Nothing Headphone (1) Review: Worth Buying or Not

Nothing has always done things differently. The brand made a name for itself with its transparent design and bold ideas.

First with phones, then earbuds. Now, it has stepped into the over-ear headphone space for the very first time with the Headphone (1).

This is a big move for Nothing. Over-ear headphones are a tough market with some serious competition.

So, does the Headphone (1) live up to the hype? We looked at everything: design, sound, features, and real-world performance to give you a clear answer.

Overview of Nothing Headphones (1)

The Nothing Headphone (1) is the brand’s first over-ear headphone, and it comes out swinging. Built around Nothing’s signature transparent design, it immediately stands out from the crowd.

But this isn’t just about looks. Nothing is going head-to-head with big names like Sony, Bose, and Apple AirPods Max, all of which have been ruling the premium ANC headphone space for years.

Price & Availability

• Launch Price: The Nothing Headphone (1) launched at $299 in the US, £299 in the UK, making it more affordable than the AirPods Max and Sony XM6 at launch.
• Color Options: Black and White. Clean, simple choices that match Nothing’s overall design language.
• Where to Buy: You can pick it up directly from Nothing’s official website or from major retailers like Amazon and Walmart. It is available across the US, UK, and Europe

Nothing Headphone (1) Design & Features

The Nothing Headphone (1) isn’t just built to sound good; it’s built to look good while doing so. Here’s a closer look at what it brings to the table.

1. Aesthetic & Materials

The Nothing Headphone (1) is hard to miss, and that’s clearly the point.

• The transparent earcups give it a retro-futuristic look that no other headphone in this price range is doing right now.
• The squircle-shaped earcups (yes, square meets circle) make it stand out from the typical round or oval designs you see everywhere.
• The aluminum frame adds a premium feel without making it look overdone.
• The style is bold, and some people will love it, others won’t. But it definitely gets noticed.

I can 100% agree that these are the most logical and easy-to-use buttons and switches I have ever had on the set of headphones, so for this I commend them highly. -P. Holloway, Amazon: 5/5

2. Comfort & Fit

The Nothing Headphone (1) doesn’t just look good, it’s actually comfortable to wear for longer sessions too.

• The memory foam ear cushions are soft and sit well around the ears without feeling too tight.
• The headband has a decent amount of padding, so there’s no pressure build-up on the top of your head.
• At 329g, it’s not the lightest out there, but most people won’t find it uncomfortable during regular use.
• The fit feels secure without being too clamped.

The Nothing Headphones are perfect, they don’t press on my ears, the sound amazing, I LOVE that they can be wired, and Bluetooth, and it sounds great either way. Sometimes I forget I don’t have AirPods in because the sound quality is so good. – Syringa, Amazon.com : 5/5

3. Audio & Performance

This is where the Nothing Headphone (1) really makes a case for itself.

• Nothing partnered with KEF, a British audio brand with over 60 years of experience, to tune the 40mm dynamic drivers. The result is a natural, balanced sound with strong bass, clear mids, and crisp highs.
• The Nothing X app gives you an 8-band EQ to tweak the sound exactly how you like it.
• Spatial audio with head tracking adds a nice layer of depth, making music and movies feel more immersive.

I love these headphones, the Bluetooth is fabulous. Been wearing them every day on my digger, and you hardly hear the machine. When you answer a phone call with a backpack blower, the caller can’t even hear the machine. Wow. The buttons are great, and Google AI works just from your voice. P. Holloway, Amazon: 5/5

4. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)

The Nothing Headphone (1) offers ANC that works well for everyday use, but it’s not quite at Sony or Bose levels yet.

• It blocks out up to 42dB of noise, which handles office chatter and light traffic comfortably.
• There are multiple ANC modes: High, Mid, Low, and Adaptive, so you can adjust based on your environment.
• Transparency mode works naturally, letting in outside sound without making it feel too artificial.

Honestly, these headphones are great. The ANC is excellent and, to my ears, it’s about as good as anything I’ve ever heard in this category. Transparency mode also sounds surprisingly natural. Comfort is another big win too; the weight feels nicely balanced, where they feel premium and substantial, but not heavy enough to get fatiguing during longer listening sessions. And of course, the design is a huge part of the appeal. I love it.  – D. White, Amazon: 3.5/5

5. Connectivity & Controls

Nothing kept the connectivity side pretty solid on the Headphone (1).

• Bluetooth 5.3 keeps the connection stable, and multipoint pairing lets you stay connected to two devices at once, handy if you switch between a phone and a laptop often.
• Codec support covers SBC, AAC, and LDAC, so Hi-Res wireless audio is fully on the table.
• The physical controls are genuinely fun to use. A volume roller, a paddle switch, and a multifunction button replace the usual touch controls, giving everything a more tactile, satisfying feel.

The buttons are one of my favorite features. Having used headphones with touch/tap/pinch navigation, I much prefer physical ones. – John S, Amazon.com 4/5

6. Battery Life & Charging

The Nothing Headphone (1) battery life is one of its strongest selling points.

• Up to 80 hours of playback with ANC off, that’s genuinely impressive for this price range.
• With ANC on, you get around 35 hours,s still more than enough for most people’s weekly use.
• Fast charging kicks in quick just 5 minutes on charge gives you up to 5 hours of playback.
• Full charge from 0 to 100% takes around 120 minutes via USB-C.

The battery life is outstanding and the range goes way further than I expected. I can be on the other side of the house, and they still work. – John S, Amazon.com 4/5

7. Extras

A few bonus features that are worth calling out.

• IP52 rating light water and dust resistance that most headphones at this price simply don’t offer.
• Both USB-C audio and a 3.5mm jack are available for wired listening, great for flexibility.
• The Nothing X app, gaming Mode drops latency to as low as 110ms and offers custom control settings.

The best buy of my year. The sound is very faithful. Has deep bass and good mids. Basically, a very good sound for its price. – Félicien Wattecamps, Amazon: 5/5

Nothing Headphones vs. Other Premium Options

Choosing the right headphones means looking beyond design and comparing real-world performance, features, and value.

Who Should Buy Nothing Headphones (1)

The Nothing Headphone (1) is a great pick, but it’s not for everyone.

If you care about standing out and want a headphone that looks different from everything else out there, this one is for you. It also suits people who like tweaking their sound through an app rather than sticking to default settings.

Commuters and office workers will appreciate the ANC and long battery life. Gamers get a dedicated low-latency mode.

However, if top-tier ANC is your biggest priority or you’re a frequent flyer, Sony or Bose might still serve you better.

Final Verdict

The Nothing Headphone (1) is a serious first attempt at the over-ear market. It brings a fresh look, solid sound, and genuinely useful features at a price that makes sense.

Is it perfect? No. The ANC won’t beat Sony or Bose, and the sound can feel slightly compressed at loud volumes.

But for such an affordable price, you’re getting KEF-tuned audio, 80 hours of battery life, IP52 protection, and a design that turns heads. All in one package.

For most people, that’s more than enough to make it worth considering.