If you want better Sustainability and repairability
Choose CMF Headphone Pro. It scores 4.8 vs 1.5 for Sustainability and repairability, with a 4.0 overall score.
Nothing Headphone (a) Review
Bottom Line
Choose it for class-leading battery life, superb physical controls, deep EQ customization, and unusually strong value around $200. Skip it if you need flagship ANC, neutral stock tuning, automatic wear pause, a hard case, or reliably light all-day comfort.
Best for
Buyers around the $200 mark who prioritize huge battery life, tactile controls, deep EQ customization, and a bold design will get the most from these headphones. Android users also benefit from LDAC and easy Fast Pair setup.
Not for
Critical listeners wanting neutral stock tuning, travelers demanding flagship ANC, or anyone sensitive to clamp pressure and heat may prefer another model. They are also a poor fit if automatic wear pause or a protective hard case is essential.
Verdict
The Nothing Headphone (a) earns its strongest praise where midrange headphones often compromise: battery life, controls, software, and value. Reviewers repeatedly admire the tactile Roller and Paddle, the unusually capable Nothing X app, and battery endurance that can stretch to 75 hours with ANC or roughly 135 hours without it. Sound is fun and generally good for the money, but the stock tuning is divisive; bass can become boomy and some listeners hear sibilant or recessed regions, while the advanced EQ can fix much of that. ANC is effective for commuting and flights without reaching premium Sony/Bose levels. Comfort is the biggest fit-dependent tradeoff, with the 310g weight, firm clamp, warm pads, flimsy pouch, and missing wear detection repeatedly drawing criticism.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
85 reviewed features-
Very positive 4.5-5.032 (38%)
-
Positive 3.5-4.427 (32%)
-
Neutral 2.5-3.412 (14%)
-
Negative 1.5-2.414 (16%)
Pros highlights
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Cons highlights
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Call quality is inconsistent across tests. Some reviewers hear clear, usable speech, while others report muffling, compression, or poor intelligibility in noisier conditions.
-
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.
-
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.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Over-Ear Headphones, this product is above average in Water/sweat resistance rating, LDAC, Voice prompts/feedback, near average in Active noise cancellation, Sound quality, below average in Replaceable earpads, Sustainability and repairability, Replaceable pads/headband.
Comparison summary
85 compared features-
Above average 0.4+ pts higher33 (39%)
-
Same as average within 0.3 pts23 (27%)
-
Below average 0.4+ pts lower29 (34%)
Largest category differences
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replaceable earpads | 1.5 | 3.8 | -2.3 |
| Sustainability and repairability | 1.5 | 3.8 | -2.3 |
| Replaceable pads/headband | 1.5 | 3.7 | -2.2 |
| Headband padding quality | 2.0 | 4.0 | -2.0 |
| Xbox compatibility | 2.0 | 4.0 | -2.0 |
| Sensors | 1.5 | 3.4 | -1.9 |
| Smart Pause performance | 1.5 | 3.4 | -1.9 |
| Carry case quality | 2.0 | 3.5 | -1.6 |
Consider This Instead
If you want better Smudge resistance
Choose Soundcore Anker Space One. It scores 4.8 vs 1.5 for Smudge resistance, with a 3.9 overall score.
If you want better Replaceable pads/headband
Choose Nothing Headphone (1) Pro. It scores 5.0 vs 1.5 for Replaceable pads/headband, with a 4.2 overall score.
If you want better Portability/foldability
Choose SoundPEATS Cove Pro. It scores 5.0 vs 2.3 for Portability/foldability, with a 3.8 overall score.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
- Older model: soundstage The newer model is markedly more expansive than its predecessor.
Headphone (1)
- Better: detail and accuracy The Headphone (1) remains slightly more resolving and accurate.
- Worse: sound quality This reviewer prefers the cheaper model's sound to the Headphone (1).
- Worse: comfort The newer model is much more comfortable than the predecessor.
Bose QuietComforts
- Better: noise cancellation ANC blocks only about three quarters as much as the Bose in this cafe test.
FAQ
How long does the battery last?
Reviewers repeatedly support the headline endurance: about 75 hours with ANC and roughly 135 hours without it. Fast charging is also a major strength.
How good is the noise cancellation?
ANC is generally good for the price and handles low-frequency travel noise well, but most reviewers place it below flagship Sony and Bose models.
Is the sound very bass-heavy?
The stock tuning often leans bassy and can become boomy on some tracks. The advanced EQ and Balanced preset can rein it in substantially.
Are they comfortable for long sessions?
Comfort is mixed. Many reviewers wear them for hours, but the roughly 310g weight, firm clamp, and warm pads cause fatigue for others.
Do they pause automatically when you take them off?
No. Wear detection and automatic pause are missing, and several reviewers call that omission surprising.
Do they include a hard case?
No. They come with a drawstring pouch, which reviewers commonly criticize as flimsy and less protective than a proper case.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
YouTube - Michael Elsegood Tech
- Review score
- 4.3
Article Reviews
phonearena.com
Nothing already has the Headphone (1) for quality, and CMF Headphone for absolute value. How is it possible that the Headphone (a) is another...
- Review score
- 3.1
gizmodo.com
Choose your favorite color and listen to your tunes in style.
- Review score
- 4.3
recordingnow.com
My HONEST Nothing Headphone (a) review with comparisons vs Headphone 1, CMF Headphone Pro, Soundcore Space One, Sony ULT Wear, and Sennheiser...
- Review score
- 4.1
powerup-gaming.com
The Nothing Headphone (a) have no right being this good for the price but Nothing has clearly made one of the best headphones of the year
- Review score
- 4.1
mashable.com
Our headphones reviewer spent over a month testing out the Nothing Headphone (a). Here's how she found they compared to the Nothing Headphone...
- Review score
- 3.9
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