One of my favorite earbuds of 2024 just got a 25% discount ahead of Black Friday

Nina Raemont/ZDNET

What's the deal? 

The Nothing Ear (a) is discounted to $73 right now, taking $24 off the original price ahead of Black Friday. The deal applies to both the black and white colorways and excludes the yellow colorway shown above. 

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ZDNET's key takeaways 

For $99, the new Nothing Ear (a) earbuds offer clear sound and a thoughtful design. Their affordability, comfort, and long battery life make them a great option for budget-conscious shoppers. They're so great that I've taken them practically everywhere: on flights, to work in the office, and to run my first half marathon.Unfortunately, its middling noise-canceling tech doesn't protect you from external noises. 

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Most of the audio tech on the market right now errs on the side of aesthetic caution. I've tested plenty of earbuds this year, and something I've noticed is that many manufacturers sacrifice style for functionality, opting for blacks, grays, and enough matte finishes to fit inside a therapist's office -- much to my chagrin. In the words of the late, great Andre Leon Talley, "it's a famine of beauty" over here.  

Also: Why I ditched my AirPods Pro for Nothing's new transparent earbuds (and don't regret it)

So when Nothing sent me its new earbuds, I was excited to finally see a cool, fresh, and exciting design, and they're worthy of a callout. I've been testing the new Nothing Ear (a) earbuds since launch, taking them on a ten-mile run, working deskside, and commuting on the subway with them in my ears. One question that informed my initial testing was: Despite their stylish design, how does the audio tech stack up to similarly-priced competitors?

The Nothing Ear (a) advances on the specs from the brand's Ear (1) earbuds from 2021. The new buds offer plenty of upgrades like improved active noise cancellation, transparency mode, longer battery life, Bluetooth multipoint, minimized latency for gaming, and pinch controls.

Also: The best earbuds of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed

Nothing plays with solid color and transparent accents and puts the two at the forefront of its product design. You can't help but obsess over the brand's unique visual appeal: a stripped-down design that reveals the inner workings of the technology cast against bold colors. The clear design of both the earbud case and the earbuds itself offers users an inside look into the tech's internal components and an appreciation for what is often obscured. 

Nina Raemont/ZDNET

The earbuds come with three ear tip sizes in the box and are available in three colors: black, white, and yellow. I tried these buds in yellow, which is the first non-neutral color in Nothing's earbud lineup. The color feels daring and bright and is just as much a fashion accessory as it is a tech accessory. 

Other competitive earbuds can't say the same: I looked at my list of best earbuds to see if there was any color diversity and found that every top earbuds I've included are either black, a muted white, or white, from Sony's WF-1000XM5 and JBL's Tour Pro 2, to Bose's QuietComfort Ultra and Apple's AirPods Pro. These earbuds, on the other hand, are like the AirPods Pro's funkier younger sister who went to art school, buys gifts for friends through the MOMA Store, and can explain the difference between white and orange wine to you. 

The case is lightweight and compact, so it won't be obstructive or heavy in your pocket. The earbuds themselves are comfortable and easy to wear, with an extra tactile ear tip that keeps the buds attached to your ear canal as you move around. Nothing also equipped these buds with Bluetooth multipoint and in-ear detection when you wear these, two nice touches that inexpensive earbuds occasionally lack. 

Also: The best earbuds I've ever listened to are not by Bose or Sony

I ran for five hours and worked and commuted with these earbuds for a week straight and still have a battery life of 80%. Needless to say, these earbuds won't die easily on you. 

Nina Raemont/ZDNET

One of my favorite design choices with the Ear (a) is that the controls are dictated by pinches instead of taps and swipes, similar to the AirPods Pro 2. Most earbuds that I've tested with the same form factor have touch controls on the top of the ear stem where the bud meets the stem. I always run with earbuds in, and when my ears get too sweaty, and my earbuds begin to slip out, I accidentally touch and activate the touch controls when I'm attempting to press the bud back into my ears.

Also: The best earbuds under $100

Nothing eliminated this problem for me, as the touch controls are at the bottom of the stem, far away from accidental touches. Despite needing a pinch to activate the controls, they are reliable and responsive. The pinch controls allow you to play and pause music, skip tracks, and toggle between ANC and transparency mode.

Speaking of ANC, this feature is where the Ear (a) buds begin to show their affordable price. I turned on the ANC while I worked in the office, and I could still hear my colleagues' computer notification pings and conversations around me. For $109, I wasn't expecting mind-blowing ANC, and that's certainly not what I got. The earbuds will drown out some noise, but you'll have to pay a higher price for premium ANC.

Review: Nothing Ear Stick: Earbuds, but make it fashion

When it comes to the actual audio quality, however, these earbuds produce a balanced, clear, and bright sound. While listening to Moses Sumney and Shabaka's Insecurities, the harp and flute whistles in the upper midrange shimmered in my ears without being too harsh. Bass-heavy songs can get an extra boost by tweaking the Bass Enhance algorithm in the Nothing app. While listening to Kaytranada's What You Need, I toggled between the five levels of bass enhancement to boost the lower frequencies. This feature created a noticeably different sound with deeper, richer bass. 

ZDNET's buying advice 

The Nothing Ear (a) are best for people who want a relatively affordable pair of earbuds with thoughtful functions and a unique design.

If you want earbuds with more effective noise-canceling for a similar price, consider the JLab JBuds ANC 3 for their strong noise-canceling and snug fit. If you like Nothing's unique and charming design choices but want better sound, more effective ANC, and more premium features, try the Nothing Ear.

When will this deal expire? 

Deals are subject to sell out or expire at any time, though ZDNET remains committed to finding, sharing, and updating the best product deals for you to score the best savings. Our team of experts regularly checks in on the deals we share to ensure they are still live and obtainable. We're sorry if you've missed out on this deal, but don't fret -- we're constantly finding new chances to save and sharing them with you at ZDNET.com.