Nothing Headphone (1) review: A sharp debut with retro vibes and refined sound

Nothing Headphone 1Nothing Headphone 1

If the Phone (3) is Nothing's pitch for the premium smartphone space, then the Headphone (1) is the company testing deeper waters in the audio category and it’s doing so with a statement. The Nothing Headphone (1) is the brand's first over-ear headphone, and just like their other products, it leans heavily on design and subtle innovation to stand out. Not only that, to get it right, Nothing has partnered with British premium audio brand – KEF – the company known for its premium audio mapping and tuning.

I have been using it for a while, and here’s a detailed take on the design, comfort, sound quality, and whether this ambitious debut product lives up to its promise.

Design and Build: Transparent DNA, solid execution

Nothing Headphone 1

Let’s start with what Nothing always gets right — design. The Nothing Headphone (1) stays true to the company’s transparent design language, and from a distance, it's undeniably eye-catching. The transparent accents on the earcups immediately separate it from the crowd. And, the unique retro-modern aesthetic is something I liked a lot. It feels like the grown-up version of transparent cassette tapes from the '90s.

But, if there is something that does not feel right, and that’s not the typical earcup design – the squared off edges feel a little odd, and this might be because there’s nothing exactly like this out there. But it’s a design that grows on you, and that’s exactly what happened with me.

My review unit came in the white finish, and it's quite elegant, though the black version is the one that turns more heads. The use of machined aluminium for the earcups adds a touch of premium tactility, but what surprised me is how lightweight – 329 grams – the whole setup feels. Despite its size and the robust build, Headphone (1) doesn’t feel bulky during use.

Comfort and Controls: Lightweight with thoughtful touches

Comfort-wise, Nothing has done a commendable job in this department as well. The clamping force is just about right—snug without squeezing your skull—and the PU leather ear cushions sit nicely on the ears even during long listening sessions. The cushioning on the headband is soft and comfortable, too. Also, the length adjustment mechanism is softly operated and feels premium, almost to the AirPods Max level.

Another major highlight is the controls. Nothing has opted for all physical controls and no, it is not your typical headphone ones. There’s a twist as well.

There’s a roller dial for volume and a tactile paddle for playback. In my opinion, it’s a breath of fresh air in a sea of fussy touch gestures. Not only that, all the buttons are placed ergonomically, which makes them easy to access while wearing. Headphone (1) feature one of the simplest controls on headphones.

Sound Quality: Shadow of KEF

Now to the meat of it: Sound. Nothing teamed up with British audio brand KEF for tuning, and this partnership is more than skin-deep. The 40mm dynamic drivers have been co-developed and tuned by KEF, and that tuning reflects in the first note you hear.

The sound signature out of the box is soft, balanced, and polished. It’s not trying to show off; instead, it’s trying to please your ears in the long run. Vocals are clean and forward, mids are rich, and the bass is tight but not boomy. It’s the kind of tuning that feels instantly premium. Some of the more premium headphones don’t sound as premium as the Headphone (1).

Nothing Headphone 1

Let’s talk about the sound in a little more detail.

Highs, though, can feel a bit laid-back. The vocals are spot on and crisp, and clear. But if you are not a fan of the default tuning of the headpiece. Thankfully, the Nothing X app has both presets and a custom equaliser to help fix that. You can push the highs up, but there’s a limit—the drivers do hit their peak if you go too far. Still, within normal use, the tuning feels deliberate and well-executed.

ANC and transparency mode: Solid, but can do better

Let’s talk about noise cancellation. The hybrid ANC on offer here does a good job for the price. It cuts out a decent amount of ambient sound and complements the already snug earcup seal. It doesn’t quite reach Sony or Bose levels, but for the Rs 21,999 price tag, it holds its own.

The Transparency Mode, however, is less effective. Because the headphones passively block a lot of noise already, toggling Transparency doesn’t create a dramatic shift in awareness. It works, but it could be better—especially when other brands are doing impressive work in this area.

This is where Nothing flexes a bit. Headphone (1) supports spatial audio with head tracking, and surprisingly, it processes everything on-device. That’s a big deal because it means less dependency on your phone and potentially more accurate tracking.

In use, it works well. Turn your head while watching content, and the soundstage subtly follows. It adds immersion, and while it’s early days for this tech, Nothing’s implementation feels responsive and doesn’t feel like a gimmick.

Nothing Headphone 1

Battery life and connectivity

The battery life is solid, and with ANC turned off, I got around 40 hours of listening time. And with ANC turned on, the headphones lasted for around 35 hours. Connectivity is solid with Bluetooth 5.3, and pairing is fast and smooth. The headphones also support multipoint connectivity, which is a win for anyone juggling between a laptop and phone. The feature worked fine.

Verdict

The Nothing Headphone (1) is a confident first attempt at premium wireless headphones. It balances design and performance well, and the collaboration with KEF adds genuine audio credibility. There are areas for improvement—like Transparency Mode and some treble tweaks—but the overall package feels premium and complete.

At Rs 21,999, it's not cheap. But it also doesn’t try to justify the price with empty gimmicks. It delivers a well-rounded experience with sound, comfort, and looks that most competitors in this range struggle to match.

For a first-gen product, this is as polished as it gets. If this is Nothing's benchmark, then the bar for its audio products is already high.

If you value aesthetics, premium build, and balanced sound with a touch of innovation, the Nothing Headphone (1) deserves a serious look.