Nothing Headphone (1) Debuts with Stylish Transparency, Competitive Performance, and Flaws

Nothing’s first over-ear cans pair striking design with solid ANC, crisp sound, and exceptional battery life—yet voice calls, multipoint support, and plastic durability keep them slightly behind Sony and Bose.

By
Zahid Saba
-
0
8

🎧 1. First Impressions & Design

Released on July 1, 2025, the Nothing Headphone (1)—priced at $299—marks Nothing’s entry into the over-ear headphone arena. Aesthetically, it channels the brand’s signature clear plastic style, reminiscent of vintage cassette decks and echoing design cues from the Ear (1) earbuds wired.com+14theverge.com+14whathifi.com+14.

  • Build: Lightweight plastic housing offers comfort but feels less premium than metal-clad rivals .
  • Comfort: Well-padded ear cups rotate smoothly and, despite a slight heft, are comfortable for extended wear .
  • Controls: Unique roller wheel on the ear cup for volume adjustments, plus a customizable multi-function button for spatial audio or voice assistant — thoughtful design, though some may prefer physical buttons wired.com+13theverge.com+13techradar.com+13.

🔋 2. Battery & Connectivity

Nothing boasts an impressive battery life: up to 80 hours with ANC off, and approximately 35 hours with ANC enabled — well ahead of flagship models like the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Bose QuietComfort whathifi.com.

🔇 3. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)

The ANC performance is solid, not outstanding—it effectively suppresses low-frequency hums in office or travel settings . What Hi-Fi called it “decent” at demo events whathifi.com.

  • Modes: Standard ANC and transparency modes are provided, with nothing particularly innovative.
  • Verdict: Competitive with mid-tier Sony and Bose, but doesn’t match their top-tier noise suppression.

🔊 4. Sound Quality

Headphone (1) utilizes custom 40 mm drivers with poly surround materials aiming for rich, distortion-free sound whathifi.com.

  • Audio profile: “Balanced and authoritative” with good clarity across genres — detailed strings and punchy bass during demo sessions whathifi.com.
  • Critiques: Some reviewers noted a slightly compressed sound lacking dynamics compared to high-end rivals techradar.com+1theverge.com+1.
  • Comparison: Overall, nothing ‘wow’ moment like AirPods Max, but a strong contender that undercuts premium models by ~$150 nothing.community.

đź“ž 5. Voice & Call Performance

Call quality is the current weak point—especially in noisy environments, where Nothing’s AI-focused isolation falls short loudnwireless.com.

  • Comparison: Call performance lags behind Sony and Bose, where their integrated mics and DSPs offer clearer speech.

🛠️ 6. Build Quality & Durability

Despite the dramatic transparent look, the plastic build feels less durable than metal alternatives .

  • Comfort: Users report a pleasant fit; ear pads avoid pressure points whathifi.com.
  • Weight: Heavier than some rivals, yet tolerable for lengthy listening sessions.

⚙️ 7. Features & Software

  • App integration: Works seamlessly with the Nothing X app for sound customization and updates soundguys.comwhathifi.com+8theverge.com+8lifewire.com+8.
  • Touch interface: Roller for volume and paddle button for quick shortcuts, though learning curve exists whathifi.com+1techradar.com+1.
  • Spatial audio: Available but still early in its development — not yet as convincing as Apple’s or Sony’s implementations.

đź’˛ 8. Price Comparison

At $299, Headphone (1) is priced substantially below top-tier models:

âś… 9. Who Should Buy?

Buy if you want:

  • Striking design and aesthetic flair
  • Exceptional battery life
  • Comfortable fit for long usage
  • Solid ANC and rich sound below flagship prices

Avoid if you want:

  • Stellar call quality
  • Multipoint connectivity
  • Premium metal build and ultra-lux feel
  • Unmatched ANC and dynamic audio responsiveness

đź“Ś 10. Verdict & Recommendation

Nothing’s over-ear debut impresses with its signature transparent style, abundant battery, and well-rounded feature set. ANC works well, battery performance is stellar, and audio is strong though not class-leading. Voice quality, build choice, and omitted multipoint feature fall short against Sony/Bose benchmarks whathifi.comtechradar.com+2reddit.com+2techgearlab.com+2theverge.comtheverge.com+1loudnwireless.com+1.
Final score: A competitive mid-premium pick, best for listeners prioritizing design and value over top-end audiophile specs.

đź”— 11. Sources & Proof

  • The Verge detailed price, battery life, ANC, and sound quality .
  • What Hi‑Fi shared hands-on insights on build, comfort, and driver tech .
  • TechRadar critiqued compressed sound and structural refinement techradar.com.

🌟 Buy or Not?

The Nothing Headphone (1) is ideal for tech-savvy design lovers and casual-to-serious listeners who value long battery life and a unique look. But audio purists and professionals wanting flawless call clarity or premium materials should evaluate Sony’s WH-Series or Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra, even if it means a $150–$250 higher investment.

Bottom Line: Nothing’s transparent over-ears are a head-turner—not just in style, but for competitive specs and pricing. They’re an ideal gateway into premium headphones for those eager to embrace Nothing’s aesthetic DNA—or a stopgap until specs reach top-tier standards.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR