Nothing Headphone (1) ANC Blanco

These wireless headphones pair KEF-tuned 40 mm dynamic drivers with a 1 040 mAh battery offering up to 80 hours of use and 42 dB adaptive noise cancellation, blending audiophile-grade fidelity with long-haul stamina. A physical control scheme - roller, toggle and button - accompanies the distinctive transparent styling, making music and call handling more straightforward.

High-fidelity KEF sound

Nickel-coated 40 mm drivers reproduce a 20 Hz-40 kHz range with LDAC, AAC and SBC. KEF's characteristic tuning favours a broad soundstage and disciplined bass, going beyond what rivals in its bracket such as the Sony WH-1000XM5 can offer in terms of definition.

Adaptive Noise Cancellation

Attenuation of up to 42 dB is adjusted dynamically by the ANC system, which sits alongside a transparency mode and head-tracked spatial audio, allowing either full immersion or awareness of surroundings as needed.

Autonomy and express charging

• 80 h of playback (ANC off, AAC).
• 35 h with ANC on.
• Full charge in ≈2 h via USB-C; 5 min provide an extra 5 h.

Connectivity and versatility

Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint, Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair make pairing effortless. A 3.5mm jack and USB-C audio allow passive listening, together with reduced latency for gaming and microphones featuring a noise-cancelling algorithm.

Transparent design and physical controls

The square polycarbonate frame exposes the internal engineering and tips the scales at 329g; though heavier than the Bose QC Ultra, the viscoelastic cushioning eases pressure. Volume and modes are handled by the roller, tracks are navigated with the toggle, and the customisable button brings in wizards or "Channel Hop" on Nothing mobiles.

Our expert's opinion

The Nothing Headphone (1) stands as a direct challenger to the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QC Ultra. It beats both on raw battery life (80 h against 40 h and 30 h respectively) and provides more intuitive physical control; nevertheless, its greater weight and understated voice pick-up count against it during lengthy calls. Set against the AirPods Max, it prevails on compatibility and battery life, yet falls short on iOS integration and refined ANC quality. Versus the Ear (2) itself, this over-ear model represents a marked step up in soundstage and comfort across long sessions. On balance, the Nothing Headphone (1) shines in its performance-to-power ratio and singular aesthetics, suited to listeners who value extended wireless playback without compromising balanced sound and accurate physical controls.

Technical Specifications Nothing Headphone (1) White:

• Brand: Nothing
• Model: Headphone (1)
• Sound:
  • 40 mm dynamic driver
  • High-Resolution Audio Certified
  • AAC and SBC compatible
  • LDAC compatible
• Noise cancellation
  • 6 microphones (3 per side)
  • ANC: Up to 42 dB
  • Frequency range: 2000 Hz