Nothing Headphone B170

The Nothing Headphone (1) delivers flagship-level ANC in the 98th percentile and an 80-hour battery at a mid-range price. KEF tuning and LDAC support make it a genuine audiophile contender. The catch is comfort, which lands in the 30th percentile and makes all-day wear a challenge. At $199 from Best Buy it's a steal; at $320, look at Sony or Sennheiser instead.

Let's talk about what these numbers actually mean. The ANC is the headline act here. Sitting in the 98th percentile of our database means the adaptive hybrid system is genuinely best-in-class. It uses six microphones to sample ambient noise and adjust in real time, and the result is a level of isolation that competes with headphones from Sony and Bose that cost twice as much. For flights, open offices, or just drowning out a loud roommate, this thing delivers.

Sound quality is also a standout, landing in the 93rd percentile. The KEF tuning is evident in the balance: the 40mm drivers push deep bass without muddying the mids, and the highs stay crisp without getting harsh. The frequency response extends from 20Hz up to 96kHz, which is well beyond human hearing but speaks to the driver's capability. LDAC support means Android users get near-lossless streaming, and the 16Ω impedance means you can drive these easily from a phone or laptop without needing an amp. The 3.5mm jack is a nice bonus for wired listening when you want zero latency or just don't want to think about battery.

The Sony ULT WEAR WHULT900N/B is the most direct competitor here. Sony's ULT line is all about bass-heavy tuning and strong ANC, and they've been doing this for years. The Nothing Headphone (1) actually beats the Sony on ANC performance in our testing, which is saying something. But Sony wins on comfort and brand trust. If you're sensitive to clamping force, the Sony is the safer bet.

The Sennheiser HDB 630 and Technics EAH-A800 are also worth considering. Sennheiser brings their signature neutral tuning and excellent build quality, while Technics offers a more premium feel and arguably better sound refinement. The Beyerdynamic Aventho 1001609 is the audiophile option in this group, with a more analytical sound signature that some listeners will prefer over the Nothing's more consumer-friendly tuning. The JBL Tune 670NC is the budget alternative, and while it can't match the Nothing on ANC or battery, it's lighter and more comfortable for some users. The trade-off with the Nothing is clear: you get flagship ANC and battery at a mid-range price, but you sacrifice comfort and the polish that comes from companies who've been making headphones for decades.

Here's where things get interesting. The Nothing Headphone (1) is listed at $199 to $320 across US retailers, which is a spread of $121 for the exact same product. That's a huge range, and it means you absolutely need to shop around. At the $199 end, this is an exceptional deal. You're getting ANC that competes with $400 headphones, battery life that outlasts nearly everything else on the market, and sound quality tuned by a company that makes $2,000 speakers. At $320, the value proposition gets murkier. You're now in the same territory as some very strong competitors, and the comfort issues become harder to forgive.

The best deal in our data comes from Best Buy, where the price sits at the lower end of that range. If you can snag it there, the price-to-performance ratio is hard to beat. Just don't pay full retail without checking other vendors first. The CAD 400 listing in Canada is a single data point, so we can't speak to how competitive that is in the Canadian market, but the US pricing tells you everything you need to know about how much margin is built into this product.

The Nothing Headphone (1) is a fascinating entry into the over-ear ANC space. Nothing made its name with transparent design on earbuds, and now they've brought that aesthetic to a full-size headphone while teaming up with KEF for the acoustic tuning. That's a serious audio pedigree, and it shows in the specs: custom 40mm dynamic drivers, Hi-Res Audio certification, and LDAC support for high-bitrate Bluetooth streaming. On paper, this thing is loaded.

Who's this for? Someone who wants flagship-level noise cancellation and battery life without paying flagship prices. The ANC performance lands in the 98th percentile of our database, which puts it alongside headphones costing significantly more. The 80-hour battery claim with ANC off is also near the top of the charts. If you commute, travel, or work in noisy environments, those two features alone make this worth a serious look.

The catch? Comfort. At 327 grams, it's not the heaviest headphone we've tested, but the clamping force and pad design have clearly been a sticking point for some users. The comfort score sits at the 30th percentile, which is a real weak spot for something you're supposed to wear all day. We'll dig into that more below, but it's the main reason this isn't a slam dunk for everyone.

If you're someone who wears headphones for long stretches, whether that's a full workday, marathon gaming sessions, or long-haul flights, the comfort issues here are a legitimate dealbreaker. The 30th percentile comfort score means the clamping force and pad design just don't work for everyone, and at 327 grams, the weight adds up over time. You'd be better off with the Sony ULT WEAR WHULT900N/B or the Sennheiser HDB 630, both of which offer better long-term comfort while still delivering strong ANC and sound quality.

Audiophiles looking for a neutral, analytical sound signature should also look elsewhere. The KEF tuning is excellent, but it's tuned for consumer enjoyment with emphasized bass and a warmer presentation. If you want something more reference-like, the Beyerdynamic Aventho 1001609 or the Technics EAH-A800 will serve you better. And if you're on a tight budget, the JBL Tune 670NC gets you decent ANC and wireless performance for less money, though you'll sacrifice the battery life and ANC performance that make the Nothing special.

If you're a commuter or frequent traveler who prioritizes noise cancellation and battery life above all else, the Nothing Headphone (1) is an easy recommendation at the $199 price point. The ANC is genuinely top-tier, the 80-hour battery means you'll charge these maybe once a month, and the KEF tuning delivers sound quality that punches well above its price. The fast charging is a lifesaver too: five minutes on the charger gets you five hours of playback, which is perfect for those moments when you realize you forgot to charge before a flight.

But if you're someone who wears headphones for 6+ hours a day, the comfort issues are a real problem. The 30th percentile comfort score isn't just a number, it's a warning. Clamping force that feels fine for an hour can become genuinely painful by hour three. For long work sessions or all-day wear, you'd be better served by the Sony ULT WEAR or the Sennheiser HDB 630, even if you give up some ANC performance. The Nothing Headphone (1) is a fantastic first over-ear from Nothing, but it's not the right choice for everyone.