$99 is a sweet spot for true wireless headphones — and two options currently available in this price range are the OnePlus Buds Z2 and Nothing Ear (1). The world of true wireless earbuds was drastically different a few short years ago. There were considerably fewer models available, many features were reserved for more expensive buds, and budget/affordable options left a lot to be desired.
Thankfully, this is no longer the case. While there are still plenty of flagship earbuds available, reasonably-priced ones are much better than they used to be — offering better sound, additional features, and nicer designs. Right now, two prime examples of this are the OnePlus Buds Z2 and Nothing Ear (1). Both earbuds tout a laundry list of impressive features and $99 price tags. Which one stands out as the better overall pick? Here’s what potential shoppers need to know.
Nothing pulls out a win right off the bat in the design department. Both earbuds have a pretty traditional in-ear shape with a short stem. However, Nothing’s aesthetics are far and away better than OnePlus’s. The Ear (1) are available in black and white with a stunning transparent finish — providing a clear look inside at all of the neatly-packed internals. This bold look carries over the case as well, which has a transparent top and bottom to match the look of the earbuds. By comparison, the OnePlus Buds Z2 are a bit generic. They’re also available in black and white, but the glossy, hard, and non-transparent plastic doesn’t do anything to stand out from the crowd. From a functional standpoint, however, OnePlus has a key advantage. The Buds Z2 have an IP55 dust and water-resistance rating, along with IPX4 protection for the charging case. By comparison, the Nothing Ear (1) get an IPX4 rating for the earbuds and lack any kind of IP coverage for their case.
OnePlus Buds Z2 Vs. Nothing Ear (1) Specs & Features
Digging into the audio side of things, the Buds Z2 and Ear (1) are pretty evenly matched. The former touts 11mm drivers while the latter has 11.6mm ones. Both earbuds also come with active noise cancellation, a transparency mode, and in-ear detection for automatic playback controls. The similarities continue with their OS compatibility. The OnePlus Buds Z2 work on Android and iOS with the free HeyMelody app. The Nothing Ear (1) are also compatible with both platforms thanks to the Ear (1) application. The earbuds also support Google Fast Pair on Android devices running Android 6.0 or later.
Both earbuds perform well on the battery front, though this is another area where OnePlus comes out ahead. With ANC enabled, the OnePlus Buds Z2 last up to 5 hours and get total battery life of 27 hours with the charging case. The Nothing Ear (1) last up to 4 hours on their own, and with the case, tout up to 24 hours of endurance. OnePlus continues to best Nothing when ANC is turned off. In this setup, the Buds Z2 last up to 7 hours on their own and up to 38 hours with the case. The Ear (1) last just 5.7 hours and 34 hours, respectively. That said, Nothing has more convenient charging options. Both the Buds Z2 and Ear (1) have a case with USB-C, but only Nothing offers Qi wireless charging support.
This is a comparison that really comes down to each person’s wants/needs. For the person who values aesthetics above all else, the Nothing Ear (1) are the way to go. They’re original, unique, and infinitely more stylish than the Buds Z2. They’re also the only earbuds with wireless charging. If those things aren’t important, however, it makes sense to stick with OnePlus. The Buds Z2 have much better water resistance, get longer battery life, and offer some exclusive features when used with a OnePlus smartphone. Regardless of which model someone chooses, it’s hard to go wrong either way.
