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This one feature of the Nothing Headphone (1) proves Apple, Sony and Bose can do better
July 12, 2025
Nothing just launched its first-ever over-ear headphones, and it’s already managed to embarrass Apple, Sony, and Bose by including a feature that everyone else apparently thinks is too expensive or risky to bother with. The Nothing Headphone (1) ships with an IP52 water and dust resistance rating and only costs $299. Meanwhile, Apple, Sony, and Bose charge $130-250 more for headphones like the AirPods Max and WH-1000XM6 that won’t survive a sweaty workout or a splash of water.
Would you buy the Nothing Headphone (1) mainly for the IP52 rating?
I find it impressive that a company making its first over-ear headphones included meaningful water resistance without raising prices, compromising sound quality, or sacrificing features. Nothing’s debut headphones pack 40+ hours of battery life, solid active noise cancelation, and premium build quality, all while being tough enough to handle gym sessions and light moisture. So what exactly is everyone else’s excuse?
The dirty secret is that I suspect many flagship headphones probably already have some inherent water resistance. Companies just won’t pay for the official IP testing or deal with the warranty headaches that come with advertising durability. They’d rather you baby a $500 device than spend a few thousand dollars on certification and stand behind their engineering. It’s a calculated business decision that becomes perceived as a technical limitation.
Apple, Sony, Bose: the bar is set at $299 with IP52. Your move.
But respect to Nothing for calling that bluff. They put their money where their mouth is, got the certification, and proved that water resistance doesn’t require compromises. While the other big brands leave users playing “will it survive?” roulette with expensive headphones, Nothing actually guarantees their cans can handle real-world use.
For years, wireless earbuds have had at least IPX4 ratings, but despite growing consumer demand, any form of water resistance has somehow escaped the over-ear headphone space. I’m sure I’m not the only one seeing people wear their AirPods Max at the gym, even though they will yellow and stink quite quickly, they are willing to take the risk on $550 headphones because they want a more comfortable over-ear experience.
Nothing’s IP52 rating isn’t just dust and water protection; it’s proof that the big brands have been holding back on solidifying a basic feature for no good reason. Whether they’re saving IP ratings for next year’s “revolutionary” update, avoiding warranty claims, or simply not caring about real-world durability, the excuses just got a lot harder to make.
Apple, Sony, Bose: the bar is set at $299 with IP52. Your move.
