Compare Nothing Headphone (1) vs Nothing Headphone (a)

Sound quality was the most divisive area: some loved the tuned or EQ-adjusted sound, while many criticized the default tuning as dark, flat, or compressed.

Most reviewers find the sound enjoyable and impressively capable for the price, especially after a little EQ work. Critical listeners still hear some loss of refinement versus pricier models.

Immersive audio was weak in TechRadar’s testing, where spatial effects added little and sometimes harmed movie or podcast playback.

The presentation can feel immersive for music, even if the dedicated spatial processing is less consistently liked.

Low-latency mode was treated positively as a useful gaming/video feature for reducing delay.

Video use showed excellent sync in the tested cases, with reviewers reporting no noticeable Bluetooth lag during everyday playback and editing.

Spatial audio was mixed: some found it useful for movies and broad device support, while others called it weak, limp, or harmful to music.

Spatial modes are mostly a mixed-to-negative extra: several reviewers hear hollow, processed, or echoey results, while a minority find the Concert effect useful for expanding the presentation.

Wind handling was mixed: some mic suppression impressed reviewers, while ANC or voice noise gating struggled in wind.

Wind handling is inconsistent: some microphone tests suppress wind remarkably well, while another reviewer found wind routinely cut through during outdoor use.

One review found ANC changed the sound signature negatively, narrowing and muting more complex tracks.

Turning ANC or transparency on can subtly change the sound signature, most noticeably by adding some bass weight.

One review said audio sounded best with ANC off because switching ANC on narrowed and muted the presentation.

ANC and transparency can slightly alter the tonal balance, especially by changing bass weight, but the effect is described as noticeable rather than disastrous.

Soundstage was often criticized as narrow or compressed, though a few reviewers heard decent width after tuning or in positive listening sessions.

Soundstage impressions are mixed. Some hear a notably open or wider-than-expected presentation, while others find it close, narrow, or only average for closed-back headphones.

Passive isolation was a clear strength, with the ear pads and seal repeatedly helping noise reduction even before ANC.

Passive isolation can be quite effective with a good seal, but glasses or fit issues can weaken it noticeably.

Frequency-response evidence was mixed: some heard balanced tuning, while others found the default curve dark, uneven, or treble-recessed.

The tuning lands between balanced and consumer-friendly V-shaped depending on the reviewer, with bass and treble emphasis keeping it from being truly neutral.

Microphone noise reduction was generally strong, with reviewers praising background suppression, though one noted echo/reverb issues.

Background-noise suppression can be impressively strong, including traffic, fans, and wind in some tests, but other reviewers found the voice processing less reliable.

Bass impressions were split: some heard controlled punch and texture, while others described muddy bass or weak low-frequency precision before EQ.

Bass is one of the most divisive traits: many enjoy its punch and sub-bass weight, while others find the default tuning boomy, muddy, or overly dominant.

Background-noise reduction was mixed: lab-style and street testing praised attenuation, while some reviewers noted weaker handling of voices or sudden sounds.

ANC itself avoids obvious hiss in one test, while another reviewer hears a moderate background hiss in the strongest mode.

ANC was generally viewed as strong for the price and effective in everyday noise, though several reviewers said Sony, Bose, or AirPods Max still outperform it.

ANC is widely considered good to very good for the price, especially on low-frequency travel noise. It usually trails premium Sony and Bose models and can let more voices or higher-frequency sounds through.

Wear detection performance was poor in one long-term Mac test, where it reportedly never worked.

Wear-detection performance is effectively absent because the headphones do not detect removal for automatic pausing.

Smart Pause performance was praised by TechRadar, which said wear detection and multipoint both worked perfectly once enabled.

There is no automatic Smart Pause when the headphones are removed, and reviewers explicitly criticize that omission.

Voice prompts and feedback split reviewers sharply: one loved the mode sounds, while others found cues uncomfortable, awful, loud, or jarring.

Mode-change audio cues are exceptionally clear and avoid the ambiguity or annoying spoken prompts found on some headphones.

Smart listening features were positively supported by Personal Sound, which was described as a useful way to personalize tuning.

The smart feature set is broad and potentially useful, though one reviewer questions how often extras such as AI-oriented functions will matter in everyday listening.

Call mic quality was mixed-to-positive: several reviewers heard clear calls, while others described the mic as merely fine, tinny, or robotic.

Call quality is inconsistent across tests. Some reviewers hear clear, usable speech, while others report muffling, compression, or poor intelligibility in noisier conditions.

