Nothing Headphone (1)
The strongest new entrant, with excellent reviews and battery, ranked this low purely because a first-generation product from a young brand has no proven longevity or support record - no one can say how firmware will be maintained in year four, and that uncertainty is exactly what this lens prices in.
Consolidated from 68 cited sources across 55 outlets
Where the cited sources landed, as we read them
- 1 enthusiastic source
- 35 positive sources
- 25 mixed sources
- 5 unconvinced sources
Pros & cons
- ✓ Excellent battery life - over 33 hours with ANC enabled
- ✓ Friendly, excellent tactile physical controls
- ✓ Solid, engaging, musically satisfying tuning
- ✓ Great-looking and feeling, very good for travel
- ✓ Distinctive, design-led looks
- ✗ Microphone performance is the weak point
- ✗ First-generation product from a young brand - long-term firmware support is unproven
- ✗ MKBHD frames the whole review around skepticism: Nothing is 'a design company'
- ✗ Substance unproven against established rivals at the same money
- ✗ Community takeaway: style first
The sources behind this ranking
We searched the web and YouTube for what has been published about this product, then read the articles, video transcripts and comments we found.
Evidence 21 articles, 42 video reviews and 5 community sources
1 enthusiastic source
35 positive sources
The controls on the Nothing Headphone 1 are a curious mix. In a few cases, they’re very simple and easy to understand. For instance, they have a straightforward power switch that you can flip on or off — little uncertainty there and no need to hold a button for several seconds to turn them off and on (or back off if you thought they were on but they were already off — you catch my meaning). But thRead C
Let's see, you could say they're beautiful, and beautiful might not be the word. The word might be eye-catching. Yes, why? Well, because they have. let's see, they have a very futuristic design. They have a rather peculiar design. They don't resemble any headphones we 've seen to date.Watch A
The first thing that jumps out at me about the Nothing Headphone (a) is that rock solid battery life, quoted by Nothing as up to 135 Hours without noise canceling, but since I always use it with noise canceling, I got about 70 hours playing over AAC codec at 50% volume. That’s way above what most noise cancelers offer, which is usually within the range of 20-30 hours of juice.Read T
And nothing's design is certainly unique, distinctive, I guess, and uh yeah, remarkable. And some might be tempted to say completely bat mental, but one thing's for sure, they're certainly eye-catching. You'll be attracting a fair amount of attention if you've got these slapped on your Guliver as you're having a merry little stroll to your local odd bins.Watch S
This section will not be finished before publish because Nothing gave the Nothing Headphone (a) an enormous 1,050mAh battery billed to give users 135 hours of listening time. Given that competing headsets tend to fall within 400-700mAh, I have a strong suspicion these things are going to last on our battery testing setup for just short of a week.Read T
Hey everyone, Tim Scoffield here and I just landed in London with nothing to check out their first ever overear headphones and they are some of the most distinct and unique looking overear headphones I've ever seen. Here's just a quick sneak peek. All right, but we are going to unbox these. Take a look what comes inside. I did that back in the studio before I left.Watch S
The Nothing Headphone (a) Bluetooth headphones are for those looking for comprehensive, modern, durable headphones. Their record-breaking battery life means you can listen for weeks on end without worrying about recharging them. The physical controls are intuitive, and the multipoint connection makes it easy to switch from one device to another.Read N
These things are pretty stunning.Watch R
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST Nothing Headphone (a) review for those who are wondering whether they are WORTH IT in 2026. I’ll also be comparing the Nothing Headphone (a) vs Nothing Headphone 1, CMF Headphone Pro, Soundcore Space One, Sony ULT Wear, Sennheiser Accentum, JBL Tune 770NC, and more!Read T
And trust me, I am I am pretty impressed. All right, if you're watching me for the first time, I'm Ara. This is Track Tech English, your destination for detailed, incessive headphone reviews.Watch S
However, there shouldn’t be many situations where it will fall below the price of the newer Nothing Headphone (a). Both products are easiest to obtain online, as the big box stores are hit-or-miss with stock in brands that aren’t household names.Read S
