Nothing Headphone 1 review: transparent design, KEF-tuned 40mm driver and long battery

ZDNET reviewed Nothing's first over-ear headphones, the Headphone 1, which are listed at $299 (the outlet noted a limited-time sale to $239). The review highlights a 40mm dynamic driver made in partnership with KEF, Spatial Audio playback, active noise cancellation (ANC) and a transparent, conversation-starting design.

The headphones combine a padded headband, memory-foam earcups, squircle frames and transparent modules that house drivers and internals; ZDNET reported a total weight of about 329 grams and said Nothing claims the model underwent more than 50 reliability tests and carries an IP52 rating.

The reviewer praised details such as the 3.5mm jack, a slim zippered case and the tactile control scheme — a roller for volume and play/pause/ANC toggle, a paddle for track skip and a customizable button — while noting ergonomics issues with the buttons sitting too far back and the soft-touch plastic feeling hollow or cheap in places.

On sound, the review said the KEF‑designed 40mm driver delivered clear separation and spatial depth though some bass blurring was audible at higher enhancement settings. ZDNET found ANC and Transparency modes effective but said the headphones sometimes rendered the user’s own voice as shallow or echoey.

Key Topics

Tech, Nothing, Kef, Active Noise Cancellation