Odi Productions
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST Nothing Headphone (1) Pro review for those who are wondering whether they are WORTH IT. I’ll also be comparing the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro vs Headphone (1), AirPods Max 2, Sony WH-1000XM6, Sennheiser Momentum 5, Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2, and more!
I’m going to do my best to share whether these headphones are worth it, and ideally who these headphones are for. I bought these headphones with my own money, and was NOT sponsored, paid, or received a free copy for review. All thoughts are my own.
I’ll be sharing my critical opinion with 10 years of experience as a professional music producer, audio engineer, and tech journalist. I also run the RecordingNow YouTube channel with over 30,000+ subscribers and over 8 million views.
Let’s dive right in!
Nothing Headphone (1) Pro Headphones review in short
The Nothing Headphone (1) Pro combines the best-sounding and best noise cancelling performance in a Nothing headphone yet, but is somewhat impractical due to its very poorly-designed and heavy (383 gram) case. Competes with the Nothing Headphone 1, Apple AirPods Max 2, Sony WH-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort 2, Beats 360, Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2, and Sennheiser Momentum 5.
Watch this Full Review on YouTube!
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Pros and Cons
- Audiophile-level sound quality
- Great noise cancelling performance
- Metal hinges and earcups
- Intuitive physical controls
- Poorly-designed, heavy case
- Plastic headband feels cheap
Order the LATEST VERSION for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
Disclosure: These affiliate links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to keep this website 100% independent to ensure honest unfiltered reviews 🙂
Sound Quality
Full Sound Quality Test
Starting with the technicals, the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro supports the hi-res codec of LDAC along with an advanced EQ inside the “Nothing X” app.
Most modern Android smartphones support LDAC out of the box, but iPhone users will need a dongle like the one below to experience these in its fullest sound quality.
Important Note: I had to first connect the Headphone (1) Pro to an Android phone to flip the sound quality setting from AAC to LDAC, and this allowed LDAC to be unlocked using the dongle with iPhone afterwards.
To conduct this test, I used my Questyle QCC Dongle Pro 2 to unlock aptX and LDAC support:
![Questyle QCC Dongle Pro2 [MFi Certified] USB-C Bluetooth Audio Adapter with LDAC, LHDC, aptX Lossless & aptX-Adaptive, Auracast](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21jT-Cm5ZVL._SL500_.jpg)
If you’re an iPhone user, or if your phone doesn’t support aptX codecs, then I highly recommend you pick up the dongle above which will cover both LDAC and aptX Lossless/Adaptive high-res codecs. It’s the only one of its kind that supports both, to my knowledge.
The Nothing Headphone (1) Pro has one of the most unique triple-driver architecture setups I’ve tested, since most of these headphones are your typical single-driver architecture.
I’m familiar with multi-driver setups in wired IEMs, but have never really experienced it in an over-ear headphone.
Now the next innovative feature you need to know about is the “Flat EQ” switch built directly onto the headphone itself, which is a tuning co-developed with a mastering studio to make these more reference-like.
My preferred listening setup is the Headphone (1) Pro set to the “Flat EQ” setting turned ON, and listening in LDAC which unlocks the full sound quality potential from the headphones.
The resulting sound profile with this setup is a wonderfully-detailed neutral bright sound signature that is somewhat reminiscent of the AirPods Max 2, but higher resolution and more balanced.
Without the “Flat EQ” and listening in standard AAC, the sound profile is rather “W-shaped” and less linear-sounding.
I didn’t immediately love the sound in this configuration, and it took some time for my brain to get used to it. I do think the triple-driver setup contributes to this lack of cohesiveness.
Back to my preferred setup, I do hear a great level of detail and fidelity from the Headphone (1) Pro, and the triple-driver setup does result in some very clean and satisfying bass, but with vocals still cutting through the mix better than stock.
The bass isn’t as visceral as something like the Momentum 5 (especially in “Flat EQ”) but it’s very controlled, punchy, and textured, which I personally found very satisfying from an audiophile perspective.