Long story short, I actually think that they offer a really really interesting value proposition. I mean, for one, they carry across a very similar strikingly unique design that so many people loved about Nothing's flagship headphones, even offering two unique color options now. And for me, the design itself is a serious selling point.Watch Q Quora Quora answer
The Nothing Headphone (a) actually sound pretty good for the price They have a punchy bass and clear vocals which makes them fun for everyday music podcastsand casual listening They’re not super audiophile but most people will enjoy the tuning.Read answer T
So, when I heard that they were finally coming out with the Nothing Headphone 1, I was excited.Watch F Facebook richersounds
Product review: Nothing Headphone (a) ANC Wireless Headphones - The Nothing Headphone (a) looked good enough to tempt me into buying them. Three weeks later, I’m still struggling to find a reason I shouldn’t have.View post T
When it comes to features and the technical side, the Nothing Headphone One absolutely won me over.Watch R
That said, the fact they were able to produce something of quality and with a cool design, which can be justified as a purchase irrespective of the association with/support for the brand, that's an A++ in my book.Watch 6
So, do I recommend the Nothing Headphone (1)? Yes. For the money, I don't think I've seen a better pair of headphones.Watch G
So that was the all-new Nothing Headphone (a). And if there’s one takeaway I’d like to leave you with, it’s that this is a great pair of headphones—despite a few flaws.Read G
I love the design. The design is still very similar. Although we now have this plastic finishing on the front here.Watch M
It looks pretty cool and it's got that red dot on there like you always do with nothing and it's got nothing headphone written on there as well which is kind of cool. The whole point of this is you can see the inner workings of what the headphones about. Let's talk more about the design because it's kind of quirky as you can already see already.Watch R
In terms of microphone quality, the headphone A performed way beyond expectations. Clean and clear in quiet conditions, and in noisy, windy conditions, it cancels background noise to almost nothing, while leaving my voice relatively intact, albeit a little softer and a bit muffled at certain times compared to in quiet conditions.Watch H
On paper, the specs are seriously compelling.Watch W
Well balanced and spot onRead E
On paper, the specs are seriously compelling.Watch P
I've been playing around with some settings, playing around with the sound, and I think they're just a solid headphone. I think I get nothing's new direction they're taking with their products.Watch T
Its design and aesthetics are second to nothing, much like all of their Nothing phones. It features a combination of aluminum and transparent plastic with a little bit of retro touch thanks to its internal cassette-like aesthetics. I'm more of an earbuds kind of guy, but I would be lying if I said I didn't find this interesting to say the least.Watch H
And thankfully, I absolutely love how these look in person. I was pretty worried that the signature transparent nothing look might feel cheap when paired with the aluminum cups, but it's actually executed really well. This design reminds me of those old cassette tapes, which is very fitting since this is an audio product.Watch D
Right away I can tell you these feel a whole lot lighter than headphone ones. These are incredibly light really out of the box. We'll get more into that here shortly. In the box, the first thing you're greeted with aside from the headphones is a carrying pouch. It's not going to be a premium hard shell case like headphone one, but something you can easily toss the headphones into when on the go.Watch D
They are very comfortable, and that's an easy win in my book, especially compared to the more expensive headphone 1, which are heavier, and over time you do get some fatigue with these. I don't find myself getting any fatigue, and I have a larger head here, and they stretch very nicely and fit great all day. Bluetooth pairing is incredibly seamless.Watch B
I am actually a huge fan of this design. I believe it comes in both black and white color. But I actually prefer this white one. And what makes this stand out is its iconic transparent look. Now I'm not going to lie. Seeing this online and from other videos to me it looks like another flashy headphone. But having it in person, it looks clean and minimal while still standing out.Watch T
