The moment I took the Nothing Headphone 1 out of the box, I was hooked. The transparent design brought back memories of my see-through GameBoy Color, and that was it. But then I put them on, pressed play, and realised something important: I wasn’t going back to my AirPod Max.
Apple’s headphones sound better on a technical level, but they’re heavy and uncomfortable for long use. The Nothing Headphone 1 may not match them in pure audio detail, but they look incredible, sound good, and they’re light enough to wear for hours.
Nothing Headphone 1 design and build quality
Credit: Nothing
Transparent design with a premium feel
Nothing has made design its calling card, and the Headphone 1 proves it. The see-through frame fits perfectly with the brand’s phones and earbuds. I was worried they’d feel plasticky, but most of the important components are metal. The finish feels premium, not cheap.
Comfort over long sessions
I’ve used these headphones for three to four hours at a stretch with no discomfort. That’s a first for me. With the AirPod Max, I used to feel like my head was being squeezed after 30 minutes. The Headphone 1 are not the lightest over-ears on the market, but they balance weight and comfort in a way that works.
Nothing Headphone 1 controls and usability
Credit: Nothing
Clicky buttons instead of swipe controls
I’ve always disliked fiddly swipe gestures on headphones. Nothing avoided that. On the right earcup there’s a “roller” you spin to change volume. It clicks like an old-school dial, which I love. Press it to play or pause, or to switch between noise-cancelling and transparency.
The paddle for app switching
Below the roller is a paddle that lets you switch between Apple Music and Spotify. YouTube Music isn’t supported yet, which is a shame, but I hope it’s added in a future update. It’s a clever way of “channel hopping” between apps without reaching for my phone.
This whole control system feels tactile and deliberate, not gimmicky.
Nothing Headphone 1 sound quality
Credit: Nothing
KEF collaboration for tuning
Nothing worked with UK audio brand KEF on the tuning, and it shows. The sound is rich and vibrant, with punchy bass that doesn’t overwhelm vocals. Apple’s AirPod Max still edges them in detail, but the Headphone 1 are more fun to listen to.
Custom EQ settings from the community
One of my favourite features: scanning QR codes from the Nothing community to load their EQ presets. I found one that gave me my perfect sound. It’s something I’d never experienced before, and it makes you feel part of a bigger group of Nothing fans who know their stuff.
This is where the headphones shine: design plus community.
Nothing Headphone 1 noise cancellation and transparency
Credit: Nothing
Noise cancellation is strong for the price. It blocks low rumbles like trains and traffic with no problem, though it can’t quite match Sony or Apple on higher-frequency sounds. Transparency mode is natural and does the job.
Not the best on the market, but at £299, it’s more than good enough.
Nothing Headphone 1 comfort and fit
Credit: Nothing
These are the first over-ears I’ve been able to wear all afternoon without any pressure headaches. The clamping force is just right, and the cushions are soft but firm. That matters more to me than having the absolute best noise cancellation.
If headphones aren’t comfortable, I won’t wear them. With these, I actually want to.
Nothing Headphone 1 battery life
Credit: Nothing
Nothing rates them at up to 80 hours with ANC off, or 35 with ANC on. That doesn’t match my use, but that’s because I’ve been using them in their LDAC mode, and Nothing says that you should get close to 54 hours of listening time with ANC off and 30 hours with ANC on. That’s close to the numbers I’ve been getting.
I’ve quite literally gone several days without charging. USB-C fast charging adds around five hours of playback in five minutes, which has saved me more than once. I was recently on a long-haul flight from Santiago in Chile to London, and I used Nothing’s Headphone 1 the whole way and didn’t need to charge them at all, and still had battery to spare for the journey home on the tube.
Nothing Headphone 1 price and value
At £299, they sit well below the £499 AirPod Max. They’re also competitive with Sony’s WH-1000XM5 and Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra. For the price, you’re getting excellent design, comfort, community-driven features and sound that holds its own.
Apple is still charging silly money for the AirPod Max with that laughable case. The Nothing Headphone 1 include a real case, even if the zip feels a bit flimsy. It’s not perfect, but it’s a proper case.
Nothing Headphone 1 vs AirPod Max
This is the obvious question. The AirPod Max still win on audio detail and noise cancellation. But the Nothing Headphone 1 win on design, comfort, usability and price. For me, that’s the more important combination. I’d rather wear these every day than keep swapping them off my head because they’re too heavy.
Final verdict: Are the Nothing Headphone 1 AirPod Max killers?
Credit: Nothing
For me, yes. They’re stylish, comfortable and clever. The sound is good enough, the price is fair, and the controls are the best I’ve used on any headphones.
Apple still edges them in pure audio quality, but I don’t care. I’d rather have headphones I enjoy wearing for hours than ones I want to take off after half an hour. Nothing has made a real statement here.
Nothing Headphone 1 FAQs
How much are the Nothing Headphone 1?
They cost £299 in the UK.
Do the Nothing Headphone 1 have noise cancellation?
Yes, with ANC and transparency modes controlled by the roller button.
How long does the Nothing Headphone 1 battery last?
Up to 80 hours with ANC off, around 54 with ANC on.
Are the Nothing Headphone 1 better than AirPod Max?
They’re lighter, cheaper and more comfortable, with cleverer controls. Apple still wins on audio and ANC, but for daily use, I’d pick the Nothing Headphone 1.
Can you customise the sound?
Yes. You can scan QR codes from the Nothing community to load EQ presets.