The mids are present but not as warm or rich as other headphones. I think the mids clearly make way for the bass and treble to shine, resulting in a “thin” and “ethereal” overall sound.
Instead, the treble detail, airiness, and open soundstage are the star of the show for the Headphone (1) Pro, in my opinion.
Overall, I find the Headphone (1) Pro to be one of the best-sounding releases of 2026, but it’s important to listen in my preferred setup with Flat EQ and LDAC. It’s still very good stock, but doesn’t do the hardware justice, in my opinion.
It also takes some time to get used to the sound profile, especially if you aren’t used to more neutral audiophile tunings, but I promise the details will start to come through over time, resulting in a very enjoyable listening experience.
Sound Quality Comparisons
vs Nothing Headphone (1)
The older mid-tier Nothing Headphone (1) has more of a neutral dark tuning compared to the neutral bright of the Headphone (1) Pro.
I think the Headphone (1) has the more polarizing sound between the two.
The Headphone (1) Pro takes resolution, separation, dynamics, and soundstage to a new level.
I’m hearing more micro-details and better dynamics with the Pro, which also exercises more control over the bass.
You could argue that the Headphone (1) has slightly better timbre due to fuller mids, but I find the Pro to have the better overall tuning in “Flat EQ” mode.
vs Apple AirPods Max 2
The AirPods Max 2 has more similar neutral-bright tuning with the Headphone (1) Pro, but is slightly more hyped and “exciting”.
Both have this very open soundstage with a detailed treble-forward sound, but the Headphone (1) Pro has the edge in resolution and details, partly due to LDAC while the AirPods Max 2 is stuck to just AAC.
One area that the Headphone (1) Pro is much more refined is in the bass, which is equally impactful but more controlled and authoritative.
The AirPods Max 2 has a similarly punchy bass, but can get slightly boomier in the sub-bass versus the Headphone (1) Pro.
To my ears, the Headphone (1) Pro is basically like a higher-quality AirPods Max 2. Similar sound profile but higher level of fidelity and detail.
Sound Quality Score: 9.2 out of 10
Comfort
The Nothing Headphone (1) Pro is heavier than average of the wireless over-ear headphones we’ve tested:
- Bose QuietComfort (2023 model) – 236.1 grams
- Bose QuietComfort 2nd Gen – 237.3 grams
- Sony WH-1000XM5 – 246.1 grams
- Sony WH-1000XM4C – 250.9 grams
- Sony WH-1000XM4 – 251.6 grams
- Sony WH-1000XM6 – 252.8 grams
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra (1st gen) – 254.4 grams
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen) – 262.2 grams
- Beats Studio Pro – 268.6 grams
- Sennheiser Momentum 5 – 288.8 grams
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 – 292.9 grams
- Beats 360 – 293.8 grams
- Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION – 311.2 grams
- Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 – 312.0 grams
- Sennheiser HDB 630 – 313.4 grams
- Sonos Ace – 318.1 grams
- Bowers & Wilkins Px8 – 320.1 grams
- Bang & Olufsen H95 – 323 grams
- Nothing Headphone (1) Pro – 324.7 grams
- Nothing Headphone (1) – 328.3 grams
- Focal Bathys – 350 grams
- Focal Bathys MG – 365.5 grams
- Bang & Olufsen H100 – 375.6 grams
- Dali IO-12 – 379.4 grams
- Apple AirPods Max 2 – 384.4 grams
Despite being on the heavier end, although not as heavy as the AirPods Max 2, the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro is actually one of the more comfortable headphones we’ve tested.
I find it more comfortable than the mid-tier Headphone (1), due to more plush cushioning in the earpads and headband.
Also, the clamping force is not too strong from the factory, unlike the Sony WH-1000XM6. It also loosens up a bit with more wear.
The best part is the large interior earcup space, which has my ears pretty free inside like the AirPods Max 2.
Overall, it’s a very comfortable headphone but just on the heavy side.
