Nothing Headphones (1) are stylish, feature‑rich over‑ears that sound excellent after EQ tweaking, with good but not class‑leading noise cancelling and very competitive value for the price. If you enjoy bold design, app tweaking and a fun, energetic sound over absolute ANC performance, they’re a strong pick in 2025.

Quick Scoop

  • Distinctive transparent “Nothing” design that really stands out.
  • Great sound quality, especially once you tune the powerful in‑app equalizer.
  • Comfort is generally very good, though not quite at the absolute top of the class.
  • Noise cancelling is solid for a first‑gen product, but still trails Sony, Bose and Apple’s best.
  • Excellent app features, with an 8‑point parametric EQ and smart, tactile controls.
  • Overall value is strong, often coming in cheaper than big‑brand flagships while competing closely on core features.

Design and Comfort

Nothing leans heavily into its trademark transparent, retro‑futuristic aesthetic, and Headphone (1) is no exception. Reviewers describe the look as a “make or break” factor: some love the bold styling, others find it too flashy, but no one calls it boring.

On the head, these are relatively lightweight, sit close to the head and leave good space around the ears, which helps both comfort and breathability. Padding uses pleather that could be plusher, yet long sessions are still described as comfortable, with one reviewer rating comfort at 4.5/5. The main ergonomic downside is the carry case, which several people find bulkier than they’d like for travel.

Sound Quality

Across multiple reviews, sound quality is a major highlight once you use the extensive EQ tools in the companion app. Stock tuning is decent but not perfectly “plug and play”; several reviewers note that the default profile benefits from tweaks to bring out the best balance and detail.

With EQ applied, Headphone (1) delivers:

  • Natural, well‑defined timbre for instruments and voices.
  • Good sense of space and stereo imaging, with an engaging soundstage.
  • Overall “fun” and energetic character that many listeners really enjoy for music.

One reviewer working in a treated studio environment scores sound quality at 9.2/10 after EQ, calling these among the most enjoyable wireless ANC headphones to listen to at their price. The collaboration with KEF is also credited for giving the tuning a more hi‑fi‑leaning character than typical fashion‑focused headphones.

ANC, Features and Battery

Active noise cancelling is described as “good” to “robust,” especially for a first attempt, but clearly a notch below top‑tier models from Sony, Bose and Apple. You still get solid reduction of everyday noise plus a particularly well‑implemented transparency mode that sounds natural and useful in city environments.

Feature highlights include:

  • A rich companion app with parametric EQ (around 8 bands), presets and detailed tuning.
  • Intuitive, tactile controls that some reviewers call close to ideal for daily use.
  • IP52 water resistance, giving a bit of protection against sweat and light rain.
  • Long battery life that holds up well against other modern ANC over‑ears, making them practical for commuting and office use.

Build quality is generally solid, though a little less “luxury” than some more expensive competitors, reflecting the lower price point.

Value and Who Should Buy

In 2025, Nothing Headphones (1) are positioned as a more affordable alternative to premium over‑ears like Sony WH‑1000XM6, AirPods Max, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, Sennheiser Momentum and B&W Px7, while still competing surprisingly closely on sound and features. Several reviewers explicitly highlight the strong value score, even while noting compromises like slightly weaker ANC and less premium materials.

They are a great fit if you:

  • Care about distinctive design and are already into Nothing’s aesthetic.
  • Enjoy tinkering with EQ and want an app that lets you fine‑tune sound.
  • Want good overall performance (sound, comfort, ANC, battery) without paying top flagship prices.

They are less ideal if you:

  • Want the absolute best noise cancelling and are willing to pay for Sony/Bose/Apple’s flagships to get it.
  • Prefer a simple, out‑of‑box tuning with no EQ tweaking at all.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.