Compare Jabra Evolve3 85 vs Nothing Headphone (1) Pro

Music quality ranges from merely decent to excellent depending on the listener, but the broad pattern is work-first tuning rather than true flagship hi-fi. Voices and everyday listening fare better than demanding audiophile comparisons.

Sound quality is a major strength, with most hands-on reviewers praising the Pro’s clarity, detail and overall refinement. A few found the tuning merely good or behind top rivals, so it is not universally class-leading.

Dynamics are polarizing, ranging from wide and lively in one test to lacking energy and excitement in another.

The Pro can sound exceptionally lively and dynamic, especially in its processed listening modes.

The stage is inconsistent across listeners: some hear a wide, dynamic presentation, while others find it enclosed or only average in width and depth.

The presentation is wider and more open than earlier Nothing models, with strong spatial placement. It still sounds more closed-in than large open-back reference headphones.

One music-focused test described the presentation as true-to-life and full of character, with complex mixes staying composed.

Flat mode can sound impressively accurate, but lab measurements raised concerns about high-frequency variability and positioning sensitivity. Fit appears to affect the measured response more than usual.

Wear detection ranges from best-in-class behavior to frustrating inconsistency, making this one of the less settled smart features.

Wear detection was explicitly described as very reliable.

Wind handling is mixed: call-side wind reduction can work very well, but one tester still heard substantial wind through the listening experience.

Wind handling is excellent by the standards of ANC headphones. Reviewers say the Pro nearly solves the wind-noise weakness of cheaper Nothing models and remains effective outdoors.

Residual noise depends heavily on environment: offices and steady machinery can become very quiet, while voices, traffic, and transport highs remain more noticeable for some users.

Steady background noise and ANC hiss are well controlled: hums can disappear entirely, and the faint hiss heard on the older model is less perceptible here.

Spatial processing is often useful for making calls feel more natural and adding media depth. One listener found the music upmixing too boomy, so its value depends on content.

Spatial audio is capable but taste-dependent. Some reviewers found the modes immersive and technically impressive, while others called them light-touch, gimmicky or something they would rarely use.

The over-ear fit usually provides strong passive isolation and helps the ANC, though one tester found the fabric cushions less isolating than expected.

The soft cushions can create a strong passive seal, and one reviewer called the isolation impressive. Another found the softer pads reduced isolation, while fit and glasses can change the result.

ANC works well for offices and steady background noise, and some testers found it excellent. Others heard too much traffic, transport noise, or midrange sound for a headset at this price.

ANC is consistently strong, often described as close to flagship Sony and Bose performance and especially effective against hum, voices and travel noise. Seal sensitivity can make results less consistent on some heads.

Bass is usually described as warm and usable, yet opinions split on impact: some hear strong, detailed low end while others find it light, vague, or lacking depth.

Bass is generally controlled and punchy rather than bloated, with good depth and timbre. Bass-heavy listeners may want more impact, and one reviewer specifically found the punch softer than expected.

ClearVoice removes an impressive amount of office, café, street, fan, and household noise while keeping speech understandable. Only a small amount of background sound occasionally leaks through in tougher outdoor use.

The microphones suppress environmental noise very effectively, with reports of callers hearing little background noise even in wind or around a lawnmower. Voice quality may still sound slightly processed.

The headset can create a convincing, enveloping presentation for media, especially when spatial processing is used, though its core tuning remains work-focused.

Spatial processing can make movies and other compatible content feel more atmospheric and immersive, especially when the effect suits the material.

Despite being over-ear, the headset folds exceptionally flat and takes up very little bag space. Its slim profile is repeatedly singled out as a travel advantage.

The headphones do not fold, which hurts compact portability compared with rivals designed to collapse for travel.

The feature set is broad, but launch completeness drew criticism for missing desktop software and limited control over microphone AI processing.

The launch feature set is broad and immediately useful, with advanced listening and connectivity tools available from the start.

LDAC is absent, and multiple testers called that omission disappointing for buyers expecting premium music features.

LDAC support is useful for higher-quality wireless listening and was judged to sound good through the Pro’s drivers, though it shortens battery life.

The ultra-slim folded shape, light weight, compact case, and optional analog connection make the headset especially easy to travel with.

The headphones can work well for travel, but the heavy partial case repeatedly undermines portability. Several reviewers said the case was bulky enough to discourage packing them for longer trips.

The lack of an IP or water-resistance rating surprised one tester given the headset’s otherwise broad everyday ambitions.

IP52 protection is useful for workouts and light weather, but it should not be mistaken for heavy water resistance.

The compact case is unusually slim and easy to pack, with clever dongle storage in some versions. One tester thought its material felt less robust and disliked the lack of charger storage.

The carrying case is the product’s most divisive—and usually most criticized—part. Most reviewers dislike its weight, exposed headband and lack of cable storage, though a minority love its unusual protective design.

