Impressive Nothing Headphone 1 Review: Redefining Budget Premium Sound
Introduction
In 2025, Nothing has done something quite extraordinary. The brand that first wowed tech lovers with transparent smartphones and earbuds has now stepped into the over-ear headphone arena with its debut product: the Nothing Headphone 1 .
Launched officially on July 15, 2025, the Nothing Headphone 1 is more than just a gadget. It represents the company’s ambition to challenge tech giants like Sony, Apple, and Bose — but at a much more accessible price point of ₹21,999 in India (launch offer ₹19,999) and $299 internationally. With its signature transparent design, premium 40mm drivers tuned by KEF, and industry-leading battery life, it’s already turning heads across the tech world.
But does the Nothing Headphone 1 live up to the hype? Can it really rival the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Apple AirPods Max? Let’s break it all down — from design to performance, battery life, user experience, and more.
Design & Build Quality
If you’ve ever held a Nothing product before, you know the design DNA is unlike any other — and the Nothing Headphone 1 is no exception. This headphone doesn’t just sit on your head; it makes a statement.
Transparent Aesthetics That Turn Heads
With a semi-transparent frame, visible internal circuitry, and a blend of aluminum and recycled plastic, the Nothing Headphone 1 continues the brand’s signature design philosophy. It looks futuristic, modern, and entirely unique — something that’s hard to say about most headphones today.
The headband and ear cups feel solid yet flexible, offering just the right balance between form and comfort. The ear cushions are made of vegan leather with memory foam, ensuring that even long listening sessions don’t feel fatiguing.
Comfort & Weight
At 329 grams, the Nothing Headphone 1 is slightly heavier than its main competitors like Sony’s WH-1000XM5 (~250g) or Bose QC Ultra (~270g). However, due to its ergonomic design and padding, the weight distribution is excellent. Even after wearing them for over 2 hours, we didn’t feel any discomfort or heat buildup.
Physical Controls That Make Sense
Instead of confusing touch gestures, Nothing goes old school — in a great way. You get:
- A rotating volume dial
- A multi-function paddle button
- A custom side button (can be assigned via the Nothing X app)
These physical controls are precise, clicky, and avoid accidental inputs — a common problem in touch-sensitive headphones.
Sound Quality – Tuned by KEF
Nothing’s collaboration with KEF (British Hi-Fi audio experts) shows their serious intent toward audio quality. And the result is impressive for the price range.
Audio Signature
The 40mm dynamic drivers produce a clean, bass-rich sound, tuned with a focus on clarity and detail. The default sound profile leans towards a V-shaped tuning — emphasizing lows and highs — which makes it perfect for:
- Pop and Bollywood music
- EDM, Hip-Hop, and bass-heavy tracks
- Casual gaming or cinematic content
However, if you’re into jazz, classical, or acoustic genres, you might find the midrange slightly recessed out of the box — though it can be corrected using the EQ.
Customization with Nothing X App
With the Nothing X app, users can fine-tune their listening experience:
- 8-band equalizer
- Pre-set sound modes (Bass Boost, Vocal, Treble, etc.)
- Custom EQ profiles (even shareable via QR codes)
- Real-time monitoring
In our tests, switching to “Balanced Mode” offered the most natural and immersive sound.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) & Transparency Mode
One of the strongest selling points of the Nothing Headphone 1 is its active noise cancellation — and it’s seriously good.
ANC Performance
The headphones come with multiple ANC modes, including:
- Adaptive ANC (auto-adjusts based on surroundings)
- Manual ANC (Low, Mid, High settings)
- Transparency Mode (lets in ambient sound)
Whether you’re in a crowded metro, noisy café, or on a flight, the ANC on the Nothing Headphone 1 blocks out up to 95% of ambient noise — easily competing with premium headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM5.
Transparency Mode
This mode is surprisingly natural and doesn’t distort voices or street sounds, making it great for walking outdoors or talking to someone without removing the headphones.
Smart Features & Spatial Audio
The Nothing Headphone 1 supports Spatial Audio with head tracking, and while it’s a cool addition, it’s more of a “nice-to-have” than a game-changer.
How Good is Spatial Audio?
- Works best with supported content (like Netflix or Apple Music with Dolby Atmos)
- Sound movement feels immersive but not as dynamic as Apple’s AirPods Max
- Slight lag in head-tracking was noticeable in some apps
In short: spatial audio is good, not great.
Battery Life – Truly Next Level
Battery life is where Nothing blows the competition out of the water.
Real-World Battery Usage
- Up to 35 hours with ANC ON
- Up to 80 hours with ANC OFF
- Fast charging: 5-minute charge = 2.4 hours of playback
- USB-C port for universal charging
- Supports wired listening via 3.5mm jack (requires headphone to be powered ON)
During our testing, with ANC ON and mixed usage, we got nearly 42 hours — which is insane compared to Sony (~30 hours) or Bose (~27 hours).
Connectivity & Codec Support
- Bluetooth 5.3
- LDAC, AAC, SBC codec support
- Hi-Res Audio Certified
- Dual-device (multi-point) pairing
- Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair
Connection was instant, stable, and glitch-free across Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac devices.
Microphone & Call Quality
The Nothing Headphone 1 uses a 4-mic system with Clear Voice technology, but it’s one of the weaker aspects of the device.
- Indoors / quiet areas: Excellent voice pickup, minimal background noise
- Outdoors / noisy settings: Distortion and voice cut-outs happen often
In short: fine for Zoom or classroom calls, but not ideal for crowded or windy environments.
Price & Availability
- India Price: ₹21,999 (Introductory offer: ₹19,999 on Flipkart)
- US Price: $299
- Global Availability: Starting July 15, 2025
- Purchase Links:
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unique transparent design | Slightly heavy at 329g |
| Strong ANC rivaling Sony | Average mic in noisy areas |
| 80 hours battery (best-in-class) | Spatial audio could be better |
| KEF-tuned sound drivers | No wireless use when battery is dead |
| Tactile, physical controls | Price may still feel high to budget buyers |
FAQs – Nothing Headphone 1
1. Is Nothing Headphone 1 worth buying?
Yes. At ₹21,999, it offers great ANC, sound quality, battery life, and design. It’s especially worth it during introductory offers.
2. How does it compare to Sony WH-1000XM5?
Sony still has better microphones and spatial audio, but Nothing wins in battery life and design uniqueness.
3. Can I use it wired without battery?
No. The 3.5mm jack needs the headphone to be powered on.
4. Is the Nothing X app necessary?
Not mandatory, but it unlocks EQ customization, button mapping, and firmware updates.
5. Does it support dual device pairing?
Yes. It can connect to two devices simultaneously and switch between them easily
Final Verdict – Should You Buy the Nothing Headphone 1?
The Nothing Headphone 1 is a bold, stylish, and feature-packed headphone for people who want premium features without paying a premium price. It’s not perfect — especially when it comes to microphone quality or spatial audio — but it’s damn impressive for its first-gen attempt.
If you value design, battery, comfort, and customization, this headphone might just be the smartest buy in 2025 under ₹22K.
Rating: 8.8/10
Recommended for: Students, gamers, remote workers, creators, and everyday listeners
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Hi, I’m Vishal Jadhav, tech writer and founder of All Trend Update. I’m passionate about exploring the latest technology trends, gadgets, and software, and sharing clear, accurate, and trustworthy content to help you stay informed in the fast-changing tech world. Based in Pune, I’m dedicated to providing valuable insights you can rely on.
