Nothing Headphone (a)

SoundGuys praises the Nothing Headphone (a) as an impressive value for under $200, especially highlighting its standout battery life, useful app features (parametric EQ, Channel Hop, find-my-headphones), and comfortable lightweight design. Christian Thomas’s tone is broadly positive but measured: he applauds the headphones’ modern feature set, solid ANC for the price, and versatile connectivity (LDAC, wired options), yet repeatedly flags fit-dependent sound quirks — a bass-forward, somewhat “wonky” mid/high tuning and tricky seal issues that make vocals and some mixes sound odd. Practical insights include realistic notes on IP52 resistance, physical controls favored over touch, and limitations of the in-app EQ. Overall the review recommends the Headphone (a) for buyers prioritizing battery, style, and features at this price while cautioning audiophiles or those sensitive to midrange tuning.

Matt Bolton assesses the Nothing Headphone (a) as an impressive, confidently improved follow-up that fixes the original’s sound issues, retains standout design-and-control strengths, and delivers exceptional value at $199. The reviewer is clearly pleased: he praises a much wider, more energetic soundstage, flexible EQ via a superb app (including instant EQ switching), strong bass performance for electronic music, solid midrange and well-integrated treble, long battery life, and distinctive, high-quality physical controls. Criticisms are measured and specific — heavier weight and clamping force, less breathable pads, a softening of fine-detail resolution versus rivals like the Sennheiser Accentum Plus, quirky color choices, lack of auto-pause, and a non-premium carry pouch — but these are framed as minor or subjective trade-offs. Overall the tone is enthusiastic yet balanced, recommending the Headphone (a) as excellent value and a top choice for many listeners, especially electronic-music fans.

Luke Baker from Trusted Reviews praises the Nothing Headphone (a) for delivering standout value and a characterful design that will delight fans of Nothing’s retro‑futuristic look. He’s enthusiastic about the headphones’ exceptional battery life, tactile controls, and customizable Nothing X app, and calls the sound “great” with particularly impressive sub‑bass while noting a slightly narrow soundstage and that the bold styling won’t suit everyone. He highlights comfort for long wear, solid ANC that approaches pricier rivals, rapid charging, and deep EQ options (including community presets), and contrasts the plastic construction and simpler case with the premium Headphone (1) and its KEF tuning. Overall Baker strongly recommends the Headphone (a) as a surprisingly complete, feature‑packed alternative at about half the price of the flagship, with aesthetics being the main deciding factor.

Tom's Guide praises the Nothing Headphone (a) for its striking, futuristic design, playful and intuitive controls (roller and paddle), excellent battery life (around 135 hours), useful app features, LDAC support for Android, and an IP52 rating rarely seen on over-ears. Erin Bashford’s tone is appreciative and amused—clearly enthusiastic about style, ergonomics, and practical extras—while remaining measured about audio: she finds the sound “a bit mashed potato,” with muddy bass, limited low-end complexity, occasional treble harshness, and middling ANC and call clarity compared with Bose or Sony flagships. Testing across wired, AAC, and LDAC, she notes LDAC improves clarity but still doesn’t match premium competitors. Overall the review recommends these as a midrange, fashion-forward pick for non‑audiophiles—especially Android users—while advising serious listeners to consider higher-end alternatives.

T3’s Max Freeman-Mills highlights that the Nothing Headphone (a) succeeds at bringing the spirit of the Headphone (1) to a much more affordable price: the same 40mm drivers, warm and precise sound, and effective ANC deliver impressive musicality and airport/train‑carriage noise reduction. He praises the retained physical controls, stellar battery life (75 hours with ANC, rapid 5‑minute emergency charge) and a smooth companion app, while noting cost‑cutting shows in lighter, more plastic construction, slightly reduced passive isolation, fiddlier headband adjustments, so‑so call mics, and an IP52 rating that limits heavy‑rain durability. He also flags that recent Headphone (1) discounts tighten the value gap. Overall the tone is approving and measured: the Headphone (a) is a solid, long‑lasting, well‑designed budget alternative that preserves much of the original’s character despite sensible compromises.

