Nothing Headphones 1 Review – $300 Headphones That Compete With the Best

Nothing Headphones 1 Review: Experience the bold design and premium sound in our in-depth Nothing Headphones 1 Review. Explore KEF-tuned audio, 35-hour battery life, active noise cancellation, and a transparent aesthetic like no other. Find out if these stylish over-ear headphones are worth the hype and how they stack up against top brands.

Nothing Headphones 1 Review - Tech Uplifter
Nothing Headphones 1 Review – Tech Uplifter



Nothing Headphones 1 Key Features

Nothing Headphones 1 Review – $300 Headphones That Compete With the Best


Nothing Headphones 1 Detailed Review

The premium headphone market is crowded with heavy-hitting names like Sony, Bose, and Sennheiser, each offering refined models backed by years of experience. Enter Nothing, a design-forward company that’s been redefining what consumer tech can look like. Their latest offering, the Nothing Headphones 1, is their first over-ear, active noise-canceling headset—and it’s turning heads for all the right reasons.

Nothing Headphones 1 Review – $300 Headphones That Compete With the Best

In this detailed Nothing Headphones 1 Review, we’ll explore what sets these headphones apart: from their wild design to surprising sound quality, and whether they can really compete in the $300 ANC headphone bracket. Is this just another style-over-substance device, or has Nothing genuinely built a worthy rival to the likes of Sony WH-1000XM6 and AirPods Max?

First Impressions & Unboxing Experience

If there’s one thing Nothing knows how to do, it’s deliver a product that immediately feels special. From the moment you see the box, the Nothing Headphones 1 feel like a piece of tech art. The packaging is minimal but bold, with black and white contrast and a sleek outline of the headphones printed on the cover.

Nothing Headphones 1 Review – $300 Headphones That Compete With the Best

Opening the box reveals the headphones neatly folded inside a semi-hard shell case. Beneath them lies a USB-C charging cable, a 3.5mm audio cable, and some simple paperwork. There’s no fluff here—everything has a purpose. The first impression sets the tone: this product is not just another pair of headphones. It’s a design statement.

In a sea of copy-paste headphone designs, the Nothing Headphones 1 already differentiate themselves with just their presentation. And thankfully, that uniqueness continues into the design.


Futuristic Design That Breaks the Mold

What immediately stands out in this Nothing Headphones 1 Review is the aesthetic. These aren’t your average over-ear headphones. They feature transparent panels, exposed structural elements, and sleek metallic frames that give off a cyberpunk vibe. The red accent on the right cup is subtle but purposeful—no more fumbling to figure out which side is which.

Nothing Headphones 1 Review – $300 Headphones That Compete With the Best

The headphones are available in two finishes: dark and light. The light version makes a bolder style statement, showcasing the transparent parts more visibly. The dark version, while still unique, leans a bit more professional and low-profile. Either way, these are headphones you notice—and that’s part of their appeal.

It’s the kind of design that will split opinions. For some, they’ll look like high-tech art pieces; for others, perhaps a bit too experimental. But in a market that’s saturated with clones, that boldness is refreshing.


Build Quality & Comfort Over Time

Design means little if comfort is sacrificed, but that’s not the case here. The Nothing Headphones 1 strike a balance between sturdy construction and long-wear comfort. The headband features a mix of metal for structure and plastic for weight savings, while the ear cushions are plush, breathable, and shaped to contour around the ears.

Nothing Headphones 1 Review – $300 Headphones That Compete With the Best

At just under 320 grams, they’re not the lightest in the category but certainly lighter than some premium competitors like the AirPods Max. Even during long listening sessions—like back-to-back Zoom calls or an eight-hour flight—the fit remains comfortable. The clamping force is just enough to secure the headphones without creating hotspots.

And despite their futuristic looks, these headphones are surprisingly rugged. The materials feel premium, the joints move fluidly without creaking, and the finish resists fingerprints well. If you’re someone who wears headphones daily—on commutes, at work, or while traveling—you’ll appreciate the durability built into this stylish frame.



Physical Controls – A Rare Win

One standout in this Nothing Headphones 1 Review is the control system. While many manufacturers push finicky touch gestures, Nothing takes a retro-modern approach with physical controls—and it pays off big time.

