Scorata scores summarize analyzed review evidence on a 1–5 scale; they are not laboratory measurements or a simple average of customer star ratings. Feature scores summarize the reviews covering that feature. The overall score averages feature scores within each review, then combines review averages. When both expert and customer evidence are available, those two groups receive equal weight. Products can have different review coverage, so small score gaps do not establish a winner.
Recommendations prioritize important features for the category, with a score of at least 3.5, a gap of at least 0.25 points and at least two supporting reviews per product. Features with widely varying scores or broad connectivity contexts are excluded from recommendations. These safeguards do not establish statistical significance.
Quick verdict
The review evidence points to a tradeoff: Microphone quality for calls and Weight comfort versus Detail retrieval and Premium feel. Choose according to which strengths matter more to you; the overall score alone does not settle that choice.
Choose Tribit QuietPlus 81 for Microphone quality for calls and Weight comfort.
Choose Nothing Headphone (1) Pro for Detail retrieval and Premium feel.
Scores are out of 5. Missing scores mean missing review evidence, not a missing feature.
Sound is sharply divided: it can come across clear and enjoyable, but the stock tuning can also sound muddy, flat, or short on detail and refinement. EQ helps, but it does not fully erase the gap.
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.
A strange underwater-like static can be audible when no music is playing. It disappears once playback starts, but the idle-state noise is still an unwanted flaw.
Idle ANC hiss is better controlled than on the previous Headphone (1), where the faint background hiss was more noticeable.
Attack and energy can feel muted, with transients lacking the sharp delivery needed to make punchy tracks hit hard.
The Pro can sound exceptionally lively and dynamic, especially in its processed listening modes.
Wear detection is unreliable, sometimes reacting when the headphones come off but often failing to pause consistently.
Wear detection was explicitly described as very reliable.
Immersion is limited by bass that can sound too muddy and sluggish to deliver the clean, enveloping impact more refined headphones provide.
Spatial processing can make movies and other compatible content feel more atmospheric and immersive, especially when the effect suits the material.
Low-latency mode helps keep audio closer to on-screen action, making video watching and phone gaming more usable.
Low-latency mode kept audio tightly synchronized with video and gaming in the real-world test that addressed it.
Background noise is reduced effectively during calls, leaving only a small amount of surrounding construction noise audible in a demanding test.
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 earcups seal well even before ANC is switched on, cutting some outside distraction and giving the active cancellation a stronger starting point.
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.
Bass is powerful and often fun, but it can also become bloated, muddy, or short on nuance. Bass-focused listeners may enjoy it more than detail-focused listeners.
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.
Game Mode reduces latency enough for casual gaming, while the 3.5mm wired connection can cut lag further. It is capable for games without being a dedicated competitive headset.
Spatial audio can enhance gaming, adding a stronger sense of placement and immersion when the effect suits the game.
ANC is good for the price and works best on steady low-frequency noise. Voices, typing, traffic, and sharper sounds can still break through, so it is not flagship-level isolation.
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.
Foldability is a major win. The cups rotate and collapse into a compact shape that is easy to toss into a backpack or small bag.
The headphones do not fold, which hurts compact portability compared with rivals designed to collapse for travel.
Fit security can be imperfect, with the headphones capable of sliding off the head a little during relaxed outdoor use.
Fit stability is good enough that the headphones stay in place rather than slipping off during normal use.
Fine detail is a weak point, with dense music losing clarity, texture, and nuance compared with stronger budget options.
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.
Glasses can worsen comfort because the clamp may press the frames into the side of the head after a while.
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.
The folding design packs down neatly into a backpack, and the huge battery makes the headphones especially convenient for trips and commutes.
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.
Wet-use confidence is low because no waterproof rating is specified, making heavy rain or sweaty workouts a questionable fit.
IP52 protection is useful for workouts and light weather, but it should not be mistaken for heavy water resistance.
Instrument separation can struggle in busy arrangements, with treble-range instruments becoming concealed instead of standing clearly apart.
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 included charging cable works, but the USB-A-to-USB-C format feels dated compared with a USB-C-to-USB-C cable.
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.
Treble can sound clear on simpler material, but busier tracks may turn dull, concealed, or tinny, especially in percussion.
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.