Dan Seifert from The Verge highlights that Nothing’s Headphone A trims cost and weight from the Headphone 1 while preserving the brand’s distinctive design and excellent tactile controls, delivering impressive battery life (up to 135 hours) and useful extras like IP52 protection and wired USB-C/3.5mm options. The review is upbeat but measured: the headphones are praised as a smarter, more practical follow-up to the Headphone 1 thanks to lower price ($199), lighter build, and sturdier swivel hinges, yet the author flags real trade-offs — notably middling outgoing call quality and the choice of a carrying bag instead of a hard case. Overall the tone is positively recommending, appreciating the thoughtful compromises and strong day-to-day usability while acknowledging limitations that matter to some users.

Android Police’s Andy Boxall highlights the Nothing Headphone (a) as a stylish, fun, and battery-focused over-ear option that prioritizes bold bass, tactile physical controls, and week-long endurance over audiophile subtlety. He repeatedly praises the distinctive transparent design, comfortable memory-foam cups, excellent roller-and-button controls, flexible wired/USB-C options, and a well-designed Nothing X app that lets you tame or amplify the pronounced low end. ANC is described as mild but comfortable—good for dulling background hum but not for full isolation—and fit/weight and warmth on walks are noted as potential drawbacks for some users. Side-by-side testing versus Bose and Nothing’s own cheaper model places the Headphone (a) squarely as a compelling mid-range choice: more exciting than budget rivals, less refined than premium rivals, and perfect for listeners who want impactful bass, long battery life, and distinctive looks.

ZDNET praises Nothing's Headphone (a) for delivering neutral, clear sound, standout battery life, and exceptionally well‑implemented physical controls at a wallet‑friendly $199. The reviewer enthuses about day‑long comfort for work and commuting, an ANC implementation that reduces fatigue without isolating you, and the clever paddle, roller, and programmable button that let you skip tracks, change volume, and even snap photos hands‑free — small design choices that meaningfully improve everyday use. Criticisms are measured: the cans still feel a bit clunky over long sessions, can press on pierced ears, and lack in‑ear detection. Overall the tone is decidedly positive and appreciative, highlighting unique practical touches, strong value, and polished audio while noting a few comfort and feature omissions.

Expert Reviews' Andy White assesses the Nothing Headphone (a) as an impressively capable mid‑range over‑ear that punches well above its £149 price. He praises its standout controls, exceptional battery life, confident sound (especially with LDAC and EQ tools), and effective ANC, calling it more compelling than Nothing’s pricier Headphone (1) in many respects. Criticisms are measured: the (a) are noticeably heavier with a firm clamp that undermines long‑session comfort, spatial modes are underwhelming, and the included fabric pouch feels flimsy compared with a proper case. Overall the tone is positively measured and recommending—an A‑grade device for most buyers, tempered by a clear caveat for those who prioritize all‑day comfort.

James Pero from Gizmodo highlights the Nothing Headphone A as a well-designed, color-forward budget alternative that trades some sonic refinement for huge battery life and solid ANC. The review is measured and mildly enthusiastic—praising the comfy, lightweight build, handy physical controls, and class-leading battery estimates (up to 135 hours off-ANC) while calling out the clearest compromises: cheaper plastic construction, limited-edition yellow availability, middling call performance with ambient pickup, and a noticeably less nuanced, slightly bass‑bumped sound compared with the Headphone 1 (which benefitted from a KEF tuning). Unique insights include back-to-back listening tests that reveal tinny highs and exaggerated lows on rock and electronic tracks, plus practical commute testing that confirms strong noise cancellation. Overall, the reviewer recommends Headphone 1 for audiophiles but positions Headphone A as a compelling pick for buyers prioritizing color, comfort, features, and exceptional battery life.