Short answer: the KZ Xtra. It ranks #501 of 1291 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $68; the Nothing Ear ranks #569, rated 3.8/5, and costs $69, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The case for the KZ Xtra: A broadly balanced tuning with a preference score of 73 against the Harman target. The catch: An uneven response, 2.0 dB standard deviation from target.
The case for the Nothing Ear: A smooth response in hobbyist measurements on squig.link, at a 1.8 dB standard deviation and a preference score of 71, with every band from 20 Hz to 10 kHz within about 2 dB of target. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the KZ Xtra lacks. The catch: A 6.2 dB dip near 10.5 kHz trims some top end sparkle, and a 4.5 dB peak near 7.9 kHz can add a little edge to sibilance.
Buy the KZ Xtra. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Nothing Ear and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
A broadly balanced tuning with a preference score of 73 against the Harman target.
Amazon $68.00 eBay
A smooth response in hobbyist measurements on squig.link, at a 1.8 dB standard deviation and a preference score of 71, with every band from 20 Hz to 10 kHz within about 2 dB of target.
Amazon $69.00 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| KZ Xtra | Nothing Ear | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $68.00 | $69.00 |
| Ranked | #501 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones | #569 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 73 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 71 (median of 2 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.99 dB standard deviation | 1.76 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.48 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.15 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wireless | True wireless |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic driver | 1 x 11mm dynamic |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX Adaptive, aptX, AAC, SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LHDC 5.0 |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes (~55dB hybrid ANC) | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (earbuds), 32 hours (with charging case) | 8.5 hours (40.5 with case, Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | - | 0 lbs (4.62 g) per earbud |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| IP Rating | - | IP54 |
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