Nothing Ear (a) vs Poly Voyager Free 20 Comparison

Nothing Ear (a)

Each bud carries three microphones, and Nothing's Clear Voice processing is trained to separate speech from background noise such as traffic and chatter. Voice quality is clear indoors and acceptable outside. Wind can still cause some interference, which is common at this price. For laptop calls, the buds act as standard Bluetooth headsets.

Poly Voyager Free 20

Each bud has three noise-cancelling microphones, which Poly aims at your mouth to separate your voice from typing and background chatter. Poly processing suppresses typing and background chatter well. Without a dongle, laptop calls use standard Bluetooth, which narrows the audio when the mic is active. The Voyager Free 60+ includes a USB adapter for steadier PC calls and certification.

Nothing Ear (a)

Nothing rates the ANC at up to 45 dB, with adaptive and transparency modes. Smart ANC adjusts strength to your environment. Cancellation is excellent for the price, quieting trains and office hum effectively. It cannot match flagships with voices, but it beats most budget rivals. A good tip seal improves results noticeably, and the app's ear tip fit test helps you choose the right size.

Poly Voyager Free 20

Adaptive ANC adjusts its strength to the surroundings, and a transparency mode lets you hear colleagues without removing a bud. Poly keeps the controls simple, with a long press switching between the two modes. Cancellation is good in offices and on commutes, reducing air conditioning hum and distant chatter. It is not as strong as premium consumer buds such as the AirPods Pro 3, but enough to help with focus work.

Nothing Ear (a)

Nothing quotes up to 9.5 hours per charge and 42.5 hours with the case with ANC off, or 5.5 and 24.5 hours with ANC on. With ANC on, a full workday needs a recharge in the case. Without ANC, battery life is excellent. The case charges over USB-C, and there is no wireless charging.

Poly Voyager Free 20

Poly quotes up to 8 hours with ANC on and 12 hours off, with 28 and 42 hours total with the case. That is enough for a full workday of calls and music without a top-up. Few business earbuds last as long. The case charges by USB-C or on a Qi wireless pad, so a desk charger keeps it topped up without cables.

Nothing Ear (a)

Each bud weighs 4.8 g, and they are rated IP54 for dust and splashes. The stem design is light and secure. The transparent stems look distinctive and fit easily in most ears. The case weighs 39.6 g and is wide, which makes it less pocketable than some rivals. The transparent lid shows the buds inside.

Poly Voyager Free 20

The buds are light and shaped for long wear, with several tip sizes and an IP56 rating for dust and water. Many users can wear them through a full workday without discomfort. The shape stays stable when you talk, which matters on long calls. The case is compact and charges wirelessly on a Qi pad, which suits desk setups that already have a wireless charger.

Nothing Ear (a)

Bluetooth 5.3 supports multipoint, Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair. The Nothing X app works on Android and iOS. Multipoint keeps the buds connected to a phone and laptop, which suits hybrid workers. On Nothing phones, ChatGPT voice integration is available. The app handles EQ, gesture mapping, ANC modes and firmware, with a low-lag mode for games and video.

Poly Voyager Free 20

Bluetooth 5.4 supports multipoint, keeping the buds connected to a phone and a laptop at the same time so you do not need to re-pair between devices. Switching between devices is automatic when a call arrives. Poly Lens app on mobile and desktop handles settings and updates. They are not certified for Teams or Zoom, and no USB dongle is included.

Nothing Ear (a)

Each bud uses an 11 mm dynamic driver with a PMI and TPU diaphragm. Codecs include SBC, AAC and LDAC for higher-resolution streaming on compatible Android phones. The sound is balanced with lively bass and clear vocals. LDAC adds a touch more detail, while the Nothing X app's EQ lets you adjust tuning for podcasts or music.

Poly Voyager Free 20

Each bud has a 10 mm speaker, and Poly tunes them for clear voice reproduction. Codec support covers SBC and AAC. For background music while working they are pleasant, but music lovers will prefer consumer-focused buds with richer tuning. The Poly Lens app offers EQ presets that add a little warmth for listening between meetings.