The lines between casual listening and competitive-grade performance are blurring fast. Enter the EarFun Air Pro 4 and Nothing Ear (a)—two under-$70 contenders promising big features like ANC, hi-res audio, and low-latency modes. But can they actually deliver where it matters: in real games, with real pressure?
Whether you’re grinding ranked in Valorant, immersed in the neon streets of Cyberpunk 2077, or just want a daily driver that won’t lag behind, this head-to-head review cuts through the hype. We break down the sound, latency, comfort, and feature sets to help you decide which pair truly levels up your setup—and which one should stay in your cart.
Overview: Who Should Care?
- EarFun Air Pro 4 – Often on sale (~$56–80), this feature-rich set is built for gamers focused on low latency, immersive audio, and top-tier value.
- Nothing Ear (a) – Priced around $69, the Ear (a) features a clean, neutral sound, aesthetic appeal, and strong ANC—a solid pick for daily use, though latency becomes a concern for gaming.
Both are Bluetooth-only true wireless earbuds, ideal for mobile gaming and console handhelds, but not true dual-wireless like 2.4 GHz dongle setups. They lack a separate chat mic except through Bluetooth, which impacts multiplayer voice clarity.
🎯 Build Quality & Comfort
EarFun Air Pro 4
- Lightweight (~5 g/ear), IPX5-rated, five silicone tips for secure fit—even during long sessions (soundguys.com, pcgamer.com, scarbir.com).
- Case supports USB‑C and wireless Qi charging—premium touches seldom seen at this price (soundguys.com).
- Touch-stem controls (customizable via app)—though single-tap volume by default can be slightly finicky (techaeris.com).
Nothing Ear (a)
- Unique transparent stems, light, and comfy with IP54 build—stylish yet sturdy ().
- Pinch-control stems deliver satisfying physical feedback, though volume control requires more fiddly gestures (scarbir.com).
- Case loads via USB‑C, and earbuds auto-pause via in-ear detection.
Verdict: Both are well-built and pocketable. EarFun wins on wireless charging; Nothing clinches looks.
⚙️ Core Features & Performance
EarFun Air Pro 4
- Bluetooth 5.4 + LDAC + aptX Lossless: Hi-res capable—great for Android audiophiles (soundguys.com).
- Game Mode latency: ~50 ms, nearly imperceptible for FPS/Shooter games ().
- 50 hr case‑included battery (8.7 h per charge with ANC); fast charging gives 2 hrs with just 10 min juice (soundguys.com).
- 5 ANC modes + Ambient and EQ presets or custom 10-band adjustments via app (soundguys.com).
- Multipoint support: pair phone and PC simultaneously (soundguys.com).
Nothing Ear (a)
- Supports LDAC and Bluetooth multipoint (scarbir.com).
- “Low Latency Mode” drops it to ~120 ms—not ideal for competitive gaming (rtings.com).
- ~8 h battery, 40 h with case. 10 min charge gives ~10 h playback (soundguys.com).
- Strong ANC (~45 dB) with intelligent wind-adaptive handling, Bluetooth multipoint, and in-app control (soundguys.com).
Verdict: EarFun is gaming-grade; Nothing is daily-driver friendly.
🔊 Sound Quality: In Real Play
EarFun Air Pro 4
- V-shaped tuning—emphasizes bass with clear mids/highs for audio clarity (techaeris.com).
- Grammy-grade multisource EQ—30 presets + 10‑band equalizer for personalization ().
- Critically praised, with an overall 4.8 MDAQS score (soundguys.com).
In gaming: footsteps are crisp, bullets have punch, dialogue remains intelligible; excellent for both ambience and competitive clarity.
Nothing Ear (a)
- Neutral, slightly dark tonality with lifted bass and subdued treble—comfortable but not incisive; EQ via app helps (scarbir.com).
- High MDAQS scores (~4.9 overall) and praised by TechRadar as best budget earbuds (techradar.com).
