Nothing Headphone 1 Review: Stylish Minimalism with Impressive Sound

Introduction

Nothing, the tech brand known for its transparent design philosophy and striking aesthetics, is expanding its lineup with the Nothing Headphone 1—a bold entry into the over-ear headphone space.

Building on the success of their Ear (1) and Ear (2) earbuds, Nothing’s first over-ear headphones promise premium audio, striking design, and advanced features like hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), high-resolution sound, and ultra-comfortable wear.

But do they deliver on that promise? Let’s dive deep into the Nothing Headphone 1 review to see if it’s worth your money.

📌 Key Specs at a Glance

Feature	Nothing Headphone 1
Design	Transparent accents, minimalist build
Drivers	40mm custom dynamic drivers
ANC	Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation, up to 40dB
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint
Battery Life	Up to 50 hours (ANC off), 30 hours (ANC on)
Charging	USB-C, 10-minute charge = 5 hours playback
Audio Codecs	AAC, SBC, LHDC / aptX Adaptive (region-dependent)
Weight	~265g
Extras	Transparency Mode, customizable EQ, app support

🎨 Design: Signature Transparent Minimalism

Nothing has carved out a niche with its transparent, industrial design—and the Headphone 1 is no exception.

✅ Highlights:

Clear accents on earcups reveal internal components
Minimal branding with subtle “Nothing” logo
Soft matte finishes for premium feel
Metal-reinforced headband for durability

✅ Build Quality:

Plush memory foam earpads with vegan leather covering
Adjustable sliders feel sturdy with smooth click stops
Folds flat for travel (rotating earcups)
~265g weight balances comfort and durability

✅ Pros:
✔️ Unique, recognizable Nothing aesthetic
✔️ Premium materials and construction
✔️ Comfortable for long sessions

✅ Cons:
✘ Transparent panels prone to fingerprints
✘ No official IP rating (not sweat/water resistant)

🎧 Sound Quality: Punchy, Detailed, Customizable

Nothing’s tuning philosophy aims for clarity with a touch of fun.

✅ Drivers:

40mm custom dynamic drivers
Tuned for balanced mids, crisp highs, and tight bass

✅ Out-of-the-Box Sound:

Rich, detailed soundstage
Controlled, non-boomy bass suitable for most genres
Clear vocals and well-separated instruments

✅ EQ Customization:

Nothing X app offers 5-band EQ
Pre-sets for Bass Boost, Vocal Clarity, Balanced
Easy to create and save custom profiles

✅ Hi-Res Support:

LHDC or aptX Adaptive (varies by region) for high-resolution streaming

✅ Pros:
✔️ Great clarity and separation
✔️ Controlled bass that doesn’t overpower
✔️ Customizable EQ for all tastes

✅ Cons:
✘ No planar drivers or audiophile-level detail
✘ Best codecs depend on device and region

✅ Verdict:
Easily among the better-sounding wireless headphones in its price segment.

Check out our latest newly released Nothing phone (3) review. Nothing entering super flagship category.

🔇 Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): Quiet on Command

✅ Features:

Hybrid ANC up to 40dB reduction
Multiple ANC levels in app
Transparency Mode for situational awareness

✅ Performance:

Excellent at cutting steady low-end noise (planes, trains)
Handles office chatter decently, but not Bose/Sony tier
Transparency Mode is natural, avoiding robotic artifacts

✅ Pros:
✔️ Solid ANC for the price
✔️ Adjustable strength levels
✔️ Very usable Transparency Mode

✅ Cons:
✘ Not class-leading vs. premium ANC brands
✘ Wind noise can sneak in on Transparency Mode

✅ Verdict:
ANC performance that’s very good for the price, with flexible controls.

