Nothing Headphones (1) Honest First Impressions!
Welcome to WhatGear Reviews — Today, I’ve got something truly exciting. This right here is another world’s first from Nothing: their first-ever pair of over-ear headphones, named the Nothing Headphone 1.
When I say I’m excited for this one, I mean it. Because if there’s one thing Nothing has proven time and time again — it’s that they’re not just following trends, they’re setting them.
A Brand That Inspires
Nothing launched their earbuds with a transparent case and bold design — suddenly, other big-name brands started following suit. They introduced phones with glyph lighting systems, and before long, we saw other brands trying to catch that same visual spark. Now that they’re stepping into the over-ear headphone space, the question is: Are they about to shake up the headphone industry too?
Nothing x KEF: A Smart Partnership
This move is a smart one. Nothing has teamed up with KEF, the high-end British audio brand, to tune the sound signature on these headphones. One concern people often have with first-generation audio products is whether the brand has the audio chops to back up the hardware.
Yes, Nothing has released some very capable earbuds — and they sound great — but scaling up to full-size headphones, with larger drivers, active noise cancellation, passthrough modes, and everything in between, is a completely different ball game. Thankfully, the Nothing Headphone 1 supports Hi-Res Audio with LDAC, meaning if your music service supports Hi-Fi streaming, you’re going to hear more detail and clarity.
Unboxing Experience
Right out of the box, you notice the attention to detail. The weight distribution of the lid when opening the case is perfectly balanced — a subtle but satisfying touch. There’s a small thumb grip, something you’ll recognise from the Nothing Earbuds case, allowing for a more confident hold.
And that case? Incredibly thin for over-ear headphones — possibly the slimmest I’ve ever seen. It’s a sleek, travel-friendly design that breaks away from the bulky norm. Inside the box, you get a quick-start guide, an analogue cable, and a USB-C to USB-C cable, both featuring Nothing’s signature design language with squared edges and clean branding.
First Impressions: Design & Features
Taking the headphones out for the first time, I was genuinely surprised by the unique rectangular ear cup design — very different from anything else on the market. Yet it still maintains a classic headphone silhouette.
On the headphones, you’ll find:
A red-accented switch (most likely the power toggle)
A USB-C port
A 3.5mm analogue audio input
Wear-detection sensors inside the earcups
Right (red) and left (white) ear indicators — easy to spot without looking inside
The build feels solid and creak-free, with strong height adjustment mechanisms and impressive flexibility. The only concern I have right now is the ear padding — it’s a bit thinner than expected, and the frame feels quite firm. We’ll see how that holds up during longer listening sessions.
Hidden Controls & Smart Design
What I initially thought was a button turned out to be a lever for skipping tracks, and the rounded dial-like button is actually the volume control — you rotate to adjust and press to play/pause. It’s a smart design that’s both minimal and tactile.
There’s another button on the earcup that’s currently inactive — likely reserved for features tied to the companion app. At the time of recording this (10 days before launch), that app may still require a beta version.
Fit & Noise Isolation
Once on, two things stood out:
These headphones look clean and sharp from the front — they don’t stick out awkwardly.
The passive noise isolation is impressive. It feels like suction cups around your ears, muting the world around you even before ANC kicks in.
Final Thoughts (For Now…)
The Nothing Headphone 1 is unlike anything else on the market — both in design and approach. First impressions? I'm impressed. They look stunning, feel premium, and most importantly, they sound fantastic. But of course, this is just a first look.
I’ll be diving deeper into the sound quality, ANC performance, passthrough modes, and all the app features in my full review — coming soon. If you’ve just subscribed after reading this, welcome! You’re now one of the finest subscribers known to man. Stay tuned for the full review, and I’ll catch you in the next one.