Physical controls were a standout strength, widely praised for tactility and usability, although a few reviewers found the layout or paddle/roller behavior finicky.

The Roller, Paddle, and physical buttons are one of the strongest points of agreement. Reviewers repeatedly call them intuitive, tactile, distinctive, and easier to use than touch controls.

Setup and software simplicity were praised through Google Fast Pair, an easy app, and automatic pairing behavior.

Setup is consistently easy, with quick pairing and straightforward first-use behavior across the reviews that tested it directly.

Voice assistant integration was positively supported through the customizable button and Gemini/assistant access.

The dedicated assistant control is appreciated as a convenient physical shortcut by the reviewer who discussed it.

Bluetooth reliability was supported by positive connectivity evidence, including Bluetooth 5.3 range and dual-device support.

Bluetooth performance is a strength in the positive tests, with rock-solid connections, seamless switching, and no noticeable lag reported.

The app was one of the product’s strongest points, with reviewers praising its layout, speed, settings, and unusually deep EQ tools.

Nothing X is repeatedly praised as a clean, fast, capable companion app with unusually deep control over sound and headphone behavior.

EQ customization was a standout feature, repeatedly described as powerful, granular, and sometimes essential for fixing the stock tuning.

The advanced EQ is a standout feature, offering unusually deep frequency and Q-factor control for wireless headphones. It can substantially improve the stock tuning, though a few reviewers find it fiddly or constrained.

Reviewers consistently praised the broad feature set, especially customization, spatial options, ANC controls, and app-driven extras.

The headphones pack in a broad modern feature set, and reviewers who discuss the software breadth consider it unusually rich for the price.

Wear/on-head detection was praised in early reviews as useful and working well, though related long-term Mac behavior was criticized elsewhere.

Wear-detection auto-pause is missing, an omission reviewers consider surprising at this price.

Sensor evidence was positive but limited, with one reviewer identifying proximity sensing as useful hardware.

The missing wear sensor is a clear hardware omission because the headphones cannot detect removal for automatic pause behavior.

One reviewer specifically liked the slim profile because the headphones sit close to the head despite their bold styling.

The design remains conspicuous rather than discreet. Reviewers who want headphones that blend in caution that these are intentionally attention-grabbing.

Case feedback was mixed: some praised protection and compactness, while others found it too large, cheap-feeling, or annoying to zip.

The drawstring pouch is one of the most repeated complaints. Reviewers generally see it as flimsy or inadequate protection compared with a proper hard case.

Premium feel was widely praised, with reviewers saying the headphones feel expensive, solid, and better than expected at the price.

The plastic-heavy construction does not feel flagship-premium, and multiple reviewers notice the downgrade in material luxury compared with the Headphone (1).

Cable quality was criticized because the included 3.5mm cable was only three-pole and could not carry microphone audio.

The included cables are mostly praised as sturdy or high quality, although one reviewer questioned the strain relief.

Travel friendliness was mixed-to-negative because battery life is good but the case is bulky and the headphones do not fold up.

Travel use benefits from the huge battery and competent ANC, with reviewers reporting comfortable multi-hour or flight use in favorable fits.

Headband adjustability drew mixed but mostly positive feedback, with smooth adjustment praised and one top-mounted mechanism criticized.

Headband adjustment works, but multiple reviewers find the slider friction, top-mounted sizing, or general adjustment process fiddly.

Headband padding was mixed: SoundGuys liked weight distribution, while The Guardian found the padding too thin after hours.

The thin headband padding can create pressure on the top of the head during longer sessions.

Repairability evidence was mixed-to-negative: The Guardian noted replacement cushions, but a long-term reviewer criticized the soldered battery.

Repairability takes a hit because replacement ear cushions are not officially sold, limiting an obvious wear-part replacement path.

Treble clarity was a common weakness in negative sound reviews, with several reviewers hearing recessed, dull, or less crisp highs.

Treble is often praised for crispness and detail, but several reviewers also report sibilance or abrasive upper frequencies on certain tracks.

Smudge resistance was a weakness because the finish visibly picked up oil even if it wiped off easily.

The glossy black finish can collect fingerprints and dust extremely quickly.

Portability was mixed: the headphones lie flat and can pack neatly in some cases, but they do not fold up and remain large.

Portability is a weak spot because the headphones do not fold inward and remain bulky in a bag, even though the cups can rotate flat.

Ear cup padding was mostly praised for soft memory foam and a good seal, though a few reviewers felt pressure or heat.

The large ear cushions provide plentiful padding and enough room to keep ears from feeling cramped.

Midrange clarity was polarizing, with some praising vocals while others heard too much lower-mid darkness or underemphasized midrange.

Vocals and mids are generally clear and well controlled, though a few reviewers hear recessed body or odd upper-mid emphasis in the stock tuning.

Replaceable earpad evidence was weak-to-negative, with uncertainty around replacements and a long-term reviewer noting Nothing still did not sell them.

The ear cushions cannot officially be replaced, which is a meaningful long-term ownership drawback.

Overall recommendations were mixed-positive: many reviewers liked the value and debut effort, but sound tuning and comfort kept it from universal praise.

The overall recommendation is strongly positive: reviewers repeatedly call these an easy recommendation, a great pick, or a no-brainer in their price class.

Preset EQ feedback was mixed, with some finding treble/bass presets useful and others saying presets were not enough or should be skipped.

The preset options are useful starting points, with Balanced often taming excess bass and the bass-focused modes appealing more to listeners who want extra low-end weight.

Reviewers liked that wired listening is covered with a 3.5mm jack, often alongside USB-C, making the headphones more flexible for planes and wired sources.

The 3.5mm input is genuinely useful for wired listening, including plane use while keeping ANC active.

Fit stability was praised where reviewers described a secure fit without excessive tightness.

Once adjusted, the fit can stay securely in place while walking without unwanted shifting.

Multi-platform use was praised in long-term testing because the app works across iOS and Android with most features available on both.

The feature set works well across Android and iPhone, making the headphones a strong cross-platform option rather than a single-ecosystem accessory.

The six-month review praised the app for working on both iOS and Android, supporting strong Android usability.

Android pairing is especially smooth with Google Fast Pair, which worked seamlessly in the review test.

Maximum-volume clarity was positive in CNET’s testing, with almost no distortion even at high volumes.

Even when pushed loud, the headphones were praised for staying composed rather than falling apart with obvious distortion.

USB-C was praised as a useful wired audio and charging option, especially for modern devices and lossless playback.

USB-C is especially useful because it handles both charging and digital audio while retaining physical-control functionality in the tested setup.

Connectivity was a major strength, with reviewers praising the mix of USB-C, 3.5mm, multipoint, and app/device support.

Connectivity is unusually versatile, combining Bluetooth with USB-C digital audio and a 3.5mm wired option.

Ecosystem perks were useful for Nothing Phone users, but some exclusive features limited broader appeal.

Nothing-phone integration adds extra shortcuts such as Channel Hop, but some functions work best inside Nothing’s own ecosystem rather than equally across Android devices.

Instrument separation ranged from crowded and unclear in negative reviews to solid detail and separation in more positive listening impressions.

Instrument separation is usually described as clean and easy to follow, though it does not consistently reach the layering precision of more audiophile-focused rivals.

Volume output was criticized by reviewers who wanted more headroom or found the roller caused accidental loud jumps.

One reviewer found the maximum loudness a little restrained and wanted a few more volume steps for very loud listening.

Water/sweat resistance was praised as rare for premium over-ears, though PCMag cautioned that IP52 is still limited.

IP52 is useful for sweat and light drizzle, but reviewers consistently caution that it is not protection for heavy rain or serious water exposure.

LDAC support was consistently treated as a positive, especially for Android/high-res wireless listening.

LDAC can produce a cleaner, clearer presentation than standard AAC on compatible devices, and reviewers value seeing it at this price.

Wired hi-res and USB-C digital playback were viewed as useful extras, with reviewers noting clearer or lossless wired listening.

USB-C high-resolution playback can add a small improvement in separation and detail, though the reviewer considered the difference minor.

Transparency mode was generally usable and often natural enough for conversations, but several reviewers found it less natural than Apple, Bose, or Sony.

Transparency is usable for conversation and awareness, but opinions range from natural and effective to boxy, dark, or slightly artificial.

Wear detection auto-pause was criticized in long-term Mac use, where the reviewer said over-ear detection was god-awful.

Automatic pause on removal is absent and repeatedly called out as a feature reviewers miss.

Long-term durability evidence was limited, but one reviewer worried about cosmetic dings from the rectangular cups.

Early durability impressions are positive, including flexible headbands, a sturdier feel, and one harsh accidental-impact test that left no visible mark.

Clamping force was generally secure and comfortable, but PCMag found it tighter than preferred.

Clamping force is a recurring comfort concern. Some find the grip secure and well judged, but several describe it as too firm during extended wear.

Comfort was usually positive over hours of use, but weight, heat, piercings, glasses, and headband pressure made it less universal.

