Battle of the Earbuds: Nothing Ear (2) vs AirPods Pro 2 vs Galaxy Buds2 Pro

In the ever-growing world of wireless earbuds, three major contenders are vying for the top spot: Nothing Ear (2) vs AirPods Pro 2 vs Galaxy Buds2 Pro. In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll examine 13 different aspects to help you decide which earbuds are the best fit for you.

Design

The design of the AirPods Pro 2 and Nothing Ear (2)(Nothing Ear (2) Review) features a stem, while the Galaxy Buds2 Pro are stemless. The stem design is generally preferred for its ease of use when inserting or removing earbuds without affecting audio controls.

Nothing Ear (2) stands out with its unique see-through stem design, which is both eye-catching and one-of-a-kind. The Galaxy Buds2 Pro sports a matte finish in three color options (black, purple, and white) and is fingerprint and scratch-resistant. Both AirPods Pro 2 and Nothing Ear (2) are only available in white.

Case Design

The AirPods Pro 2 case is the smallest and most compact of the three, while Samsung’s case is thicker but more durable. Nothing Ear (2) continues its transparent design in the case, which, although stunning, is less durable and prone to scratches.

Samsung’s case stands out with its dual LED light indicator for battery life, and it integrates with Samsung’s SmartThings network for easy location. Apple’s case has a built-in speaker for alerts and a U1 chip for quick location within the Find My network, but it has a glossy finish that is prone to scratches.

Comfort

Comfort is subjective, but in general, the Nothing Ear (2) and AirPods Pro 2 are more secure due to their stem design. The Nothing Ear (2) is also lighter, making it slightly more comfortable for some users. The Galaxy Buds2 Pro can feel heavy and less secure in the ear.

All three earbuds come with multiple eartips for the best fit, and they each have some level of water/sweat resistance. Nothing Ear (2) offers an IP54 rating (IP55 for the case), AirPods Pro 2 has an IPX4 rating, and Galaxy Buds2 Pro boasts an IPX7 rating, making them the most water-resistant of the bunch.

Controls

The Nothing Ear (2) and AirPods Pro 2 share similar stem controls for enabling noise-canceling/transparency modes and skipping tracks. Galaxy Buds2 Pro uses touch controls on the earbud itself, which can be less precise. Overall, stem controls are more reliable and user-friendly.

Sound Quality

For casual listeners, the Galaxy Buds2 Pro offers the best sound quality with a rich soundstage, clear vocals, and impressive bass. The AirPods Pro 2 has a slightly flatter sound, while the Nothing Ear (2) offers good sound quality after a software update enabling its 24-bit LDHC standard.

Both the Galaxy Buds2 Pro and Nothing Ear (2) can be tweaked for even better sound through their dedicated apps, while the AirPods Pro 2 requires adjustments through the iPhone settings.

Noise Canceling and Transparency Modes

AirPods Pro 2 takes the crown for the best noise-canceling capabilities, followed closely by Nothing Ear (2). Galaxy Buds2 Pro falls behind in this category. For transparency mode, the AirPods Pro 2 is the clear winner, with Galaxy Buds2 Pro in second place, and Nothing Ear (2) lagging with a noticeably muffled sound.

Connectivity

The AirPods Pro 2 boasts the Apple H1 chip, providing seamless connectivity with Apple devices. The Nothing Ear (2) and Galaxy Buds2 Pro use Bluetooth 5.2 for stable connections. While all three earbuds offer reliable connections, the AirPods Pro 2 shines for Apple users due to its seamless integration.

Battery Life

The Galaxy Buds2 Pro leads the pack with up to 8 hours of playback time on a single charge and an additional 20 hours with the case. AirPods Pro 2 follows with up to 6 hours and an additional 24 hours with the case, while Nothing Ear (2) lags with only 4 hours of playback and an additional 24 hours using the case.

Charging

All three earbuds support wireless charging, but the Galaxy Buds2 Pro and AirPods Pro 2 have a slight edge with their fast-charging capabilities. A 5-minute charge for the Galaxy Buds2 Pro or AirPods Pro 2 provides an hour of playback time, while Nothing Ear (2) requires 10 minutes for the same result.

Voice Assistant Integration

Each earbud features native voice assistant integration. The AirPods Pro 2 integrates with Siri, while the Galaxy Buds2 Pro works with Bixby, and Nothing Ear (2) supports both Google Assistant and Siri. AirPods Pro 2 and Galaxy Buds2 Pro offer the most seamless integration with their respective assistants.

Price

The AirPods Pro 2 is the most expensive of the three at $249 (£249)(Amazon Link), followed by the Galaxy Buds2 Pro at $199 (£219)(Amazon Link), and the Nothing Ear (2) at $149 (£129.00)(Amazon Link). This price gap may be a significant factor for budget-conscious buyers.

Customization

Both the Galaxy Buds2 Pro and Nothing Ear (2) have dedicated apps for customization, EQ adjustments, and firmware updates. The AirPods Pro 2 customization is more limited, requiring users to adjust settings through their iPhone.

Ecosystem

The AirPods Pro 2 is the clear winner for Apple users, as it integrates seamlessly with the Apple ecosystem. The Galaxy Buds2 Pro also integrates well with the Samsung ecosystem, while the Nothing Ear (2) is a more versatile option for users with mixed device preferences.

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Feature	Nothing Ear (2)	AirPods Pro 2	Galaxy Buds2 Pro
Price	$149 (£129.00)	$249 (£249)	$199 (£219)
Design	Transparent, Stem Design	Stem Design, Color Options	Compact, Color Options
Noise Cancellation	Yes	Yes	Yes
Ambient Sound Mode	Yes	Yes	Yes
Battery Life	Up to 34 hours with case	Up to 30 hours with case	Up to 29 hours with case
Fast Charging	Yes	Yes	Yes
Wireless Charging	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sound Quality	Clear, Balanced	Adaptive EQ, High Quality	Rich, Immersive, Customizable
Voice Assistant	Google Assistant	Siri	Bixby, Google Assistant
Water Resistance	IPX4	IPX4	IPX7
Customization App	Ear (1) App	Apple Ecosystem	Galaxy Wearable App
Multi-Device Connection	No	Yes	Yes
Find My Earbuds Feature	Yes	Yes	Yes

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When deciding between the Nothing Ear (2), AirPods Pro 2, and Galaxy Buds2 Pro, it ultimately depends on your priorities and device ecosystem. The AirPods Pro 2 is best for Apple users, while the Galaxy Buds2 Pro offers excellent sound and battery life. The Nothing Ear (2) is the most budget-friendly option with a unique design.

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Nothing Ear (2) is the most affordable option with a distinctive transparent design, offering competitive features like noise cancellation, ambient sound mode, and decent battery life. If you’re on a budget but don’t want to compromise on essential features, the Nothing Ear (2) is a solid choice.

AirPods Pro 2 stands out with its seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem, adaptive EQ, and multi-device connection capabilities. If you’re already using Apple products and are willing to pay a premium for the convenience and quality, the AirPods Pro 2 is a compelling option.

Galaxy Buds2 Pro offers a more versatile choice for Android users, with robust water resistance (IPX7), customizable sound profiles, and compatibility with both Bixby and Google Assistant. If you’re a Samsung fan or want a feature-rich earbud with more durability, the Galaxy Buds2 Pro may be your best bet.

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Remember to consider factors like comfort, sound quality, battery life, noise-canceling capabilities, and price before making a decision. Each earbud has its strengths and weaknesses, so choose the one that aligns best with your specific needs.