Nothing Headphone (1) Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones, Wireless Over Ear Headphones with 6 MICS, Personalized Spatial Audio, Tuning by KEF, Up to 80 Hours Playtime, Bluetooth Headset Black

I've seen tons of headphones that follow the same safe, monotonous design language. The Nothing Headphone (1) is not one of them. This is Nothing's ambitious first entry into the over-ear headphone market, and it's clear they aimed to do more than just compete. They came to make a statement. After putting the headphones through their paces, I can say they’ve created a product that is as compelling as it is polarizing, blending standout design with features that challenge the top players, though not without a few important caveats.Design & Controls: A Masterclass in Tactile SatisfactionThe first thing you'll notice about the Headphone (1) is the design. It's a stunning piece of retro-futuristic industrial art, with unique square-ish earcups, transparent elements, and a high-quality aluminum frame. They feel premium and sturdy, and they will absolutely turn heads.More impressive than the look, however, are the controls. In an era of finicky touch gestures, Nothing has opted for gloriously tactile physical controls. No confusing touch-sensitive pads that screw up the listening experience. There's a satisfying power switch, as well as a "paddle" for skipping tracks. And the star of the show: a metal "roller" for volume. It’s intuitive, precise, and an absolute joy to use. This is, without a doubt, one of the best control schemes on any pair of headphones today.A few things to note on the design front: they're a bit heavier than the best sets from Sony or Bose, and while the memory foam earpads are plush, comfort over long periods might vary depending on head shape. That said, you should almost certainly be good for flights across a few time zones. They also fold flat to make it easy to slide into a backpack, but they don't fold up into a ball, so they aren't the most compact you can get. Personally, I prefer them to fold flat & thin, even if it means taking a wider shape, but to each their own. A huge, unexpected plus is the IP52 rating, offering dust and water resistance that is virtually unheard of in this category, making them a viable option for the gym or a commute in light rain.Sound Quality: A Tale of Two ExperiencesThe sound of the Headphone (1) is complex. Out of the box, the audio, tuned in partnership with high-end audio brand KEF, is clean and clear but can feel a bit reserved or "sterile." It lacks the immediate "wow" factor thumping some might be expecting at this price, but that's where the settings come into play.The magic is unlocked in the Nothing X app, which features one of the most comprehensive and powerful 8-band equalizers available. If you are willing to spend a few minutes tweaking the settings, these headphones absolutely sing. You can dial in a sound profile that is rich, dynamic, and perfectly suited to your tastes. For those who enjoy tinkering, the audio potential is immense. For those who want a perfect plug-and-play experience, the default sound might feel underwhelming. Plus users can share your audio setup with a QR code. This means it's easy to find audiophiles that've made an ideal sound profile for your preferred type of music. This makes the headphones a music junkie's delight! Additionally, although the Bluetooth connection has been perfectly reliable, the headphones come with 3.5mm cable as well, if you want that physical connection for your audio.ANC, Battery, and Features: Punching Above Their WeightThe Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is surprisingly potent. It does an excellent job of silencing the consistent, low-frequency drones of planes, trains, and air conditioners, putting it in contention with models that cost significantly more.Battery life is simply phenomenal. Nothing claims up to 80 hours with ANC off and a massive 35-50 hours with ANC on. My experience confirms these numbers are accurate, placing the Headphone (1) at the very top of the class for endurance. In regards to ANC & Battery, these headphones are a superb value, especially at their pricepoint.The Verdict: A Uniquely Compelling Choice for the Right PersonThe Nothing Headphone (1) is a fantastic and refreshing product. It's not trying to be a direct copy of its competitors; it's forging its own path. It succeeds by offering a truly unique design, the best physical controls on the market, class-leading battery life, and powerful ANC.Who are they for?If you value distinctive design, love the satisfaction of tactile controls, and enjoy personalizing your audio with an EQ, these are an outstanding choice. The excellent battery life and rare water-resistance rating add a layer of practicality that's hard to ignore.Who should look elsewhere?If your top priorities are the very best-in-class comfort, or the most compact design, you may want to look at lighter, more foldable competitors.For those whose priorities align with what Nothing offers, the Headphone (1) is a brilliant debut that delivers style and substance in equal measure.

The Nothing Headphone 1 offers a unique design, comfort, and an easy-to-use app, making it a great choice for the gym. While they may not provide the best sound quality out of the box, I would definitely recommend these headphones if you're comfortable tweaking the equalizer to improve the audio. With advanced presets from other users, you can easily enhance the sound, and the app makes this process simple. These headphones deliver premium quality at half the cost, and the controls are intuitive and easy to use.

The sound is excellent. EQ and bass are incredible. Probably the best headphones I’ve listened to. The noise cancelling is decent, but not as good as Bose and Sony. They’re also not as comfortable as the Bose ultra, but they are better than the Sonys. About on par for comfort with AirPods Max. I love that they have usb c audio and a headphone jack. They also have dual connection. The app is the best I’ve used. They’re honestly worth a lot more than the price.

The media could not be loaded. The Nothing headphones are a fantastic choice that truly stands out. The unique transparent design is a definite head-turner, and the overall build quality feels premium and durable. I was amazed at how comfortable they are; I wore them for an entire 4-hour flight without any ear fatigue, honestly forgetting I had them on. The sound quality is exceptional, rivaling the likes of the Sony XM series with a rich, detailed, and well-balanced audio profile. If you're looking for headphones that offer top-tier performance, supreme comfort, and a design that breaks the mold, these are a definite must-have.Another standout feature is the exceptional comfort. I recently wore them on a 4-hour flight and they felt completely weightless. The soft, plush earcups and a perfectly balanced clamping force mean you can wear them for hours on end without any discomfort. This is a huge plus for anyone who travels frequently or enjoys long listening sessions. Beyond comfort, the sound quality is truly remarkable. The audio is crisp, clear, and well-balanced, delivering a fantastic listening experience that I would confidently compare to premium brands like Sony's XM series. The bass is punchy without being overwhelming, and the mids and highs are beautifully detailed. These headphones aren't just for show; they deliver on every front.Love these for the fit, price, functionality and its weight.Cant wait to try this further. Will update this as I continue using it.

I own the Nothing Ear and Nothing Ear (a) headphones as well. These (Nothing Headphone (1)) sound significantly worse than either, with noticeably compressed audio. I also compared them to a bunch of other headphones (WH-1000XM4, WF-1000XM5, Pixel Buds Pro) and these came in last to my ears. Audio quality is the most important thing to me, so it affects my score heavily. Similar experience on AAC or LDAC.Other than that, they are great!- ANC is excellent, and to my ears about as good as I've ever heard.- Transparency mode sounds natural.- Very comfortable and the weight is a nice balance between being substantial and not fatigueing- They have a very unique style, which I enjoy- (not as great) - 3.5mm audio requires the headphones to be powered on, and is still very quiet unless I jack my headphone amp up significantly higher than I do for even planar magnetic headphones, with the volume on the headphones themselves at max.- Controls are very simple and more customizeable than Sony or other brands- App is straightforward and functional (same as other Nothing headphones)