HEADPHONES · YOUR NEXT FACE-OFF

Nothing Ear (3) vs Apple AirPods Max 2

Real specs. Clear sources.Exact models · UK & US buying links

Compared products

YOUR FIRST CHOICE

Nothing Ear (3)

6974434226791 · White · UK

Full product profile Official image

Exact model & source notes

Nothing Ear (3) (store SKU 6974434226791 in White, the same SKU on the UK and US stores) are stem-style true wireless earbuds with real-time adaptive ANC up to 45 dB, Bluetooth 5.4 with LDAC and dual connection, and an aluminium-based case that adds a separate 'Super Mic' for calls and voice notes.

Specifications checked 26 Sept 2026.

Amazon links open search results. Check the exact variant, current price and availability with the retailer.

Manufacturer specifications

WHAT DIFFERS

6 verified differences, led by Wired / wireless connections, battery life and drivers. Compared in full below. Not a rating.

See the 6 verified differences

THE CONTENDER

Apple AirPods Max 2

Midnight

Full product profile Official image

Exact model & source notes

AirPods Max 2 in Midnight (UK part MHWK4ZM/A, US part MHWK4AM/A) are Apple's over-ear noise-cancelling headphones, with an H2 chip in each ear cup and nine microphones. Apple lists Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking and Adaptive EQ among their audio features. They connect over Bluetooth 5.3, and a wired USB-C connection adds Lossless and ultra-low-latency audio. Apple rates them at up to 20 hours with noise cancellation on.

Specifications checked 26 Sept 2026.

Amazon links open search results. Check the exact variant, current price and availability with the retailer.

Manufacturer specifications

Nothing Ear (3) UK & US retailers

UK & US price history: no verified listing yet

Apple AirPods Max 2 UK & US retailers

UK & US price history: no verified listing yet

Search links open retailer results, not a matched listing; eBay listings are checked daily. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.

THE DIFFERENCES, MADE VISIBLE

Visual facts

Differences first. Select a topic for its graphic, sources and conditions.

How to read this comparison

Manufacturer facts for the exact models shown. Not a quality rating or a test result.
“Different” means the known values differ, not that one is better.
Missing or conflicting evidence is marked and never counts as a difference. Source chips hold each fact’s sources and conditions.

FEATURES SIDE BY SIDE4 topics

Yes and No describe the listed feature. Missing evidence stays unverified.

SELECTED TOPIC

01 / 04

Detachable cable

A detachable cable unplugs at the headphones. A fixed cable does not. Always check the model-specific connector before buying a replacement.

Nothing Ear (3)Not verified

Bluetooth 5.4 (AAC, SBC, LDAC) with dual connection; USB-C and wireless charging on the case. Manufacturer specification · Charging to full takes 70 minutes over USB-C or 120 minutes wirelessly, per Nothing.

Source 1

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

Bluetooth 5.3; USB-C for charging and wired Lossless / ultra-low-latency audio. Manufacturer specification · No analogue input is listed on the specifications page; only the USB-C charge cable is in the box.

Source 1

Choose your must-haves

Start with your listening environment. Open and closed earcups suit different surroundings. A closed back is not the same as active noise cancellation. Check the exact cable and headphone output. We do not turn impedance, driver size or unpaired lab results into a sound-quality score.

WHAT CHANGES BETWEEN THEM?

Key differences

Full specifications ↓

6 verified differences, most decision-relevant first. Missing information stays separate.

Wired / wireless connections

Nothing Ear (3)Bluetooth 5.4 (AAC, SBC, LDAC) with dual connection; USB-C and wireless charging on the case

Apple AirPods Max 2Bluetooth 5.3; USB-C for charging and wired Lossless / ultra-low-latency audio

Sources

Nothing Ear (3)

Manufacturer specification · Charging to full takes 70 minutes over USB-C or 120 minutes wirelessly, per Nothing.

Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications

Apple AirPods Max 2

Manufacturer specification · No analogue input is listed on the specifications page; only the USB-C charge cable is in the box.

Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications

Check the exact configuration and source conditions for your use.

Battery life

Nothing Ear (3)AAC: earbuds up to 5.5 hours with ANC on and up to 10 hours with ANC off; with the charging case up to 22 hours with ANC on and up to 38 hours with ANC off. LDAC: earbuds up to 3.5 hours with ANC on and 5.5 hours with ANC off (no case total given for LDAC).

