When Nothing released its flagship $179 Nothing Ear (3) noise-canceling earbuds last year, it added a unique feature: a “super” microphone integrated into its charging case, which was supposed to improve voice-calling performance. That feature isn’t available in its new, more affordable Nothing Ear (3a) buds. However, they are equipped with 32 megabytes of built-in flash storage that allows you to record up to two hours of audio directly to the buds by pinching the stems of both buds simultaneously. The Nothing Ear (3a) are available now for $99 in four colors, including a new pink option, and come with an extra-small ear tip in addition to the existing sizes.

Read more: Best Wireless Earbuds of 2026 

Nothing says the recording feature is powered by Audio Snapshot and lets you instantly clip media you’re listening to, “whether it’s an online lecture, or saving a voice note from a friend.” You can also record calls, with recordings automatically syncing to the Nothing X app, where they can be “replayed, edited, shared and transcribed.” All participants receive an audio alert when a call is being recorded.

Nothing has made a name for itself by offering eye-catching products with good performance, including phones, earbuds and headphones, at more affordable prices than premium brands. Nothing says the Ear (3a) include a new 12-millimeter dynamic driver designed to deliver “deeper bass and greater detail.” The buds’ noise canceling is also improved from their predecessor (by 17.1%, according to Nothing), with “stronger noise reduction across a broader frequency range, particularly between 400Hz and 2000Hz, where much of everyday environmental noise occurs.”

As for audio codecs, the Nothing Ear (3a) have support for the SBC, AAC and LDAC codecs, and while the buds don’t have spatial audio with head tracking, they do have a “static” spatial audio mode. 

Nothing earbuds have typically offered strong voice-calling performance, and the Nothing Ear (3a) have three microphones on each bud working in tandem with an AI-powered noise reduction system.

There’s no mention of wireless charging, but the charging case has been redesigned, with “a rounder, friendlier silhouette.” Battery life is rated at up to 10 hours on a single charge with noise canceling off and a total of 42 hours of playback with the charging case. Annoyingly, Nothing doesn’t provide single-charge battery life with noise canceling on. Instead, it says you get up to 25 hours of total battery life, which likely means around six to seven hours on a single charge with noise canceling enabled. 

As soon as I get my hands on the Nothing (3a) buds, I’ll let you know how they sound and perform compared to the pricier Nothing (3) buds and competing earbuds that cost around $100. And I do look forward to trying out that new voice recording feature.