I’ll never forget the first time I pressed the transparency button on the side of the Nothing headphones (A). I swore an actual person was breathing in my ear as the distinctive transition sound played, peeling back the layer of noise cancellation and revealing everything around me.
This was the moment that made me realize that over-the-ear headphones are back. I no longer have to deal with pesky earbuds sitting in my ear canal for hours. Now, I can enjoy fuller audio with better noise cancellation and transparency modes, all with better battery life and more long-term comfort. And I can get all this without spending $600 on a pair of overpriced Apple headphones.
Article continues below
quality for the masses
Nothing Headphones (A) are loud and arrogant. I don’t just mean the audio volume, which is noticeably louder and fuller than any earbud I’ve ever worn. These headphones look as unique as they feel, with the trademark nothing style that will turn heads on the subway or in the office.
But this style isn’t just for show, although it will keep you from looking like a device wearing overpriced headphones. They feature massive audio drivers for rich sound, a big battery that lasts up to five days, plenty of padding for comfort, and tactile buttons that feel great when pressed.
Personally, I hate capacitive buttons on things like headphones Earbuds. It’s very easy to accidentally pinch them when you’re just trying to adjust or wear them, and they’re often clunky and unresponsive when you need them.
The buttons on the Nothing headphones (A) are easy to find, easy to use, and clearly made for a specific function. Click the Transparency button to switch between noise-canceling and transparency modes, or flick the volume switch left or right as needed. The on/off switch is great because you know exactly when they’re on, and since these have epic standby times, you can leave them on while you’re walking around, even if you’re not actively listening to anything.
Now, I’m no audiophile, but I can still tell the difference between a good pair of speakers and a bad pair. These are the first, and they eclipse the sound quality of any pair of earbuds I’ve worn so far. They’re also much more comfortable over long periods of time than earbuds. I’ve always found buds to wear on long flights, and while headphones make my head sweat a bit, they’re a better option for inner-ear discomfort.
The top headband adjusts by about an inch on each side, accommodating head sizes ranging from adults to children. I think this slide mechanism could be longer, but it fits everyone in my house so I haven’t had any problems with it. However, people with larger heads will have problems fitting.
The headphones connect via Bluetooth or a 3.5mm cable, so they work with a wide variety of devices and connection types. These support the best quality audio codecs, including LDAC, so lossless formats will sound great here.
I can’t explain how much I love the Nothing Headphones(A). These are the headphones I’ve been waiting for without even thinking, and they sound good doing it too. I’m always amazed when I see people walking around with headphones that cost over $500 and can’t figure it out. Instead of looking like a device, save $400 and get a pair of Nothing headphones (A).
Nothing apps ensure that you get the best quality sound no matter what device you use, and they are easy to pair with any device that supports your Google account thanks to Google’s Quick Pair technology. Plus, the combination of week-long battery life and ample padding means these can be worn for long periods of time without any issues. Do yourself a favor and grab a pair; You won’t regret it.







