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Nothing
Nothing Headphone (a)
noise cancelling
8.3/ 10
ANCNoise cancelling8.3
0.010.0
At 8.3, its noise cancelling beats 55% of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 58 of the 239 we've cataloged.
See the lab data ↓Frequency response · Isolation · Noise cancelling
Key specs
Battery Life Wireless
135 hAbove average135 h
11 h100 h
above average for over-ear headphones — based on 156 of 239 we've cataloged.
Bluetooth Version
5.45.029%5.326%5.216%5.411%
5.4 appears on 11% of the 147 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 239).
Connection Type
Most commonWired-3.5mm48%Bluetooth44%Wired-usb-c7%Others2%
Bluetooth is the most common — on 44% of the 239 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 239).
Weight
310 gAbove average310 g
133 g420 g
above average for over-ear headphones — based on 196 of 239 we've cataloged.
Battery
- Battery Life Wireless
- 135 h
- Battery Life Anc On
- 75 h
- Battery
- Yes
Connectivity
- Bluetooth Version
- 5.4
- Connection Type
- Bluetooth, wired-3.5mm, wired-usb-c
- Bluetooth Codec
- AAC, LDAC, SBC
- Headphone Jack
- Yes
Design
- Weight
- 310 g
- Color Options
- Black, pink, white, yellow
- Foldable
- No
- Headband Type
- Adjustable over-head
Build
- IP Rating
- IP52
- Material Chassis Primary
- Plastic
Features
- Control Type
- Physical buttons, touch controls
- Auto Pause
- No
Microphone
- Microphone
- Yes
Release
- Date
- 2026-03-05
- Msrp Usd
- 199.99 USD
- Year
- 2026
Sound
- Ambient Mode
- Standard
- Driver Size
- 40 mm
- Frequency Response
- 20-40000 Hz
- Frequency Response High Hz
- 40000 Hz
- Frequency Response Low Hz
- 20 Hz
- Noise Cancellation Type
- Active
Lab data
How we test ›Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Nothing Headphone (a)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 | 3.7 |
| 25 | 3.8 |
| 32 | 4.6 |
| 40 | 5.1 |
| 50 | 5.1 |
| 63 | 4.7 |
| 80 | 4.3 |
| 100 | 3.7 |
| 125 | 2.5 |
| 160 | -0.7 |
| 200 | -4.9 |
| 250 | -7.5 |
| 315 | -6.2 |
| 400 | -5.0 |
| 500 | -4.7 |
| 630 | -3.9 |
| 800 | -2.4 |
| 1000 | -0.1 |
| 1250 | 1.1 |
| 1600 | 3.0 |
| 2000 | 4.7 |
| 2500 | 6.0 |
| 3150 | 6.8 |
| 4000 | 0.7 |
| 5000 | 4.0 |
| 6300 | 4.9 |
| 8000 | 2.9 |
| 10000 | 1.5 |
| 12500 | -1.7 |
| 16000 | -6.4 |
| 20000 | -20.9 |
Nothing Headphone (a)
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 | 2.1 |
| 26 | 1.9 |
| 33 | 1.3 |
| 41 | 2.6 |
| 52 | 1.1 |
| 65 | 1.2 |
| 82 | -0.2 |
| 103 | 0.8 |
| 130 | 3.9 |
| 163 | 7.5 |
| 205 | 9.9 |
| 259 | 12.7 |
| 325 | 13.9 |
| 410 | 13.2 |
| 516 | 13.8 |
| 613 | 15.1 |
| 772 | 17.6 |
| 972 | 20.1 |
| 1220 | 22.5 |
| 1540 | 24.4 |
| 1940 | 31.7 |
| 2440 | 38.1 |
| 3070 | 39.2 |
| 3870 | 37.2 |
| 4870 | 40.2 |
| 6130 | 49.6 |
| 7720 | 42.3 |
| 9720 | 44.4 |
| 12200 | 45.1 |
| 15400 | 44.4 |
| 19400 | 44.3 |
Nothing Headphone (a)
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 | 6.2 |
| 26 | 9.7 |
| 33 | 14.0 |
| 41 | 17.6 |
| 52 | 24.0 |
| 65 | 19.7 |
| 82 | 30.6 |
| 103 | 24.6 |
| 130 | 22.1 |
| 163 | 16.9 |
| 205 | 14.6 |
| 259 | 12.6 |
| 325 | 20.5 |
| 410 | 17.1 |
| 516 | 17.5 |
| 613 | 19.4 |
| 772 | 24.4 |
| 972 | 22.6 |
| 1220 | 26.9 |
| 1540 | 32.4 |
| 1940 | 28.6 |
| 2440 | 32.5 |
| 3070 | 24.8 |
| 3870 | 31.0 |
| 4870 | 32.8 |
| 6130 | 28.6 |
| 7720 | 44.0 |
| 9720 | 39.9 |
| 12200 | 44.6 |
| 15400 | 44.3 |
| 19400 | 44.4 |
SoundGuys review
Read the full review ›Noise cancelling8.3
Isolation7.6
Battery life9.9
Comfort & fit8.0
Connectivity9.5
Design7.0
The verdict
There aren't many ANC headphones under $200 that perform very well, but the Nothing Headphone (a) is worth a look if you're hoping for headphones that have all the modern features you want — and insane battery life — at a lower price, these could be for you.
✓What we like
✓Price
✓ANC
✓Features
✓Comfort
✓Battery life
✕What could be better
✕Odd stock sound
✕Difficult to EQ
Related comparisons
Browse all versus ›See how the Nothing Headphone (a) 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 TriggsContributorPhone-specific features suck. Here's whyHeadphone manufacturers are marching to the same somber beat.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 TriggsContributorWhat do all the Nothing Headphone (1)'s EQ presets sound like?Let's explore what's in store for you.
Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeI'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 TriggsContributorPhone-specific features suck. Here's whyHeadphone manufacturers are marching to the same somber beat.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 TriggsContributorWhat do all the Nothing Headphone (1)'s EQ presets sound like?Let's explore what's in store for you.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeI'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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