The wear-sensing hardware can perform brilliantly, but at least one tester found it inconsistent enough to undermine auto-pause.

The wear-detection sensors worked reliably in real-world use.

USB-C charging fits neatly into a modern desk setup, but one tester criticized the port for not supporting wired listening.

USB-C audio is more than a convenience here: hi-res wired playback can reveal extra detail compared with lower-resolution alternatives.

Preset EQs are not a major strength; some have subtle effects, and one tester found they could thin out music.

Flat EQ is the most divisive sound feature: some reviewers love its neutral, work-ready presentation and physical toggle, while others find it dull, niche, fiddly or sonically unsuccessful.

Detail varies by music and listener: some hear crisp fine information, while others find the presentation merely average and less precise than premium music headphones.

Detail retrieval is one of the Pro’s clearest strengths. Reviewers repeatedly heard extra texture, breaths, instrumentation and leading-edge information that cheaper or older headphones obscured.

Wear sensing can be excellent and convenient, but reliability varies by unit or setup; one tester saw frequent misses while others found it seamless.

Wear detection reliably paused and resumed playback in the review that tested it.

The tested bundle includes a travel case, Bluetooth adapter, charging cable, and wireless pad, creating a complete setup for hybrid work.

The box includes useful wired-listening accessories, though cable color and the case’s lack of storage drew minor complaints.

Breathable headband cushioning feels excellent and reduces pressure during long work sessions.

Headband padding is much improved overall and reduces pressure during long sessions. One reviewer still found the top padding too light, so comfort can vary by head shape.

Auto-pause is handy when it triggers and can work extremely well, but one test found music often continued after the headset was removed.

Auto-pause behavior tied to wear detection worked reliably in the test that focused on it.

Treble is generally clean and non-fatiguing, though several listeners wanted more brightness, sparkle, or extension. Stronger impressions praise crisp detail without harshness.

Treble earns strong marks for sparkle, clarity and natural detail. There are isolated concerns about high-frequency emphasis, variability and a somewhat recessed presentation in Flat mode.

HearThrough is generally clear and useful, with several testers calling it natural. One listener found it too quiet and less natural than leading consumer implementations.

Transparency mode is one of the more consistently praised features, sounding clear, natural and markedly improved from earlier Nothing headphones. Several reviewers place it just below Apple’s best implementation.

The cups pivot and rotate freely enough for fitting, folding, and resting the headset around the neck.

The rotating earcups provide useful fit flexibility and can lay flat for storage.

The UC version works well for people moving across Teams, Meet, Zoom, and other work platforms instead of staying locked to one service.

The Pro handled mixed-platform use cleanly, including an Android phone and MacBook connected at the same time.

Metal accents, clean finishing, and quality plastics give the headset a convincingly premium look and feel.

Premium materials are a consistent strength. Aluminum, titanium and glass give the Pro a more expensive feel without making it as heavy as the AirPods Max.

The analog jack is a practical bonus for flights, entertainment systems, and wired listening, and several testers specifically appreciated having it.

The 3.5mm input is genuinely useful for analog sources, adding flexibility for travel and legacy gear.

Breathable fabric cushions are soft, airy, and comfortable for long calls. Some testers wanted thicker or plusher padding, but heat control is generally better than leatherette.

The revised ear cushions are a clear upgrade: softer, plusher and more comfortable than previous Nothing models, including for glasses wearers.

A glasses wearer reported no discomfort during extended use, suggesting the fit handles eyewear well.

The soft, pliable cushions work well around glasses and help preserve comfort and seal. One reviewer still found fit with glasses inconsistent, so head shape and frame style can matter.

Most testers are highly positive about the work experience, especially calls, comfort, and battery life. Satisfaction drops when judged as a premium consumer headphone rather than a professional tool.

Hands-on satisfaction is overwhelmingly high among the reviewers who gave a direct personal verdict, with several saying they loved the headphones or had very little to complain about.

Voices are a major sonic strength, with clear, natural mids that suit calls and vocal-heavy music. A few listeners found the overall tuning slightly recessed or softened outside that core range.

The midrange is usually clear and well presented, especially for vocals and instruments. Some listeners found it a little too forward or slightly subdued depending on mode and tuning.

The soft-touch finish looks clean but picks up visible fingerprints easily.

The glossy glass is a fingerprint magnet. Multiple reviewers noticed smudges quickly, making this one of the few repeated cosmetic complaints about the headphones themselves.

The strongest case is for professionals who spend much of the day on calls and value comfort, battery life, and voice isolation. Music-first buyers can find better ANC and audio value elsewhere.

Overall recommendations lean positive: reviewers see a genuinely premium, feature-rich flagship with excellent ANC, controls and detail. The case, price and cheaper Nothing alternatives are the main reasons some stop short of a full recommendation.

