Intro: “The Headphones Breaking All the Rules”
Hey team! It’s Yax, and today we’re checking out a true audio UFO: the Nothing Headphone (1) – the very first over-ear headphones from Carl Pei’s brand, boldly embracing a retro-futuristic translucent design. Just one look at those squircle earcups and Discman-style headband, and you know it’s not your average headset.
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Unboxing & Design
Comes with a hard-shell premium case, braided USB-C cable, and 3.5 mm jack.
Earcups are rounded rectangles with a transparent shell showing off the inner circuitry – Nothing’s trademark.
Available in matte lunar gray or glossy black. Aluminum frame, 90° swivel hinges = neck-friendly.
Weighs 325g – lighter than AirPods Max, slightly heavier than the Sony WH-1000XM5.
Comfort: Memory foam pads and a silicone headband offer solid comfort. Slight clamp, but fine for 2-3h sessions. You’ll feel the weight during longer use.
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Key Specs
### 🔧 Tech Specs – Nothing Headphone (1)
| Feature | Nothing Headphone (1) |
|——————-|———————————————–|
| 🎧 Drivers | 40 mm composite (Tuned by KEF) |
| 🔇 ANC / Transparency | Adaptive ANC (4 mics) – up to 45 dB reduction |
| 📶 Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, **LDAC**, LHDC 5.0 |
| 🎮 Latency | 80 ms (Low-Lag mode) |
| 🔋 Battery Life | **80 h** without ANC / 40 h with ANC |
| ⚡ Charging | USB-C + **Qi Wireless Charging** |
| 🔗 Connections | Bluetooth 5.4 + **3.5 mm jack** |
| 💧 Resistance | IP52 (light rain resistant) |
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Sound Quality
Quick verdict: Light V-shaped tuning, fun and punchy with wide soundstage, crisp mids and well-handled bass.
Wired mode: The 3.5 mm jack + KEF tuning brings real dynamic range. Treble tones are smoother than in Bluetooth LDAC mode.
Bluetooth LDAC: Competes with the XM5 on bass warmth, though Sony still wins in vocal detail.
ANC: Impressive for a first-gen effort. Beats Bose QC45, but falls short of Sony and Apple in vocal noise reduction.
Bonus: The Nothing X app includes a full EQ. A new beta update even adds software Spatial Audio – surprisingly decent for Netflix sessions.
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Features & Controls
5 physical buttons: Play/Pause, ANC toggle, Volume Slider – no annoying touch surfaces here.
Voice Assistants: Double-tap the function button to access Siri/Google.
Glyph ring LED: Not flashy – just shows battery/pairing status.
Multipoint: Connects to two devices. Switches quickly between phone/laptop – super handy for calls.
Low-Lag Mode: Delivers 80 ms latency, solid enough for casual mobile gaming.
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Battery & Charging
Confirmed 80 h without ANC, around 42 h with ANC at 50% volume.
USB-C fast charge: 10 min = 8 h playback. Full charge in ~1h50.
Wireless Charging (Qi): 5W – takes ~4h. Perfect for desk setups.
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Quick Comparison
### 🔍 Quick Comparison – Nothing HP 1 vs the Competition
| | 🎧 Nothing HP 1 | 🎧 Sony WH-1000XM5 | 🎧 AirPods Max |
|————————|—————-|———————|———————|
| 💰 Price | €299 | €419 | €579 |
| 🎨 Unique Design | ✅ (Bold!) | ❌ | ✅ (Premium) |
| 🔇 ANC Performance | 8/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| 🔋 Battery Life w/ ANC | **40 h** | 30 h | 20 h |
| 🎵 Hi-Res Codec Support| LDAC/LHDC | LDAC | AAC |
| 🛋️ Long-Term Comfort | 7/10 | 9/10 | 8/10 |
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Pros & Cons
👍 Pros
Eye-catching transparent design
Industry-leading battery + Qi wireless charging
Dynamic, KEF-tuned audio
Still includes a 3.5 mm jack!
Aggressive pricing compared to flagship brands
👎 Cons
Ear pads are not removable (yet)
Heavier than ideal for binge sessions
ANC is solid, but not class-leading
Doesn’t fold – must carry it in the case
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Final Verdict
4.3 ⭐ / 5
Nothing’s first headphone release makes a bold statement. Between the standout design, epic battery life, and balanced sound, this headset delivers great value. If you want hi-res audio, insane battery, and a conversation-starter look – go for it. But if lightweight portability and top-tier ANC are priorities, Sony still leads the pack.
