Compare Nothing Headphone (a) vs Soundcore Anker Space One Pro

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.

Sound is often enjoyable and full, particularly after EQ. The stock tuning divides listeners: some love its energy, while others find it muddy, dull or insufficiently refined for the Pro price.

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

Casual play may be acceptable, but noticeable Bluetooth delay and no dedicated low-latency mode limit demanding games. A wired connection is the more suitable route where timing matters.

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

Dynamic contrasts are broad but not especially nimble in one assessment. Quiet-to-loud changes lack the subtle swing of stronger performers.

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

ANC-off tuning can become much bassier than the ANC-on presentation. Some hear an acceptable change, but several strongly dislike the muddier balance.

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

Changing ANC modes can noticeably change musical balance. Several find the extra bass outside ANC muddy or unpleasant enough to require different tuning.

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

A good seal keeps listening reasonably private. One comparison finds less leakage than older Soundcore headphones.

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

Strong isolation and optional processing can make films and suitable music immersive. Excess bass in Dolby mode can instead reduce vocal clarity and musical involvement.

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

One assessment praises keeping quiet surroundings quiet without obvious ANC artifacts. Avoiding masking hiss is also appreciated in a separate test.

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

Wear-detection behavior cannot supply automatic convenience when sensors are absent. Many regard that omission as disappointing on a Pro model, while a few accept the tradeoff.

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.

The tuning favors bass weight over strict neutrality. A few hear a balanced, faithful presentation, but others find excessive low end and uneven highs hard to correct.

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

Movies and ordinary videos generally stay synchronized on Android and iPhone. Bluetooth delay is more noticeable in demanding games without a dedicated low-latency mode.

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.

Dolby processing can add useful space to movies and live recordings. For music, several listeners prefer it off because it exaggerates bass or weakens their chosen EQ balance.

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.

ANC is widely valued for traffic rumble, fans and flights at this price. Some find it remarkably strong, while others still hear too much speech or train noise compared with premium rivals.

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

A well-fitting seal usefully softens chatter and higher-frequency noise before ANC engages. Passive blocking is less convincing when the fit or seal is imperfect.

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

Road-noise suppression can keep speech understandable and outperform some rivals. Chatter and wind are harder: aggressive processing can reduce the speaker’s voice along with background noise.

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.

Deep bass gives electronic music and hip-hop satisfying weight. Its stock emphasis can overwhelm vocals and detail, so bass-sensitive listeners often prefer reducing it.

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

Wind handling ranges from impressively quiet outdoor listening to little improvement at all. Some reduction settings also lower transparency volume, and windy calls remain difficult.

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.

Some hear an expansive presentation, while others find the stage narrow beside more refined headphones. EQ and the choice of music noticeably affect that impression.

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

Soft, broadly padded headband contact helps avoid pressure hotspots during long sessions. It is frequently credited for comfort on working days and flights.

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

Charging is straightforward, but USB audio is a recurring missing convenience. Buyers wanting to listen over a USB cable need a different option.

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.

The compact twisting fold is a standout advantage for pockets and small bags. It takes a little practice, and a few users question its benefit over conventional folding.

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

The accessory package attracts criticism for its pouch and, in some cases, thin or short cables. Obtaining a proper hard case improves travel protection.

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

Generous rotation makes it easy to lay the cups flat in either direction. That flexibility is especially welcome when wearing the headphones around the neck.

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

The supplied analog cable is criticized as thin and cheap. A separate complaint finds the included charging cable inconveniently short.

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

Clean two-tone finishes and slimmer cups appeal to buyers wanting understated styling. Others find the look chunky, generic or less distinctive than the original.

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

The lack of water and sweat protection limits rainy-day and workout use. These are better suited to dry travel and indoor listening.

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

A firmer fit usually keeps the headphones stable during ordinary movement. Smaller heads, loose adjustment arms and inverted exercises can still cause slipping.

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

Smooth continuous adjustment offers a broad fitting range. Loose arms can move unintentionally, and the smallest setting may still be too large for smaller heads.

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.

A few presets, including Acoustic and Classical, improve clarity and balance for particular listeners. Many others sound redundant, muffled or excessively boosted, making custom tuning more useful.

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.

Phone-and-computer switching usually works conveniently across ecosystems. LDAC and occasional notification behavior introduce tradeoffs in a multi-device setup.

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

Soft finishes and a cleaner silhouette can feel upscale for the price. Plasticky leatherette, chunky details and slight wobble keep others from accepting the premium positioning.

