A trendy debut with superb sound

Once I first heard that Nothing was making a pair of headphones, I wasn’t fairly certain what to anticipate. The Nothing Ear buds have been respectable sufficient, and the Nothing Ear (a) provided wonderful sound high quality. Nonetheless, when it got here to the Nothing Ear Open earbuds, they fell a bit flat. So, if something, Nothing’s enterprise into the audio world has been a bit blended. As the corporate takes its first step into the headphones market, I can definitively say it is breaking a number of traditions with the Nothing Headphone 1, and I’m right here for it.

Worth, availability, and specs

The Nothing Headphones 1 shall be out there for pre-order globally beginning July 4th, 2025 on Nothing’s website and at choose retailers. Official gross sales open on July fifteenth. These headphones are available black or white, with a carrying case, a 3.5mm cable, and a USB-C charging cable. The beginning value sits at $299, £299, and €299.

What I like in regards to the Nothing Headphones 1

Consolation that stands out from the gang

As quickly as I opened the case, I used to be fairly impressed by the retro-futuristic type. It immediately jogged my memory of cassette tapes, however the look was on par with Nothing’s typical distinctive designs. The cans aren’t the everyday spherical, black and primary type of most headphones. As a substitute, Nothing’s paired geometric particulars which might be each eye-catching and purposeful. I wasn’t fairly certain how a lot I might just like the sq. cans, however after placing them on, I can simply say they match snugly and comfortably.

General, the headphones are very comfy. They sport an adjustable headband with a padded heart, and the earcups have plush padding that hugged properly round my ears, making good seal. Headphone cups are often a tough promote for me, since I’ve so many ear piercings, however I’m completely satisfied to report that I had no drawback sporting the Nothing Headphone 1 for over 6 hours.

Sticking to the design, the look is the one factor retro on these headphones. The Headphone 1 even have a bodily change to toggle them off/on. You will not discover gesture controls right here. As a substitute, there is a curler, a paddle, and some buttons. The quantity curler is a bit sensitive at first, however it’s satisfying. You possibly can roll the amount up or down, and little sounds point out simply how a lot you are going in both course. I solely wanted to press down flippantly to pause or play my music, whereas an extended press would activate Energetic Noise Cancellation or Transparency Mode.

The Paddle is even less complicated; I simply wanted to click on it ahead or backward to pick or replay tracks. I am unable to let you know how a lot I loved these design selections. I hate wrestling with gesture controls. Whether or not I am sporting my Sony WH-1000XM4 or my Pixel Buds 2 Professional, I continually need to swipe, press, faucet, and finally get fed up after they do not reply or carry out the proper motion, and simply take out my telephone. With the Headphone 1, there is not any wrestle or guessing. Two totally different sounds play once you flip ANC off or on, the amount clicks, and every thing simply feels intuitive.

There’s additionally a programmable button you should utilize to launch whichever good assistant you are loyal to, or one thing else, and a separate button only for syncing with Bluetooth. It is clear that Nothing had ease-of-use in thoughts when designing the Headphone 1, and should you want extra proof, you want solely have a look at the app. The Nothing App could be very minimalistic, clearly labeled, and it affords lots of customization. You possibly can actually tweak it to your choice, and discover every thing fairly quick because of the user-friendly structure.

I just like the sound of that

Okay, with the design out of the way in which, we are able to lastly dive into what headphones are all about, and the Headphone 1 don’t disappoint. They sound nice proper out of the field, however if you wish to tweak your sound, there are easy and extra superior choices to get it to your style. I examined out the totally different codex choices utilizing Linkin Park’s Hybrid Principle to check the total vary the headphones needed to provide. With crystal highs, and pumping bass, and spectacular mids, Chester Bennington’s vocals have been made that rather more highly effective.

To not be outdone, I did a name again to the ’60s with Jimi Hendrix’s All Alongside the Watch Tower, and the guitar is the clear show-stopper, however a superb combine with all of the devices performing distinctly, even on the highest quantity. Lastly, I examined out a symphony with Nobuo Uematsu’s Dancing Mad. I used to be impressed with how all of the devices within the motion stood out, regardless of the combo of contemporary and classical devices. Lengthy story brief: every thing sounded nice and at each quantity. Contemplating these headphones are mid-range at $300, I really feel like they’re punching method above their weight class.

I synced the headphones to my laptop computer first to check out the video name high quality, and the voices got here in crystal clear; no bother on both finish. Telephone calls have been additionally nice; higher than any earbuds or headphones I’ve beforehand used. Normally, somebody sounds muffled or there is a hole echo, however with the Headphone 1, it was similar to usually speaking on a telephone.

After all, I needed to take a look at out the low-lag mode, enjoying the Early Entry Hades 2 on Steam simply to see how the sound synced up, and it was surprisingly good. There was little to no lag, and the soundtrack, sound results, and voice performing synced up seamlessly. I need to add that switching between my telephone and laptop computer was additionally fairly easy, since Nothing has a Twin Connection possibility proper within the app.

Additionally, syncing the Headphone 1 to each units was additionally extremely straightforward. So far as ANC and transparency, each labored extraordinarily effectively. My take a look at right here was my wild dwelling with two youngsters beneath six on summer season break, and I fortunately say, I can simply tune out the noise. Whereas it could be barely lower than my Sonys, it nonetheless does an unbelievable job of blocking out the world. And transparency works simply as effectively. Plus, battery life is nice. I have not needed to cost them a lot, however you’ll be able to stand up to 35 hours with ANC turned on, and 80 with out. Plus, the quick cost can get you some fast juice should you overlook to cost them. 5 minutes can get you over 2 hours.

What you won’t like in regards to the Nothing Headphones 1

A number of little nitpicks

My expertise with the Nothing Headphone 1 has been largely constructive, so I really feel like I am splitting hairs a bit on the lookout for negatives, however there are one or two issues. For one, these are a bit heavier than my different headphones, coming in at 329 grams, whereas the Sony WH-1000XMG are 254 grams. They nonetheless weigh lower than the AirPods Max, which weigh 385 grams, so once more, we’re within the center. Nonetheless, the additional weight hasn’t actually stopped me from sporting them for prolonged durations. Additionally, whereas the type is eye-catching, it won’t be everybody’s cup of tea. Nothing has a black possibility that is a little more muted, nevertheless it nonetheless has the identical design. I actually just like the look, however I can see the way it could possibly be off-putting.

One last nitpick is that they do not fold. Not prefer it’s an enormous deal, because the ear cups twist to suit right into a slim case, which is fairly compact. All of those are hardly deal-breakers, particularly concerning what you get.

Do you have to purchase them?

To say I used to be impressed by Nothing’s first go at headphones is an understatement. They sound nice, match comfortably, and definitely set themselves aside. Whereas the lastest Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones may need barely higher ANC, they value $150 extra. Truthfully, I desire the purposeful buttons over gesture controls, so if that is one thing you are desirous about, the Headphone 1 are for you. If that is the place Nothing is beginning, I am excited to see what they do with their subsequent pair.