Nothing Headphone (1) Review: Eye-Catching, Unique Design Meets Solid Performance

Nothing has made a name for itself with its distinctive transparent design and, now it’s bringing that same visual flair to the over-ear headphone world.

The Nothing Headphone 1 is the brand’s first full-sized headphone, and it makes one heck of a first impression not just visually but also in comfort, functionality, and performance.

Design and Build Quality

These might just be the most striking headphones you’ve seen all year. The Nothing Headphone 1 features a transparent housing with visible internals and a sleek metallic finish that’s unlike anything else on the market.

The design feels premium and well crafted, although they aren’t the lightest at 329g, the comfort level is impressive. The memory foam ear cushions and adjustable headband make them suitable for long sessions without causing fatigue. Over everything, the headphones actually don't really get hot at all, a detail that matters more than you’d expect.

Audio Quality

Sound wise these headphones offer a well-balanced experience. The mids and highs come through cleanly, and there’s decent spatial audio performance as well. However it’s the bass and ANC that really shine.

The active noise cancellation is surprisingly effective especially for a first-generation product. It blocks out ambient noise well, enhancing immersion. Even without ANC activated, the snug fit and tightly sealed earcups provide excellent passive noise isolation, a strong point in its own right. The low-end bass also delivers a deep satisfying punch without muddying the rest of the audio.

Buttons and Controls

One of the standout features is the use of physical buttons instead of finicky touch controls. On the right earcup there’s a roller dial.

Rotate to adjust volume, press to play or pause, or toggle between ANC and Transparency modes. Just below that is a paddle rocker switch for media control. Tap forward or back to skip tracks or press and hold to scrub through a song.

There’s also a dedicated button on the outer shell to summon your voice assistant, and on the bottom, you’ll find a USB-C charging port and a 3.5mm audio jack. The tactile feel of these buttons makes on the go control easy and frustration free, something touchpads often fail at.

Battery Life

Battery performance is another strong point. The Nothing Headphone 1 offers up to 80 hours of playback with ANC off and around 35 hours with ANC on. That’s plenty of listening time for both casual use and long trips, reducing the need to constantly recharge.

Pricing and Conclusion

At 399 SGD the Nothing Headphone 1 is competitively priced. While there are headphones out there with stronger sound profiles this pair more than makes up for it with its unique design, comfort, and intuitive button based controls.

If you're looking for a pair of headphones that doesn't just sound good but also stands out visually and feels great to use, the Nothing Headphone 1 is a solid stylish pick.