Nothing Ear (a) vs soundcore P30i: which should you buy?

Answer worked out Oct. 31, 2026

Nothing Ear (a) price: Checked Oct. 31, 2026

soundcore P30i price: Checked Oct. 30, 2026

Most people: get the Nothing Ear (a), because it is the better fit for more of what people buy these for.

On an iPhone: the soundcore P30i works better with your phone.

Get the Nothing Ear (a) for phone calls.

Get the soundcore P30i to save $29.01.

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Nothing Ear (a) vs soundcore P30i

Nothing Ear (a)
NOTHING

Nothing Ear (a)

$59 at Amazon
soundcore P30i
SOUNDCORE

soundcore P30i

$29.99 at Amazon
  1. Nothing Ear (a): Up to 42.5 hours with the case and 9.5 hours per charge, noise cancelling offBatterysoundcore P30i: ANC off: up to 10 hrs / 45 hrs with case; a 10-minute charge gives 2 hrs
  2. Nothing Ear (a): Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC and LDAC; dual connection to 2 devices at onceConnectivitysoundcore P30i: Multipoint: connects to two devices at once
  3. Nothing Ear (a): LED charging status light on the caseStatus lightsoundcore P30i: LED indicator on the charging case
  4. Nothing Ear (a): Pinch controls for music, calls and noise cancelling, customizable in the Nothing X appControlssoundcore P30i: Touch controls, customizable in the soundcore app
  5. Nothing Ear (a): $59Price today$29.01 apartsoundcore P30i: $29.99
Nothing Ear (a)
Buy at Nothing$59
We may earn a commission.
soundcore P30i
Buy at Best Buy$32.99
We may earn a commission.
All the details

Key differences

  • Battery life: close (9.5 hrs vs 10 hrs) (both ANC off)Nothing Ear (a): 9.5 hrs ConfirmedSourcesoundcore P30i: 10 hrs ConfirmedSource

From each maker's own specifications. A point is listed only when both makers state a figure and the two differ; a point either maker does not state is left out, never guessed. Two figures measured under different conditions are shown side by side, not compared.

Who should buy which

  • The Nothing Ear (a) Guide names it for travel and calls.Travel: Four noise cancelling modes up to 45 dB quiet the trip, and the case stretches playback to 42.5 hours. Source linkedSourceCalls: Three microphones per bud and Clear Voice Technology cut background noise from your calls. Source linkedSource
  • The soundcore P30i Guide names it for commuting and movies.Commuting: On the subway, noise cancelling cuts outside noise by up to 42dB, with five intensity levels in the app. Source linkedSourceMovies: Stand your phone on the charging case and watch hands-free. Source linkedSource

From what each Guide names the product best for. Both Guides also name music.

Side by side

FeatureNothing Ear (a)soundcore P30i
BatteryUp to 42.5 hours with the case and 9.5 hours per charge, noise cancelling offANC off: up to 10 hrs / 45 hrs with case
ConnectivityBluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC and LDACMultipoint: connects to two devices at once
Status lightLED charging status lightLED indicator
ControlsPinch controls for music, calls and noise cancelling, customizable in the Nothing X appTouch controls, customizable in the soundcore app
Noise cancellingNoise cancelling up to 45 dB: high, mid, low and adaptiveYes, adaptive active noise cancelling, up to 42dBNothing45 dBSoundcore42 dB
Works withiPhone and Android: the Nothing X app issoundcore app
Earbud batteryUp to 9.5 hours with noise cancelling off, 5.5 hours with it onUp to 10 hrs (ANC off)
Case batteryUp to 42.5 hours with noise cancelling off, 24.5 hours with it on, earbuds and case togetherUp to 45 hrs with case
CaseCharging case with USB-C wired chargingCharging case that doubles as a phone stand

Nothing Ear (a)

Buy at Nothing$59
Checked Oct. 30, 2026

soundcore P30i

Buy at Best Buy$32.99
Checked Oct. 30, 2026

We may earn a commission.

Works with your phone

iPhone
Works with limitsWorks
Android
WorksWorks

Sources

Nothingsoundcoresoundcoresoundcoresoundcore
Nothing Ear (a) vs Soundcore Sleep A30