Nothing made its first foray into the world of over-ear headphones with the Headphone (1). Most reviewers point out that it's a bold move: visually striking, but for some it looks ridiculous on the head. But when it comes to the build, sound, ANC and battery – they're mostly impressed. This article summarizes key insights from The Verge, TechRadar, India Today, SlashGear and more.
Design Nothing Headphones (1) It was clearly not intended to blend in with its surroundings. The transparent plastic, aluminum frames, and industrial contrasts of shapes create a feeling of being constructed from LEGO adult cubes. Visually fascinating? Undoubtedly. On the head? Well… that’s subjective. Most people think they look better on a shelf than on a person. And considering that there aren’t many photos of people wearing them in promotional materials – that might not be a coincidence.
Build and comfort – sturdy but not lightweight – Nothing Headphone (1)
The Nothing Headphone (1) is made from a combination of metal and plastic, which gives it a serious feel of solidity – almost industrial durability. It weighs a bit more than most of its competitors, which can be felt on the back of your neck after a few hours. The ear pads are soft and pleasantly large, although some would like a little less pressure on the head. The wearability is solid, but not exceptional.
Controls – buttons you can feel
Forget about delicate touches and imprecise gestures. The physical controls on these headphones are almost therapeutic. The volume wheel, the track switcher, and the additional function button – everything is logical, clear, and tactile. No need to look at the instructions. It just works.
Sound – more bass, less fine range
The sound of these headphones is surprisingly powerful and balanced, with a strong emphasis on the mids and lows. This suits most music genres, especially pop and electronic music. The highs are a bit restrained, the details are not ultra-precise, but overall they sound pleasant. Many users report that it would be difficult to get a better sound at the same price. The headphones also allow you to manually adjust the sound with an eight-band equalizer in the app.
ANC in transparency mode – surprisingly effective
Active noise cancellation exceeds expectations in this price range. It easily drowns out the everyday noise of a city street or the hum of an office. Transparency mode is one of the best features of these headphones - the ambient sound is clear, without artificial sounding, which is not the rule in most devices under 400 euros. Both functions are software adjustable.
Calls and connectivity – decent but not brilliant
The microphone quality is satisfactory. The voice is understandable, but in very noisy environments some of the sound can be lost. The connectivity is top-notch: Bluetooth 5.3, LDAC support, multipoint connection, and also a USB-C input. The analog 3.5 mm input only works when the headphones are plugged in - which can be annoying if someone runs out of battery in the middle of a trip.
Battery – almost indestructible
The battery lasts up to 80 hours without ANC and 35 hours with it. In real-world use, this means you can go a long weekend without a charger. Charging is via USB‑C and is fast. The package includes two cables (USB‑C and 3.5 mm) and a carrying case that gets dirty easily and tends to collect crumbs and lint. But hey – at least it's a carrying case.
Conclusion – the most courageous headset of the year?
Nothing Headphone (1) are not for everyone. But for those who want something different, something with expression and character – and at the same time good sound, useful controls and long battery life – they are one of the better buys in the mid-price range. Numerous review tests confirm that they push the boundaries of expectations in this segment.
If you can live with not looking like a character from a Marvel movie – these are headphones worth at least trying.
