Nothing Headphone (1) B170

Incredible KEF-tuned sound and best-in-class battery life in a head-turning design. Just know they're heavy, so your ears might tap out before the 80-hour battery does.

The sound quality is what surprised us most. We expected a stylish pair of headphones with decent audio, but the 40mm dynamic drivers, tuned by KEF, deliver a genuinely refined and spacious sound. In our database, the sound and ANC performance are both top of the charts, practically best-in-class. The adaptive noise cancellation is eerily good at silencing the world, and the transparency mode feels natural. The only performance letdown is the comfort. At 329g with a metal build, these are heavy, and that weight lands them in a mediocre spot for long-term wearability.

The Nothing Headphone (1) goes straight for the jugular of the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Sennheiser Momentum 4. Against the Sony, the Nothing trades blows on ANC and sound quality but wins decisively on battery life and design flair. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is a closer fight on pure audio fidelity, but the Nothing's 80-hour battery makes the Sennheiser's 60 hours look merely adequate. The real trade-off is comfort. Both Sony and Sennheiser are lighter and more forgiving for all-day wear. If you're a frequent flyer, the Sony's proven lightweight comfort might win. For everyone else, the Nothing offers a more exciting, better-value package.

Pricing is all over the map, from $179 to a ridiculous $6,269, so shop smart. At the lower end of that spectrum, these are a fantastic value, delivering flagship sound and ANC for hundreds less than the usual suspects. If you can snag them for under $200, you're getting a steal. Just ignore any listing trying to charge you a mortgage payment.

The Nothing Headphone (1) is a stunning debut in the over-ear space. The real headline here is the sound. Nothing tapped KEF to tune these, and it shows. You're getting a balanced, detailed soundstage with LDAC support that puts these in the top tier of wireless audio, right up there with the best from Sony and Sennheiser. The retro cassette-inspired design is a total conversation starter, and the 80-hour battery life is just absurd. But there's a catch: they're heavy, and after a few hours, you'll feel it. If you prioritize all-day comfort above everything else, these might not be your soulmate.

If you're looking for a pair of headphones you can wear for an entire 8-hour workday and forget they're on your head, this isn't it. The weight is a real factor. Go get the Sony WH-1000XM6 or a lightweight pair like the Bose QuietComfort instead. Your neck will thank you.

The Nothing Headphone (1) is a brilliant, bold first attempt that mostly succeeds. You're getting elite-level sound, noise cancellation, and battery life wrapped in a design that actually has personality. The only real hurdle is the weight, which keeps them from being a flawless all-day companion. If your listening sessions are under three hours and you want headphones that sound and look this good, buy them without hesitation. If comfort is your absolute number one priority, look elsewhere.