Apple AirPods Max 2Up to 20 hours of listening on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation on; 5 minutes of charging gives around 1.5 hours

Sources

Nothing Ear (3)

Manufacturer specification · Nothing laboratory results at 25 °C, 50% volume, AAC, other features at default settings; actual life varies with volume, calls, source and features. Talk time is separately listed (earbuds 4 h ANC on / 5 h ANC off; with case 15.5 h / 19 h).

Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Nothing (US store, us.nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications

Apple AirPods Max 2

Manufacturer specification · Each figure has its own Apple test: the 20-hour figure is from testing in January and February 2026 with pre-production AirPods Max 2 paired with production iPhone 17 Pro Max units; the 5-minute charge figure is from testing in March 2026 with pre-production AirPods Max 2 paired with production iPhone 15 Pro Max units. Both used pre-release software, volume at 50%, Active Noise Cancellation enabled and Spatial Audio set to fixed. Battery life depends on device settings, environment, usage and many other factors.

Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications

Manufacturer claims for the stated mode and equipment. Read each test condition; this is not measured everyday battery life.

Drivers

Nothing Ear (3)12 mm dynamic driver, 32 Ω, PMI + TPU diaphragm

Apple AirPods Max 2Apple-designed dynamic driver with custom high-dynamic-range amplifier

Sources

Nothing Ear (3)

Manufacturer specification

Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications

Apple AirPods Max 2

Manufacturer specification · Apple does not publish the driver diameter on the specifications page.

Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications

Check whether the diameter describes the complete transducer or only its diaphragm. Different labels and driver sizes do not establish better sound.

Wearing style

Nothing Ear (3)In-ear, true wireless (stem earbuds with silicone ear tips)

Apple AirPods Max 2Over-ear wireless headphones

Sources

Nothing Ear (3)

Manufacturer specification · Two earbuds and a charging case; three pairs of ear tips are in the box.

Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications

Apple AirPods Max 2

Manufacturer specification · Apple does not describe the ear cups as open or closed-back on the pages read.

Apple Store UK — Buy AirPods Max 2 (colour part numbers)

Check the exact configuration and source conditions for your use.

Spatial audio

Nothing Ear (3)Static Spatial Audio

Apple AirPods Max 2Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking

Sources

Nothing Ear (3)

Manufacturer specification · Listed under Sound features. Nothing describes it as creating a 3D soundscape; the pages do not mention head tracking.

Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Nothing (US store, us.nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications

Apple AirPods Max 2

Manufacturer specification · Apple: compatible hardware and software required; works with compatible content in supported apps; not all content is available in Dolby Atmos.

Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications

Check the exact configuration and source conditions for your use.

Dimensions

Nothing Ear (3)Each earbud 30.5 x 21.5 x 20.75 mm; charging case 55.5 x 55.5 x 22.25 mm (height x width x depth)

Apple AirPods Max 2168.6 × 83.4 × 187.3 mm including cushions

Sources

Nothing Ear (3)

Manufacturer specification

Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Nothing (US store, us.nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications

Apple AirPods Max 2

Manufacturer specification

Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications

A size or weight trade-off; it does not establish the better product.

Missing or non-comparable evidence (17)

Companion app

Nothing Ear (3)Nothing X app: custom EQ with profile sharing (8-band equaliser), Personal Sound profile (Audiodo), Dynamic Bass Enhancement, customisable controls, find my earbuds, dual connection, ear tips fit test and firmware updates

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

Sources

Nothing Ear (3)

Manufacturer specification · Nothing X is for Android 6.0 and above and iOS 13 and above; on Nothing OS 1.5.6 and higher the settings are built into the phone.

Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Nothing (US store, us.nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Listed audio technology

Nothing Ear (3)Not verified

Apple AirPods Max 2Apple-designed dynamic driver; custom high dynamic range amplifier; Active Noise Cancellation; Adaptive Audio; Transparency mode; Conversation Awareness; Voice Isolation; Personalised Volume; Loud Sound Reduction; Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ; studio-quality audio recording; Lossless Audio and ultra-low latency audio via USB-C; Live Translation

Sources

Nothing Ear (3)

No source recorded for this side.

Apple AirPods Max 2

Manufacturer specification · Apple's footnotes tie several of these features to compatible Apple devices running the latest software; Lossless and ultra-low latency audio need a wired USB-C connection and compatible content.

Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Battery capacity

Nothing Ear (3)Earbuds 55 mAh each; case 500 mAh

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

Sources

Nothing Ear (3)

Manufacturer specification

Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Charging

Nothing Ear (3)Not verified

Apple AirPods Max 2USB-C

Sources

Nothing Ear (3)

No source recorded for this side.

Apple AirPods Max 2

Manufacturer specification

Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Chip

Nothing Ear (3)Not verified

Apple AirPods Max 2Apple H2 headphone chip in each ear cup

Sources

Nothing Ear (3)

No source recorded for this side.

Apple AirPods Max 2

Manufacturer specification

Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Bluetooth codecs

Nothing Ear (3)AAC, SBC, LDAC (Hi-Res certified)

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

Sources

Nothing Ear (3)

Manufacturer specification

Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Controls

Nothing Ear (3)Pinch sensor on each earbud: pinch for play/pause and answer/end call; double pinch for next track or reject call; triple pinch for previous track; hold for noise cancellation/transparency; pinch and hold for volume up/down. Case Talk button: press and hold during a call to use Super Mic, double press to lock it in; outside calls, press and hold for Essential Space (Nothing OS) or the voice assistant (iOS/Android).

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

Sources

Nothing Ear (3)

Manufacturer specification · Next/previous track, noise cancellation/transparency, volume and the Talk button's non-call actions are marked customisable in the Nothing X app. Essential Space is available only on select Nothing devices with the Essential Key.

Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Nothing (US store, us.nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Quick pairing

Nothing Ear (3)Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

Sources

Nothing Ear (3)

Manufacturer specification · Fast Pair works on supported Android devices running Google Play services 11.7+ (back to Android 6.0); Find My and device renaming support need Android 10 or later.

Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Nothing (US store, us.nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Frequency response

Nothing Ear (3)20 Hz – 40 kHz

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

Sources

Nothing Ear (3)

Manufacturer specification · Listed as 'RF' under Sound in Nothing's specification table.

Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Nothing (US store, us.nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

In-ear detection

Nothing Ear (3)Yes

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

Sources

Nothing Ear (3)

Manufacturer specification

Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Nothing (US store, us.nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

In the box

Nothing Ear (3)Not verified

Apple AirPods Max 2AirPods Max 2, Smart Case, USB-C charge cable, documentation

Sources

Nothing Ear (3)

No source recorded for this side.

Apple AirPods Max 2

Manufacturer specification

Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Low Lag Mode

Nothing Ear (3)Low Lag Mode (latency as low as 110 ms)

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

Sources

Nothing Ear (3)

Manufacturer specification · Latency can be reduced to as low as 110 ms only when the earbuds are paired with Nothing phones with Game Mode turned on (footnote 3).

Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Nothing (US store, us.nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Multipoint (dual connection)

Nothing Ear (3)Yes

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

Sources

Nothing Ear (3)

Manufacturer specification · Nothing notes that turning Dual Connection on affects Super Mic functionality; Super Mic is prioritised with Dual Connection off by default.

Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Platform compatibility

Nothing Ear (3)Not verified

Apple AirPods Max 2Full feature set with current Apple devices; works as Bluetooth headphones with non-Apple devices with possibly limited functionality

Sources

Nothing Ear (3)

No source recorded for this side.

Apple AirPods Max 2

Manufacturer specification

Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Dust, sweat and water resistance

Nothing Ear (3)IP54 (earbuds and case)

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

Sources

Nothing Ear (3)

Manufacturer specification

Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Weight per earbud

Nothing Ear (3)5.2 g

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

Sources

Nothing Ear (3)

Manufacturer specification · Each earbud. Nothing lists 71.4 g for the earbuds and case together (buds-and-case weight), not the case alone.

Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Weight

Nothing Ear (3)Not verified

Apple AirPods Max 2386.2 g

Sources

Nothing Ear (3)

No source recorded for this side.

Apple AirPods Max 2

Manufacturer specification · Headphones including cushions; the Smart Case adds 134.5 g. Apple notes that weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.

Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

2 shared fields have the same recorded value.

YOUR HEADPHONES. YOUR RULES.

Check against your must-haves

Feature matching for the features you select. It doesn’t rate sound or comfort.

Start with your listening setup.

Choose a starting point, then fine-tune your must-haves.

FINE-TUNE THE DETAILS

Your essentials.

These shortcuts select the features shown above. Check the fit against your own equipment and listening space.

A feature match describes the selected requirements. It doesn’t rate sound or comfort.

