Nothing Headphone (1): Premium Sound, Smart Features, and Killer Battery Life

Irish Examiner

10-07-2025

Nothing is a relatively new tech company based in the UK, best known for its innovative and at times divisive designs. The Nothing Headphone (1) marks the brand's first entry into the headphone market, and it's already set to turn heads.
The first thing you'll notice about the Nothing Headphone (1) is its design. It's unlike anything else out there. With transparent ear cups, exposed internals, and a sleek, industrial aesthetic, it makes more traditional options from brands like Bose or Sony look downright ordinary.
But are they all show, or is there substance behind the style? After two weeks of daily use, I've put them to the test.
Design
The Headphone (1) transparent design is striking and in keeping with Nothing's design language. Picture: Noel Campion.
The design may not be to everyone's liking, but the Headphone (1) is a stunning piece of kit. Its transparent ear cups showcase the elements of the internals, while sculpted aluminium and CNC-machined components give it a premium, high-tech feel. If you're someone who prefers to blend into the crowd, these probably aren't the headphones for you. The bold, transparent design is sure to draw attention.
Nothing has subjected the headphones to over 50 durability tests, including extreme temps and drops, so they're built to last.
Nothing Headphone (1) connected to a digital audio player via a 3.5mm cable. Picture: Noel Campion.
The silent telescopic arms for adjusting the headband are satisfyingly smooth, and the absence of a bulky hinge means a cleaner, more unified silhouette.
The ear cups don't fold in, but they do swivel to lay flat in the fabric hardshell case, which is relatively slim and easy to slip into a backpack. My only minor gripe with the case is that the zip feels a bit sticky and not as smooth as I'd like. What's pretty cool, though, is the small design details, like the dimple in the case that matches those on Nothing's earphone cases, and the red square on the outside of the right earcup, which mirrors the red accent found on the new Nothing Phone (3). It's a subtle but clever nod to the brand's cohesive design language.
Comfort and fit
At 329 grams, they're relatively light for over-ear headphones that include premium metal components. For comparison, Apple's AirPods Max weigh 386 grams while the mostly plastic Sony WH-1000XM6 weigh 254 grams.
I found the clamping force just right, being firm enough to stay secure, yet gentle enough to avoid creating any pressure points.
The PU memory foam cushions mould comfortably to the head, and the design accommodates a variety of head shapes. No pinching, no significant heat build-up. Simply put, they're a joy to wear.
Features
Nothing Headphone (1) pictured with the Nothing Phone (3). Picture: Noel Campion.
Nothing has wisely opted for intuitive physical controls instead of the more common, and often unreliable, touch-sensitive inputs. The physical controls are as good as those found on headphones like the AirPods Max. It's a smart move that enhances usability and avoids the frustration of accidental touches.
You get a tactile roller for volume (click for play/pause, hold for ANC), a paddle to skip tracks or scrub, and a customisable button that can trigger voice commands, launch News Reporter, or open Essential Space, which is an exclusive feature that allows you to save quick notes and ideas on Nothing phones.
There's even a dedicated Bluetooth pairing button, which is a welcome addition. It's an intuitive setup that works flawlessly every time, so there are no false taps and no frustration.
There's support for dual device connectivity, Bluetooth 5.3, Fast Pair, and a 3.5mm jack for wired listening. You also get support for Hi-Res Audio, LDAC, and USB-C lossless playback.
The Nothing X app includes an eight-band EQ for detailed sound customisation. Picture: Noel Campion.
Nothing's new Channel Hop feature allows you to switch audio sources or apps with a single press. It's a smart, productivity-focused addition, but currently only supports Spotify and Apple Music.
The Nothing X app includes an eight-band EQ for detailed sound customisation, along with voice assistant integration. The level of granular control is a real treat for those who enjoy fine-tuning their audio. Still, there's also a simplified mode that makes the interface more approachable for everyday users who just want great sound without the fuss.
Battery life
Battery life is impressive, with up to 35 hours with ANC on, and a stellar 80 hours with ANC off and just 5 minutes of charging nets you around 2.5 hours of playback. However, in wired mode, you still have to power on the headphones.
Sound quality
The Headphone (1) is Nothing's first collaboration with British audio company KEF, which I am familiar with for their speakers. The 40mm drivers, featuring nickel-plated diaphragms, deliver rich lows, crisp highs, and impressively clear mids.
The bass is punchy without overwhelming the soundstage, and vocals remain detailed even in complex tracks. The soundstage is not wide, but rather more intimate. However, there's also a spatialiser with head-tracking, which adds a virtual 3D layer to your audio experience. I'm not a fan of spatial audio for music, but it can work well for certain types of video content.
The physical controls are top-notch and make Headphone (1) a joy to use. Picture: Noel Campion.
ANC isn't class-leading, but it is still very respectable. It adapts to your surroundings every 600 milliseconds and even compensates for ear cup leakage for those who wear glasses. In practice, it effectively blocked out office chatter and city noise. Overall, I found the passive noise isolation to be strong enough that I rarely felt the need to activate ANC, unless I really wanted to block out external noise entirely.
Transparency mode works well where you can clearly hear those around you. However, I found my own voice sounded a bit muffled during calls, which made the experience slightly off-putting.
Verdict
The Nothing Headphone (1) combines bold design with smart engineering and rich, dynamic audio. With superb battery life, reliable controls, and striking looks, it's a strong contender against more expensive rivals. If you want premium sound with a futuristic twist, the Headphone (1) is an excellent buy.
€299 ie.nothing.tech