⚡ Battery Life: Long-Lasting for Travel

✅ Specs:

Up to 50 hours (ANC off)
~30 hours (ANC on)
USB-C charging
10-minute quick charge = ~5 hours playback

✅ Real-World Usage:

3–4 days of moderate use without charging
Long-haul flights easily covered on one charge
Quick top-ups are genuinely useful

✅ Pros:
✔️ Extremely competitive battery life
✔️ Fast, practical charging
✔️ No need to worry on trips

✅ Cons:
✘ No wireless charging
✘ USB-C cable included but no wall adapter in some regions

✅ Verdict:
Battery life that comfortably beats many pricier competitors.

Check out Oneplus 13 review. Is Oneplus 13 better than Nothing phone (3)? Is it worth the price?

📱 Connectivity and Controls

✅ Bluetooth 5.3

Reliable, fast pairing
Multipoint support (connect two devices simultaneously)

✅ Controls:

Touch-sensitive earcup gestures
Tap, swipe for volume, playback, calls
ANC and Transparency toggle

✅ Extras:

Wear detection (auto-pause)
Voice assistant support (Google Assistant, Siri)

✅ Pros:
✔️ Intuitive touch controls
✔️ Multipoint for easy switching
✔️ Wear detection works reliably

✅ Cons:
✘ Touch controls can be accidentally triggered
✘ No 3.5mm wired input (Bluetooth-only)

✅ Verdict:
Modern connectivity features that work seamlessly for most users.

🛠️ Software Experience

✅ Nothing X App (iOS/Android):

ANC/Transparency Mode adjustment
Custom EQ with presets
Firmware updates
Battery level indicators

✅ User Experience:

Clean, minimalist UI
Simple to navigate
Stable connections, fast pairing

✅ Pros:
✔️ Useful app without bloat
✔️ Easy updates and customization
✔️ Battery status at a glance

✅ Cons:
✘ Requires Nothing account for full features
✘ EQ could use more bands for advanced users

✅ Verdict:
One of the better companion apps in the segment.

🤔 Who Should Buy the Nothing Headphone 1?

✅ Buy it if you want:
✔️ A striking, minimalist design that stands out
✔️ Good, customizable sound with solid ANC
✔️ Long battery life perfect for travel
✔️ Premium feel at a competitive price

❌ Skip it if:
✘ You want absolute top-tier ANC (like Sony/Bose)
✘ You need wired input options
✘ You prefer ultra-bassy, V-shaped sound by default

✅ Pros and Cons at a Glance

Pros:
✔️ Eye-catching transparent design
✔️ Very good sound quality with EQ tuning
✔️ Solid ANC and Transparency Mode
✔️ Excellent battery life with quick charging
✔️ Modern app and connectivity features

Cons:
✘ No wired audio option
✘ Not the absolute best ANC in class
✘ Touch controls can be finicky

📌 FAQs

Q: Does Nothing Headphone 1 support high-resolution audio?
👉 Yes, with LHDC or aptX Adaptive (depending on region and device).

Q: Is there a wired headphone jack?
👉 No, it is wireless Bluetooth-only.

Q: Does it support multipoint connections?
👉 Yes, you can pair and switch between two devices seamlessly.

Q: How good is the ANC?
👉 Very good for the price. Blocks low-end noise well, but not quite at Sony/Bose flagship levels.

Q: What’s in the box?
👉 Headphone 1, USB-C charging cable, soft carrying pouch, manuals.

🌟 Final Verdict: 4.4/5 ⭐

The Nothing Headphone 1 is a thoughtfully designed, feature-rich headphone that truly stands out.

✅ It offers a minimalist-yet-premium build, solid sound with customizable EQ, effective ANC, and marathon battery life—all wrapped in Nothing’s signature transparent aesthetic.

✅ It’s not meant to dethrone the likes of Sony’s WH-1000XM5 in raw ANC quality, but at its expected price segment, it offers tremendous value.

If you want headphones that look great, sound excellent, and work reliably across devices without spending a fortune, the Nothing Headphone 1 is absolutely worth a listen.