Open-back designFor a quiet listening spaceClosed-back designAn enclosed outer earcupDetachable cableUnplug the cable at the headphonesBuilt-in microphoneFor calls and voice chatActive noise cancellationNot the same as a closed back

YOUR CHOICE

Nothing Ear (3)

Select a feature to check your fit.

YOUR CHOICE

Apple AirPods Max 2

Select a feature to check your fit.

Feature matching, not a sound-quality score. The specification table links to the evidence for each feature.

WHAT EACH CHOICE ASKS OF YOU

What it brings and what to check

Nothing Ear (3)

What it brings

For calls, each earbud has three MEMS microphones and a voice pickup unit that senses vibrations from your jawbone, and the case holds Super Mic: two beamforming MEMS microphones you switch to with the case's Talk button, which Nothing recommends holding about 5 cm from your mouth in loud places.
Manufacturer source
The case charges both over USB-C and wirelessly, and with AAC Nothing rates up to 10 hours per charge (ANC off) and 38 hours with the case.
Manufacturer source

What to check

Using LDAC cuts rated earbud playback to 3.5 hours with ANC on (5.5 hours off), against 5.5 and 10 hours with AAC.
Manufacturer source
Dust and water resistance is IP54, and Nothing says turning on dual connection affects Super Mic behaviour, so the two features do not fully work together by default.
Manufacturer source

Apple AirPods Max 2

What it brings

USB-C does more than charge: Apple lists wired Lossless and ultra-low-latency audio over it, with compatible content from supported apps and services.
Manufacturer source
Apple lists nine microphones in total, eight for noise cancellation and three for voice pickup, two of them shared. There is an Apple H2 chip in each ear cup.
Manufacturer source

What to check

Apple states 386.2 g including cushions, a figure worth weighing up for long listening sessions, and the Smart Case adds another 134.5 g when carried.
Manufacturer source
Many features rely on Apple devices with current software. Apple notes that functionality may be limited on non-Apple devices, and no analogue input or cable is listed in the box.
Manufacturer source

COMPARE THE DETAILS

Full specifications

How we verify

Differences only

25 of 25 specifications Sources in each row

Source-backed specifications for Nothing Ear (3) and Apple AirPods Max 2
Specification	Nothing Ear (3)	Apple AirPods Max 2

Wearing styleDifferent Sources Nothing Ear (3) Manufacturer specification · Two earbuds and a charging case; three pairs of ear tips are in the box. Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Apple AirPods Max 2 Manufacturer specification · Apple does not describe the ear cups as open or closed-back on the pages read. Apple Store UK — Buy AirPods Max 2 (colour part numbers)	In-ear, true wireless (stem earbuds with silicone ear tips)	Over-ear wireless headphones
Weight per earbud Sources Nothing Ear (3) Manufacturer specification · Each earbud. Nothing lists 71.4 g for the earbuds and case together (buds-and-case weight), not the case alone. Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded.	5.2 g	Not provided
DimensionsDifferent Sources Nothing Ear (3) Manufacturer specification Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Nothing (US store, us.nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Apple AirPods Max 2 Manufacturer specification Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications	Each earbud 30.5 x 21.5 x 20.75 mm; charging case 55.5 x 55.5 x 22.25 mm (height x width x depth)	168.6 × 83.4 × 187.3 mm including cushions
Dust, sweat and water resistance Sources Nothing Ear (3) Manufacturer specification Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded.	IP54 (earbuds and case)	Not provided
Weight Sources Nothing Ear (3) No source recorded. Apple AirPods Max 2 Manufacturer specification · Headphones including cushions; the Smart Case adds 134.5 g. Apple notes that weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process. Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications	Not provided	386.2 g