Nothing Headphones 1 Review – $300 Headphones That Compete With the Best

Here’s how it works:

  • A scroll wheel on the right earcup lets you adjust volume smoothly. Click it once to pause/play and hold to toggle between noise cancellation and transparency mode.
  • Below the wheel, a large paddle button allows track skipping (double tap to skip forward, triple to go back).
  • A dedicated power switch, USB-C charging port, and 3.5mm jack are conveniently placed at the bottom.
  • A customizable button can launch voice assistants or other features, depending on your preference via the app.
  • A discreet Bluetooth pairing button sits on the inside—easily reachable but not in the way.

Nothing Headphones 1 Review – $300 Headphones That Compete With the Best

The tactile feedback is incredibly satisfying. You never second-guess a command. No accidental swipes. No weird audio dropouts. Just smooth, reliable function—something sorely missing from many modern headphones.

This user-friendly control system might seem minor, but it actually changes your whole experience. Instead of adjusting to your headphones, your headphones adjust to you.


Sound Quality – Powered by KEF

One of the biggest talking points in this Nothing Headphones 1 Review is the collaboration with KEF, a legendary British audio brand known for its ultra-premium speakers and audiophile-grade engineering. The moment you hear “Sound by KEF” on a pair of $300 headphones, you raise an eyebrow—and for good reason.

The 40mm dynamic drivers in the Nothing Headphones 1 have been tuned in collaboration with KEF, and while this doesn’t mean you’re getting Muon-level clarity (those are $200,000 speakers), you are getting a noticeable step up from most first-gen audio products. The sound signature here is clear, detailed, and very balanced.

Nothing Headphones 1 Review – $300 Headphones That Compete With the Best

  • Bass: Tight and responsive, not overblown. If you’re a basshead, you might want to tweak it through the EQ.
  • Mids: Vocals are crisp and forward, great for podcasts and vocal-heavy genres.
  • Highs: Surprisingly airy without being sharp, lending clarity to acoustic tracks and classical music.

There’s also LDAC support, which means you can stream high-resolution audio if you’re on an Android device. And thanks to solid passive isolation, even without ANC turned on, external noise is naturally reduced. Overall, this is a clean, refined sound that shows Nothing isn’t just a design brand—they can play in the big leagues.


Active Noise Cancellation & Transparency Mode

When it comes to ANC performance, the Nothing Headphones 1 hold their own. The noise-canceling isn’t quite at the level of Sony’s WH-1000XM6, but it’s not far behind either—especially considering these are Nothing’s first over-ear headphones.

The ANC is most effective against low-frequency sounds like engine hums and fan noise. On a plane or a noisy street, you’ll still hear some sound leaking through, but it’s subtle. For daily use like commuting, office chatter, or café environments, it’s more than sufficient.

Nothing Headphones 1 Review – $300 Headphones That Compete With the Best

There are three ANC levels—Low, Medium, and High—that can be toggled through the app or via button press. The Transparency mode, meanwhile, works well enough for situational awareness, letting in outside noise without sounding robotic. However, your own voice may sound a little boomy or unnatural when speaking with transparency on—something more refined in the AirPods Max.

Still, for a $300 pair of headphones, the ANC + Transparency features are strong competitors, and a highlight of this Nothing Headphones 1 Review.


Battery Life & Charging Performance

Battery life is a deal-breaker for many, and thankfully, Nothing Headphones 1 delivers. You’ll get around 35 hours of playtime with ANC on, and over 40 hours without ANC. That’s competitive with some of the best in the industry.

Here’s a breakdown:

The USB-C fast charging is especially handy for travelers. Forgot to charge before your flight? Plug them in for 10 minutes while boarding, and you’ll have enough juice to get you through your Netflix binge.

There’s no wireless charging, but let’s be honest—on headphones, it’s more of a gimmick than a necessity. What matters here is that the battery is reliable, charges quickly, and doesn’t drain rapidly even with high-fidelity streaming.


The Nothing X App – Customization Powerhouse

No proper Nothing Headphones 1 Review would be complete without discussing the companion app: Nothing X. This is your control center for customizing nearly everything about your headphones, and it’s surprisingly well thought-out for a first-gen product.

Here’s what you can do:

Nothing Headphones 1 Review – $300 Headphones That Compete With the Best

  • Customize button functions (single press, long press, etc.)
  • Adjust ANC levels (Low, Medium, High)
  • Switch between EQ presets or create your own
  • Manage paired devices with seamless multipoint pairing
  • Check battery levels and firmware updates

The EQ editor deserves special mention. It’s not a basic bass/treble slider—it’s a full parametric EQ with drag-and-drop sliders for fine-tuning. You can make your own preset, save it, and instantly change profiles depending on what you’re listening to—music, podcasts, audiobooks, and more.

