1More S20 Ultra vs Nothing 45dB
Quick Verdict
Choose the 1More S20 Ultra if you want open-ear awareness, a featherlight 5.5g clip design, LDAC support, an IPX5 rating, and 40-hour total battery for workouts and outdoor commutes. Choose the Nothing 45dB if you prioritize strong 45 dB hybrid ANC, bass-heavy in-ear sound, long battery with fast charging, and app features like dual device connection and low lag mode. Both score within five points overall. The 1More is the safer pick for active users who need published water resistance and a secure fit. The Nothing 45dB is the better pick for noise isolation and bass lovers, provided you accept its missing IP rating and unpublished codecs.
| Spec | 1More S20 Ultra | Nothing 45dB |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Open-ear clip-on earbuds | In-ear wireless earbuds |
| Driver | 11mm triple-magnet drivers with 4-layer diaphragms | 11 mm dynamic driver |
| Noise cancelling | No active noise cancelling listed; open-ear ambient awareness and 4-mic call noise reduction | Hybrid active noise cancelling up to 45 dB, adaptive with smart leakage compensation |
| Bluetooth and codecs | Bluetooth wireless; LDAC and SBC codecs; Bluetooth version not published in listing | Bluetooth wireless, Hi-Res Audio, specific codecs not published in listing |
| Battery life | 8.5 hours per charge, up to 40 hours with charging case (SuperBass 3.0 enabled) | Up to 42.5 hours total with charging case (ANC off), fast charge 10 minutes for 10 hours playback (ANC off), single-charge earbud battery not published |
| Wired option | Not published in listing | Not published in listing |
| Controls and app | Not published in listing | Nothing X app with advanced equalizer, adaptive ANC, low lag mode, dual device connection, touch controls assumed but not detailed |
| Water resistance | IPX5 per feature bullets; listing title says IPX54 | Not published in listing |
| Weight | 5.5g per earbud | Not published in listing |
| Included accessories | Charging case included; other accessories not published in listing | Charging case implied by playtime description, exact accessories not published in listing |
Sound Quality
Both models earn 22 of 30 for sound quality, reflecting strong but different approaches. The 1More S20 Ultra uses an 11mm triple-magnet driver with a 4-layer diaphragm and supports LDAC and SBC codecs. The listing also mentions BISA spatial audio. Because the 1More is an open-ear clip design, the driver sits outside the ear canal, which can reduce bass impact and isolation compared to sealed earbuds.
The Nothing 45dB also uses an 11mm dynamic driver, which the listing says is tuned for deep bass and clarity. It mentions Hi-Res Audio but does not publish specific Bluetooth codecs. Since the Nothing 45dB is an in-ear design, its seal should produce more low-frequency energy and passive isolation than the open-ear 1More. However, without published codec details, the exact high-resolution path is less certain for the Nothing 45dB.
Comfort and Fit
The 1More S20 Ultra is extremely light at 5.5g per earbud and uses memory titanium C-rings for a secure clip fit. Its open-ear design does not enter the ear canal, which many users find comfortable for long wear. The listing scores comfort 18 of 20, reflecting the lightweight build and flexible clips.
The Nothing 45dB does not publish its weight or specific eartip materials. It is an in-ear design, so fit depends on the included tip sizes and seal, but the listing does not detail those accessories. Comfort is scored 14 of 20, which suggests a typical in-ear experience with less published detail than the 1More. Buyers who prefer no pressure in the ear canal will likely favor the 1More design.
Noise Control and Features
The 1More S20 Ultra has no active noise cancelling listed. It relies on open-ear ambient awareness, which lets you hear traffic and surroundings. It does include 4-mic AI call noise reduction for voice clarity during calls. The listing does not describe a companion app, so EQ or control customization may be limited or unknown.
The Nothing 45dB stands out with hybrid active noise cancelling up to 45 dB and adaptive modes with smart leakage compensation. Its Nothing X app offers an advanced equalizer, adaptive ANC settings, low lag mode, and dual device connection. However, the listing does not publish a water resistance rating, which contrasts with the 1More's IPX5. Feature score is 12 for both, but the Nothing 45dB wins on noise cancellation while the 1More wins on published water resistance.
Battery, Bluetooth and Connectivity
The 1More provides 8.5 hours per charge on the earbuds and up to 40 hours total with the charging case when SuperBass 3.0 is enabled. It supports Bluetooth wireless with LDAC and SBC codecs, but the Bluetooth version is not published in the listing. There is no mention of quick charge or dual device connection. Battery and connectivity score 12 of 15.
The Nothing 45dB offers up to 42.5 hours total with the charging case when ANC is off. Fast charging gives 10 minutes for 10 hours of playback with ANC off. The listing does not publish the single-charge earbud battery life. Bluetooth is wireless with Hi-Res Audio, but specific codecs are not listed. Nothing does offer dual device connection, which is a useful feature not mentioned for the 1More.
