The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Nothing Headphone (1) Pro is the more feature-rich headphone, but it is not an automatic upgrade from the original Headphone (1). It is easier to recommend to first-time Nothing buyers and to creators or critical listeners who will use its Flat EQ mode. Existing owners should upgrade only if the Pro’s specific improvements—especially its updated driver system, adaptive ANC or creator-focused tuning—solve a problem their current headphones do not.
What is new in Nothing Headphone (1) Pro?
The Pro keeps the over-ear design concept but adds a three-driver arrangement: a 40 mm bass dynamic driver, a 13 × 8 mm precision dynamic driver and a solid-state xMEMS treble driver. Nothing also lists Bluetooth 6.1, LDAC, spatial audio with head tracking, and Auracast broadcast audio. These are specifications and features; they do not guarantee that every listener will hear a meaningful improvement.
For wired listening, Nothing advertises USB-C audio up to 24-bit/192 kHz and AUX audio up to 24-bit/96 kHz. Listed music codecs are AAC, SBC and LDAC; LC3 is listed for broadcast audio. See Nothing’s Headphone (1) Pro specifications.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchFlat EQ is the most distinctive upgrade for creators
Nothing says Flat EQ, tuned with Metropolis Studios, provides a neutral sound for reviewing tracks, comparing mixes and critical listening. That makes it the clearest reason for a creator or audio-focused listener to choose the Pro over the original. It is less compelling if you mainly listen casually and prefer a more characterful sound.
#1 Best Overall
- Triple Driver Architecture: Experience balanced, detailed audio with Nothing Headphone (1) Pro wireless headphones, built around a dedicated three-driver system featuring a 40 mm bass driver, precision driver, and treble XMEMS driver. Each driver is engineered to handle part of the frequency range, working together to unlock deeper bass, sharper vocals and richer textures across music, gaming, and more.
- Certified Hi-Res Audio for wireless and wired listening: Enjoy high-quality wireless audio with LDAC, or connect via USB-C for lossless, high-fidelity playback at up to 24-bit/192 kHz.
- 10-Mic Real-time Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation: Nothing Headphone (1) Pro delivers up to 46 dB of Active Noise Cancellation with 10 microphones and a new silicone sound seal. Ten microphones monitor your surroundings and automatically adjust noise cancellation in real time to reduce unwanted background noise. A new 8 mm silicone wall baffle wall inside the ear cushion provides passive isolation, while Transparency Mode lets you hear your surroundings when needed.
- Studio-Level Tuning with Metropolis Studios: Nothing partnered with Metropolis Studios, home to some of the world’s most influential audio engineers, to bring studio-level tools to Nothing Headphone (1) Pro noise cancelling headphone. Listen to the raw track with Flat EQ for reviewing music, producing or mixing, discover new EQ Profiles and feel what it's like to listen in a recording studio through a unique Dynamic Spatial Audio mode.
- Spatial Audio & Advanced EQ: Dynamic Spatial Audio has five modes: Standard, Studio B, Live House, Club and Concert Hall. Advanced EQ gives you precise control over your sound, letting you drag tuning points across multiple drivers.
There is a trade-off: enabling Flat EQ disables Transparency Mode, Spatial Audio and other EQ settings. If you depend on those features, Flat EQ is not a mode to leave on without considering what you give up.
How much better is the ANC?
Nothing rates the Pro’s real-time adaptive ANC at up to 46 dB, using ten microphones and a new silicone sound seal. The company’s fine print describes 46 dB as a theoretical maximum under laboratory conditions; actual noise reduction varies by environment. A higher published decibel figure or more microphones alone does not establish how much better the headphones will sound in your commute, office or home.
Reviewers report different impressions. Creative Bloq heard an improvement over the original, while T3 found the ANC solid but did not perceive a major difference in its limited real-world use. Those are individual listening observations, not a controlled head-to-head measurement. If noise cancellation is your main reason to upgrade, consider whether the original actually falls short in the places you use it.