The battery life was phenomenal. Comfort stayed excellent for hours. Noise canceling performed reliably, and the overall audio experience felt refined and enjoyable. In the middle of this review, remember the product link is in the description for the latest deals on the Nothing headphone one.Watch
25 mixed sources
The Nothing Headphone (a) are some of the most exciting new headphones on the market right now. I’m so sick of audio brands making boring — sorry, “discreet” — headphones that look like every other pair of over-ears. I respect a brand that goes above and beyond to make visually interesting tech, so I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the Headphone (a).Read T
If it's loose, it'll be a problem. Because that's one of the biggest problems with this. This cushion, Oh! They feel nice actually!Watch F
However, you might want to look elsewhere if you are a purist audiophile seeking an impeccable out-of-the-box sound signature. Similarly, those who require a higher IP rating for use in rain or during exercise, or who simply prefer a more modest and formal design, may find other options more suitable.Read B
See, when I first saw the leak, I was kind of confused and a lot of you on Twitter also didn't like the design, but when I actually got my hands on them, I was genuinely impressed. The build quality, the tiny details in designing, playback controls, and everything was just perfect. It wasn't exactly love at first sight, but the design kind of grew on me just like ARM songs.Watch P
Pretty much everything that was questionable about the more expensive Headphone (1) is still questionable here. Nothing has left some of the issues as that — issues — essentially delivering a less expensive offering that could have been that little better overall.Read A
These are the nothing headphone 1 and they might be the coolest overear headphones we've seen in years.Watch W
The Nothing Headphone (1) leave us feeling frustrated. We can sense that there are the makings of an interesting product in here, as shown by the headphones’ distinctive design, attractive price point and solid sonic foundation.Read I
But there are two things about it that bother me . Underneath the faux leather, I get very hot very quickly, especially in summer . Fabric is much more comfortable, and you can't simply replace the cushions yourself if they get dirty or broken. For that, you have to send the headphones in, and I think that's completely unacceptable . They cannot be folded up small, only laid flat.Watch R
Nothing's new over-ear headphones cut a few corners when it comes to noise-canceling and material design, but make up for those subtractions with longer battery life and a more affordable price.Read S
The only downside with this rectangular design, as you might have heard the mic picking up, is that they ding into each other. You know, the corners can easily collide when you're handling them, especially if you're wearing the headphones around your neck and you have the headband extended. You know, these these clink into each other quite a lot.Watch S
However, while its design is a point of pride for some, its inability to fold up and the difficulty in replacing ear pads may be drawbacks for others.Read S
This is both good and bad, as we noted with the headphone one. You may have issues with it if you have a larger head.Watch T
It's sufficient for quick transport, but I would have preferred more protection in a fully packed backpack.Read S
Both work well for long sessions, but I think Bose edges ahead slightly just because of that weight difference. One practical consideration though is that the Nothing headphones can't fold up. They can only rotate to lay flat, while Bose on the other hand gives you that traditional folding design that makes travel a lot easier.Watch G
The ostentatious Nothing Headphone (a) delivers the former, but falls a little short on the latter.Read A
But, speaking of flights, the caveat is that this particular headphones does not fold flat. Like, you cannot bend it to fold flat, so keep that in mind when you're packing this on. Then, the memory foam ear cups and the headbands paddings are genuinely very well thought out even though if you have ear piercings.Watch Q Quora Quora answer
However, they are not class-leading in pure sound quality.Read answer K
But just like any tu material, it can get warm after a while, which can be really uncomfortable. Definitely not something that you'll want to wear during the summer or under a hot weather. But if you're wearing this in an air condition room, it is pretty manageable. Although the headphone one can be folded, I'm glad that nothing has provided a pretty nice hard case to store the headphone.Watch A
