Nothing Unveils $149 Open-Ear Headphones

Nothing is one of the fastest hardware companies to get a full line of products out the door

With the Ear Open, the London-based company showed off yet another take on earbuds on Tuesday. As the name suggests, these open-ear headphones keep you aware of what’s happening around you instead of blocking out noise entirely.

At $149, the new buds cost the same as the Ear 2 and $50 more than the cheaper Ear A. They also cost $20 more than the new AirPods 4 (without ANC). Like Ear 2, the new Open lets you use your mouth to ask ChatGPT questions through the Nothing X app.

The new headphones, like other open-ear headphones, are made when the person wearing them needs to hear what’s happening around them. That could be a walk or a bike ride through the city. If your headphones don’t have cups or plugs that block out noise passively, some sound will get out.

Nothing says this: “This open design is engineered with a Sound Seal System and directional speakers to minimize sound leakage, ensuring privacy while delivering a perfectly balanced soundstage.”

The Open keeps the style-focused approach that has been a part of Nothing’s work from the start. They borrow a lot from the way the company designs its Ear goods. That’s good because open-ear headphones often look like they were found at Dollar General.

Not even the words “lighter than usual earbuds” 30% say that the buds are lighter. In addition, they can play music for eight hours on a charge or thirty hours with the case.

The preorder starts on Tuesday. Beginning October 1, they will ship to the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe.