Nothing Headphone (1) Review: Bold Design, Premium Features For Less

Nothing Headphone (1) Review

Nothing’s back at it again, this time with headphones that look like they time-travelled from a cassette-powered future. Meet the Nothing Headphone (1), the brand’s first shot at the over-ear category. And no surprise, they don’t just want to fit in. They want to stand out, literally and sonically.

This isn’t just a flashy launch. With KEF-tuned sound, smart controls, solid ANC, and a price that undercuts Bose and Sony, Nothing’s first over-ear effort is less of a gamble and more of a quiet flex.

Nothing Headphone (1): At a Glance

Design: No Mistaking This One

Let’s not beat around the earcups, these look mad. Transparent shells? Check. Square-ish profile? Check. Head-turner status? Absolutely. The see-through housing is classic Nothing, and it reveals a layout that looks more 80s Walkman than 2025 flagship.

But here’s the thing, it works. You’ll either love it instantly or warm up to it over time (like I did). The aluminium-and-plastic combo feels sturdy, the cushions are soft, and the comfort holds up even after long sessions. Don’t let the edgy visuals fool you, this thing is built with usability in mind.

Controls: Finally, Not Touch Gestures

Bless Carl Pei’s team for skipping the annoying swipe gestures. Instead, you get a scroll wheel for volume and a rocker switch for skipping tracks, both tactile and super satisfying. Add in a “Button” that can swap between audio apps if you’re using a Nothing phone, and you’ve got a layout that’s actually fun to use.

Features: Flagship Vibes for Less

Don’t let the £299 price tag fool you, Nothing’s packing serious features here:

• ANC with adjustable intensity plus transparency mode

• Fast charging: 5 mins = 2.5 hours playback

• Spatial audio + head tracking

• Multipoint connectivity and Fast Pair

• Customisable button mapping via the Nothing X app

And yeah, some of it feels extra (looking at you, Channel Hop), but the essentials are solid.

Sound Quality: A Proper First Attempt

These aren’t just pretty. Under the hood, Nothing built its own 40mm drivers and called in KEF to help fine-tune the audio. The result? Genuinely punchy and polished sound.

Tracks like “Fantasy” by The xx show off excellent low-end weight without drowning out details. On grittier fare like Muse’s “Hysteria”, the bassline rumbles like it should, with enough control to avoid sounding muddy.

There is the occasional lack of mids clarity on complex tracks, but it’s nitpicky at best and honestly not far off pricier competitors.

ANC and Battery: Not Market-Leading, but Solid

Let’s set expectations: this won’t dethrone Bose or Sony for noise cancelling, but it holds its own. The ANC is clean, especially for the price point, and works great for most environments.

Battery life is exactly as advertised: 35 hours with ANC on, and accurate tracking in the app helps avoid surprises. A quick top-up can save you in a pinch.

Final Verdict: A Disruptor Done Right

The Nothing Headphone (1) isn’t just different for the sake of it. It’s thoughtfully different. From the bold design to smart controls and punchy audio, this is one of the freshest headphone entries in years.

It may not dethrone the top dogs in ANC supremacy, but for £299, you’re getting premium sound, practical design, and a whole lot of tech swagger.

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