Wired / wireless connectionsDifferent Sources Nothing Ear (3) Manufacturer specification · Charging to full takes 70 minutes over USB-C or 120 minutes wirelessly, per Nothing. Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Apple AirPods Max 2 Manufacturer specification · No analogue input is listed on the specifications page; only the USB-C charge cable is in the box. Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications	Bluetooth 5.4 (AAC, SBC, LDAC) with dual connection; USB-C and wireless charging on the case	Bluetooth 5.3; USB-C for charging and wired Lossless / ultra-low-latency audio
Battery lifeDifferent Sources Nothing Ear (3) Manufacturer specification · Nothing laboratory results at 25 °C, 50% volume, AAC, other features at default settings; actual life varies with volume, calls, source and features. Talk time is separately listed (earbuds 4 h ANC on / 5 h ANC off; with case 15.5 h / 19 h). Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Nothing (US store, us.nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Apple AirPods Max 2 Manufacturer specification · Each figure has its own Apple test: the 20-hour figure is from testing in January and February 2026 with pre-production AirPods Max 2 paired with production iPhone 17 Pro Max units; the 5-minute charge figure is from testing in March 2026 with pre-production AirPods Max 2 paired with production iPhone 15 Pro Max units. Both used pre-release software, volume at 50%, Active Noise Cancellation enabled and Spatial Audio set to fixed. Battery life depends on device settings, environment, usage and many other factors. Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications	AAC: earbuds up to 5.5 hours with ANC on and up to 10 hours with ANC off; with the charging case up to 22 hours with ANC on and up to 38 hours with ANC off. LDAC: earbuds up to 3.5 hours with ANC on and 5.5 hours with ANC off (no case total given for LDAC).	Up to 20 hours of listening on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation on; 5 minutes of charging gives around 1.5 hours
Bluetooth codecs Sources Nothing Ear (3) Manufacturer specification Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded.	AAC, SBC, LDAC (Hi-Res certified)	Not provided
Multipoint (dual connection) Sources Nothing Ear (3) Manufacturer specification · Nothing notes that turning Dual Connection on affects Super Mic functionality; Super Mic is prioritised with Dual Connection off by default. Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded.	Yes	Not provided
Low Lag Mode Sources Nothing Ear (3) Manufacturer specification · Latency can be reduced to as low as 110 ms only when the earbuds are paired with Nothing phones with Game Mode turned on (footnote 3). Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Nothing (US store, us.nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded.	Low Lag Mode (latency as low as 110 ms)	Not provided
Quick pairing Sources Nothing Ear (3) Manufacturer specification · Fast Pair works on supported Android devices running Google Play services 11.7+ (back to Android 6.0); Find My and device renaming support need Android 10 or later. Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Nothing (US store, us.nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded.	Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair	Not provided
Battery capacity Sources Nothing Ear (3) Manufacturer specification Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded.	Earbuds 55 mAh each; case 500 mAh	Not provided
Charging Sources Nothing Ear (3) No source recorded. Apple AirPods Max 2 Manufacturer specification Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications	Not provided	USB-C
Platform compatibility Sources Nothing Ear (3) No source recorded. Apple AirPods Max 2 Manufacturer specification Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications	Not provided	Full feature set with current Apple devices; works as Bluetooth headphones with non-Apple devices with possibly limited functionality

DriversDifferent Sources Nothing Ear (3) Manufacturer specification Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Apple AirPods Max 2 Manufacturer specification · Apple does not publish the driver diameter on the specifications page. Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications	12 mm dynamic driver, 32 Ω, PMI + TPU diaphragm	Apple-designed dynamic driver with custom high-dynamic-range amplifier
Spatial audioDifferent Sources Nothing Ear (3) Manufacturer specification · Listed under Sound features. Nothing describes it as creating a 3D soundscape; the pages do not mention head tracking. Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Nothing (US store, us.nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Apple AirPods Max 2 Manufacturer specification · Apple: compatible hardware and software required; works with compatible content in supported apps; not all content is available in Dolby Atmos. Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications	Static Spatial Audio	Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking
Frequency response Sources Nothing Ear (3) Manufacturer specification · Listed as 'RF' under Sound in Nothing's specification table. Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Nothing (US store, us.nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded.	20 Hz – 40 kHz	Not provided
Listed audio technology Sources Nothing Ear (3) No source recorded. Apple AirPods Max 2 Manufacturer specification · Apple's footnotes tie several of these features to compatible Apple devices running the latest software; Lossless and ultra-low latency audio need a wired USB-C connection and compatible content. Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications	Not provided	Apple-designed dynamic driver; custom high dynamic range amplifier; Active Noise Cancellation; Adaptive Audio; Transparency mode; Conversation Awareness; Voice Isolation; Personalised Volume; Loud Sound Reduction; Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ; studio-quality audio recording; Lossless Audio and ultra-low latency audio via USB-C; Live Translation
Chip Sources Nothing Ear (3) No source recorded. Apple AirPods Max 2 Manufacturer specification Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications	Not provided	Apple H2 headphone chip in each ear cup

