Between the Galaxy Buds 3 and Ear (a) 2, the Galaxy Buds 3 comes out ahead in spatial audio and water resistance, while the Ear (a) 2 wins on battery — with case and battery — buds. Overall, the Galaxy Buds 3 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 Galaxy Buds 3 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, water resistance, weight per bud.
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 — with case, battery — buds.
Both ship with comparable active noise cancellation, driver size, multipoint, 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 Samsung - Galaxy Buds 3 wins
- ▲Has Spatial audio.
- ▲Water resistance: IP57 (vs IP54).
- ▲Weight per bud — 0.10 g less. 4.7 vs 4.8.
Why Nothing - Ear (a) 2 wins
- ▲Battery — with case — 75.00% more. 42 h vs 24 h.
- ▲Battery — buds — 66.67% more. 10 h vs 6 h.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy Buds 3 | Nothing - Ear (a) 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | openlead | in-ear |
| Weight per bud | 4.7 glead | 4.8 g |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP57lead | IP54 |
Audio
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy Buds 3 | 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 | Samsung - Galaxy Buds 3 | Nothing - Ear (a) 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery — buds | 6 h | 10 hlead |
| Battery — with case | 24 h | 42 hlead |
| Wireless case chargingⓘ | truelead | false |
Connectivity
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy Buds 3 | Nothing - Ear (a) 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetoothⓘ | 5.4lead | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SSC,AAC,SBC | LDAC,AAC,SBC |
| Multipointⓘ | true | true |
| In-ear detection | true | true |
Frequently asked
Which has longer battery, Galaxy Buds 3 or Ear (a) 2?+
Ear (a) 2 lasts 10h per charge vs 6h.
Do Galaxy Buds 3 or Ear (a) 2 support multipoint?+
Both support multipoint pairing.
Which has ANC, Galaxy Buds 3 or Ear (a) 2?+
Both have active noise cancellation.
Spec-level deep dives
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