5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Consider Buying Nothing Headphone 1

So, let’s talk about the new Nothing Headphone 1. These just dropped today, July 1st, 2025, and they’ve got everyone talking.

Why? Because Nothing always does things differently, right? And teaming up with KEF, a big name in audio, for their first over-ear headphones? That’s a bold move.

Now, I’m all about new tech and giving companies a chance. But after digging into all the details and seeing what people are saying, I’ve got some honest thoughts.

While the Nothing Headphone (1) stands out, there are some very real reasons why it might not be the right fit for you.

Let me break down why I think you should seriously consider skipping these, despite all the hype. I’m telling you this straight up, no fluff.

Should You Really Buy the Nothing Headphone1; Everything You Need to Know

1. The Price Tag: Is the Unique Look Worth It?

Let’s start with the elephant in the room: the cost. In India, the Nothing Headphone (1) is officially priced at Rs. 21,999.

Now, there’s a special introductory offer where you might snag it for Rs. 19,999 on July 15, 2025, when it goes on sale.

You can find them on Flipkart, Myntra, Vijay Sales, Croma, and other big stores. They even offer 12 months of No-Cost EMI in offline stores.

But here’s the thing: that’s a premium price. For nearly Rs. 20,000, you’re entering a territory where some seriously established players like Sony and Bose have spent years perfecting their craft.

You’re paying for that unique, transparent design, yes, but are you getting top-tier performance to match that price in every area? I’m not so sure. When you’re spending this kind of money, you expect excellence across the board, not just in looks.

2. Comfort & Design: Style Over Substance for Long Hours?

The see-through design of the Nothing Headphone (1) is a head-turner, absolutely. It comes in black and white, showing off some internal parts, and it’s very “Nothing.” But looks aren’t everything when it’s sitting on your head for hours.

These headphones weigh 329 grams. While Nothing says the memory foam ear cushions are super comfy and oil-resistant, and the weight is balanced, I’ve seen enough comments that suggest they might feel heavy after long listening sessions.

Compared to some rivals that are significantly lighter (like some Sony or Bose models often in the 250-gram range), that extra weight can really make a difference for daily use or travel.

They fold flat, which is good for slipping into a bag, but they don’t fold into a compact ball, which can be annoying for smaller spaces. If comfort for extended periods is critical for you, this weight is a genuine concern.

3. Noise Cancellation (ANC): Good Effort, But Not Best-in-Class Silence

The Nothing Headphone (1) promises hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) up to 42dB, adapting to your surroundings every 600ms.

That sounds fantastic on paper! And yes, for low, constant hums like a bus engine or AC, it does a pretty solid job.

However, when you’re dealing with more unpredictable noises – think office chatter, sudden loud street sounds, or even just someone talking nearby – the ANC is more of a “muffler” than a “silencer.”

It definitely helps, but it won’t give you that isolating, quiet bubble you get from the absolute best ANC headphones out there.

For Rs. 20,000, if your main reason for buying is to escape all noise, you might find the Nothing Headphone (1) falls just a little short of the competition that has had many more generations to perfect their ANC algorithms. It’s good for a first attempt, but it’s not industry-leading.

4. Sound Quality: KEF-Tuned, But Needs Your Input to Shine

Nothing proudly states the Headphone (1) is engineered with KEF, and it uses custom 40mm dynamic drivers.

It supports Hi-Res Audio, LDAC, and even USB-C lossless playback, which are all great. The sound is generally described as balanced with decent bass and clear vocals.

Here’s the catch: many initial reviews suggest that the default sound profile might be a bit “flat,” “uninspiring,” or too “mid-forward” for some listeners.

What does this mean for you? It means you’ll likely need to dive into the Nothing X app and spend time with the 8-band Advanced EQ to tweak the sound to your liking.

While having an EQ is a plus, the fact that the out-of-the-box sound isn’t universally “wow-inducing” means it’s not a simple plug-and-play experience for audio bliss.

If you’re someone who just wants amazing sound without fiddling, you might find yourself doing more work than you’d prefer to get that truly rich audio experience.

5. Call Quality & Other Quirks: Small Things That Add Up

Headphones today are also communication tools. The Nothing Headphone (1) uses an AI-powered 4-mic ENC system for calls.

In a quiet room, your voice will sound clear. But as soon as you step into a windy environment, a busy market, or a noisy café, the call quality can drop.

The mics struggle to isolate your voice from background noise, making you sound distant or less clear to the person on the other end. If you take a lot of important calls on the go, this could be a deal-breaker.

Beyond that, being a first-generation product means there can be few quirks. Some reports mention the unique “roller” control for volume being a bit finicky if hair gets in the way.

Also, while the battery life is strong (up to 80 hours ANC off, 35 hours ANC on), using the higher-quality LDAC codec will reduce those figures.

Plus, there’s the question of long-term durability. Nothing’s past audio products have had some reports of issues, and while the Headphone (1) feels sturdy, only time will tell how it holds up.

These small factors, when added to the price, make you wonder if waiting for a second generation, or opting for a more proven brand might be wiser.

My Final Word on the Nothing Headphone (1)

The Nothing Headphone (1) is undeniably a bold statement in the audio world. It looks fantastic, promises KEF-tuned sound, and has solid battery life.

But when you look closely at its price point in India (Rs. 21,999, or Rs. 19,999 on launch day), you need to weigh if its strengths truly outweigh its potential drawbacks.

The comfort for long wears, the ANC performance against top rivals, the need to EQ the sound, and the real-world call quality in noisy settings are all things to seriously consider.

If you’re buying purely for that unique aesthetic and are okay with some trade-offs, then go for it. But if you’re like me and want your premium headphones to deliver uncompromising comfort, silence, and amazing sound right out of the box for that kind of money, you might find other options on the market offer better overall value and a more refined experience. Don’t rush into it; make an informed decision.

For a deeper dive and to see the Nothing Headphone (1) in action, check out this video: Nothing Headphone (1) Unboxing & First Look by MKBHD. It offers an unboxing and initial impressions that might help you visualize the points I’ve made.