nothing, the London-based tech brand known for its distinctive transparent gadgets, is making a bold entry into the premium over-ear headphone market. The company has just launched its first model in this category, simply named the Headphone (1). This follows Nothing’s earlier success with its unique Ear (2) open-ear headphones.
Positioned to compete with established high-end players, the Headphone (1) arrives with a competitive $299 price tag. It aims to blend Nothing’s signature design language with advanced audio features and practical functionality. While maintaining the brand’s unique aesthetic, these headphones pack in adaptive noise canceling, spatial audio, and impressive battery life.
Design & Build: Nothing’s Signature Transparent Look
Immediately recognizable as a Nothing product, the Headphone (1) features the brand’s characteristic transparent elements. Oval sections on each ear cup provide a glimpse of the internal components, layered over an aluminum frame. This design choice is deliberate, intended to make the headphones visually striking and “designed to be seen.” The headphones are available in both white (aligning with Nothing’s traditional look) and a more understated black.
Despite the focus on design, the build has practical elements. The earcups feature memory foam cushions covered in an oil-resistant material, designed for durability and easy cleaning after activities. The adjustable arms securely maintain their set length. The headphones hold a notable IP52 rating, offering protection against limited dust ingress and water spray – a rare feature among premium competitors, potentially making them suitable for gym use. However, they are quite substantial, weighing in at 329 grams. While lighter than Apple’s AirPods Max, they are heavier than many leading models from Sony or Bose, which often weigh under nine ounces.
Audio Performance: KEF Tuning & Immersive Sound
For audio quality, Nothing partnered with renowned British audio brand KEF. This collaboration aims to deliver a refined listening experience through custom 40mm dynamic drivers. The acoustic engineering and tuning by KEF are intended to ensure accurate music reproduction across different listening modes. The headphones support Hi-Res Audio and boast a wide frequency response range of 20-40KHz.
The Headphone (1) includes effective adaptive noise canceling (ANC). It uses four feedback microphones to achieve up to 42dB of noise reduction, noted as adept at silencing ambient sounds like kettles. A transparency mode is also available, designed to naturally amplify external sounds when needed. Users can switch between ANC and transparency modes easily. Reviews indicate the sound profile is slightly bass-forward, offering a richer soundscape than Nothing’s earlier earbuds. While effective, some early impressions noted potential bass over-emphasis when ANC is active and vocals occasionally perceived as less clear compared to more expensive models.
Furthermore, these headphones offer immersive spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. This feature creates a 3-D listening environment, enhancing the sense of realism, particularly noted as enjoyable for streaming movies and shows without noticeable lag. Adaptive bass enhancement is also present, reported to enhance low frequencies effectively across various music genres.
Controls & Connectivity: Tactile Buttons Over Touch
A significant departure from many modern headphones is Nothing’s reliance on tactile physical controls instead of touch sensors. This design decision focuses on making the headphones intuitive to control by touch alone. The Headphone (1) features a unique set of buttons requiring different interactions.
A prominent roller on the ear cup handles sensitive volume adjustments. Pressing this roller manages playback (play/pause) and a long press toggles between ANC and transparency modes. Below the roller is a paddle control for skipping tracks (forward/backward) and managing calls. This paddle also offers a unique scrubbing function for seeking within tracks, dependent on app support. A separate, customizable button acts as a shortcut, defaulting to voice assistants or ChatGPT via the Nothing X app. For Nothing phone owners, this button offers an “Essential Space” or “Channel Hop” function, allowing quick switching between recent audio apps like Spotify, Audible, or podcasts – a feature restricted to Nothing devices. A dedicated physical switch at the bottom turns the headphones on or off. Additionally, an “almost secret” button on the inner side is used specifically for Bluetooth pairing.
Connectivity is robust, featuring Bluetooth 5.3 with support for the high-quality LDAC codec, alongside SBC and AAC. The headphones support Dual Connection, allowing simultaneous pairing with two devices. Android users benefit from Google Fast Pair, and Windows users get Microsoft Swift Pair for quick setup. A Low lag mode is also included, beneficial for gaming.
Battery Life & Charging: Endurance for Long Sessions
Battery life is a strong selling point for the Nothing Headphone (1), particularly without ANC enabled. The company claims an impressive up to 80 hours of total listening time. With adaptive noise canceling actively engaged, the claimed battery life is up to 35 hours. Early testing indicates these figures align well with real-world performance. This ANC-enabled battery life notably outperforms many premium rivals, including the Sony WH-1000XM5/XM6 (32 hours), Bose QuietComfort Ultra (27 hours), and Apple AirPods Max (20 hours).