The headphones feel more substantial than the price suggests, but the all-plastic construction keeps them from matching the tactile finish of premium models.
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 feature package is strong for a budget model, combining ANC, multipoint, wired playback, EQ controls, wear detection, and other useful extras.
The launch feature set is broad and immediately useful, with advanced listening and connectivity tools available from the start.
The essential charging and 3.5mm cables are covered, but the lack of a storage bag or pouch makes travel protection less convenient.
The box includes useful wired-listening accessories, though cable color and the case’s lack of storage drew minor complaints.
The built-in microphone is solid for everyday calling and general voice use, without standing out as a studio-grade feature.
The built-in microphone system delivered very good call quality in the review that assessed it directly.
The preset selection is useful and varied, with modes such as Podcast giving an immediately noticeable change that can suit specific content.
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.
The understated all-black finish suits anyone who wants headphones that blend in instead of drawing attention. The look is simple and clean rather than luxurious.
The transparent glass-and-metal aesthetic is striking and polished rather than discreet, and the reviewer addressing looks directly found it especially impressive.
The earcups pivot and swivel usefully, helping them lie flatter around the neck and pack more neatly for storage.
The rotating earcups provide useful fit flexibility and can lay flat for storage.
Headband padding is soft enough for many users, but it can feel thin during extended wear and does not always match the plushness of the earcups.
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.
Quick-attention transparency is useful for rapidly hearing the outside world. It can be slower, less natural, or less forceful than premium implementations, but it remains handy.
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 headband is easy to size and offers useful adjustment range, making fit straightforward for most medium to larger heads.
The headband offers generous adjustment and accommodated larger heads without trouble in the tests that discussed fit range.
The QuietPlus 81 makes the most sense when price, battery life, ANC, and features matter more than refined sound. Serious music listening is the main reason to spend more.
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.
Vocals can sound warm, clear, and well balanced, making the midrange one of the stronger parts of the tuning. Heavy bass can still veil some detail.
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 3.5mm input is a practical fallback, letting the headphones work wired without relying on battery power. It is also useful for reducing gaming latency.
The 3.5mm input is genuinely useful for analog sources, adding flexibility for travel and legacy gear.
The ear cushions are a comfort highlight, with soft, plush padding that balances support with long-session wearability.
The revised ear cushions are a clear upgrade: softer, plusher and more comfortable than previous Nothing models, including for glasses wearers.
Everyday satisfaction is high when expectations match the price, with the battery, comfort, feature set, and punchy presentation making the headphones easy to enjoy.
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.
Android use is smooth in the tested setup, including successful multipoint operation with a Google Pixel phone alongside a laptop.
Android compatibility worked smoothly in a mixed Android-and-Mac setup, including dual-device use.
The mix of stable Bluetooth, multipoint, and a 3.5mm wired fallback gives the headphones unusually flexible connectivity for the price.
Connectivity is unusually flexible, with Bluetooth, 3.5mm analog and USB-C digital listening all available.
Compatibility with a recent iPhone is smooth, with normal functions working as expected and no platform-specific problem called out.
The Pro handled mixed-platform use cleanly, including an Android phone and MacBook connected at the same time.
Bluetooth audio is limited to SBC, so higher-resolution options such as AAC, LDAC, or aptX are not available.
High-quality wireless codec playback is a positive, with LDAC delivering strong results despite a modest battery tradeoff.
The low price buys exceptional battery life, ANC, EQ, wired playback, and modern connectivity, creating strong value. Better-sounding alternatives can still justify a higher spend for critical listeners.
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.
Multipoint works smoothly, keeping two devices paired and making input switching convenient without repeated disconnecting and re-pairing.
Dual-device switching worked reliably in the reviews that tested it, including mixed Android, Mac and phone use.
The physical controls are a recurring weak point because the volume control is small and the mixed touch/button layout can feel awkward. Once learned, the raised buttons are manageable.
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.
The app covers the essentials—EQ, ANC modes, firmware, and control settings—but polish is inconsistent. Its simple layout is approachable, yet parts can feel rudimentary or clunky.
The Nothing X app is intuitive and easy to connect, with a straightforward path to the headphone’s deeper settings.
Call quality is a strong point, with voices coming through loud, clean, clear, and crisp during phone and work calls.
