What if you could acquire a premium set of over-ear headphones for less than $400?

This is the question that Nothing, a tech startup from the UK, seeks to address with the introduction of the new Nothing Headphone (1) headphones, which were just announced this week. Several tech outlets had the chance to test the new headphones prior to their launch, leading to a number of reviews for those considering this $299 set of over-ear headphones.

Nothing Headphone (1) pricing

What have the critics had to say about these new headphones? A consensus indicates they provide excellent value at $299. They are comparable in features and audio quality to the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones and the Apple AirPods Max, both of which are priced above $400, giving Nothing an advantageous position.

But what about the other aspects?

The design

These headphones boast a distinctive design that may not appeal to all users. They feature large, rectangular casings for the ear cups and come in two shades: white and black. Ben Schoon summarized it in 9to5Google’s review:

“Nothing’s design is distinctive, to put it mildly. The design is part square, part rounded, evoking cassette tape vibes, which I find quite appealing,” Schoon noted.

Most reviews seem to concur with this assessment. Whether one likes the design or not, Nothing merits recognition for attempting something unconventional.

Matt Bolton highlighted in TechRadar’s review that the headphones are suitable for prolonged use, irrespective of their look.

“This fit could be somewhat polarizing – some individuals genuinely prefer a lighter headphone that doesn’t need to grip as firmly – but I found them more comfortable than the AirPods Max, and they were fine to wear for an extended period,” Bolton stated.

The sound

This aspect proves to be the challenging one. Sound quality is vital when it comes to headphones. Regrettably, most reviews indicate that this is where the cost distinction between Headphone (1) and its nearest rivals is apparent.

That’s not to imply that the sound is poor. In James Pero’s review for Gizmodo, he commended the noise cancellation and audio output quality. It may not rival the AirPods Max level, yet the $250 price gap makes that understandable.

“I still believe Apple’s AirPods Max have a slight advantage in sound quality — mid-to-high frequencies feature somewhat more texture and space, which renders vocals feeling more natural and clear,” Pero remarked. “Nevertheless, Nothing holds its own against a competitor charging a significant premium.”

Conversely, Bolton offered a more critical perspective in his TechRadar review.

“The audio is tuned by the esteemed hi-fi brand KEF, and is adequately polished, well-balanced, and generally enjoyable,” Bolton remarked. “However, it also feels compressed and lacks the openness and expansive sound I’m accustomed to when testing the competition at this price point.”

The battery life

For $300, one would anticipate decent battery life from a pair of headphones. It appears Nothing succeeded in that regard. Schoon mentioned in his 9to5Google review that the batteries lasted for 35 hours with ANC activated and 80 hours without it. That’s quite impressive.

From these reviews, it seems that Nothing’s inaugural over-ear headphones are commendable. You may encounter slightly inferior audio quality compared to some higher-priced models, and the design might not suit everyone, but they appear to deliver good value where it matters.