Everyone has mixed opinions about the aesthetics of the Nothing Headphone One. Some of you love it. Some of you don't really like it. You even called it ridiculous or weird in the comments section. Now, I for one think that it's one of the coolest looking headphones.Watch K
That being said, that reduction in cost does come with some downsides. And depending on what you value, that may or may not be a deal breakaker for you.Watch P
Scoring the headphone A a 10 out of 10, 2 points up from the headphone 1. Because you get a pretty unheard of 135 hours of battery with noise canceling off and a whopping 75 hours with noise canceling on. Even with LDAC on and noise canceling, you still get over 60 hours of battery life. It's great to see nothing advertises these amounts as well.Watch S
I think they go so well together. Without further ado, let's hop into the Nothing Headphone One. I've said it before, nothing is the first company that I've like really been excited for for like smartphones and stuff, an Appleesque kind of company since I fell in love with Apple. So to have a company that can do that is kind of crazy cuz I've been sort of an Apple fanboy for a very long time.Watch L
You got aluminum, stainless steel construction. Now, there is still plenty of plastic, synthetic materials, but these ear cups are quite comfortable. Clamping force, not so bad. Plenty of room for my ears. And yeah, I got to say, I can wear these for a while. Not to the extent of the 30-plus hour battery, but I've marathon sessioned these already.Watch W
Because of this squarish shape with the hard edges and whatnot, if you are walking against the wind, you can hear it. Even with noise cancelling on, wind noise is a little bit of an issue as a result of this design. Nonetheless, if you're looking to make an impression, if you're looking to stand out of the crowd, this is the way to do it. Now, I do love the build quality.Watch H
Now, I will say the build quality is very good, but I did notice that the headphone 1 are a bit tighter around the head than some other headphones on the market. Now, this won't bother a lot of people. Some people it may bother, but it doesn't make my head hurt over time or anything like that. It's just something I noticed.Watch
5 unconvinced sources
By comparison, the Nothing Headphone (1) is not well-suited for those with larger heads or longer hair. In particular, I found they do a poor job of evenly distributing their weight, resulting in pain where the headband meets the scalp.Read D
The nothing headphone one is not that. This is built quite different. When you look at this, this product has a visual design language that it's not cohesive. There's like a square or like a rounded rectangle over here and then on top of that is a uh like an oval-shaped object. And like the the materials are different. There's like a clear plastic here and then, you know, metal and then plastic.Watch N r/NothingTech u/LinkinMode · owner
I'm returning the Nothing Headphone (1)Read thread S
The treble has detail, but it's not always even, and the whole thing can feel a little picky. Now, what that actually feels like is it sounds like a studio version of your music, like it's trying to be accurate, but every now and again you're like, "Wait, where did that go?" So, first example I'm going to use J. Cole's 26 song from his latest album, that bassline, it comes in clean.Watch N r/NothingTech u/kiwi_______________ · owner
I probably wouldn't buy it personally.Read thread
2 stance not read sources
So, for the next week I'm using the Nothing headphone A. In the real life, commuting, filming, editing, coffee, daily life, you name it. I'm just about to go to town to do another camera comparison, so it would be good to see what's the noise cancellation is like, the comfort, the sound quality. I'm going to even do unboxing, so let's go.Watch T
This is the Nothing headphone one. I've had them for over 8 months now, so the honeymoon phase is long gone. I've used them on buses, trains, planes, you name it. Areas with different sound profiles, and I've learned a lot about them. I'll tell you what I like about them, and things you should be concerned about if you're considering buying these.Watch
Frequently asked questions
It ranks #22 of 28 on our headphones tier list, in D tier. That placement draws on 68 cited sources across 55 outlets.
5 of the 66 sources with a clear view are critical of it, among them Dave2D, r/NothingTech and Septien Patterson. Microphone performance is the weak point. First-generation product from a young brand - long-term firmware support is unproven. MKBHD frames the whole review around skepticism: Nothing is 'a design company'. Substance unproven against established rivals at the same money. Community takeaway: style first.
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