Nothing Headphones 1 Review – $300 Headphones That Compete With the Best

The Nothing X App is smooth, stable, and responsive—something not all audio apps can claim. Combined with the headphones’ features, this app really rounds out the ecosystem, offering users total control over their audio experience.


Multi-Device Pairing & Connectivity

In today’s multi-gadget world, the ability to connect to more than one device at a time is a must. Thankfully, the Nothing Headphones 1 support multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to pair with two devices simultaneously. This means you can be watching a movie on your laptop and seamlessly take a call on your phone without needing to manually disconnect and reconnect.

Nothing Headphones 1 Review – $300 Headphones That Compete With the Best

The transition is quick and generally smooth, especially with supported smartphones. The Bluetooth 5.3 connection is strong and stable, providing a range of up to 10 meters without signal drops. The pairing process is simple too—thanks to the Bluetooth pairing button hidden discreetly inside the right earcup.

Another bonus is the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is rare in this category nowadays. So if you’re gaming or flying and want to use wired mode, you still can. It’s also a backup if your battery ever runs low. For audiophiles or professionals, this hybrid flexibility is a major win.



Comparison with Sony WH-1000XM6 & Competitors

No honest Nothing Headphones 1 Review is complete without comparing it to the competition—namely the Sony WH-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, and AirPods Max.

Let’s break it down:

While the Sony XM6s do edge out Nothing in ANC performance and overall audio depth, they also cost significantly more. The AirPods Max, meanwhile, have a beautiful finish and superb transparency mode but are less comfortable over long hours and far pricier.

What makes the Nothing Headphones 1 compelling is their value. They deliver 85–90% of what the top-tier headphones do, at two-thirds of the cost—with arguably more personality and better physical controls.


Who Should Buy the Nothing Headphones 1?

This Nothing Headphones 1 Review wouldn’t be complete without helping you decide if these are the right headphones for you.

Buy if you

  • Appreciate bold, futuristic design
  • Want tactile, physical controls over touch gestures
  • Need reliable ANC and transparency at a fair price
  • Use multiple devices and want seamless Bluetooth switching
  • Value customization via a clean app interface
  • Prefer wired + wireless flexibility

Nothing Headphones 1 Review – $300 Headphones That Compete With the Best

Skip if you

  • Demand the absolute best ANC (go for Sony XM6)
  • Prefer foldable headphones for compact travel
  • Dislike unconventional aesthetics
  • Need native Apple ecosystem integration (AirPods Max users)

Overall, the Nothing Headphones 1 are best suited for style-conscious users who still want great performance and excellent comfort. Whether you’re commuting, working remotely, or enjoying long listening sessions, they bring a ton to the table.


Final Verdict: Nothing Headphones 1 Review

Let’s wrap this Nothing Headphones 1 Review with the bottom line: Nothing has delivered an impressive first-gen product that doesn’t just look cool—it performs where it matters.

Nothing Headphones 1 Review – $300 Headphones That Compete With the Best

From their clean design to solid ANC, great battery life, and thoughtful controls, these headphones feel like the real deal. Partnering with KEF was a brilliant move, giving the sound serious weight. The Nothing X app is mature, and the pricing hits a sweet spot in a crowded market.

No, they’re not perfect. The ANC isn’t class-leading, and the case could be better. But for $300, they’re easily among the best headphones you can buy right now—especially if you want to break free from the same old designs.


FAQs: Nothing Headphones 1 Review

1. Are the Nothing Headphones 1 worth $300?

Yes. You get premium design, KEF-tuned audio, strong ANC, and a smooth user experience—all at a lower price point than most flagship headphones.

2. How do they compare to the Sony WH-1000XM6?

The Sony XM6 still lead in ANC and sound quality, but Nothing comes close while offering better physical controls and a more striking design for $100–$150 less.

3. Is KEF really involved in the sound tuning?

Yes. Nothing collaborated with KEF to tune the 40mm drivers, resulting in clear, balanced sound with minimal distortion.

4. Can I use the Nothing Headphones 1 for gaming or video editing?

Absolutely. With low-latency wired mode and LDAC support, they’re great for both creative and casual use—just be mindful that they’re not marketed as “gaming headphones.”

5. Do they support multipoint Bluetooth connectivity?

Yes, you can connect to two devices at once, making them perfect for multitasking between your laptop and phone.


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