I Believe in Sony Headphone Supremacy. Will Nothing Headphone (1) Change My Mind?
I'm a die-hard Sony fanboy. Thanks to its elite ANC, clean tuning, and long-lasting comfort for flights, generations of Sony WH-1000XM have sat proudly on my desk for years. So when Nothing announced its first pair of over-ear headphones—and launched them for preorders on the same day as its Phone (3)—I was sceptical. The Nothing Headphone (1) is a debut product priced at $299 from a company best known for flashing LEDs and transparent designs, not ear candy.
But I couldn't keep my eyes off them. The transparent looks! The chunky cassette player vibes! Buttons with a plural! Just like their smartphones, Nothing designed these to be instantly recognizable. And much like the acclaimed Ear (3), these headphones are more than just a bold look—they're a serious attempt to take the headphone crown from Sony.
So, do they sound as good as they look? After spending some time with the Nothing Headphone (1), I'm hugely impressed. It looks like Sony's days on the throne (my desk, that is) are numbered.
The headphones that turn heads
As soon as I unboxed them, the Nothing Headphone (1) made a statement. Available in black or what they call "white" (more like matte PlayStation gray), these cans lean into a retro-futuristic look. This design won't be for everyone. But that's just how Nothing rolls.
And critically, they feel solid. No wobbly hinges or no creaky plastics. Just be aware: they don’t fold, and at 329g, they're heavier than Sony’s XM5 or Bose QC Ultra. Still, I wore them for long sessions and still felt as good as they looked (very good, that is). This isn't just "design for design's sake"—these headphones feel like they belong in the premium category.
But how do they sound?
Design aside, the Headphone (1)'s biggest flex is the audio tuning, thanks to a little help from their friends KEF, the British hi-fi legends. Equipped with 40mm dynamic drivers and a PU diaphragm tuned for clarity and punch, the sound signature out of the box is fantastic.
In balanced mode, they offer rich bass without bloating the mids, and enough clarity to handle layered tracks without messing up the highs. On bass-heavy tracks like the Weeknd's Star Boy, they deliver that club-in-your-head energy. At another extreme, they can handle genres with a big wall-of-sound like Shoegaze.
On very close listening, the vocals occasionally lack the nuanced sparkle you get from AirPods Max or Sony’s latest, but most people won't notice. Besides, the Nothing X app gives you an 8-band EQ to dial things in. If not in audiophile territory, the sound is still punchy, satisfying, and way better than I expected from a first-gen product. Put simply: these sound like $300+ headphones. In a blind test, I wouldn't guess this is a first-gen product.
Can they make daily noise sound like… nothing?
Nothing claims 42dB of adaptive ANC on the Headphone (1), and it's more than decent in real-life situations. It cut the grind of subway commutes and droned-out background chatter in cafes. Sure, it's not at Sony-level ANC, but it's not far off.
Meanwhile, the plush vegan leather earcups form a solid seal, and the ANC's adaptiveness is a nice touch. You can also manually tweak it in the app if you don't trust the auto mode. Transparency mode is passable but lacks the natural openness of the AirPods Max.
Given that the ANC is strong enough for almost any daily scenario, that's a huge win at this price point.
Nothing compares to... headphones with buttons
One of my favorite things about the Headphone (1) is the control system. Instead of relying on finicky touch gestures, you get physical controls: a scrollable volume roller, a tactile playback paddle, and customizable buttons.
The roller has a bit of lag at times, and the double-tap-to-go-back gesture takes practice. But the feel of real buttons beats random swipe zones every time. You know what you're pressing, and that matters when you're mid-flight or walking through a crowd.
Sony's controls are smart, but accidental taps can ruin the moment when I'm pretending I'm the main character in a movie. That's why Nothing's old-school approach is better.
Comfort, battery, and the rest
Comfort is solid. The rectangular earcups contour better to human ears than Sony's round ones (in theory), and the memory foam lining makes for a soft fit. However, the clamping force is a bit tight, and the headband lacks cushion. That said, I've worn them for 3–4 hour stretches without issues.
Battery life, on the other hand, is excellent. Up to 35 hours with ANC on, and a jaw-dropping 80 hours with ANC off. That's essentially weeks of use on a single charge. Plus, a 5-minute charge gets you hours of playback, which is a lifesaver.
And yes, there's a USB-C and a 3.5mm jack (Shoutout to the wired headphone truthers).
Heyup Verdict: A Strong First Strike That’s Easy to Recommend
The Nothing Headphone (1) is a thoughtfully designed, well-built, great-sounding pair of headphones that stands out from the crowd. The ANC is solid, the audio is more refined than expected, and the physical buttons make using them a joy. Sure, Sony still edges them out in some areas, but only at a narrow lead. And does that make Sony worth paying $150 more for?
If you want something that sounds great, feels premium, and looks like nothing else on the market, the Headphone (1) is easily one of the best headphones under $300 you can buy in 2025. Pre-order yours here.
