Nothing Headphones (1) Review: Bold Design, Insane Battery & Flawed Sound

When the company Nothing first showed off their new over-ear headphones, my first thought was, “Finally!” It felt like someone had the guts to finally try something new in a headphone market that was getting pretty boring. So, here are the Nothing Headphones (1). They cost $299, and they bring that cool, see-through style the brand is known for to a bigger pair of headphones. But the real question is, are they all just for show? Or can they actually compete with the top players like Sony and Bose? Let’s find out.

Design & Build Quality: Cassette Tapes for Your Head

Nothing is known for its bold, unique designs, and these new headphones are no different. With their see-through plastic covers, visible screws, and funky geometric buttons, they kind of look like two little cassette tapes connected by a headband. When my friends saw them, some said “wow, cool!” and others just made a face—so yeah, the style definitely gets a reaction.

Check Out: Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Review

At 329 grams, they’re definitely heavier than popular models from Sony and Bose. After wearing them for a long time, I could feel some pressure on the top of my head, but the soft ear cushions did help make it more comfortable. On the bright side, the cool see-through mesh lets you actually see the 40mm speakers inside, which is a neat detail for people who really care about sound quality.

All in all, these headphones are really a mix of fashion and technology. They’re not made to be invisible; they’re made to get people’s attention.

Controls: Geometry You Can Feel

One of Nothing’s most practical moves was ditching finicky touch controls in favor of physical inputs. Each earcup has its own “geometry”:

• A round button
• A roller wheel
• A short lever

They’re impossible to confuse—even with gloves on. Once you spend a day getting used to them, muscle memory takes over. I found it a relief not to constantly miss the pause button while running or fumbling with swipes.

This tactile control scheme feels refreshingly old-school yet cleverly modern.

Sound Quality: Punchy Bass & Honest Highs

The second I started playing Dua Lipa’s new album on these, I could tell they had a really fun, energetic sound. The bass is punchy and precise—it doesn’t overwhelm the singing. The middle tones are clear, and the high notes are sharp but never tinny or painful to listen to. The overall sound is lively but well-balanced, which is probably thanks to the audio experts at KEF who helped tune them.

A few things that really stand out:

• Great for Music Lovers: They support LDAC, which is a high-quality audio format that sounds better than the standard one used by iPhones. If you want the best wireless sound possible, this is a big plus.
• You Can Adjust the Sound: The Nothing X app has an 8-band equalizer, so you can really fine-tune the music to sound exactly how you like it.
• Quality Speaker Design: They use special 11.6mm drivers made with graphene. This helps create a wide, spacious sound where you can hear all the details clearly.

When I compared them to the AirPods Max, I noticed they don’t get quite as loud, but the sound stays super clean even when you crank it up. They’re absolutely fantastic for electronic music and jazz. Rock music sounded good, but not as powerful as it does on some dedicated wired headphones. For podcasts and phone calls, the voice quality is just okay—it gets the job done for everyday use, but it’s not a main reason to buy them.

Competitor Comparison

So how do the Nothing Headphones stack up against the big names? Let’s break it down.

Sony WH-1000XM6 ($449)

• The Best at Blocking Noise. Its noise cancellation is the king, thanks to a super smart processor and a bunch of microphones.
• Lighter and Comfy. They’re noticeably lighter, making them easier to wear all day long.
• Good Battery. You get about 30 hours, which is solid, but less than what Nothing offers.

Bose QC Ultra ($429)

• The King of Comfort. These are incredibly soft, light, and feel great for long stretches, like at an office desk.
• Decent Battery. The battery lasts about 24-27 hours, which is fine but nothing special.
• Great Noise Cancellation. It’s really strong, though maybe not quite as mind-blowing as Sony’s.
• No Water Resistance. Something to keep in mind.

The Simple Takeaway:

• Go with Sony if your top priority is the absolute best noise cancellation.
• Choose Bose if all-day comfort is the most important thing to you.
• Pick Nothing if you want insane battery life (a huge 80 hours!) and a unique, head-turning style.

Verdict:

So, if you’re bored with the same old black headphones and want something with real personality, amazing battery life, and sound that’s both fun and balanced, then the Nothing Headphones (1) are a fantastic choice for the price.

Look, they don’t beat Sony at blocking out noise, and they aren’t quite as unbelievably comfortable as Bose. But their real strength is that they actually tried something different. They made headphones that are both a cool tech gadget and a fashion accessory, which is something the other big brands haven’t really done.

For me personally, I’ve found a spot for them in my life. My Sony headphones are what I use for critical listening at home, but when I’m out and about and want my gear to look as cool as it sounds, the Nothing Headphones are the ones I grab.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Insanely long battery life (up to 80h)
• Transparent design that stands out
• Tactile, intuitive physical controls
• LDAC + Hi-Res support with EQ customization
• Fast charging: 5 mins = 2.4h playback

Cons:
– Heavy (329g) → can cause fatigue over time
– ANC is good, but not class-leading
– Transparency mode sounds tinny
– Ears heat up faster in summer compared to Sony/Bose

Nothing Headphones (1) Specifications

• Drivers: 40mm dynamic drivers, custom-designed with KEF
• Diaphragm: 11.6mm graphene-coated
• Battery Life: Up to 80 hours (with Active Noise Cancellation off)
  • Up to 35 hours with ANC on.
• Quick Charge: 10 minutes of charging gives 10 hours of playback.
• Noise Cancellation: Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) with 3 levels.
• Transparency Mode: Yes, with 3 levels.
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3
• Audio Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC (for Hi-Res Audio)
• Weight: 329 grams
• Controls: Unique geometric touch controls on the earcups.
• Companion App: Nothing X app (with 8-band custom EQ)
• Microphones:  8 mics for calls and noise cancellation.
• Launch & Price:
  Released mid-2025, priced at ~ US$299 (or equivalent in other markets)