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(Image source: Daniel Schmidt)

A premiere with powerful sound and guaranteed eye-catchers - Nothing Headphone (1) review

Stylish standout.

Nothing has introduced its first over-ear headphones, the Headphone (1), with a focus on offering an innovative design. The headphones avoid touch-sensitive controls, provide multiple connectivity options, and aim to deliver high quality sound. But unfortunately there are also a few points of criticism.
Daniel Schmidt (translated by Daniel Schmidt) Published 🇩🇪 🇫🇷 ...
Accessory Audio Wearable

Verdict - Nothing Headphone (1) convince

With the Headphone (1), Nothing has made an appealing debut in the over-ear headphone segment. This is not only due to the unusual design, but also the fact that they do not have any sensor surfaces for controlling them, which sets them apart from many of their competitors. Although this may seem a little nostalgic, it is definitely an added value in everyday use, especially as the buttons are well positioned and can be handled intuitively. Less nostalgic is the lack of a passive mode.

In terms of sound, the Headphone (1) deliver a rich sound with a lot of depth, only the high frequencies are a little weak, which is why they can only be recommended to audiophiles to a limited extent. It is also a pity that the headphones have to be sent in to have the cushioning elements changed.

Price and availability

The Headphone (1) are available directly from Nothing, but can also be purchased from Amazon or KEF.

Pros

+ good sound
+ high wearing comfort
+ intuitive handling
+ comprehensive connectivity options

Cons

- cushion elements cannot be changed
- weaknesses in the high frequency range
- passive operation not possible
Amazon Logo
$299.00
Nothing Headphone (1) Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones, Wireless Over Ear Headphones with 6 MICS, Personalized Spatial Audio, Tuning by KEF, Up to 80 Hours Playtime, Bluetooth Headset White

Specifications: Nothing Headphone (1)

Wearing style Over-Ear
Connectivity Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C, 3.5 mm Audio Jack
Speakers dynamic 40 mm driver, 20 - 40.000 Hz, Sound by KEF
Audio-Codecs SBC, AAC, LDAC
Battery 1040 mAh
Charging port USB-C
Wireless charging not available
Weight 329 g
Firmware-Version 1.0.1.67
Scope of delivery Headphones, travel case, USB-C-Cable, Audio cable (3.5 mm)
Price 299 $

The Nothing Headphone (1) are a first from the London-based company and want to take a different approach to the competition. They want to impress with an unusual design, rely exclusively on physical controls and offer good sound.

With a retail price of 299 US-Dollar, they are certainly not cheap, but they are cheaper than comparable products from the competition.

Design and ergonomics - Headphone (1) are IP52 certified

The base of the Nothing Headphone (1) consists of an aluminium body with a transparent plastic element on top, revealing the Nothing's typical design. At 329 grams, they are not quite light, but the soft artificial leather and headband padding make them very comfortable to wear, even after hours of use. There is also plenty of room for your own ear.

The headphones are also IP52 certified and therefore protected against the ingress of harmful amounts of dust and dripping water.

(Image source: Daniel Schmidt)
(Image source: Daniel Schmidt)
(Image source: Daniel Schmidt)
(Image source: Daniel Schmidt)
(Image source: Daniel Schmidt)

Sustainability - Ear pads are not replaceable

The Nothing Headphone (1) headphones come in plastic-free packaging and have a CO2e footprint of 14.84 kg (life cycle). They cannot be repaired by the user and even the ear pads have to be sent in for replacement.

Features and controls - Nothing relies on buttons instead of sensors

Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair are available for pairing the Nothing Headphone (1). If you want to initiate the Bluetooth pairing manually, there is an inconspicuous button on the inside to do so. Alternatively, the headphones can also be connected via USB-C or using the 3.5 mm jack. Unfortunately, passive mode is not supported in case the battery runs out. The headphones are switched on via a slide switch.

They can be operated via a connected device or using the physical buttons on the Headphone (1). There is a roller for this, which can be rolled (volume control) or pressed (start/stop, long press: ANC on/off). There is also a paddle that can be used to skip to the next or previous track; if you hold it longer, you can rewind, provided the app supports this. The AI button can be used to start a voice or AI assistant.

Many settings can be made and firmware updates installed via the Nothing X app. The button settings can also be viewed and customised here.

The battery life is specified as up to 80 hours. If you use LDAC and ANC, this is reduced to 30 hours. The quick charge function allows the headphones to be fully charged within two hours. A playback time of over two hours (with ANC) is possible after just five minutes.

Sound - Nothing Headphone (1) deliver balanced audio performance

The headphones are fine-tuned by the British audio specialist KEF. The two dynamic 40 mm drivers of the Nothing Headphone (1) with PU diaphragms, edge and dome of the loudspeaker have a nickel-plated coating, turn out to be very playful and deliver present mids and a powerful bass. Only the high frequencies are a little weak and we miss a little clarity, but this will only be noticed by audio enthusiasts who use appropriate source material.

With LDAC, a high-resolution codec is available for Bluetooth and USB and the 3.5 mm jack connection can also be used as input devices. The Nothing Headphone (1) also support spatial audio, customisable equalisers and a bass enhancer.

