The Nothing Headphone 1 immediately turns heads with its transparent, retro-inspired design. Drawing inspiration from both the 1980s and modern tech, it’s a look that either excites or confuses.
Wearing them, however, feels a bit strange. The design is bold but may not appeal to everyone. The materials used, while lightweight, don’t offer the same premium feel as aluminum-clad competitors.
Sound quality: Impressive but not best in class
At $299, these over-ear headphones are positioned against heavy hitters like the AirPods Max and Sony WH-1000XM6, yet offer something visually different.
For everyday listening, the Headphone 1 holds up well. It provides solid sound, clean mids, and balanced bass. I don’t think the Headphone 1 sounds as good as the AirPods Max, but I prefer Nothing’s frequency response to Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra and Sony’s WH-1000XM6.
What stands out most is that it sounds on par with Nothing’s earbuds, showing consistency across the brand’s lineup.
Comfort and controls: Smart design choices
While the ear pads may feel a bit rubbery, they’re surprisingly comfortable for long periods. No fatigue after all-day use is a win.
The control setup is one of the highlights. The roller wheel for volume is a tactile joy, similar to Apple’s digital crown but mounted sideways.
The button design is my favorite part of the headphones. You also get a paddle for skipping tracks and a customizable button that ties in with the Nothing X app.
Noise canceling and spatial features
ANC performs reliably in busy environments. It handles subway noise and city sounds well. Noise canceling works well, outside of calls. Spatial audio, on the other hand, feels more like a gimmick. It does not sound very believable, and most of the time, it makes the audio sound worse.
Call quality: The biggest letdown
Despite having four mics and “AI-powered Clear Voice Technology,” the Headphone 1 struggles in noisy settings. They were not able to understand half of the words I was saying. This makes it a poor choice for those who rely heavily on voice calls in public.
Battery life and charging
The battery stats are impressive: up to 80 hours with ANC off and 35 hours with ANC on. In real-life testing, they hold up to those claims. After a week of casual use and using them throughout my workday, I never had to charge them.
However, one drawback is that the analog 3.5mm jack doesn’t function without battery power — an issue if you’re out of juice.
Does the Headphone 1 justify its $299 cost?
The Nothing Headphone 1 strikes a unique balance between style and substance. If you want standout design, decent ANC, and long battery life at a lower price than Sony or Apple, this is worth a look. But if call clarity matters or you prefer something more mature-looking, it may not be the best fit.
If the design fits your personality, then saving $200 for this audio quality and noise cancellation makes this a package worth considering.
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