Between the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) and Ear (a) 2, the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) comes out ahead in spatial audio, while the Ear (a) 2 wins on battery — buds and battery — with case. Overall, the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) scores 64.5 and the Ear (a) 2 scores 74.5 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Ear (a) 2 is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 10.0 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) if audio quality and feature breadth (ANC, codecs, multipoint) are the lead criteria for your purchase. The biggest gaps in its favor are spatial audio.
Pick the Ear (a) 2 if your top frustration with your current device is running out of charge before the day ends — endurance is the lead spec here. Its strongest claims are battery — buds, battery — with case, multipoint, among others.
Both ship with comparable active noise cancellation, driver size, water resistance, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the Ear (a) 2 is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Apple - AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) wins
- ▲Has Spatial audio.
Why Nothing - Ear (a) 2 wins
- ▲Battery — buds — 66.67% more. 10 h vs 6 h.
- ▲Battery — with case — 40.00% more. 42 h vs 30 h.
- ▲Has Multipoint.
- ▲Weight per bud — 0.50 g less. 4.8 vs 5.3.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) | Nothing - Ear (a) 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | in-ear | in-ear |
| Weight per bud | 5.3 g | 4.8 glead |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP54 | IP54 |
Audio
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) | Nothing - Ear (a) 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver sizeⓘ | 11 mm | 11 mm |
| Active noise cancellationⓘ | true | true |
| Transparency mode | true | true |
| Spatial audioⓘ | truelead | false |
Battery
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) | Nothing - Ear (a) 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery — buds | 6 h | 10 hlead |
| Battery — with case | 30 h | 42 hlead |
| Wireless case chargingⓘ | truelead | false |
Connectivity
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) | Nothing - Ear (a) 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetoothⓘ | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | AAC,SBC | LDAC,AAC,SBC |
| Multipointⓘ | false | truelead |
| In-ear detection | true | true |
Frequently asked
Which has longer battery, AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) or Ear (a) 2?+
Ear (a) 2 lasts 10h per charge vs 6h.
Do AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) or Ear (a) 2 support multipoint?+
Ear (a) 2 supports multipoint; AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) does not.
Which has ANC, AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) or Ear (a) 2?+
Both have active noise cancellation.
Spec-level deep dives
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