With no boom arm and a very slim silhouette, the headset blends into everyday use far better than conventional enterprise headsets.

The transparent glass-and-metal aesthetic is striking and polished rather than discreet, and the reviewer addressing looks directly found it especially impressive.

A Samsung/Android setup handled dual Bluetooth media output without the shared-audio restriction the tester encountered on iPad.

Android compatibility worked smoothly in a mixed Android-and-Mac setup, including dual-device use.

Bluetooth, multipoint, a pre-paired adapter, and wired options give the headset unusually broad flexibility across office and personal devices.

Connectivity is unusually flexible, with Bluetooth, 3.5mm analog and USB-C digital listening all available.

The adjustable headband is easy to dial in and works with the swiveling cups to produce a comfortable fit.

The headband offers generous adjustment and accommodated larger heads without trouble in the tests that discussed fit range.

Separation is mostly good, keeping vocals and instruments intelligible even in busier tracks. It still falls short of the precision some premium music-focused headphones deliver.

Most reviewers who focused on separation heard cleaner spacing between vocals and instruments. One prominent comparison found the Pro more muddled than Sony and AirPods Max, making this a point of disagreement.

The six-mic boomless array is a major success, delivering clear professional speech without the visual bulk of a traditional microphone arm.

The built-in microphone system delivered very good call quality in the review that assessed it directly.

Earpads are easy to replace on several tested configurations, improving comfort maintenance and product longevity.

The earpads are unusually easy to remove and reinstall, which makes replacement and cleaning simple.

Replaceable cushion components make wear parts easier to refresh and improve the headset’s long-term serviceability.

The earpads are easy to pull off and reinstall, making pad replacement and cleaning unusually convenient.

Fit and wireless behavior are both strong in the positive tests, with the headset staying put and connections remaining stable through real-world movement.

Fit stability is good enough that the headphones stay in place rather than slipping off during normal use.

LC3, AAC, and SBC fit the work-first mission, but the lack of higher-end music codecs is a repeated complaint at this price.

High-quality wireless codec playback is a positive, with LDAC delivering strong results despite a modest battery tradeoff.

Price is the dominant weakness. Businesses and call-heavy professionals may justify the premium, but many reviewers think personal buyers can get stronger music or ANC performance for less.

Value is mixed at $399. Some reviewers think the Pro competes well with pricier flagships, while others feel the cheaper Headphone (1) or Headphone (a) delivers most of the experience for much less.

Two-device switching is one of the strongest practical features, with laptop-and-phone handoffs repeatedly described as effortless or reliable. Adapter priority can affect media behavior in one setup.

Dual-device switching worked reliably in the reviews that tested it, including mixed Android, Mac and phone use.

Automatic pause can be excellent when the sensing works, but one tester experienced frequent failures when removing the headset.

Wear-based Smart Pause behavior was reliable in the test that directly assessed it.

The Jabra Plus experience is useful but uneven: some testers found it intuitive and feature-rich, while others called it slow, cumbersome, or too limited for consumer customization.

The Nothing X app is intuitive and easy to connect, with a straightforward path to the headphone’s deeper settings.

Wear sensing and call-status touches can make daily use smoother, but the consumer-style automation set is less complete than on some flagship headphones.

Personalized listening features work well, with Personal Sound making a meaningful difference for some users even though the setup is simpler than a few competing systems.

Setup is usually straightforward, especially with Fast Pair, the dongle, or the correct UC variant. Enterprise model choices and occasional app quirks can still create confusion.

Setup is straightforward, and the personalization process takes only a few minutes. Connecting the headphones through the app was also easy.

Call quality is the standout feature: voices repeatedly come through clear, natural, and professional without a boom arm. Outdoor results are occasionally less perfect, but office performance is consistently exceptional.

Call quality ranges from average to excellent: voices are usually clear and understandable, even outdoors, but occasional warbling or a processed tone can be audible.

Hearing protection, sidetone, spatial processing, wind reduction, AI voice tools, and management features create a deep work-focused feature set. Some users still want more control over the AI microphone processing.

The Pro is packed with advanced controls and listening features, including deep EQ, personalized sound and spatial options. The breadth is a strength, though limited remapping and complexity can temper the experience.

A five-band custom EQ and presets provide useful tuning control, though the adjustment range is basic compared with the best consumer apps.

EQ customization is unusually deep, ranging from simple presets to a flexible parametric EQ with per-driver control. Enthusiasts love the flexibility, though the sheer number of options can feel overwhelming.

Wireless performance is usually quick, stable, and easy to connect across work devices. One test reported noticeable stutters in busy open locations, but that is the exception.

Bluetooth setup was quick and trouble-free in the hands-on test that directly assessed it.

Physical controls are generally clicky, direct, and easy to learn. The main criticism is a fiddly power switch and some right-hand bias in the layout.

