Between the Ear (3) and Pixel Buds A-Series, the Ear (3) comes out ahead in battery — buds and battery — with case, while the Pixel Buds A-Series wins on driver size. Overall, the Ear (3) scores 70.8 and the Pixel Buds A-Series scores 65.4 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Ear (3) edges ahead on the Mars Score (70.8 vs 65.4), but the 5.4-point gap is small enough that the right pick comes down to which spec advantages matter to you.
Pick the Ear (3) if your top frustration with your current device is running out of charge before the day ends — endurance is the lead spec here. The biggest gaps in its favor are battery — buds, battery — with case, active noise cancellation, among others.
Pick the Pixel Buds A-Series if you care most about driver size. Its strongest claims are driver size.
Both ship with comparable spatial audio, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the Ear (3) is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Nothing - Ear (3) wins
- ▲Battery — buds — 70.00% more. 8.5 h vs 5 h.
- ▲Battery — with case — 66.67% more. 40 h vs 24 h.
- ▲Has Active noise cancellation.
- ▲Has Multipoint.
- ▲Weight per bud — 0.50 g less. 4.6 vs 5.1.
- ▲Water resistance: IP54 (vs IPX4).
Why Google - Pixel Buds A-Series wins
- ▲Driver size — 9.09% more. 12 mm vs 11 mm.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Nothing - Ear (3) | Google - Pixel Buds A-Series |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | in-ear | in-ear |
| Weight per bud | 4.6 glead | 5.1 g |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP54lead | IPX4 |
Audio
| Spec | Nothing - Ear (3) | Google - Pixel Buds A-Series |
|---|---|---|
| Driver sizeⓘ | 11 mm | 12 mmlead |
| Active noise cancellationⓘ | truelead | false |
| Transparency mode | truelead | false |
| Spatial audioⓘ | false | false |
Battery
| Spec | Nothing - Ear (3) | Google - Pixel Buds A-Series |
|---|---|---|
| Battery — buds | 8.5 hlead | 5 h |
| Battery — with case | 40 hlead | 24 h |
| Wireless case chargingⓘ | truelead | false |
Connectivity
| Spec | Nothing - Ear (3) | Google - Pixel Buds A-Series |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetoothⓘ | 5.3lead | 5.0 |
| Codecs | LDAC,LHDC 5.0,AAC,SBC | AAC,SBC |
| Multipointⓘ | truelead | false |
| In-ear detection | truelead | false |
Frequently asked
Which has longer battery, Ear (3) or Pixel Buds A-Series?+
Ear (3) lasts 8.5h per charge vs 5h.
Do Ear (3) or Pixel Buds A-Series support multipoint?+
Ear (3) supports multipoint; Pixel Buds A-Series does not.
Which has ANC, Ear (3) or Pixel Buds A-Series?+
Ear (3) has ANC; Pixel Buds A-Series does not.
Spec-level deep dives
More from the same brands
vsMars is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.