Nothing Ear (1) vs Anker Soundcore Space A40
The Verdict
Both earbuds deliver solid performance at budget-friendly prices, but they excel in different areas. Nothing Ear (1) features an 11.6mm dynamic driver versus Soundcore Space A40's 10mm driver, giving Nothing a potential edge in raw sound depth. However, Soundcore Space A40 dominates battery life with 10 hours on ANC compared to Nothing's 4 hours, and offers 50 total hours with case versus 24 hours. That's a massive practical advantage for travel or daily commuting. Soundcore also includes LDAC codec support for higher quality wireless audio and multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, letting you switch seamlessly between devices. Nothing Ear (1) counters with gesture controls on the stems and a more premium design aesthetic. Both have IPX4 water resistance and customizable EQ via their apps. At $79 versus $99, Soundcore Space A40 represents significantly better value when you factor in the battery advantage and additional features like multipoint connection. However, if sound quality and design matter more to you than endurance, Nothing Ear (1) justifies its premium price. For most users seeking reliable budget earbuds with practical advantages, Soundcore Space A40 is the smarter choice.
Who Should Buy
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
Buy the Anker Soundcore Space A40 if…
- →Incredible value at $79 with ANC, LDAC, multipoint, and wireless charging
- →50-hour total battery with case is best-in-class for true wireless
- →LDAC codec supports high-resolution audio streaming
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
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
Anker Soundcore Space A40
Pros
- Incredible value at $79 with ANC, LDAC, multipoint, and wireless charging
- 50-hour total battery with case is best-in-class for true wireless
- LDAC codec supports high-resolution audio streaming
- HearID creates personalized sound profiles based on hearing test
- Compact and lightweight for a secure, comfortable fit
Cons
- ANC is decent but not competitive with Sony or Bose flagships
- Call quality can be inconsistent in noisy environments
- IPX4 rating is basic splash resistance only
- Touch controls are sometimes unresponsive
- Bass can be slightly muddy at default EQ settings
Full Specifications
| Spec | Nothing Ear (1) | Anker Soundcore Space A40 |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | ||
| Type | in-ear | in-ear |
| Weight | 4.7 g (each) | 4.9 g (each) |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 4 hrs (ANC on), 5.7 hrs (ANC off), 24 hrs total with case (ANC off) | 10 hrs (ANC on), 50 hrs total with case |
| Charging | USB-C, Qi wireless | USB-C, Qi wireless |
| Drivers | 11.6mm dynamic driver | 10mm dynamic driver |
| Features | 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 | Adaptive ANC with multiple levels, Transparency Mode, HearID personalized sound profiles, Multipoint Bluetooth, Wireless charging case, Soundcore app with EQ customization |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wired option | ||
| Codecs | AAC, SBC | AAC, SBC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.2 |
| Multipoint | ||
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
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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 Nothing products or all Anker products. View full details for the Nothing Ear (1) or the Anker Soundcore Space A40.