Battery life: manufacturer estimates, not independent results
Nothing’s playback figures are “up to” estimates measured at 50% volume with default settings. The results vary with volume, source, enabled features and use.
Rank #2
- Intelligent Noise Cancellation Adapts with You: Our Nothing headphone 1 feature advanced Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation, powered by next-gen processors and adaptive mics, to block out distractions. Smart Adaptive Mode automatically adjusts to your environment, while Transparency Mode lets in ambient sound when you need awareness. Personalize your experience with four ANC settings (High/Mid/Low/Adaptive) for truly focused, crystal-clear listening
- Nothing x KEF Headphone (1) : Nothing Headphone (1) experience audio perfected through a unique partnership with British audio legend KEF. Leveraging over 60 years of acoustic expertise, Nothing Noise Cancelling Headphone delivers a naturally balanced sound stage where every note shines as artists intended. Enjoy unparalleled flexibility with Hi-Res Audio support including LDAC technology, USB-C audio, and a 3.5mm jack. Dual Connection capability lets you seamlessly switch between two devices
- Uninterrupted Audio with Immersive Sound: Engineered for all-day use, Nothing Headphones 1 deliver up to 80 hours of playtime (35 hours with ANC on). A quick 5-minute charge provides 5 hours of power. Coupled with this endurance is a lossless audio experience, Nothing Wireless Headphones offer Spatial Audio with head tracking and Hi-Res Wireless certification for exceptional clarity and a deeply immersive sound stage
- Sink In, Take Control: Designed for all-day wear, Nothing Bluetooth Wireless Headphone ergonomic frame and memory foam cushions provide a comfortable, secure fit. The Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphone features intuitive roller and paddle interface puts volume adjustment, playback, and noise mode switching at your fingertips, with full customization available in the Nothing X app. This thoughtful integration of form and function ensures a continuously surround sound Journey
- Explore the Nothing X app: Craft your unique audio profile with the Nothing X app's advanced 8-band equalizer.Tailor your Nothing Headphone 1 with Adaptive ANC settings and enhance depth with the Ultra Bass mode. Customize your Bluetooth active noise canceling headphones' touch buttons to execute your most-used commands instantly
| Codec | ANC off | ANC on |
|---|---|---|
| AAC | Up to 68 hours | Up to 30 hours |
| LDAC | Up to 53 hours | Up to 28 hours |
Nothing also claims that a five-minute charge can provide up to four hours of playback with ANC off or two hours with ANC on. These are manufacturer figures, not a guarantee of what you will get in daily use. SoundGuys said its review had not yet completed an independent battery test, so its article did not verify the runtime claims.
Comfort and case: changes with trade-offs
Nothing says the Pro’s dual-layer cushions are 50% softer than the original’s, and that its headband is 10% wider with 12% thicker padding. These are manufacturer comparisons, not independent comfort measurements. Reviews differ on how much the changes improve the experience, so fit and long-session comfort remain personal considerations.
The headphones weigh 327 g, and Nothing lists the hard-shell case at 383.5 g. Creative Bloq sees the case’s smaller footprint as an improvement over the original. T3, by contrast, criticizes the way it leaves the headband exposed and limits room for accessories. Think about how you carry headphones, rather than treating a smaller case as an unqualified win.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Should you upgrade from the original Headphone (1)?
Upgrade if the Pro’s specific features matter to you
- You want to use Flat EQ for reviewing, comparing or producing audio and accept that it disables Transparency Mode, Spatial Audio and other EQ settings.
- You have a concrete need for the Pro’s driver arrangement, wired USB-C audio, LDAC, spatial audio with head tracking or Auracast.
- You are dissatisfied with the original’s ANC or fit and have a chance to assess the Pro’s comfort and noise cancellation in your own use.
Keep the original if it already does the job
- You like the original’s sound and controls and do not need the Pro’s additional features.
- You are considering the Pro mainly because of its higher ANC rating or microphone count; neither number alone proves a dramatic real-world improvement.