Charging is handled via a standard USB-C port. A fast charge feature provides substantial listening time from a short plug-in; a mere five minutes of charging yields approximately two and a half hours of playback. For users who prefer wired connections or need to conserve battery, the headphones also support audio playback via USB-C and include a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack, with both necessary cables supplied. Auto-play/pause functionality is also built-in.
Comfort & Wearability: A Mixed Experience
While feature-packed, comfort and wearability present a significant area of concern based on early reviews. The 329-gram weight contributes to the issue. Combined with what reviewers described as minimal headband padding and a noticeably tight clamping force, this can lead to discomfort, sometimes resulting in scalp pain or ear fatigue after just two hours of wear. Users with larger heads or ears might find the ear cups feel small.
Furthermore, the design lacks folding hinges, limiting portability compared to headphones that fold compactly. The ear cups also do not swivel flat for easier storage around the neck or in a bag. A notable limitation is that the ear cushions are not replaceable, potentially impacting long-term hygiene and comfort. While comfortable for sitting and listening over long periods, the headphones were reported to feel heavy and slide around during more active use like household chores.
Nothing X App & Ecosystem Integration
Customization and control are managed through the updated Nothing X app. The app provides access to various features, including adjustable ANC modes (Low, Mid, High, Adaptive), transparency mode toggling, and the ability to manage Dual Connection pairings. A key feature is the extensive EQ customization available. The app includes a basic visualizer and a powerful 8-band custom EQ, allowing users precise control over frequency response and quality factor (Q) to tailor the sound profile. The app also includes a “Find My” function to help locate misplaced headphones.
As mentioned, the dedicated multifunction button’s capability to switch between audio apps (“Channel Hop” or “Essential Space”) is currently restricted to owners of Nothing phones, such as the Phone (3) and potentially older models via future updates. While the app offers broad control, this restriction on a unique feature feels like a notable limitation for users outside the Nothing ecosystem.
Pricing, Availability & Competition
The Nothing Headphone (1) is priced at $299 (£299 / €299), positioning it directly against established premium headphones. It offers a distinct blend of unique design, advanced features like IP52 rating and KEF tuning, and exceptional battery life (without ANC), serving as a compelling alternative to models like the AirPods Max or higher-end Sony/Bose offerings.
Pre-orders for the Nothing Headphone (1) begin on July 4, 2025, in the U.S., U.K., and other regions via Nothing’s official website. The full retail release is scheduled for July 15, 2025, with shipping commencing concurrently with the launch. While competitively priced and feature-rich, potential buyers should carefully consider the reported comfort issues, especially if planning for extended listening sessions or active use, and weigh them against the unique design and technical capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key features and technical specifications of the Nothing Headphone (1)?
The Nothing Headphone (1) features a unique semi-transparent design, custom 40mm drivers tuned by KEF, adaptive noise canceling (ANC) up to 42dB, spatial audio with head tracking, and tactile physical controls. It supports Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC codec, Dual Connection, and has an IP52 water and dust resistance rating. It offers up to 80 hours of battery life without ANC (35 hours with ANC) and supports fast charging via USB-C, also including a 3.5mm audio jack.
How does the Nothing Headphone (1) compare to other premium over-ear headphones?
At $299, the Headphone (1) is priced competitively against flagship models. It stands out with its unique transparent design, IP52 rating (rare in this class), KEF audio tuning partnership, and impressive battery life (particularly ANC-off). However, it is heavier (329g) than many rivals and reports indicate comfort issues with clamping force and padding potentially affecting long listening sessions. It offers robust features like spatial audio and effective ANC, but lacks foldable hinges for easy portability found on some competitors.
When and where can I purchase the Nothing Headphone (1)?
Pre-orders for the Nothing Headphone (1) start on July 4, 2025, available directly through Nothing’s official website in the U.S., U.K., and other international markets. The official retail launch and general availability begin on July 15, 2025. The price is set at $299 (£299 / €299).
The Nothing Headphone (1) represents a distinctive entry into the crowded over-ear headphone market. It successfully translates Nothing’s design philosophy into a new product category, offering a feature set that challenges more established competitors on paper. The combination of KEF tuning, robust battery life, IP52 rating, and unique tactile controls provides a compelling package at its price point. However, the reported issues with comfort and wearability are significant factors potential buyers must consider. Ultimately, the Headphone (1) is a bold, stylish, and technically capable headphone that appeals strongly to those drawn to Nothing’s ecosystem and design, provided they prioritize features and style over absolute comfort for very long listening periods.
