Acefast Air: A $30 Alternative to the Nothing Ear (Open) That Delivers on Sound
Looking for open-ear headphones that don’t break the bank? The Acefast Air, currently on sale for just over $30 with an on-page coupon, presents a compelling alternative to the popular Nothing Ear (Open), offering surprisingly good audio quality and comfort at a fraction of the price.
Updated November 6, 2025: This article has been updated to reflect the Acefast Air’s current Black Friday sale price of $31.99, a significant discount from its usual $80 cost. Information on the upgraded Acefast Pro model has also been included.
The Nothing Ear (Open) made waves last year with their comfortable fit and impressive sound for open-ear headphones. However, their utility is limited by their inability to block out external noise, making them a “secondary” headphone for many situations. At a typical price of $149, or even the recently discounted $129, this limitation is a significant drawback.
The challenge with affordable open-ear options is often a compromise in quality. Many cheaper alternatives struggle to match the fit or sound performance of the Ear (Open), sometimes resulting in discomfort or subpar audio. “Some open-ear options I’ve tried sound fine, but hurt in my ears after a short time,” one reviewer noted. Others suffer from tinny sound, low volume, or a general lack of audio depth.
However, the Acefast AceFit Air has emerged as a pleasant surprise. Typically priced around $80, and frequently available for under $70, these headphones deliver on many of the key features that make the Ear (Open) appealing. The most notable achievement is the sound quality, which rivals Nothing’s offering, though with slightly less depth. While the speaker placement can sometimes allow more external noise to bleed through, the overall audio experience is remarkably good, boasting solid bass and kick. A minor issue is an occasional whine from the speakers at low volumes or during pauses, but it’s not a consistent problem.
The fit of the Acefast AceFit Air is also commendable. Though slightly more finicky to put on than the Ear (Open) – wrapping around the front half of the ear instead of the full length – they remain comfortable and secure. The case is also surprisingly well-designed, featuring a thin profile and strong magnets to keep both the lid closed and the earbuds in place. While the case’s footprint is larger than Nothing’s and the USB-C port placement is awkward, it’s still a functional and well-built accessory.
There are a few compromises. The Acefast Air lacks Google’s Fast Pair functionality, and the pairing process is typical of more affordable earbuds: launching into pairing mode upon opening the case and remaining paired until manually unpaired. While this “just works” in theory, the execution can be inconsistent. A dedicated pairing button on the case would be a welcome addition.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the value proposition is strong. “Acefast AceFit Air still isn’t ‘cheap’ at around $80, but it’s considerably more affordable compared to the Nothing Ear (Open) while delivering on the most important aspect of the experience,” a user commented. For many, it’s a perfect alternative.
The Acefast AceFit Pro builds upon the foundation of the Air, offering the same form factor and sound quality with a few key upgrades. These include a transparent case, reminiscent of Nothing’s aesthetic, complete with an LED battery meter displaying the remaining percentage. The earbuds themselves also feature an LED and semi-transparent design, intended as a safety feature to enhance nighttime visibility. However, this feature can be a double-edged sword, as the LEDs can be overly bright in dark environments, though the color is customizable through the Acefast app. While the upgrades are nice, “I struggle to find a reason to pay twice as much for these,” one reviewer stated, suggesting they are best considered during a sale.
Ultimately, the Acefast Air offers a compelling blend of affordability, comfort, and sound quality, making it a strong contender in the open-ear headphone market.
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Originally published February 2025, updated November 6, 2025.
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