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

Output is ample for many listeners, but several want another notch or two of headroom. One comparison needs extra volume to give bass the newer model’s impact.

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

The Pro is often recommended for comfortable, portable commuting with long endurance. Buyers seeking neutral stock sound, reliable noisy calls or the best upgrade value receive more qualified advice.

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

One user cannot find replacement ear pads despite searching. Owners planning to replace worn cushions may encounter limited availability.

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

Replacement cushioning can be difficult to locate. That uncertainty matters for owners who want to refresh the pads instead of replacing the headphones.

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

The white finish is considered more likely to show dirt. Buyers concerned about visible marks may prefer the darker option.

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

Difficulty finding replacement pads is a repairability concern. Buyers hoping to refresh worn cushioning may find replacement availability limiting.

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

Automatic wear detection is a frequently missed convenience. Its absence matters less to listeners who manually pause or normally disable wear sensors.

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

Absent wear sensors are an unexpected convenience loss for many buyers. Others do not consider them essential because they prefer manual control.

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

Removing the headphones does not provide the expected automatic pause for many users. That omission is especially frustrating to buyers coming from the original Space One.

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

Ordinary wireless connections are usually dependable and analog listening adds flexibility. A few dual-device playback problems weaken confidence in more complicated setups.

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

Analog listening is useful for flight entertainment and when the battery runs out. Powered-off sound receives mixed feedback, ranging from excellent to dull compared with tuned wireless playback.

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.

Layered vocals and instruments can remain distinct after tuning. Dense jazz, bass-heavy settings and busy arrangements expose a recurring tendency to blend musical parts together.

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

The integrated microphones can deliver clear quiet-room speech and useful road-noise suppression. Noisy calls receive mixed feedback, especially when sidetone is enabled.

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

High-resolution wireless playback is praised for clear, detailed sound with suitable material. The feature is most useful to listeners with a compatible source and an interest in tuning.

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

Normal playback often stays clean, including a report of no audible distortion. Very high volume can make vocals or treble harsh for other listeners.

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.

The supplied pouch repeatedly disappoints buyers expecting a protective hard case. Later full hard cases and promotional cases receive better feedback, though not everyone needs the extra protection.

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

Plush cushioning is a repeated strength, especially where ears clear the driver wall. The pads feel shallow or cramped to some listeners with larger or protruding ears.

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.

Vocals and bright instrumental details can be clear, particularly after EQ. Bass masking and complex arrangements reveal a recurring detail gap against more refined rivals.

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

Fast Pair makes Android setup quick, and LDAC offers appreciated high-resolution listening. Android assistant interaction is also responsive in one test.

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.

Vocals can sound clear and present with suitable tuning. Heavy bass or aggressive EQ sometimes pushes voices back or masks quieter nuances.

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.

Glasses and hats do not prevent comfortable wear for some users. One test still finds glasses can break the seal and reduce bass markedly.

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

Everyday Bluetooth and video playback work well across Android, iPhone and computers. Several users also report clear calls across meeting platforms.

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

Vocals and suitable instruments can occupy clear positions with a useful sense of depth. Dense backing tracks are less reliably defined.

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

Highs earn praise for sparkle and natural detail, but some listeners hear a sharp upper-frequency peak. Lowering bass or adjusting treble helps several users, without satisfying everyone.

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.

Many users remain delighted by comfort and everyday practicality. Disappointment centers on stock tuning, noisy calls and the gap between the Pro label and its conveniences.

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

Small folded dimensions, long battery life and effective low-rumble cancellation make travel a strong use case. A protective case may be worth obtaining separately.

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

Adjustable transparency makes brief conversations and environmental awareness easier. Reports range from natural and clear to muffled or too quiet, particularly outdoors.

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

Several listeners hear a worthwhile improvement with LDAC and good source material. Android support is welcome, but using it restricts multipoint and increases battery demands.

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

Mode chimes provide helpful feedback for some users. Others find the unusual sounds unpleasant or need time to learn what each means.

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

Adjustable listening modes, personalization and conversation tools add useful flexibility. Over-sensitive automation and limited control customization can make that feature set less practical.

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.

Physical buttons earn praise for clear clicks and responsive operation. Small size, mushy feedback, awkward placement and hold-to-skip controls make them frustrating for some users.

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

Android voice-assistant control is responsive in one test. Another assessment flags missing dedicated assistant support as a caveat rather than an essential loss.

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

Missing automatic pause is a recurring convenience complaint. Some users tolerate its absence, but others see it as an unexpected downgrade from cheaper Soundcore models.

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.