The tactile roller, paddle and physical buttons are a standout strength. Reviewers repeatedly call them intuitive, easy to identify by feel and among the best headphone controls available.

One heavy user described the headset as robust after regular use and a couple of drops, supporting confidence in day-to-day toughness.

The headphones themselves show encouraging durability, including scratch resistance in early use, but one reviewer raised concerns about the case hinge rather than the headphones.

At roughly 220 grams, the headset feels unusually light for an over-ear model and repeatedly disappears on the head during long workdays.

On-head weight is better managed than the raw 327g figure suggests, though some reviewers still notice that these are heavier than key Sony and Bose rivals.

Metal hinge and mounting hardware create a solid, premium impression and support confidence in repeated folding.

The hinges feel more premium and operate quietly, with no creaking noted in the review that focused on them.

Materials and construction feel unusually solid and premium for a business headset, with metal used in key structural areas and little sense of hollowness.

The metal, titanium and glass construction feels sturdy and significantly upgraded over the standard model.

Comfort is exceptionally consistent across long sessions, with multiple eight-hour or full-workday tests reporting little pressure or fatigue. The lightweight frame and roomy cups are central to that result.

Long-session comfort is excellent despite the 327g weight. Softer ear cushions, a wider headband and better padding let multiple reviewers wear the Pro for hours or nearly a full workday with little discomfort.

Clamp is secure without excessive pressure, helping the headset stay put while remaining comfortable.

Clamp pressure was described as secure without feeling vice-like, giving the headphones a stable but comfortable fit.

The boomless, slim design is one of the product’s biggest successes, looking much more like premium everyday headphones than traditional office gear.

Nothing’s distinctive transparent, squared-off design is widely loved. Reviewers repeatedly call it unique, recognizable and among the brand’s best-looking work.

Battery life is outstanding and one of the clearest strengths, routinely lasting several workdays and sometimes close to a week in mixed use.

Battery life is adequate to strong in isolation, with around 30 hours quoted or observed with ANC. The recurring complaint is that cheaper Nothing models last longer, which makes the Pro’s stamina feel underwhelming for the price.

Fast charging is universally praised, and Qi charging is an unusually convenient bonus for desk use. A few minutes on power can add hours of runtime.

Fast charging is a clear strength, with reviewers praising the quick top-ups and useful listening time from a short charge.

Breathable fabric reduces sweat compared with faux leather, though ears can still warm up after an hour or more in humid conditions.

Closed-back heat buildup is present but moderate; one reviewer’s ears warmed slightly, yet less than with several competing headphones.

Switching ANC on produced almost no noticeable change to the music in the direct comparison, which is an excellent result for sound consistency.

ANC has little audible effect on the music in the direct on/off comparison, preserving the headphone’s sound while reducing outside noise.

Low-latency mode kept audio tightly synchronized with video and gaming in the real-world test that addressed it.

The headphones stay mechanically quiet during movement, with little thudding or creaking heard while running.

Spatial audio can enhance gaming, adding a stronger sense of placement and immersion when the effect suits the game.

Idle ANC hiss is better controlled than on the previous Headphone (1), where the faint background hiss was more noticeable.

Several testers specifically disliked the lack of aptX-class hi-res support, especially given the premium pricing.

The onboard DAC and hi-res wired path are genuinely useful for lossless libraries, supporting high-resolution playback without fuss.

The all-angle call-status light is generally a handy way to signal “do not disturb” in shared spaces. One tester disliked the bright automatic red lights, but most found the cue practical.

The included wired cables are a nice touch and feel purpose-built, though one reviewer would have preferred a darker color to match the headphones.

The USB adapter generally provides reliable, low-friction PC connectivity and may improve call performance in some setups. One configuration may still require an extra USB adapter.

Apple and Google device-finding support is a welcome cross-platform strength, but Apple’s restricted shared-audio ecosystem limits one specific use case.

Finding support is inconsistent by implementation: some tests praise Apple/Google tracking or an in-app find function, while another app-focused test reported no Find My Headphones tool.

Imaging is excellent, with precise instrument positioning complementing the wider soundstage.

Adjustable sidetone is consistently useful for hearing your own voice and avoiding speaking too loudly during calls.

Replaceable batteries and cushions are a major long-term ownership advantage, making the headset less disposable than most premium competitors.

One tester found the headset noticeably quieter than their regular over-ear headphones and needed a higher volume setting to reach the same loudness.

Auracast adds practical flexibility for broadcasts and shared audio, and was highlighted as a genuinely useful feature rather than a spec-sheet novelty.

Recyclable packaging, recycled structural materials, and other sustainability choices are viewed positively alongside the repairable design.

Hands-free assistant access works well for voice prompts and productivity tasks, with successful testing across AI assistants.

Auditory feedback from the physical controls is unusually satisfying, including the distinctive ratcheting sound of the volume roller.