The transparent mode is low-noise and the active noise cancellation (ANC) is very effective. However, the latter is not at the level of Bose's or Sony's top models, but the differences are not huge either. However, pressure against the headphones or if they slip when you lean against them can worsen the ANC. Phone calls are clearly reproduced on the headphones, but the user of the Nothing Headphone (1) sounds a little hollow and tinny.

Loudspeakers
THD
Teufel Real Blue Pro (RMS: -0.6 dBFS)
0.088 % *
Bose QuietComfort 45 (RMS: -2.7 dBFS)
0.064 % *
Nothing Headphone (1) (RMS: -1.1 dBFS)
0.026 % *
THD+N
Bose QuietComfort 45 (RMS: -2.7 dBFS)
1.92 % *
Teufel Real Blue Pro (RMS: -0.6 dBFS)
1.1 % *
Nothing Headphone (1) (RMS: -1.1 dBFS)
0.33 % *

* ... smaller is better

THD (Total Harmonic Distortion): Harmonic distortion quantifies the distortion caused by non-linear components (harmonic content) in relation to the original signal. THD specifically refers to the fundamental component. It's important to note that while the term "distortion factor" is often used interchangeably, it actually refers to the overall signal, not just the fundamental component.
THD+N (Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise): This value is comparable to THD, but in addition to measuring the interference power of harmonics, it also takes into account the impact of noise as an effective value. For the measurement, a low harmonic sinusoidal signal (typically at 1 kHz and > 0 dB) is played back through the headphones under test. This signal is then recorded by a linear measuring microphone (placed at a measuring distance of approximately 0.40 inches) in an artificial head.

Both values are expressed as percentages. The lower the value, the higher the fidelity of the signal.

dB(A) 0102030405060708090Deep BassMiddle BassHigh BassLower RangeMidsHigher MidsLower HighsMid HighsUpper HighsSuper Highs2039.7832528.773.43125.281.24031.685.75032.681.96320.480.88017.879.210018.678.41259.274.31607.577.92007.578.62506.780.53155.177.24005.879.15006.878.7630677.68007.579.210007.78012507.680.616009.181.920008.681.5250010.182.2315011.781.5400012.475.7500010.479.263009.875.1800010.270.61000010.868.61250010.567.51600010.660.6SPL21.991.7N0.3104.8median 9.1median 78.7Delta1.62.539.954.733.162.427.966.233.970.438.776.326.47726.583.43479.717.573.217.873.117.371.89.870.79.272.610.274.11075.911.477.513.579.814.48215.68312.7829.882.516.490.620.489.613.486.312.383.710.381.111.1811181.711.579.710.876.12797.10.8127.7median 12.3median 813.34.5hearing rangehide median Pink NoiseNothing Headphone (1)Teufel Real Blue Pro
Frequency diagram (checkboxes can be checked and unchecked to compare devices)
Nothing Headphone (1) audio analysis

(+) | speakers can play relatively loud (91.7 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(+) | good bass - only 1.4% away from median
(+) | bass is linear (3.4% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(+) | balanced mids - only 1.4% away from median
(+) | mids are linear (1.5% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 4.5% away from median
(+) | highs are linear (4.4% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(+) | overall sound is linear (6.9% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 1% of all tested devices in this class were better, 0% similar, 99% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 24%, worst was 134%
Compared to all devices tested
» 1% of all tested devices were better, 0% similar, 99% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 24%, worst was 134%

Teufel Real Blue Pro audio analysis

(+) | speakers can play relatively loud (97.1 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(±) | reduced bass - on average 7.5% lower than median
(+) | bass is linear (3.5% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(+) | balanced mids - only 2.8% away from median
(+) | mids are linear (2.2% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 3.9% away from median
(+) | highs are linear (3.8% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(+) | overall sound is linear (9.5% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 3% of all tested devices in this class were better, 1% similar, 96% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 24%, worst was 134%
Compared to all devices tested
» 3% of all tested devices were better, 1% similar, 96% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 24%, worst was 134%

Transparency

The selection of devices to be reviewed is made by our editorial team. The test sample was given to the author by the manufacturer free of charge for the purposes of review. There was no third-party influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review. We never accept compensation or payment in return for our reviews. As an independent media company, Notebookcheck is not subjected to the authority of manufacturers, retailers or publishers.

This is how Notebookcheck is testing

Every year, Notebookcheck independently reviews hundreds of laptops and smartphones using standardized procedures to ensure that all results are comparable. We have continuously developed our test methods for around 20 years and set industry standards in the process. In our test labs, high-quality measuring equipment is utilized by experienced technicians and editors. These tests involve a multi-stage validation process. Our complex rating system is based on hundreds of well-founded measurements and benchmarks, which maintains objectivity. Further information on our test methods can be found here.

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Reviews > A premiere with powerful sound and guaranteed eye-catchers - Nothing Headphone (1) review
Daniel Schmidt, 2025-07-19 (Update: 2025-07-19)