Over-Ear Headphones
Sony WH-1000XM5
8.6/10SoundGuys scoreRead our review ›
$239.99at Amazon
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Nothing
Nothing Headphone (1)
noise cancelling & sound
8.5/ 10
ANCNoise cancelling8.5
0.010.0
At 8.5, its noise cancelling beats 74% of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 61 of the 238 we've cataloged.
4.1/ 5
SoundMDAQS Overall4.1
1.05.0
At 4.1, its audio quality beats 48% of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 44 of the 238 we've cataloged.
See the lab data ↓Frequency response · Isolation · Noise cancelling · Audio quality
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Key specs
Battery Life Wireless
135 hAbove average135 h
11 h100 h
above average for over-ear headphones — based on 156 of 238 we've cataloged.
Charging Method
USB-CMost commonUsb-c89%Micro usb8%Others3%
Usb-c is the most common — on 89% of the 135 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 238).
Bluetooth Version
5.45.028%5.325%5.216%5.411%
5.4 appears on 11% of the 147 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 238).
Weight
310 gAbove average310 g
120 g427 g
above average for over-ear headphones — based on 198 of 238 we've cataloged.
Battery
- Battery Life Wireless
- 135 h
- Charging Method
- USB-C
- Full Charge Minutes
- 5 min
- Battery Life Anc On
- 42.88 h
- Battery
- Yes
- Fast Charging
- Yes
Connectivity
- Bluetooth Version
- 5.4
- Bluetooth Codec
- SBC, AAC, LDAC
- Multipoint Devices
- 2 devices
- USB Charging
- Yes
Design
- Weight
- 310 g
- Color Options
- Black, white
- Foldable
- No
- Headband Type
- Adjustable over-head
Features
- Spatial Audio
- Head tracking
- Companion App
- IOS + Android
- Control Type
- Physical buttons, touch controls, voice commands via app
- Eq Customization
- Full parametric EQ
Build
- IP Rating
- IP52
- Material Chassis Primary
- Plastic
- Material Ear Cups
- Memory foam, PU leather
- Material Headband
- Plastic with padding
Microphone
- Count
- 4
- Microphone
- Yes
- Noise Reduction Type
- AI-powered noise reduction
Sound
- Acoustic Design
- Closed-back
- Ambient Mode
- Standard
- Driver Size
- 40 mm
- Driver Type
- Dynamic driver
- Noise Cancellation Type
- Active
- Passive Isolation
- 52 dB
Lab data
How we test ›Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Nothing Headphone (1)SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve
Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | 7.6 |
| 25 | 5.9 |
| 32 | 3.8 |
| 40 | 1.9 |
| 50 | 1.7 |
| 63 | 2.1 |
| 80 | 1.8 |
| 100 | -0.1 |
| 125 | -1.6 |
| 160 | -3.1 |
| 200 | -4.3 |
| 250 | -4.1 |
| 315 | -4.0 |
| 400 | -4.0 |
| 500 | -3.4 |
| 630 | -1.9 |
| 800 | -0.8 |
| 1000 | -0.0 |
| 1250 | -0.1 |
| 1600 | 1.5 |
| 2000 | 3.7 |
| 2500 | 4.1 |
| 3150 | 5.1 |
| 4000 | 1.1 |
| 5000 | 2.2 |
| 6300 | 3.6 |
| 8000 | 3.3 |
| 10000 | -1.9 |
| 12500 | -4.2 |
| 16000 | -12.4 |
| 20000 | -27.1 |
Nothing Headphone (1)
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | -0.7 |
| 26 | 1.2 |
| 33 | -0.1 |
| 41 | -0.8 |
| 52 | -0.6 |
| 65 | -0.8 |
| 82 | -2.4 |
| 103 | -2.4 |
| 130 | -1.3 |
| 163 | 1.1 |
| 205 | 3.3 |
| 259 | 5.9 |
| 325 | 8.8 |
| 410 | 10.6 |
| 516 | 13.3 |
| 613 | 14.6 |
| 772 | 15.3 |
| 972 | 17.6 |
| 1220 | 20.8 |
| 1540 | 24.1 |
| 1940 | 34.5 |
| 2440 | 33.1 |
| 3070 | 23.5 |
| 3870 | 35.4 |
| 4870 | 30.5 |
| 6130 | 36.8 |
| 7720 | 32.1 |
| 9720 | 36.9 |
| 12200 | 38.4 |
| 15400 | 37.4 |
| 19400 | 39.0 |
Nothing Headphone (1)
Total attenuation (dB) with ANC on — passive isolation plus active noise cancelling. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Total attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 1.3 |
| 26 | -0.2 |
| 33 | -0.4 |
| 41 | 1.0 |
| 52 | 4.4 |
| 65 | 6.5 |
| 82 | 11.3 |
| 103 | 15.3 |
| 130 | 16.3 |
| 163 | 18.1 |
| 205 | 20.5 |
| 259 | 23.0 |
| 325 | 26.3 |
| 410 | 26.9 |
| 516 | 25.6 |
| 613 | 24.8 |
| 772 | 25.9 |
| 972 | 24.4 |
| 1220 | 25.8 |
| 1540 | 27.4 |
| 1940 | 26.9 |
| 2440 | 29.8 |
| 3070 | 22.4 |
| 3870 | 35.4 |
| 4870 | 30.4 |
| 6130 | 36.5 |
| 7720 | 32.5 |
| 9720 | 36.3 |
| 12200 | 37.5 |
| 15400 | 37.4 |
| 19400 | 40.1 |
Nothing Headphone (1)
4.4
3.5
3.9
4.1
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (1–5), modeled from the measured response. Higher is better across timbre, distortion, and immersiveness — add other models to see where this one lands.
