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Choose the Sony WH-1000XM6 if stronger noise cancellation and a foldable design matter most. Choose Nothing Headphone (1) if you want longer manufacturer-rated battery life—and, in the UK, its listed price was lower when checked. The right choice also depends on fit and the price where you live, so check current local listings and try the headphones on if possible.
Noise cancellation: Sony has the edge in one published review
In its review, What Hi-Fi? found that the Sony WH-1000XM6 delivered more complete noise cancellation than Nothing Headphone (1), including across both low- and higher-frequency sounds. That is the publication’s listening assessment, not a universal score or a guarantee that every listener will hear the same difference.
If your main use is cutting down noise on flights, public transit or in a busy office, that finding gives Sony the stronger case. Nothing advertises real-time adaptive ANC, while Sony describes an adaptive noise-canceling system and a 12-microphone setup. Those feature descriptions alone do not establish which headphone will work better in a particular setting; the review’s comparison favors Sony.
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Battery life: Nothing’s estimates are higher, but the tests differ
Both companies publish playback estimates, not directly controlled comparative measurements. Nothing Support specifies up to 35 hours with ANC on and 80 hours with it off using AAC at 50% volume, based on internal lab results at 25°C. Nothing gives separate LDAC estimates of 30 hours with ANC on and 54 hours off. Actual runtime can vary with volume, source, interference, features and use. See Nothing’s battery-life conditions.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
Sony’s US specifications list up to 30 hours of continuous music playback with noise canceling on and 40 hours with it off. The manufacturers’ methods and stated conditions differ, so these figures indicate each company’s claim for its own product rather than a head-to-head battery test.
| Model | ANC on | ANC off | Published conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nothing Headphone (1) | Up to 35 hours | Up to 80 hours | Nothing Support’s AAC estimates at 50% volume; internal lab results at 25°C. Separate LDAC estimates are 30 hours on and 54 hours off. |
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | Up to 30 hours | Up to 40 hours | Sony US specification; the cited page does not state matching test conditions. |
Nothing has the larger published runtime estimates, especially with ANC off. If you commonly forget to charge or want to stretch time between charges, that may be useful, but your real-world battery life will depend on how you listen.
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
Fit and portability: lighter Sony folds; Nothing does not fold fully
Sony lists the WH-1000XM6 at approximately 8.96 oz (about 254 g); What Hi-Fi? lists Nothing Headphone (1) at 329 g. The weights come from different sources, but on paper Sony is lighter. Comfort is personal: What Hi-Fi?’s reviewers described mixed comfort and fit impressions for Nothing, so try it on if you can.
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Rank #3
- Dynamic Noise Cancellation Tailored for You: Experience the Nothing Headphone (a) with cutting-edge Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation, utilizing state-of-the-art processors and adaptive microphones to eliminate distractions. The innovative Smart Adaptive Mode adjusts seamlessly to your surroundings, while the Transparency Mode allows ambient sounds for situational awareness. Select from four customizable ANC levels (High/Mid/Low/Adaptive) for a personalized listening journey
- Endless Listening with Rich Sound Quality: Crafted for 5 HD Mics, our Nothing Headphone (a) Bluetooth Headphones Over the Ear boasts a Spatial Audio with Hi-Res Wireless certification for remarkable clarity and an immersive auditory experience, Noise Cancelling Headphone with impressive battery life of up to 135 hours (75 hours with ANC on). A rapid 5-minute charge delivers 8 hours of playback time (ANC off)
- Remote Camera Shutter: Control your camera with a simple press of your Wireless Over-Ear headphones. No more running back and forth—just smooth, uninterrupted content creation. Perfect for vlogs, outfit checks, selfies, or group shots. Frame, get into position, and capture instantly.(On Nothing OS: Directly activates the camera; one press to record. On iOS & Android: Quickly capture or control recording if the camera function is already open)
- Comfort Meets Control: Designed for all-day comfort, the Nothing Headphones Wireless Over Ear features an ergonomic design with memory foam cushions for a secure fit. The Over Ear Bluetooth Headphones design includes an intuitive roller and paddle interface, providing easy access to volume controls, playback, and noise mode switching. The Nothing X app allows for extensive customization, ensuring a continuous, immersive sound experience
- Built For Your Unique Style: Start with your Personal Sound Profile and immerse yourself in Nothing X APP (with Ultra Bass included). Nothing Active Noise Canceling Headphones with Spatial Audio for concert or cinema-level listening for quick access to your most-used commands
Connections and codecs: what the published specifications establish
The two models offer different documented connection details. Sony’s US specifications list Bluetooth 5.3, SBC, AAC, LDAC and LC3 codecs, multipoint, ambient sound, and a detachable stereo mini-jack cable. Nothing’s international product page lists LDAC, USB-C audio and a 3.5 mm jack. These lists do not establish that every feature works identically across phones, computers or apps; check the relevant manufacturer documentation for your devices.
| Feature | Nothing Headphone (1) | Sony WH-1000XM6 |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless codecs listed | LDAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth version | Not stated on the cited international product page | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| USB audio | USB-C audio | Not stated on the cited specifications page |
| Analog connection | 3.5 mm jack | Detachable stereo mini-jack cable |
| Multipoint | Not stated on the cited international product page | Listed by Sony |
Nothing says the headphones’ sound tuning was developed with KEF. Sony says its WH-1000XM6 uses the QN3 processor and a 12-microphone adaptive system. In a May 16, 2025 launch release, Sony claimed the QN3 is seven times faster than its predecessor; that is Sony’s processor comparison, not an independent measure of noise-canceling performance.
