Beats Studio Buds+ vs Nothing Ear (1)
The Verdict
Beats Studio Buds+ deliver superior battery endurance with 6 hours of ANC playback versus Nothing Ear (1)'s 4 hours, plus faster charging: 5 minutes grants 1 hour of use. Both feature IPX4 water resistance and effective ANC, though Beats includes Spatial Audio support for Apple devices and superior ecosystem integration. Nothing Ear (1) compensates with wireless charging capability, dual ANC modes, and aggressive pricing at $99 compared to Beats' $169. Sound quality leans toward Beats' tuning with dual 9.5mm drivers, while Nothing offers customizable EQ. For Apple users prioritizing longevity and premium features, Beats Studio Buds+ justify the investment. Android users seeking value with respectable noise cancellation should seriously consider Nothing Ear (1), which delivers 70% of Beats' capabilities at 58% of the cost.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Beats Studio Buds+ if…
- →Works equally well with iOS and Android — rare for Beats
- →Transparent case is a unique, eye-catching design
- →36 hours total battery with case is exceptional
Buy the Nothing Ear (1) if…
- →Iconic transparent design with unique aesthetic
- →ANC and wireless charging at just $99 is outstanding value
- →Comfortable and lightweight at 4.7 g per earbud
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Beats Studio Buds+
Pros
- Works equally well with iOS and Android — rare for Beats
- Transparent case is a unique, eye-catching design
- 36 hours total battery with case is exceptional
- Improved ANC over original Studio Buds — blocks significantly more noise
- Lightweight at 5 g per bud with comfortable fit
Cons
- No Apple H2 or W1 chip — misses some Apple ecosystem features
- SBC/AAC only — no aptX or LDAC for audiophile Android users
- No multipoint Bluetooth connection
- Transparency mode still not as natural as AirPods Pro 2
Nothing Ear (1)
Pros
- Iconic transparent design with unique aesthetic
- ANC and wireless charging at just $99 is outstanding value
- Comfortable and lightweight at 4.7 g per earbud
- Squeeze gesture controls are intuitive and precise
- Qi wireless charging case adds convenience
Cons
- 4-hour ANC battery life is quite short
- No multipoint Bluetooth connectivity
- ANC is mild — doesn't match premium competitors
- Limited codec support — AAC and SBC only
- Transparent case shows dust and scratches easily
Full Specifications
| Spec | Beats Studio Buds+ | Nothing Ear (1) |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | ||
| Type | in-ear | in-ear |
| Weight | 5 g (each) | 4.7 g (each) |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 6 hrs ANC on (9 hrs off), 36 hrs total with case | 4 hrs (ANC on), 5.7 hrs (ANC off), 24 hrs total with case (ANC off) |
| Charging | USB-C, 5 min = 1 hr playback | USB-C, Qi wireless |
| Drivers | Custom 9.5mm dual-element driver | 11.6mm dynamic driver |
| Features | Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, Enhanced Apple and Android compatibility, One-touch pairing on both iOS and Android, Custom acoustic platform with dual-element driver, Find My (iOS) and Find My Device (Android), Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking (Apple) | Active Noise Cancellation with two modes (Light and Maximum), Transparency Mode, In-ear detection for auto play/pause, Nothing app with EQ customization, Squeeze gesture controls on stems |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wired option | ||
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Multipoint | ||
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in headphones, see all Beats products or all Nothing products. View full details for the Beats Studio Buds+ or the Nothing Ear (1).