Comfort Score: 9.0 out of 10
Features / Battery Life / Build Quality / Practicality
Features
The Nothing Headphone (1) Pro was released in September 2026 and has many modern wireless ANC headphone features:
- Native Apple and Android app support
- Bluetooth 6.1
- Multi-point connectivity
- Spatial Audio
- LDAC Support
- USB-C Lossless Wired Audio (24-bit/192 kHz)
- Physical buttons and controls (volume roller wheel and paddle)
- Multiple built-in microphones for taking calls
- Active Noise Cancelling
- Transparency Mode
- Includes hardshell case (case weighs 383.8 grams)
Battery Life
The Nothing Headphone (1) Pro has 30 hours of battery life on a single charge with ANC on.
- Marshall Monitor III – 70 hours (ANC on), 100 hours (ANC off)
- Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE – 60 hours (ANC on), 100 hours (ANC off)
- Audeze Maxwell – 80 hours (no ANC included)
- Sennheiser HDB 630 – 60 hours
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 – 60 hours
- Sennheiser Momentum 5 – 57 hours
- Dali IO-12 – 35 hours (ANC on)
- Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 – 34 hours (ANC on)
- Beats 360 – 32 hours (ANC on)
- Focal Bathys MG – “Over 30 hours” (ANC on)
- Nothing Headphone (1) Pro – 30 hours (ANC on), 68 hours (ANC off)
- Sony WH-1000XM6 – 30 hours (ANC on), 40 hours (ANC off)
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) – 30 hours
- Sony WH-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM4 – 30 hours
- Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 and Px8 – 30 hours
- Sonos Ace – 30 hours
- Sony WH-1000XM4C – 27 hours (ANC on), 34 hours (ANC off)
- Bose QuietComfort 2nd Gen – 24 hours
- Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION – 24 hours
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra (1st Gen) – 24 hours
- Apple AirPods Max 2 – 20 hours
- Apple AirPods Max – 20 hours
In my testing, I found this figure to be accurate.
30 hours with ANC on is average for the class, but 68 hours with ANC off is definitely above-average.
Interestingly, the Headphone (1) Pro has less battery life than the Headphone (1), but it’s likely due to the more advanced noise cancelling hardware requiring more power.
Build Quality
The build quality on the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro is a slightly mixed bag.
For the positives, there is a mixed titanium and aluminum alloy used for the hinges and earcups.
The new design utilizes a “9H Panda Glass” to show off the triple-driver hardware inside the earcup, and this glass is both scratch- and shatter-resistant.
For the negatives, the headband feels entirely plastic and not upgraded at all over the Headphone (1).
To make matters worse, the included hardshell case doesn’t cover the headband, unlike the included case of the Headphone (1).
Overall, I find the build quality to be fairly fitting for a $400 headphone, especially in the hinges and earcups, but worry about the plastic headband slightly.
Practicality
Here is the most controversial and negative aspect of the Headphone (1) Pro, which is the poorly-designed, heavy 383.3 gram hardshell case.
For reference, that weighs almost as much as a pair of AirPods Max 2, the heaviest headphone we’ve tested in this class.
Also, the case is quite impractical as it doesn’t even cover the entire headphone, exposing its weakest link, the plastic headband.
You also can’t charge the headphone while it’s inside the case, unlike Apple’s “Smart Case”, which has a cutout for the USB-C port.
With that out of the way, the headphone itself would make for an excellent daily driver due to its comfort, noise cancelling performance, battery life, and features.
It’s just not as portable due to the heavy case and lack of collapsibility like the Bose and Sony headphones.
Features / Battery Life / Build Quality / Practicality Score: 8.5 out of 10
Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) Performance
Good news, the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro has the best noise cancelling performance of any Nothing (or CMF) headphone prior, including the Headphone (1), Headphone (a), and CMF Headphone Pro.
Nothing has historically been average to slightly above average for their noise cancelling in their over-ear headphones.
But they put a clear emphasis on upgrading that in the (1) Pro, starting with a hardware upgrade of a new 10-microphone array, versus just 6 microphones on the Headphone (1).
