Nothing Ear (3) vs soundcore AeroClip: which should you buy?

Get the Nothing Ear (3). It is the pick for workouts in a gym or on a busy street, where you want the noise turned down and your music up. Nothing lists adaptive noise canceling up to 45 dB and earbuds at 5.2 g each, rated IP54 for dust, sweat and light rain. The soundcore AeroClip is an open clip-on design that leaves your ear canal free and lets the room in.

Who should get the soundcore AeroClip

Get the AeroClip if you cannot stand anything in your ear canal, or you train outside and want to hear traffic. Soundcore builds it as an open ring that clips outside the ear, at 6.0 g per earbud, and rates it IP55 for sweat and light rain, one step above the Ear (3).

The differences that matter

Noise canceling and fit are the main split. The Ear (3) seals the ear and turns a loud gym or a train down. The AeroClip sits outside the ear and keeps your surroundings audible. If you train with music and want to block out the clatter, the Ear (3) is the one.

Controls come second. The Ear (3) uses pinch controls for music, calls, volume and noise canceling, and you can change them in the Nothing X app. The AeroClip uses tap controls, which you can change in the soundcore app.

Both suit calls. The Ear (3) adds a Super Mic in its case, made for calls and voice notes in loud places, and the AeroClip uses four microphones with AI for calls.

Battery comes last. Nothing lists 10 hours per charge with noise canceling off and 5.5 hours with it on. Soundcore lists 8 hours per charge and 32 hours with the case.

Price and value

Checked Nov. 15, 2026, the Nothing Ear (3) costs $99. Checked Nov. 15, 2026, the soundcore AeroClip costs $169.99. The difference between the two is $71.