Microphone Sources Nothing Ear (3) Manufacturer specification · Three MEMS microphones per earbud plus a voice pickup unit (VPU) per earbud; the charging case also contains a dual-microphone 'Super Mic' activated with its Talk button. Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Apple AirPods Max 2 Manufacturer specification · Nine microphones in total; three pick up voice, two of which are shared with noise cancellation. Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications	Yes	Yes
Active noise cancellation Sources Nothing Ear (3) Manufacturer specification · Real-time adaptive ANC up to 45 dB (Nothing's laboratory theoretical maximum) with a Transparency mode. Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Apple AirPods Max 2 Manufacturer specification · Also offers Adaptive Audio and Transparency mode. Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications	Yes	Yes

Companion app Sources Nothing Ear (3) Manufacturer specification · Nothing X is for Android 6.0 and above and iOS 13 and above; on Nothing OS 1.5.6 and higher the settings are built into the phone. Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Nothing (US store, us.nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded.	Nothing X app: custom EQ with profile sharing (8-band equaliser), Personal Sound profile (Audiodo), Dynamic Bass Enhancement, customisable controls, find my earbuds, dual connection, ear tips fit test and firmware updates	Not provided
Controls Sources Nothing Ear (3) Manufacturer specification · Next/previous track, noise cancellation/transparency, volume and the Talk button's non-call actions are marked customisable in the Nothing X app. Essential Space is available only on select Nothing devices with the Essential Key. Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Nothing (US store, us.nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded.	Pinch sensor on each earbud: pinch for play/pause and answer/end call; double pinch for next track or reject call; triple pinch for previous track; hold for noise cancellation/transparency; pinch and hold for volume up/down. Case Talk button: press and hold during a call to use Super Mic, double press to lock it in; outside calls, press and hold for Essential Space (Nothing OS) or the voice assistant (iOS/Android).	Not provided
In-ear detection Sources Nothing Ear (3) Manufacturer specification Nothing (UK store, nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Nothing (US store, us.nothing.tech) — Ear (3) product page with technical specifications Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded.	Yes	Not provided

In the box Sources Nothing Ear (3) No source recorded. Apple AirPods Max 2 Manufacturer specification Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications	Not provided	AirPods Max 2, Smart Case, USB-C charge cable, documentation

First product manufacturer source Second product manufacturer source

FIND YOUR CONTENDERS

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Sony WF-C710N

Weight per earbud: 5.2 g
Wearing style: In-ear true wireless earbuds
Wired / wireless connections: Bluetooth 5.3 with positively listed SBC and AAC codec support

Prices & product profile

Front view of LG xboom Buds by will.i.am | Bluetooth Earbuds | xboom Signature Sound with Graphene Driver | Black BUDS

LG BUDS

Manufacturer wearing style: LG xboom Buds by will.i.am | Bluetooth Earbuds | xboom Signature Sound with Graphene Driver | Black BUDS
Manufacturer wireless connection declarations: SBC (yes); AAC (yes); BLE (yes); Google Fast Pair Service (yes); 5.4 (Bluetooth Version); Auracast (yes); Microsoft Swift Pair (yes)
Manufacturer microphone declaration: Yes

Prices & product profile

Front view of LG xboom Buds Plus by will.i.am | Bluetooth Earbuds with Graphene Drivers & Adaptive EQ, ANC, Black BUDSPLUS

LG BUDSPLUS

Manufacturer wearing style: LG xboom Buds Plus by will.i.am | Bluetooth Earbuds with Graphene Drivers & Adaptive EQ, ANC, Black BUDSPLUS
Manufacturer wireless connection declarations: SBC (yes); AAC (yes); BLE (yes); Google Fast Pair Service (yes); 5.4 (Bluetooth Version); Auracast (yes); Microsoft Swift Pair (yes)
Manufacturer microphone declaration: Yes

Prices & product profile

Front view of LG xboom Buds Plus by will.i.am | Bluetooth Earbuds with Graphene Drivers & Adaptive EQ, ANC, White BUDSPLUS-WHITE

LG BUDSPLUS-WHITE

Manufacturer wearing style: LG xboom Buds Plus by will.i.am | Bluetooth Earbuds with Graphene Drivers & Adaptive EQ, ANC, White BUDSPLUS-WHITE
Manufacturer wireless connection declarations: SBC (yes); AAC (yes); BLE (yes); Google Fast Pair Service (yes); 5.4 (Bluetooth Version); Auracast (yes); Microsoft Swift Pair (yes)
Manufacturer microphone declaration: Yes

Prices & product profile

Each record represents an explicitly checked model and configuration. Original import: 5 Sept 2026; this is not its verification date. This is not a list of current offers or a popularity ranking.