Wireless earbuds are incredibly handy, but they do have some drawbacks. Issues like charging inconveniences, limited battery life, and most notably, poor microphone quality can be frustrating. Outside of a few high-end, pricey options, most earbuds’ built-in mics tend to make your voice sound tinny, fade in and out, or crackle unexpectedly. Some of the latest models aim to address this by having you speak into the charging case itself.
Why does this matter?
The new Nothing Ear (3) earbuds feature a stylish charging case equipped with a dual-microphone array, called Super Mic. This setup is designed to reduce background noise significantly, making it a relief for those who take calls on the move or record social media content. Since many people wear earbuds all day, having a reliable mic that cancels ambient sounds can truly improve daily communication.
[Image of the Nothing Ear (3) charging case]
According to the manufacturer, “It focuses on your voice and suppresses background noise up to 95 dB for clear voice calls and notes.” The charging case includes a “talk” button that supports tap-and-hold gestures, depending on whether you want to answer a call or record a voice memo.
These microphones are quite sophisticated, utilizing MEMS with beamforming technology. Essentially, they hone in on your voice while filtering out surrounding noise, similar to premium office communication devices.
Is it weird? Maybe, but I’ll take it.
I’ve lost track of how many times I had to shout “hello” or “can you hear me?” into my earbuds’ mic, only to have to step outside or switch to my phone’s built-in speaker for clarity. Even previous Nothing earbuds tested my patience with poor mic performance. The idea of speaking into the charging case might seem strange at first, but it addresses a real problem. I’d happily embrace the convenience, especially for quick voice recordings or social media clips—just pretend it’s a microphone and a case, or a case that doubles as a mic.
Keep in mind, though, that the Super Mic feature on the Nothing Ear (3) is primarily for voice calls and voice notes. According to TechRadar, it won’t help with WhatsApp voice messages, but your phone calls should be much clearer. So, it’s best to hope your communication app works well with these features.
The Nothing Ear (3) earbuds are priced at $179 and are expected to be available late September.
