preorder for $179 on Sept. 18. Following the release of its capable flagship smartphone and nothing-short-of-interesting over-ear headphones, Nothing is releasing the next generation of its flagship earbuds, the Ear 3. Nothing introduce

Airbuds is the music social network Apple and Spotify wish they had built

A new social network has been quietly blowing up with Gen Z and younger, and it’s not from Meta. San Francisco-based Airbuds offers a mobile, social app that lets people express themselves through their music. Users can share what they’re streaming with friends through a smartphone widget that works with a range of streaming services. On Wednesday, Airbuds is announcing its raise of $5 million in funding from early-stage venture capital firm Seven Seven Six, founded by Reddit co-founder Alexis

These unusual earbuds were the surprise of the year for me - why they sound so good

Status Pro X earbuds ZDNET's key takeaways The Status Pro X earbuds are available for preorder on the official site for $249. These earbuds produce some of the best audio I've ever heard. You have to insert them just right to get the best fit. View now at Status Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. I've tested so many headphones and earbuds these days that it's getting harder and harder to tell them apart. But I've never tested a pair quite like the Status X Pro earbuds. The

How to Clean AirPods (and Other Earbuds)

Everyone has dirty ears; the human ear is designed to produce earwax to protect itself from other junk getting in there, among other things. That means that the more you put your precious new AirPods Pro in your ear holes, the dirtier they are likely to get. So what's the best way to clean out all the gunk? Read below to learn how to clean your earbuds and over-ear headphones, as well as other ways to rehab an old pair. Looking for headphones? Be sure to check out our guides to the Best Wirele

LG expands its line of xboom earbuds with two new models

LG just announced two new earbuds in its xboom line of audio products, following the launch of the xboom Buds in January. The xboom Buds Plus and Buds Lite (which seems like a relatively confusing name to beer drinkers) both hit store shelves sometime this month. The Buds Plus earbuds are filled with high-tech bells and whistles. These premium headphones boast adaptive EQ that continuously adjusts the sound profile in real time. This should ensure "optimal audio quality regardless of how the ea

AirPods Pro 3 review: Apple pulled off something I thought impossible in a pair of earbuds

Apple AirPods Pro 3 ZDNET's key takeaways The AirPods Pro 3 bring several design updates and a bunch of new or upgraded capabilities to a product that was already among the best Apple kept the retail price at $249, and this product tends to get discounted during holiday sales. AirPods Pro 3's leading feature is active noise cancellation that now rivals over-the-ear headphones, which surprised me in real-world testing. $249 at B&H Photo-Video Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Googl

Galaxy Buds 3 FE Review: Samsung’s ‘Fan Edition” Wireless Earbuds Are Just Enough

If you’re a Samsung fan and you see “FE” branding, you probably think a few things. The first thing that comes to mind is probably, “I’m saving some money.” For those not fluent in Samsung lingo, FE, which is actually short for “Fan Edition,” is the equivalent of SE in Apple-speak, meaning it’s a more budget-friendly alternative to the flagship-level gadgets. But it’s not just savings you want when you’re seeking something FE-branded—you want quality, too. Maybe you’re not expecting every bell a

Our favorite budget wireless earbuds are back on sale for $45

The Anker Soundcore Space A40 wireless earbuds are back on sale for a record-low price of $45 a 44 percent discount. These earbuds remain our top pick for best budget wireless earbuds. The most significant feature on the A40 earbuds is the inclusion of active noise cancellation (ANC), which is almost unheard of at this price point. It's not the most sophisticated ANC, but it does sufficiently reduce constant rumbling background noise like on a plane. The built-in mic that's used for transparenc

The Powerbeats Pro 2 are getting heart rate monitoring updates with iOS 26

is a senior reporter who’s been covering and reviewing the latest gadgets and tech since 2006, but has loved all things electronic since he was a kid. Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. You’ll now be able to monitor your heart rate in real time through the Apple Fitness app during 50 different workout types while wearing the Powerbeats Pro 2 – a feature only supported through partner apps like Nike Run Club at launch. The earbuds will also w

AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2: I compared both earbuds, here's who should upgrade