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.
The broad settings menu adds useful flexibility, letting the headphones adapt more closely to different listening preferences and use cases.
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.
The EQ is a major advantage, with presets plus manual tuning that can materially improve the stock sound. Spending a little time customizing the profile can make these much more satisfying.
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.
Quick-attention listening is a standout convenience, temporarily opening the outside world with a hand over the right earcup.
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.
Pairing is quick and easy, and basic setup rarely gets in the way. Firmware updates and initial configuration are also straightforward.
Setup is straightforward, and the personalization process takes only a few minutes. Connecting the headphones through the app was also easy.
Bluetooth performance is consistently stable, with quick pairing and no meaningful dropouts during normal room-to-room use.
Bluetooth setup was quick and trouble-free in the hands-on test that directly assessed it.
Clamp pressure varies by wearer: it can feel relaxed and secure, but it may also press too firmly during longer sessions, especially with glasses.
Clamp pressure was described as secure without feeling vice-like, giving the headphones a stable but comfortable fit.
The headphones feel light enough for long stretches of wear without becoming burdensome, even though they still have enough mass to feel substantial.
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.
The rounded, all-black design is clean and understated rather than flashy. It looks respectable for the price, though it does not project a truly premium identity.
Nothing’s distinctive transparent, squared-off design is widely loved. Reviewers repeatedly call it unique, recognizable and among the brand’s best-looking work.
The build feels solid and substantial for the price, but the plastic construction is unmistakable. Squeaking during folding raises some concern about long-term toughness.
The metal, titanium and glass construction feels sturdy and significantly upgraded over the standard model.
Durability is uncertain: the structure can feel sturdy in normal use, but squeaking plastic during folding creates some concern about how well it will age.
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.
Long-session comfort is usually strong thanks to soft cushions and manageable weight. Tight clamping or thin headband padding can still become noticeable for some head shapes.
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.
Battery life is the clearest strength, stretching to days of use with up to 110 hours without ANC and 70 hours with it. Even heavy use barely dents the charge.
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 highly practical, adding roughly five hours of playback from about ten minutes on power. Combined with the huge battery, charging rarely becomes a hassle.
Fast charging is a clear strength, with reviewers praising the quick top-ups and useful listening time from a short charge.
Heat buildup is well controlled during long indoor wear, with the earcups staying comfortable rather than becoming noticeably hot.
Closed-back heat buildup is present but moderate; one reviewer’s ears warmed slightly, yet less than with several competing headphones.
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.
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.
The headphones stay mechanically quiet during movement, with little thudding or creaking heard while running.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Auracast adds practical flexibility for broadcasts and shared audio, and was highlighted as a genuinely useful feature rather than a spec-sheet novelty.
Wear detection reliably paused and resumed playback in the review that tested it.
The onboard DAC and hi-res wired path are genuinely useful for lossless libraries, supporting high-resolution playback without fuss.
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 optional hearing-protection setting can cap volume for safer listening, making it especially useful for children or anyone who tends to play music very loud.
Imaging is excellent, with precise instrument positioning complementing the wider soundstage.
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 headphones can reach high output without obvious distortion, keeping louder playback clean rather than rough or compressed.
The earpads are unusually easy to remove and reinstall, which makes replacement and cleaning simple.
The earpads are easy to pull off and reinstall, making pad replacement and cleaning unusually convenient.
The wear-detection sensors worked reliably in real-world use.
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.
Touch response can be quick, but the gesture system is limited and sometimes inconsistent. Key playback functions cannot always be assigned to touch, which reduces its usefulness.
USB-C audio is more than a convenience here: hi-res wired playback can reveal extra detail compared with lower-resolution alternatives.
Output is generally strong and can get plenty loud without obvious strain. Some units or listeners may find the level modest, and the sound often comes together best around 70% volume.
Auto-pause behavior tied to wear detection worked reliably in the test that focused on it.
The hinges feel more premium and operate quietly, with no creaking noted in the review that focused on them.
Wear-based Smart Pause behavior was reliable in the test that directly assessed it.
Voice-assistant activation by double-tapping is easy to trigger and works as a useful hands-free shortcut.
Auditory feedback from the physical controls is unusually satisfying, including the distinctive ratcheting sound of the volume roller.
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