When I first tested the Headphone (1) Pro in a commercial gym, I was immediately impressed by the silence that is clearly deserving of a Top 10 spot for noise cancelling in the class.
While I wouldn’t put it above the “elite” best-in-class like the AirPods Max 2, Sony WH-1000XM6, or Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2, it is a big leap over the Headphone (1).
The Transparency Mode is also one of the best we’ve tested, probably thanks to the new 10-mic array.
Noise Cancelling Score: 9.0 out of 10
Value
The Nothing Headphone (1) Pro retails at $399 USD, and since it’s brand new, there are no discounts yet.
No doubt, the new $400 price tag carries a new level of expectations versus the mid-tier Headphone (1), that has dipped to below $200 on sale recently.
From a pure dollar-value perspective, the Headphone (1) is about 85% of the (1) Pro for about half the price.
That said, I actually find the Headphone (1) Pro to be a unique proposition because it combines audiophile sound quality that is superior to your usual crop of AirPod Max 2 and Sony WH-1000XM6, but better noise cancelling than something like the Sennheiser Momentum 5.
So for that reason, I do think the Headphone (1) Pro justifies its full retail price.
The biggest drawback to this headphone is actual its very heavy and impractical hardshell case, but there are solutions to this, such as a third-party case replacement. Annoying, yes, but the headphone itself is excellent.
Value Score: 8.0 out of 10
Is the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro Worth it?
I have some mixed feelings about the Headphone (1) Pro due to the poorly-designed case, but the actual headphone itself is fairly excellent in all the areas that matter.
Namely, the sound quality, noise cancelling performance, battery life, and features.
I find the Headphone (1) Pro to be a unique blend between the audiophile-level sound quality of something like the Sennheiser Momentum 5, but with Top 10 noise cancelling that is on par with some Bose and Sony headphones. This is a very appealing combination that is pretty rare for the class.
Sure, there is better pure sound quality (Sennheiser HDB 630, Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2) and better pure noise cancelling (AirPods Max 2, Sony WH-1000XM6), but not many headphones that combine both.
The only drawback for me is that infamous case, but there are third-party solutions to this that should spring up on Amazon soon enough.
For starters, I’ve already been able to fit the Headphone (1) Pro into the Headphone (1)’s superior (and lighter) case, and even Apple’s “Smart Case” fits.
Replace the case, and the Headphone (1) Pro is one of the strongest releases of 2026.
Some very Strong Alternatives in this class of noise cancelling headphones are:
- AirPods Max 2
- Sennheiser Momentum 5
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen
- Nothing Headphone 1
- Sony WH-1000XM6
- Bose QuietComfort 2
- Beats 360
- Sennheiser HDB 630
- Sennheiser Momentum 4
- Sony WH-1000XM5
- Beats Studio Pro
- Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3
- Sonos Ace
- Bose QuietComfort 1st Gen (2023)
Overall Scoring Breakdown
Sound Quality (50% of score): 9.2 / 10
Comfort (10% of score): 9.0 / 10
Features / Battery Life / Build Quality / Practicality (10% of score): 8.5 / 10
Noise Cancelling (20% of score): 9.0 / 10
Value (10% of score): 8.0 / 10
Overall: 8.95 / 10
Order the LATEST VERSION for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
Disclosure: These affiliate links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to keep this website 100% independent to ensure honest unfiltered reviews 🙂
How We Tested and Our Methodology
RecordingNOW.com is a 100% independent publisher with over 10 years of experience testing and reviewing consumer electronics and headphones.
We currently purchase almost all of the products we test with our own money, and are not paid by any company or manufacturer to influence our opinions or decisions.
After purchasing the product, we conduct up to hundreds of hours of detailed hands-on testing in a controlled, acoustically-treated environment. Noise cancelling performance is tested in the real-world, primarily on airplane flights, coffee shops, and walking around large metropolitan city environments.
ODi Productions is our resident expert and author of this article, with 10 years of experience as a professional music producer, tech journalist, and audiophile.
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