Jada Jones and Nina Raemont/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. Apple's AirPods Pro 3 are officially here, and they debut with upgrades like subtle design changes, improved noise cancellation, and longer battery life. The AirPods Pro 3's most significant upgrade, however, is their onboard heart rate sensor, a welcomed feature for people who like to wear AirPods while they exercise. If you have AirPods Pro 2, they're anywhere from two to three years old, depending on th

Nothing Ear (3) gets fully revealed with case that has a mic and ‘Talk’ button

TL;DR Nothing has revealed the full design of the Ear (3) and its charging case. The earbuds retain much of the transparent casing the company is known for, but some metal components were added for a more premium finish. The case now has a microphone and a dedicated “Talk” button. Nothing revealed earlier this week that it would launch the Ear (3) on September 18, which is next Thursday. Not one to wait for announcement events, the company has gone ahead and revealed the full design of its ne

Sony’s InZone Buds are great for gaming, and right now they’re cheaper than ever

Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. A quality pair of headphones can make a huge difference in your gaming experience, and Sony’s InZone Buds are among the best wireless gaming earbuds available. They’re currently $143.98 ($86 off) at GameStop, dropping them to a new all-time low price. The Verge’s commerce editor, Cameron Faulkner, says they deliver excellent sound quality and versatility, with a USB-C audio transmitter that allows them to co

These Anker Soundcore earbuds with ANC are back on sale for $45

Our top pick for best budget wireless earbuds are back on sale for a record-low price. You can pick up the Anker Soundcore Space A40 wireless buds for only $45 right now, or 44 percent off their usual price. These buds include active noise cancellation (ANC), which is a rare feature at this price point. While not as sophisticated as the ANC you'll find on pricier earbuds from Sony, Bose and the like, it's still solid for a pair this affordable. It sufficiently reduces constant rumbling backgrou

Nothing’s Ear 3 earbuds have a microphone and ‘talk’ button on their charging case

is a senior reporter who’s been covering and reviewing the latest gadgets and tech since 2006, but has loved all things electronic since he was a kid. Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. Nothing shared the first full image of its next wireless earbuds today. The design of the new Ear 3 earbuds and their charging case appear very similar to the Ear 2 that debuted in 2023, but Nothing has revealed that the case is now partly made of 100 percent

Status Audio Pro X Review: The Best High-End Earbuds?

Never heard of Status Audio? I don’t blame you. The New York City-based company has been essentially operating under the radar ever since founder James Bertuzzi launched its first product, the wired CB-1 headphones, in 2016. Several wireless headphones followed, and Status eventually created two wireless earbuds, the Between Pro ($169) in 2021 and Between 3ANC ($249) in 2023. They were both well received and proved popular with buyers, perhaps helped by their quirky yet super-comfy square shape

AirPods Pro 3 vs Pixel Buds Pro 2: Which Wireless Earbuds Are Better?

Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 are here, and with their arrival comes a lot of questions. One of the big questions after Apple’s annual iPhone event is, “Should I buy new AirPods right now?” But before you can answer that, it’s important to know the competition, and the main one is Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2. While both bear the “Pro” moniker in their names, they’re not created equal, and small differences in features could have a big impact on which pair you ought to buy. If you’re wondering which trigg

AirPods Pro 3 vs. Pixel Buds Pro 2: Which Wireless Earbuds Are Better?

Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 are here, and with their arrival comes a lot of questions. One of the big questions after Apple’s annual iPhone event is, “Should I buy new AirPods right now?” But before you can answer that, it’s important to know the competition, and the main one is Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2. While both bear the “Pro” moniker in their names, they’re not created equal, and small differences in features could have a big impact on which pair you ought to buy. If you’re wondering which trigg

Our Favorite Earbuds for Working Out Are Cheaper Than Ever

Beats has been a household name in headphones for years, known for punchy bass and bold styling. The Powerbeats Pro 2 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) use ergonomic over-ear hooks to stay absolutely secure in your ears when you're running, lifting, or just walking the dog. They're usually a little expensive at $250, but Amazon has them marked down to just $200 in a variety of colors. While ear hooks might sound a little odd coming from the world of more traditional wireless earbuds, there's no need to

AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2: Which Wireless Earbuds Are Better?