Rank #4
- Dynamic Noise Cancellation Tailored for You: Experience the Nothing Headphone (a) with cutting-edge Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation, utilizing state-of-the-art processors and adaptive microphones to eliminate distractions. The innovative Smart Adaptive Mode adjusts seamlessly to your surroundings, while the Transparency Mode allows ambient sounds for situational awareness. Select from four customizable ANC levels (High/Mid/Low/Adaptive) for a personalized listening journey
- Endless Listening with Rich Sound Quality: Crafted for 5 HD Mics, our Nothing Headphone (a) Bluetooth Headphones Over the Ear boasts a Spatial Audio with Hi-Res Wireless certification for remarkable clarity and an immersive auditory experience, Noise Cancelling Headphone with impressive battery life of up to 135 hours (75 hours with ANC on). A rapid 5-minute charge delivers 8 hours of playback time (ANC off)
- Remote Camera Shutter: Control your camera with a simple press of your Wireless Over-Ear headphones. No more running back and forth—just smooth, uninterrupted content creation. Perfect for vlogs, outfit checks, selfies, or group shots. Frame, get into position, and capture instantly.(On Nothing OS: Directly activates the camera; one press to record. On iOS & Android: Quickly capture or control recording if the camera function is already open)
- Comfort Meets Control: Designed for all-day comfort, the Nothing Headphones Wireless Over Ear features an ergonomic design with memory foam cushions for a secure fit. The Over Ear Bluetooth Headphones design includes an intuitive roller and paddle interface, providing easy access to volume controls, playback, and noise mode switching. The Nothing X app allows for extensive customization, ensuring a continuous, immersive sound experience
- Built For Your Unique Style: Start with your Personal Sound Profile and immerse yourself in Nothing X APP (with Ultra Bass included). Nothing Active Noise Canceling Headphones with Spatial Audio for concert or cinema-level listening for quick access to your most-used commands
Price: compare current listings in your own market
Prices vary by country, retailer and date. When accessed for this comparison, Nothing’s UK product page showed £249, while Sony’s US listing showed $459.99. Those are different markets, not a like-for-like price comparison, and either may have changed. Check the current listing for your region: Nothing Headphone (1) and Sony WH-1000XM6.
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What Hi-Fi?’s review also records launch-era prices for the UK, Australia and US, but those historical figures should not be treated as today’s prices. Compare current local listings before deciding that one is the better value.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Transparent Design: Ear (3a) features Nothing's signature technological codes in vibrant new colours. A wider range of ear tips means the buds sit comfortably in everyone's ears, and a new status bar lets you see everything on the case.
- Hi-Res Audio: Ear (3a) delivers stronger sound with a bigger 12 mm driver. Improved wideband Active Noise Cancellation at up to 45 dB lets you ignore the boring things, and Clear Voice Technology means you sound good on calls. On the Nothing app X, you can boost bass, treble and vocals, or use the advanced 8-band EQ.
- Wideband Active Noise Cancellation: Nothing Ear (3a) delivers up to 45dB of Active Noise Cancellation. These Bluetooth wireless earbuds recalibrate every millisecond to block a wide range of noise (up to 5000Hz) for clear audio. Switch to Transparency Mode to stay aware of your surroundings without removing the earbuds. Low Latency mode ensures lag-free gaming.
- Bluetooth 6.0 & Smart AI Features: With Bluetooth 6.0, Ear (3a) stays connected in more places than before. Easy swapping with dual-device connnections compatible with both iOS and Andoid. And with one-touch AI features like ChatGPT and Essential News, you're always ready to go without touching your phone.
- Audio Snapshot and Call Recording: Audio Snapshot and call recording let you save what you hear directly onto Ear (3a). You can record up to a minute of media or up to two hours of calls and meetings. With the Nothing X app, you can sort and transcribe using AI. With Pro Transcription, you can also identify speakers, get reminders and send quotes to your friends. Note: Call recording is available only in supported countries/regions due to local regulations. For the current list of supported countries/regions, please refer to the Product Description.
Which one should you buy?
Choose Sony WH-1000XM6 if
- Noise cancellation is your top priority; What Hi-Fi?’s review found it more complete than Nothing’s.
- You want a lighter listed weight and a design that folds for packing.
- You need the Sony-listed codec range, Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint or detachable mini-jack cable.
Choose Nothing Headphone (1) if
- You value its higher published battery estimates, with the manufacturer’s conditions in mind.
- You have checked the price in your region and it is the better deal for you.
- You want USB-C audio or a 3.5 mm jack and do not need the headphones to fold fully.
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.