Long-session comfort is highly head-dependent. Many reviewers wore them for hours or flights comfortably, while others needed breaks because of pressure, weight, or heat.

Weight comfort was mixed: reviewers often found them wearable, but their 329g weight was repeatedly noticed against lighter Sony/Bose options.

At roughly 310g, the headphones are lighter than their predecessor but still heavier than many rivals, so some reviewers remain aware of the weight over time.

Build quality was broadly praised as solid, premium, and better than expected, though one reviewer worried about long-term headband durability.

Despite the move to more plastic, build quality is generally rated as sturdy and better than the price suggests. The construction feels less luxurious than flagship models but not broadly flimsy.

Design was one of the most discussed strengths, repeatedly praised as distinctive, premium, and eye-catching, though also polarizing.

The retro-futuristic, transparent styling earns substantial praise for being distinctive and fashion-forward. It is deliberately bold, so buyers who prefer conventional headphones may not share that enthusiasm.

Codec support was treated positively, with SBC/AAC/LDAC and high-res support helping the value proposition.

Codec support is useful but not exhaustive: LDAC is a welcome inclusion at this price, while one reviewer wished Qualcomm codecs were also available.

Value was generally positive because the headphones undercut major rivals while offering strong build, controls, battery, ANC, and EQ, though weak default sound hurt value for some.

Value is a major strength across the review set. Reviewers repeatedly say the $199/£149 positioning delivers unusually strong battery, controls, features, and sound for the money.

Multipoint reliability was treated positively, with reviewers highlighting quick switching and two-device connection.

Multipoint is generally easy and reliable once enabled, with reviewers praising quick switching between a phone and laptop or other paired devices.

Battery life was one of the clearest strengths, repeatedly praised for 35+ hours with ANC and exceptional longevity without ANC.

Battery life is the clearest consensus strength. Reviewers repeatedly call the 75-hour ANC figure and roughly 135-hour maximum class-leading, with real-world use generally supporting the claim.

Charging was praised, especially the fast-charge claims and real-world usefulness before trips or commutes.

Fast charging is excellent: several reviewers highlight that just a few minutes on USB-C can provide hours of playback.

Auracast was a weakness only by absence, with TechRadar saying the lack of LE Audio and Auracast keeps them from feeling fully future-proof.

Auto power/sleep behavior drew criticism in long-term use, especially when connected to a Mac.

PCMag awarded the headphones its Editors' Choice for midrange noise-cancelling headphones.

Fine detail is only average for the class: reviewers hear enough clarity for casual listening, but several note softer resolution and less precision than more expensive or hi-fi-oriented models.

The cups rotate for around-the-neck wear, but one reviewer found the rectangular shells rub or knock together when rotated.

Launch features were viewed positively because the headphones offered several differentiating features beyond visual design.

Find My support was considered useful but basic, with reviewers noting it mainly plays a sound rather than offering smarter tracking.

Firmware support looked promising because a later Nothing X update added Personal Sound support.

Glasses compatibility depends on fit: one reviewer found little pressure on glasses, another found them comfortable over spectacles, while seal loss bothered a different tester.

Imaging is strong enough for positional gaming cues such as footsteps and gunshots to come through clearly.

The included cables make a positive impression, with one reviewer specifically surprised by their high quality.

The integrated microphone array can capture speech clearly in favorable conditions, although broader call-quality tests are more mixed.

Overall sentiment is strongly positive, although not unanimous. Most of the explicit satisfaction comments are enthusiastic, while one reviewer remains clearly lukewarm on the sound.

The pads are not officially replaceable, and reviewers specifically note that Nothing does not sell replacement cushions.

Streaming-service integration was criticized in long-term use because Channel Hop/favorites behavior felt confusing.

Xbox use is only partial: wired game audio works, but the reviewer could not get the headset microphones to function through the controller setup.

Bluetooth 5.3 was described as up to date, giving the headphones a modern wireless baseline.

The sound is lively and dynamic, with energetic playback that gives pop and electronic music plenty of momentum.

Gaming performance is promising in the test that covered it, with clear positional cues and useful low-latency behavior.

LE Audio readiness was marked down because TechRadar noted the lack of Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast.

Sound leakage is context-dependent: two reviewers noticed some bleed at louder levels, while another found virtually none.

The revised swivel hinges were specifically described as sturdier than the predecessor's.

Sustainability materials were a weakness because The Guardian said the headphones were not made with recycled materials.

Heat buildup is a recurring comfort weakness. The synthetic pads and closed design can make ears or the sides of the head warm, especially during longer sessions or workouts.