SoundGuys review
Noise cancelling8.5
Isolation7.6
Battery life9.7
Comfort & fit8.0
Connectivity9.0
Design7.0
The verdict
Nothing's Mark 1 headphones are an impressive debut in the over-ear space. They get many things right, from great ANC to a feature-rich app and a rare IP52 water-resistance rating, but the sound quality requires some tinkering with the custom EQ.
✓Liked: ANC, App, Design, Battery
✕Could be better: Default sound is dark, Doesn't fold, Some Nothing-exclusive features
Owners
How we verify ownersNobody who owns the Nothing Headphone (1) has written in yet.
Owner notes are not paid for, not solicited from specific owners, and not edited by us. The commission SoundGuys may earn on this page comes from retail links, never from notes.
Own the Nothing Headphone (1)?
Three answers, four quick reads, one sentence nobody tells you before buying. Shown under a pseudonym.
Related comparisons
Browse all versus ›See how the Nothing Headphone (1) stacks up against the competition.
Features & Opinions
More from the team ›Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
3 headphones I would buy instead of the AirPods Max 2These premium headphones deliver class-leading ANC, longer battery life, and more flexibility for less money.
Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterPersonal Sound is my favorite feature on the Nothing Headphone (1)Tailor your listening with this easy-to-miss Nothing Headphone (1) feature.
Tom TriggsContributorThe best Nothing Headphone (1) alternativesIs the hype for nothing?Tom TriggsContributorI uncovered a major issue with the Nothing Headphone (1)Nothing's worse than headphones that don't fit.Tom TriggsContributorI'm never going back to touch controls after using the Nothing Headphone (1)#BringBackButtons
Adam BirneyManaging EditorThis one feature of the Nothing Headphone (1) proves Apple, Sony and Bose can do betterNothing proved water-resistant headphones are possible. What's everyone else's excuse?Adam BirneyManaging EditorWhat do all the Nothing Headphone (1)'s EQ presets sound like?Let's explore what's in store for you.
Christian ThomasEditor-at-largePhone-specific features suck. Here's whyHeadphone manufacturers are marching to the same somber beat.Tom TriggsContributorI've reviewed headphones for over a decade: Here are 5 things I wish they did differentlyHeadphone companies: help me help youChristian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.Tom TriggsContributor
Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterPersonal Sound is my favorite feature on the Nothing Headphone (1)Tailor your listening with this easy-to-miss Nothing Headphone (1) feature.Tom TriggsContributorThe best Nothing Headphone (1) alternativesIs the hype for nothing?Tom TriggsContributorI uncovered a major issue with the Nothing Headphone (1)Nothing's worse than headphones that don't fit.Tom TriggsContributorI'm never going back to touch controls after using the Nothing Headphone (1)#BringBackButtonsAdam BirneyManaging EditorThis one feature of the Nothing Headphone (1) proves Apple, Sony and Bose can do betterNothing proved water-resistant headphones are possible. What's everyone else's excuse?Adam BirneyManaging EditorWhat do all the Nothing Headphone (1)'s EQ presets sound like?Let's explore what's in store for you.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largePhone-specific features suck. Here's whyHeadphone manufacturers are marching to the same somber beat.Tom TriggsContributorI've reviewed headphones for over a decade: Here are 5 things I wish they did differentlyHeadphone companies: help me help youChristian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.Tom TriggsContributorMore Over-Ear Headphones
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