After years of speculation, Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 are finally here, and while we haven’t tried them for ourselves, they look like they were worth the wait. This generation brings new hardware, features, and some impressive improvements on paper over the last generation, which was refreshed in 2023 with USB-C and a few other features. If you’re in the market for new AirPods, you’re probably already wondering whether you should rush out to scoop up Apple’s long-awaited third-gen, but before you do

AirPods Pro 3 Vs. AirPods Pro 2: Which Wireless Earbuds Are Better?

After years of speculation, Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 are finally here, and while we haven’t tried them for ourselves, they look like they were worth the wait. This generation brings new hardware, features, and some impressive improvements on paper over the last generation, which was refreshed in 2023 with USB-C and a few other features. If you’re in the market for new AirPods, you’re probably already wondering whether you should rush out to scoop up Apple’s long-awaited third-gen, but before you do

AirPods Pro 3 offer live translation and heart rate monitoring

Today's Apple event isn't just about iPhones and smartwatches. The company also announced the long-anticipated refresh of the AirPods Pro earbuds. The AirPods Pro 3 arrive a full three years after the company released the second-gen earbuds. This is a serious upgrade with updated audio drivers and plenty of high-tech bells whistles, like active ANC and the ability to play spatial audio. Apple says these earbuds offer the best ANC of any in-ear headphones on the market. Apple There's a heart-r

Our favorite cheap wireless earbuds are back on sale for only $45

The Anker Soundcore Space A40 wireless earbuds are back on sale for a record-low price of $45 a 44 percent discount. These earbuds remain our top pick for best budget wireless earbuds . The most significant feature on the A40 earbuds is the inclusion of active noise cancellation (ANC), which is almost unheard of at this price point. It's not the most sophisticated ANC, but it does sufficiently reduce constant rumbling background noise like on a plane. The built-in mic that's used for transparen

These subtle AirPods Pro 3 upgrades would make them an instant buy for me

Jada Jones/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. It's almost time for Apple to announce the iPhone 17 smartphone lineup, but I'm more excited about the possibility of an AirPods Pro 3 announcement. The AirPods Pro 2 are my daily driver earbuds, but there are some features I'd love to see improved in the next model. Also: Apple Event live updates 2025: Last minute leaks on iPhone 17, AirPods 3, Apple Watch Series 11, more I've heard rumors about a complete redesign of th

These Headphones With Bose Sound and 100 Hours of Battery Won’t Destroy Your Wallet

I’m a fan of Bose audio. In recent memory, I’ve tried Bose’s SoundLink Plus, a portable Bluetooth speaker with big sound and a great (grassy) look; the second-gen QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds with their ridiculously good ANC; and its Ultra Open Earbuds, probably the best pair of open earbuds I’ve used to date. That being said, there’s one thing that I don’t love about Bose products, and that’s the premium pricing. Nearly $300 for a Bluetooth speaker is a lot, and so is $300 for a pair of wireless

Nothing's Ear 3 Wireless Buds Set For Sept. 18 Launch

With the unveiling of the Nothing Ear 3, British tech company Nothing is set to cap off a summer of high-profile product launches. This new pair of buds, the latest in Nothing's original product series, will be released on Sept. 18 at 1 p.m. BST (5 a.m. PT). The company unveiled the Nothing Ear 1 in 2021. Since its inception, Nothing has been renowned for its transparent design language, setting it apart in a sea of otherwise visually unremarkable tech. A teaser image for the Ear 3 suggests tha

New AirPods Pro tomorrow? These 3 features would be so worth upgrading for

Jada Jones/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. It's almost time for Apple to announce the iPhone 17 smartphone lineup, but I'm more excited about the possibility of an AirPods Pro 3 announcement. The AirPods Pro 2 are my daily driver earbuds, but there are some features I'd love to see improved in the next model. Also: How to watch Apple's event this week (and what to expect) I've heard rumors about a complete redesign of the AirPods Pro's earbuds and charging case, p