Nothing • Headphone (1)
It’s not every day that a company comes along and truly excites me in the tech space—especially in the way that Apple used to. But Nothing is doing something different. It’s a brand that puts design at the forefront, isn’t afraid to be bold, and wants to build out in the open. That philosophy is what drew me in to try the Nothing Phone 3 recently, and alongside it, I picked up the Nothing Headphones 1.
Let’s get into first impressions.
The Unboxing Experience
Right out of the box, Nothing nails the design language. The case has an embossed feel that immediately sets it apart—it actually reminds me a bit of the Backbone Pro case. It’s clean, tactile, and feels premium. Inside the case, you’ll find:
A USB-C charging cable
A 3.5mm headphone jack (no mic input, worth noting)
A little silica packet and cord space
Simple, minimal, intentional.
Build Quality and Materials
What struck me immediately was the feel of the ear cups. They’re made from an incredibly soft silicone—so soft I wasn’t even sure what they were at first. Think retro-inspired, but modern in comfort. The same material is used on the headband padding, although I wouldn’t mind a bit more cushion up top.
Despite being one of the heavier headphones on the market, they’re lighter than I expected and sit comfortably on the head. There’s a solid seal right away, even without clamping too tightly. The design gives off a distinct cassette-tape vibe on the sides of your head, which I honestly love.
Controls That Feel Right
The control scheme is where Nothing starts to feel really intentional:
Volume is adjusted with a physical dial that feels smooth and satisfying.
A paddle lets you skip forward and backward in your music.
A dedicated button cycles through sound modes like ambient and ANC.
Bluetooth pairing has its own button.
And yes, there’s even a “shortcut” button called Essential Space—designed so you can record a quick voice note or idea without pulling out your phone. Brilliant.
My only gripe? The controls are all positioned on the back of the ear cup, so you do have to awkwardly tilt your head or reach in a bit of an unnatural way. I get the minimalist aesthetic, but some side placement might have been more ergonomic.
Sound Quality + Ambient Mode
These headphones are tuned by KEF—a name I wasn’t super familiar with, but I’m quickly learning to respect. The sound is crisp, detailed, and rich, even on first listen. Ambient mode, in particular, impressed me. It genuinely felt like I was wearing a transparent loop around my ears—like nothing was there but the music and my environment blending perfectly.
Also, little touches like haptic or auditory feedback when adjusting volume or switching modes (like the subtle “shhh” sound when you turn on ambient mode) add to the whole sensory experience.
Design Meets Function
There’s a clear vision here. These headphones aren’t just about looking cool—they’re meant to be used. Sure, they pick up a bit of sweat or skin grease, but that’s true of most over-ear designs. What matters is how they feel on your head (great), how easy they are to control (mostly great), and how they integrate into the Nothing ecosystem (seamlessly, so far).
Final Thoughts (for Now)
I bought these with my own money because I was genuinely excited. And that excitement hasn’t worn off. The Nothing Headphones 1 are bold, well-built, and full of small design decisions that feel intentional. If you’re already leaning into the Nothing ecosystem like I am—or just want a well-designed pair of headphones that stand out—you’ll probably love these.