In gaming: fine for exploration or cinematic titles, but casual FPS players may detect audio lag in reloading or footsteps ().
Verdict: EarFun = dynamic & aggressive; Nothing = smooth & relaxed.
🔉 Mic & Voice: Chat-Ready?
EarFun Air Pro 4
- Six-mic setup with AI noise reduction—good for calls in quiet areas but struggles in noisy surroundings ().
Nothing Ear (a)
- Clear Voice Tech 3.0 mics are clean in both indoor and outdoor environments (techradar.com).
Verdict: If your chat scenes happen in quiet rooms, EarFun holds. Nothing edges ahead for noisy-call reliability.
🕹️ Game Time Comparison
EarFun Air Pro 4
- Low latency (~50 ms): near-wireless perfection for competitive shooters ().
- Battery + ANC combo = marathon gaming sessions without fatigue.
- No dedicated chat mic via dongle, but decent Bluetooth voice support.
Nothing Ear (a)
- Casual gamer ready—but ~120 ms latency is noticeable in fast-paced battles (soundguys.com).
- Solid ANC and stylish fit for AAA titles, but you’ll sense the delay.
🔄 Comparison Table
| Feature | EarFun Air Pro 4 | Nothing Ear (a) |
|---|---|---|
| Latency (gaming mode) | ~50 ms (competitive-ready) () | ~120 ms (casual play) () |
| Bluetooth codecs | LDAC, aptX Lossless | LDAC |
| ANC strength | Excellent multi-mode ANC | Strong ~45 dB ANC () |
| Battery (earbuds) | ~8.7 h (ANC), 50 h w/ case | ~8 h (ANC), ~40 h w/ case () |
| Gaming mode | Yes (Enables low latency) | Yes (Low‑Lag mode) but slower |
| EQ & app tuning | 30 presets + 10‑band EQ | Basic presets + Bass slider |
| Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
| Charging case | USB‑C + Wireless Qi | USB‑C |
| Unique feature | Hi‑res codecs & wireless charge | Transparent aesthetic, ChatGPT squeeze, Clear Voice Tech 3.0 () |
✅ Pros & Cons at a Glance
EarFun Air Pro 4
👍 Pros
- Ultra‑low gaming latency
- Hi‑res codecs—excellent music
- ANC + wireless charging
- Long battery & fast charging
- Rich EQ & customization
👎 Cons
- Slight mic weakness in noisy places
- Default touch controls require tweaking
Nothing Ear (a)
👍 Pros
- Classy look + comfy fit
- Solid ANC & voice-call mic
- Hi‑res support + multipoint
- ChatGPT stem‑squeeze & transparency
👎 Cons
- Too much latency for competitive play
- Treble might feel dull to audiophiles
- Volume control is clumsy
🔚 Verdict: Which One Wins?
🥇 For Gaming — EarFun Air Pro 4
- Want no audio lag?
- Need ANC during long sessions?
- Want hi-res music and robust battery?
- This is a $56–80 steal delivering almost everything.
✅ For Daily Use — Nothing Ear (a)
- Appreciate design and clear voice calls?
- Enjoy LDAC, multipoint, and ChatGPT features?
- Don’t care about latency in casual gaming?
- Stay stylish and functional without the competition-grade latency.
💸 Amazon Buying Links
- EarFun Air Pro 4 (~$56–80): Check the latest price on Amazon
- Nothing Ear (a) (~$69): Check the latest price on Amazon
(Click to compare live deals including bundled extras or color options.)
🎥 Want Next-Level Unity?
- Looking for true dual-mode gaming earbuds with ultra-low latency for PC and consoles? Consider the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds (2.4 GHz + BT), albeit at nearly triple the price (windowscentral.com, scarbir.com, techradar.com, soundguys.com, techaeris.com, pcgamer.com).
- Prefer wired reliability? Logitech G FITS offer precise latency and custom-molded fit.
Tell me what you prioritize—latency, chat clarity, battery life, EQ—and I’ll recommend your perfect pair.