Custom EQ and HearID can substantially improve balance and tailor the sound. Results vary: some profiles miss the listener’s taste, and a few find adjustments change other frequencies undesirably.

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

Quiet-room calls often sound clear and useful for everyday conversations. Busy surroundings and sidetone produce sharply different results, including reports of robotic, faint or unclear speech.

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

Bluetooth is usually stable across phones, tablets and laptops, with several strong range reports. Ordinary connections are more dependable than the few problematic multipoint setups.

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

Pairing and app navigation are generally simple, especially with Fast Pair. A short learning period can be necessary for finding controls or recognizing mode feedback.

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.

Easy Chat is convenient when it lowers music promptly for a brief exchange. Coughing, humming and accidental activation can be irritating, especially when the waiting period cannot be canceled.

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

The Soundcore app is often praised for accessible controls and extensive listening options. Limited button remapping and occasional setup or personalization frustrations temper that praise.

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.

The firmer clamp can keep the headphones secure without squeezing. Buyers who prefer a loose fit often find the original Space One, Bose or Sony alternatives more natural.

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

The folding joints are convenient and can feel reassuringly sturdy. Other users find them loose or prone to collapsing during handling, so hinge confidence is mixed.

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.

The weight is manageable and sometimes barely noticeable over hours. Lighter competitors remain easier to forget, especially when walking or comparing models directly.

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.

Soft cushioning makes long workdays and flights comfortable for many users. Shallow cups, heat, a loose small-head fit or a firmer clamp leave others preferring competing models.

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

Several users expect the flexible construction and metal joints to hold up well. Flimsy-feeling hinges leave others less confident, and long-term durability is not uniformly established.

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.

The slimmer, clean design looks attractive and sometimes premium. Opinions split on chunky proportions, faux-metal details and the loss of the original model’s distinctive styling.

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.

The reinforced, flexible structure often feels sturdier than older Soundcore models. Loose tolerances and synthetic coverings keep some users from viewing it as fully premium.

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.

Comfort, folding, ANC and endurance can make the Pro excellent value, especially on sale. Its higher price is harder to justify for buyers satisfied with older Soundcore models or newer cheaper alternatives.

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

LDAC is appreciated for high-resolution wireless listening alongside the standard codec options. Its inability to run with multipoint frustrates buyers who want both functions together.

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

Switching between two devices is often smooth and saves manual reconnection. Some experience notification interruptions or failed playback, and LDAC requires giving up the second connection.

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.

Sealed cushions often become warm during long sessions or exercise. Some users avoid sweat in ordinary desk use, but strenuous workouts are a less convincing use case.

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.

Long endurance is one of the most consistent strengths, often lasting days or a working week. ANC intensity and LDAC reduce runtime, and measured results do not always meet the headline claim.

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

Brief top-ups provide enough listening time to make last-minute charging practical. The Pro’s fast-charge boost is repeatedly welcomed as an improvement over older models.

The lack of aptX is a drawback for buyers who specifically want that codec. LDAC supplies the principal high-resolution wireless option instead.

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

The feature package has some conspicuous convenience omissions. Missing assistant and device-finding support may matter to particular buyers, though one assessment considers them nonessential for most.

Device-finding support is missed as a nice-to-have feature in one assessment. It is a caveat for buyers who rely on tracking rather than a universal dealbreaker.

One early assessment hopes firmware will improve dual-device reliability and aggressive tuning. That is a request for refinement rather than a confirmed software fix.

Safe Volume is repeatedly valued for monitoring or limiting listening levels. Buyers appreciate the extra control when protecting hearing or sharing headphones with children.

Sidetone is helpful for hearing your own voice without shouting. Multiple tests warn that enabling it can severely lower or degrade call speech, so disabling it may improve results.

Many prefer the physical buttons to touch input. Others miss touch operation or the original model’s intentional cup-cover conversation gesture.

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

Missing Auracast limits appeal for buyers wanting broadcast-audio support. It does not affect the familiar individual wired and Bluetooth listening options.

Automatic power-off helps prevent unnecessary battery drain after the headphones are left unused. It is useful for listeners who forget to switch them off.

The wireless standard delivers useful range and reliable connections in practice. Newer Space 2 hardware makes the Pro’s older version less attractive in direct comparisons.

Movement can transmit subtle thumps during running. One user finds them less intrusive than on many other headphones.

Quiet-environment listening can remain free of distracting static or processing artifacts. That contributes to a calmer ANC experience.

Missing LE Audio is a drawback for buyers prioritizing newer wireless features. The existing connection options remain adequate for ordinary listening.