Build, Design and Portability
The 1More S20 Ultra is an open-ear clip-on design weighing 5.5g per earbud. It carries IPX5 water resistance according to feature bullets, though the title says IPX54, so there is some inconsistency in the listing. A charging case is included, but its size and quick charge details are not specified. Build and portability score 8 of 10.
The Nothing 45dB is an in-ear wireless earbud with a compact stem design implied by its category, but the listing does not publish weight or exact dimensions. No water resistance rating is provided. The charging case is implied by the total playtime description, but exact accessories are not listed. Given the missing details, build and portability score 6 of 10. The 1More has a clearer design story for active use with its clip and IP rating.
Call Quality and Daily Use
The 1More S20 Ultra explicitly lists 4-mic AI call noise reduction, which should help voices come through clearly in noisy environments. Its open-ear design allows you to hear your own voice naturally during calls. For daily use, the 40-hour total battery and IPX5 rating make it a solid choice for workouts and commutes.
The Nothing 45dB listing does not publish microphone count or call noise reduction details. Its ANC can reduce background noise for the user during music playback, but call quality cannot be objectively compared without published mic specs. Daily use benefits from strong ANC, long total battery, fast charging, and the Nothing X app with dual device connection. If call clarity is a top priority, the 1More's published 4-mic setup is a stronger signal.
Who Should Buy It
Choose the 1More S20 Ultra if you are a runner, cyclist, or commuter who wants open-ear awareness, a lightweight secure clip fit, and strong total battery life. Its IPX5 rating and LDAC support add appeal for active and audio-focused users.
Choose the Nothing 45dB if you want strong active noise cancelling, bass-heavy in-ear sound, and long battery life in a budget package. The Nothing X app and dual device connection add everyday convenience, but you should accept the missing IP rating and unpublished codecs.
The Deciding Question
The key question is whether you need active noise cancelling and in-ear isolation or open-ear awareness with a published water resistance rating. If you often commute on loud trains or buses and want to block engine noise, the Nothing 45dB is the clearer pick.
If you run outdoors or cycle in traffic and need to hear cars, or if you want a confirmed lightweight clip design with LDAC, the 1More S20 Ultra is the better fit. Both score closely overall, but their core designs serve opposite use cases.
Who Should Buy Which
Buy the 1More S20 Ultra for open-ear exercise, outdoor awareness, and a secure clip fit with LDAC support. Its 5.5g weight, IPX5 rating, and 40-hour total battery make it ideal for active users who do not need noise cancelling.
Buy the Nothing 45dB for maximum noise cancellation per dollar, deep bass from an in-ear seal, and long total battery with fast charging. Its app features and dual device connection are bonuses, but do not expect a published water resistance rating or exact codec list.
1More S20 Ultra
Pros
- Extremely light 5.5g open-ear clip design
- LDAC Hi-Res audio support and BISA spatial audio
- 40-hour total battery with charging case
- IPX5 water resistance for workouts
- 4-mic AI call noise reduction
- Memory titanium C-rings for a secure fit
Cons
- No active noise cancelling listed
- Open-ear design limits isolation and bass impact compared to sealed earbuds
- Bluetooth version and app support not published in listing
- Charging case size and quick charge details not specified
- Listing title and bullets differ on water resistance rating
Nothing 45dB
Pros
- 45 dB hybrid ANC with adaptive levels
- 11 mm driver tuned for deep bass and clarity
- Long total battery life with fast charging
- Low Lag mode for gaming
- Dual device connection
- Nothing X app with advanced EQ
Cons
- No published water resistance rating
- Specific Bluetooth codecs not listed
- Single-charge earbud battery life not stated
- Weight and included accessories not published
- No wired listening option mentioned
Who Should Buy Each
1More S20 Ultra
- Fitness users who want sweat resistance and a secure fit
- Commuters who need to hear traffic and announcements
- Outdoor workers who want open-ear awareness and call clarity
- Budget-conscious listeners who value LDAC audio and long battery life
Nothing 45dB
- Commuters who need adaptive ANC on a budget
- Mobile gamers wanting low latency audio
- Users who switch between two devices regularly
- Listeners who enjoy bass-forward tuning with app EQ
Quick Decision Guide
| If you need active noise cancelling up to 45 dB | Choose Nothing 45dB |
| If you want open-ear awareness for running or cycling | Choose 1More S20 Ultra |
| If you need a published water resistance rating for workouts | Choose 1More S20 Ultra |
| If you want dual device connection and a companion app with EQ | Choose Nothing 45dB |
| If you want the lightest possible earbud at a published 5.5g weight | Choose 1More S20 Ultra |
FAQ
About This Comparison
Mandrillis Team
The Mandrillis editorial team researches and compares audio and music gear using manufacturer documentation, verified specs and real buyer feedback, so you can make a confident purchase without wading through marketing claims.
Read our full research methodology.
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