- The Pro’s price difference matters more to you than its creator-focused mode or other new capabilities.
Creative Bloq’s Ian Dean calls the upgrade decision harder for existing Headphone (1) owners, noting that the original remains a good pair for its price. T3 likewise prefers the original on value and says the improvements will not justify the jump for many owners. Those are reviewer judgments, not a universal verdict. Both support a practical rule: upgrade for a feature you will use, not simply because the Pro is newer.
Rank #3
- Intelligent Noise Cancellation Adapts with You: Our Nothing headphone 1 feature advanced Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation, powered by next-gen processors and adaptive mics, to block out distractions. Smart Adaptive Mode automatically adjusts to your environment, while Transparency Mode lets in ambient sound when you need awareness. Personalize your experience with four ANC settings (High/Mid/Low/Adaptive) for truly focused, crystal-clear listening
- Nothing x KEF Headphone (1) : Nothing Headphone (1) experience audio perfected through a unique partnership with British audio legend KEF. Leveraging over 60 years of acoustic expertise, Nothing Noise Cancelling Headphone delivers a naturally balanced sound stage where every note shines as artists intended. Enjoy unparalleled flexibility with Hi-Res Audio support including LDAC technology, USB-C audio, and a 3.5mm jack. Dual Connection capability lets you seamlessly switch between two devices
- Uninterrupted Audio with Immersive Sound: Engineered for all-day use, Nothing Headphones 1 deliver up to 80 hours of playtime (35 hours with ANC on). A quick 5-minute charge provides 5 hours of power. Coupled with this endurance is a lossless audio experience, Nothing Wireless Headphones offer Spatial Audio with head tracking and Hi-Res Wireless certification for exceptional clarity and a deeply immersive sound stage
- Sink In, Take Control: Designed for all-day wear, Nothing Bluetooth Wireless Headphone ergonomic frame and memory foam cushions provide a comfortable, secure fit. The Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphone features intuitive roller and paddle interface puts volume adjustment, playback, and noise mode switching at your fingertips, with full customization available in the Nothing X app. This thoughtful integration of form and function ensures a continuously surround sound Journey
- Explore the Nothing X app: Craft your unique audio profile with the Nothing X app's advanced 8-band equalizer.Tailor your Nothing Headphone 1 with Adaptive ANC settings and enhance depth with the Ultra Bass mode. Customize your Bluetooth active noise canceling headphones' touch buttons to execute your most-used commands instantly
Price and alternatives to consider
T3 reported review-time prices of $399 in the US and £349 in the UK; Creative Bloq also reported £349 in the UK. These are market- and time-specific figures, not live quotes. T3 said the UK Pro price was £100 above the original’s launch price, which is a historical comparison rather than a current price gap. Check local pricing and availability before deciding.
The original Nothing Headphone (1) is the direct alternative if you want the family’s design and controls without paying for Pro features you will not use. T3 also names the Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless as a premium comparison and praises its sound, battery and conventional case, but its relative price and availability can change. Compare current local prices rather than assuming one model remains cheaper.
What to check before buying
- Compare the Pro’s current price with the original and other headphones available in your market.
- Identify which feature you need: Flat EQ, a different ANC experience, wired high-resolution audio, head-tracked spatial audio or Auracast.
- Judge ANC in your actual environment where possible; Nothing’s 46 dB figure is a laboratory maximum, not a promised result for every setting.
- Check fit, glasses compatibility and long-session comfort, and decide whether the case’s shape and accessory capacity suit how you travel.
- Consider battery expectations with ANC on and your preferred codec, not only the longest ANC-off AAC figure.
Bluetooth 6.1 and dual connection are listed, and Nothing says the headphones can connect to two devices and switch between them. That is not necessarily the same as full multipoint: SoundGuys says the Pro does not support “true Multipoint,” though it can connect to two sources and switch streams. Auracast is supported as both transmitter and receiver, but receiving a broadcast also requires a compatible Auracast source.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
