In the ever-evolving world of audio technology Nothing has once again stepped into the spotlight with the launch of its latest innovation – the Nothing Headphone 1. After making waves with their transparent smartphones and earphones Nothing has finally introduced its first over-ear headphone and as expected. it’s turning heads. But the real question remains: Is the Nothing Headphone 1 truly worth the hype in 2025, or is it just another trend riding on aesthetic appeal?
Let’s dive into the full review, exploring the design sound quality features battery life and overall performance to determine if it justifies the buzz.
Unboxing Experience and First Impressions
Right from the moment you open the box, Nothing continues its tradition of a visually unique and futuristic presentation. The Nothing Headphone 1 comes in a transparent hard-shell case that looks sleek and modern. Inside, you’ll find the headphones themselves a Type-C charging cable a user manual, and a detachable audio cable – yes it supports wired mode too.
The packaging feels premium, minimal, and consistent with the Nothing brand ethos. It’s clear that the company wants to give you more than just headphones – it’s about creating an experience.
Design and Build – A Transparent Revolution
If there’s one thing Nothing is known for, it’s design innovation. The Nothing Headphone 1 continues this legacy with a transparent headband and earcups giving you a peek into the internal components. The combination of exposed screws subtle LED lights and a matte metal finish gives these headphones a futuristic almost cyberpunk appeal
Despite their high-end design, they’re surprisingly lightweight and comfortable. The adjustable band and memory foam ear cushions offer excellent support for extended listening. Whether you’re using them on a long flight or during work sessions comfort isn’t compromised.
Sound Quality – Audiophile Grade or Just a Gimmick?
Now comes the most crucial part of any headphone review – sound performance. Powered by 40mm custom drivers developed in-house, the Nothing Headphone 1 delivers deep bass crisp mids and detailed highs. Whether you’re listening to classical music, EDM or podcasts, the sound separation is impressive.
One standout feature is the adaptive sound tuning, which adjusts EQ in real-time based on your surroundings and audio genre. Additionally, Nothing has integrated Hi-Res Audio certification and LDAC support, which is a major plus for those who stream music from high-bitrate platforms like Tidal or Apple Music Lossless.
For those who enjoy heavy bass, there’s a “Deep Bass Mode” accessible via the app, and surprisingly, it doesn’t muddy the mids or highs.
Noise Cancellation and Ambient Sound Mode
In today’s world, Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is a must-have, and Nothing delivers here as well. The Nothing Headphone 1 features hybrid ANC with multiple microphones, effectively blocking out background chatter, engine noise, and street sounds. Whether you’re commuting, working in a café, or flying, the ANC does a great job isolating you from the environment.
In contrast, the ambient sound mode is equally impressive. It uses external mics to feed real-world sounds into your ears, which is helpful when you’re walking outside or waiting for an announcement at the airport.
Compared to industry leaders like Sony WH-1000XM5 or the Bose QC45, Nothing holds its own – and in some settings, even performs better in terms of transparency mode clarity.
Battery Life and Charging
The Nothing Headphone 1 boasts up to 42 hours of battery life on a single charge with ANC off, and around 32 hours with ANC on. This places it comfortably among the best in its class. For daily users, you can easily go 3–4 days without reaching for the charger.
The headphones also support fast charging, giving you around 8 hours of playback with just a 10-minute charge – perfect for those on the go.
USB-C charging, low power consumption, and auto power-off features further enhance the battery experience.
App Support and Smart Features
The Nothing X app has received a major overhaul to support the headphone’s features. Through the app, users can:
Customize EQ settings
Toggle ANC and ambient sound modes
View battery percentage of each earcup
Update firmware
Enable multi-point Bluetooth pairing
There’s also Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair support, ensuring seamless connection across Android and Windows devices.
Additionally, Nothing has introduced “Pinch Touch Controls” on the earcups, offering gesture-based controls like volume adjustment, playback, and call handling. It’s intuitive and adds to the premium feel.
Connectivity and Compatibility
The Nothing Headphone 1 supports Bluetooth 5.4, ensuring stable connection, low latency, and high-quality audio transmission. It also supports AAC, SBC, and LDAC codecs, making it compatible with a wide range of devices.
Gamers will appreciate the Low Latency Mode, which syncs perfectly with mobile and console gaming sessions, while voice call quality is solid thanks to environmental noise suppression during calls.
Price in India and Availability
As of mid-2025, the Nothing Headphone 1 price in India is set at ₹12,999, positioning it as a mid-premium option. Given the build quality, sound performance, and features, it provides significant value for money.
Available on Flipkart, Amazon, and Nothing’s official website, these headphones are already flying off the shelves. Limited edition transparent colorways are also available for early adopters.
Final Verdict – Should You Buy Nothing Headphone 1 in 2025?
So, is the Nothing Headphone 1 worth the hype? The answer is a resounding yes. It’s not just about the transparent design – it offers exceptional sound quality, powerful ANC, reliable battery life and seamless connectivity.
