Nothing Headphone (1) review: KEF tuning, physical controls and an IP52 rating, but a dark default sound
Nothing Headphone (1) in India: ANC, LDAC, USB-C audio and IP52 for ₹21,999 on Flipkart. Lab battery beat the claim; owners split on sound and it does not fold.
- Research-based review: we have not tested this unit hands-on
Where to buy
- Flipkart ₹21,999Check price
MRP ₹26,999
Prices checked 12 Nov 2026. Prices change often. Plain retailer links — we earn no commission when you buy.
Disclosure: Research-based review: we have not tested this unit. Specs come from Nothing's India product page and prices from Flipkart (checked 12 Nov 2026); test results come from SoundGuys and owner feedback from Flipkart. The score is provisional until we test it ourselves.
The verdict
The Nothing Headphone (1) offers adaptive ANC, LDAC, USB-C audio, an IP52 rating and a claimed 35 hours with ANC on for ₹21,999. It suits people who like physical controls and will tweak the EQ; the catch is a dark default sound, 329 g of weight and no fold.
Best for
- Commuters who want strong battery life and ANC under ₹25,000
- People who prefer buttons and a roller to touch controls
- Gym users and monsoon commuters who want some water resistance
Skip it if
- You want great sound straight out of the box without using an EQ
- You need headphones that fold small; these only rotate flat
- You find heavy headphones uncomfortable; Nothing lists 329 g
What we like
- SoundGuys measured 42 hours 53 minutes with ANC on, above Nothing's 35-hour claim
- LDAC, AAC and SBC, plus wired USB-C audio and a 3.5 mm jack (Nothing, SoundGuys)
- IP52 dust and water resistance, rare among premium over-ears
- Volume roller, paddle and button instead of touch controls; 8-band EQ in the Nothing X app
- 5-minute charge for up to 5 hours with ANC off (Nothing)
What we don’t
- SoundGuys found the default tuning dark; several Flipkart owners call the sound or bass disappointing
- 329 g and does not fold, so it stays bulky in the bag
- Some Flipkart owners rate the ANC below Sony's
- Battery drops to 30 hours (ANC on) when using LDAC, per Nothing
- 1-year warranty; Nothing sends Indian buyers to Flipkart rather than its own store
Score breakdown
- Specs on paper
- 8.5
- Independent and owner evidence
- 7.0
- Support and warranty
- 6.5
- Value
- 7.0
In this review
How we researched this
We have not used the Headphone (1). Specs come from the technical specifications on Nothing’s India product page, and the price and owner reviews come from the Flipkart listing, both read on 12 November 2026. Measured battery life, noise cancelling and sound notes come from SoundGuys’ review.
We could not check Amazon.in or offline retailers, and we have no measurements of our own.
What you get on paper
A 40 mm dynamic driver tuned with KEF, real-time adaptive ANC rated up to 42 dB (Nothing says this is a theoretical maximum from its own lab), six microphones, Bluetooth 5.3 with dual connection, and AAC, SBC and LDAC. It is IP52 rated and supports both USB-C and 3.5 mm wired listening.
Battery claims depend on the codec. Over AAC, Nothing claims 35 hours with ANC on and 80 hours with it off. Over LDAC, it drops to 30 and 54 hours. A 5-minute charge gives up to 5 hours with ANC off, or 2.4 hours with it on.
What independent tests found
SoundGuys measured 42 hours 53 minutes with ANC on, beating the claim, and gave noise cancelling 8.5 out of 10. It found 15 to 25 dB of attenuation in the low frequencies and very good passive isolation, but said the ANC mics struggled with strong wind. It liked the comfort over several hours and the physical controls. Its main criticisms: the default sound is dark, and the headphones do not fold.
What owners report
Flipkart showed 4.4 stars from 452 ratings. The critical reviews mostly concern sound: several owners call the sound or bass disappointing for the price, one reports distortion at full volume, and a few rate the ANC below Sony’s or call the headphones heavy. Positive reviews praise the design, battery, calls and the Nothing X app settings.
Support and warranty
Flipkart lists a 1-year manufacturer warranty. Nothing’s India site points buyers to Flipkart. We did not find a service-centre list for Nothing audio products.
Should you buy it?
On specs and lab evidence the Headphone (1) is a strong, well-equipped pair for ₹21,999, with unusually good battery life and wired USB-C audio. Its weak spot is the default sound, so plan to use the EQ. If you need something that folds small or sounds right without tweaking, look at Sony’s options instead.
Key specs
| Type | Wireless over-ear headphones with adaptive ANC |
|---|---|
| Driver | 40 mm dynamic, 16 Ω, tuned with KEF |
| ANC | Real-time adaptive, up to 42 dB (Nothing lab figure) |
| Microphones | 6 total (3 per side); 4-mic ENC for calls |
| Battery claim | AAC: 35 h ANC on, 80 h ANC off; LDAC: 30 h / 54 h |
| Battery tested by others | 42 h 53 min with ANC on (SoundGuys) |
| Charging | USB-C, 120 min to full; 5 min gives 5 h (ANC off) or 2.4 h (ANC on) |
| Bluetooth and codecs | Bluetooth 5.3, dual connection; AAC, SBC, LDAC |
| Wired | USB-C audio and 3.5 mm |
| Water resistance | IP52 |
| Weight | 329 g (Nothing, Flipkart) |
| Battery capacity | 1,040 mAh |
| Warranty | 1 year (Flipkart listing) |
| Price checked | ₹21,999 on Flipkart (MRP ₹26,999), 12 Nov 2026 |
Questions buyers ask
What is the Nothing Headphone (1) price in India?
Flipkart listed it at ₹21,999 against an MRP of ₹26,999 on 12 November 2026. Nothing's India site links to Flipkart instead of selling it directly.
How long does the battery last?
Nothing claims up to 35 hours with ANC on and 80 hours with ANC off over AAC, and 30 and 54 hours over LDAC. SoundGuys measured 42 hours 53 minutes with ANC on at a lower volume than Nothing's test. We have not measured it.
Is the Nothing Headphone (1) waterproof?
No. It is rated IP52, which covers dust and light splashes or rain, not immersion.
Does it work with a wired connection?
Yes. Nothing lists USB-C audio and a 3.5 mm jack, and SoundGuys confirmed both cables come in the box.
Does the sound need EQ?
SoundGuys found the default sound dark and improved it with the app's 8-band EQ. Several Flipkart owners also complain about the sound or bass, so expect to adjust it.
