Brief Summary
The Nothing Headphone One are unique-looking, £300 wireless ANC headphones. They boast excellent build quality with aluminium and polycarbonate materials, comfortable ear pads, and intuitive physical controls. The sound quality is impressive for the price, with a heavier mid-bass, and the active noise cancellation and transparency modes are surprisingly effective. However, their bold, deconstructed aesthetic may not appeal to everyone, as they look better in product shots than when worn.
- Excellent build quality with premium materials.
- Impressive sound quality for the price, tuned in collaboration with KEF.
- Effective active noise cancellation and transparency modes.
- Unique, but potentially divisive, aesthetic.
Introduction and Overview
The company Nothing has released their new Headphone One, available in black and white. These headphones have a unique design, unlike anything else on the market. While they look interesting and different when held, their appearance when worn might be considered a bit silly. Despite the aesthetics, they are considered one of the best £300 headphones available, comparable to more expensive wireless ANC headphones.
Build Quality, Design and Comfort
The build quality of the Nothing Headphone One is surprisingly good for its price. The ear cups are made of aluminium with a polycarbonate see-through section, maintaining Nothing's signature transparent design. The metal hinge and arm feel sturdy, locking into place without any wiggle. The plastic components on the ear cups might be prone to scratches over time. The headphones come with a black polyester wool case and both USB-C and 3.5mm cables. While not super lightweight due to the metal components, the headphones are reasonably comfortable, though the clamp force might be a bit tight for some. The headband padding could be improved, but the ear pads are comfortable, seal well, and are supposedly replaceable.
Controls and Functionality
The controls on the Nothing Headphone One are intuitive and easy to use. Physical tactile controls, including a roller for volume adjustment and a paddle for track selection, are preferred over touch controls. A button is included for software and shortcut functions. The physical controls are a standout feature.
Sound Quality and Performance
The sound quality of the Nothing Headphone One is impressive for wireless ANC headphones in its price range. The headphones have a heavier mid-bass, likely to make them sound more impressive when demoed in stores. While proper measurements require specialised equipment, the headphones include an eight-band EQ in the app for customisation. The audio tuning was done in collaboration with KEF, known for their blind listening test methodology. The microphones perform decently, sounding slightly better than older headphones like the Sony XM4s or Bose QC35s, but not as clean as the latest Sony XM6 or Apple AirPods Max. The active noise cancellation is effective, stronger than the Sony XM4s but not as strong as the XM6s or AirPods Max. The transparency mode is surprisingly good, with fantastic voice pass-through. The battery life is claimed to be 80 hours with ANC off and 35 hours with it on, and initial testing suggests it lasts very long.
Aesthetics and Visual Design
Aesthetics are subjective, but the Nothing Headphone One stands out from visually neutral headphones like the Sony XM6. Its design is not cohesive, featuring different shapes and materials, creating a visually interesting but potentially less appealing look when worn. The company Nothing seems aware of this, as their promotional materials focus on close-up details rather than showcasing the headphones on a person's head. It's recommended to see the headphones in person before committing to them, despite their excellent audio performance.
