Nothing Headphone 1
Nothing Headphone (1) are stylish over‑ear wireless headphones launched in July 2025, co‑developed with KEF, offering up to 80 hours of battery life, adaptive ANC up to 42 dB, and IP52 water resistance.
Jumoka Cobbs 
Nothing Headphone 1 Review Score
8 out of 8 reviewers highly recommend this product
8
Reviews
91.0
Highest
70.0
Lowest
Battery
Up to 80hrs
Noise Cancelling
Yes
Bluetooth
5.3
Water Resistant
IP52
Review Sources:
| Publication | Score (100) | Review Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android Central | Jul 2, 2025 | Read Review → | |
"Despite the loud design language, Nothing Headphone 1 is fairly compact and comfortable, offering a unique design, competitive feature set, and an enticing value proposition. The experience feels decidedly premium, and comfort is top-notch. However, " | |||
| Soundguys | Nov 28, 2025 | Read Review → | |
"The Nothing Headphones (1) provide a unique design and satisfying sound quality, making them a worthwhile purchase for those seeking something different in the audio market." | |||
| Markellisreviews | Nov 28, 2025 | Read Review → | |
"The Nothing Headphones (1) offers solid noise-cancelling, a comfortable fit, and great sound quality, but whether you buy them depends on your reaction to the striking design." | |||
| Wired | Nov 28, 2025 | Read Review → | |
"The Nothing Headphone (1) offers stylish design, excellent functionality, and nearly top-tier performance at a competitive price, making it a standout choice in the market." | |||
| CNET | Nov 28, 2025 | Read Review → | |
"While the Nothing Headphone (1) offers a unique design and solid performance, it doesn't fully compete with the best in the market but still represents a better value compared to higher-priced alternatives like the Apple AirPods Max." | |||
| Recordingnow | Nov 28, 2025 | Read Review → | |
"The Nothing Headphone 1 offers excellent sound quality, advanced EQ capabilities, and great value for money, making it a strong contender in the headphone market." | |||
| The Guardian | Nov 28, 2025 | Read Review → | |
"The unconventional design has a rather more conventional price, costing £299 and landing the Headphone 1 in competition with the very best noise-cancelling headphones from Bose, Sony, Sennheiser and myriad others." | |||
| Android Authority | Jul 1, 2025 | Read Review → | |
"The Nothing Headphone 1 offer a unique design and future-proof features for a reasonable price." | |||
| * Price represents starting price. Price can increase based on product options and selection. | |||
🤓 Nerd Verdict
Updated: December 19, 2025
The Nothing Headphone 1 is a bold statement piece with unique design, good sound quality, and useful features like USB-C audio support and Bluetooth 5.3. However, the heavy, tight-fitting design may not suit everyone, and some sound inconsistencies make it less than stellar.
✅ Strengths
- Unique, IP52 water-resistant design, praised by multiple sources
- Excellent noise canceling, noted in reviews from The Guardian and SoundGuys
- USB-C audio support, a plus mentioned in both Android Authority and SoundGuys
⚠️ Weaknesses
- Heavy, tight-fitting frame may be uncomfortable for larger heads, reported in The Guardian and SoundGuys
- Inconsistent sound quality with ANC enabled, pointed out by SoundGuys and Android Authority
- Hinges don't fold, a minor but noticeable design flaw highlighted in The Guardian
💡 Bottom Line
While the Nothing Headphone 1 offers unique features and good noise canceling, its heavy weight and tight fit may deter some buyers. At $299, it's worth considering if you appreciate the retro design and don’t mind the occasional sound quality issues. Those seeking more comfortable and consistent performance might want to explore other options first.
