I finally tried Nothing Headphones for the first time, and I don’t want to go back

Source: Android Authority

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

I’ve been an earbuds guy for as long as I can remember. The convenience of being able to pop a case out of my pocket, stick in earbuds, and go has always been too tempting for an adventure‑loving distance runner. Unfortunately, there are times when earbuds just won’t do. They’re hard to wear when sweating in the gym (unless they loop over my ears), and the limited battery life means they’re not always great for long trips away from home.

In those cases, I’ve always been jealous of my friends with powerful, long‑lasting over‑ear headphones. They’ve just always seemed like a better solution, but one that I never wanted to make space for. Then, Nothing announced the new Headphone A, and I decided it was time to try something new. I picked up a pair in the clean white finish, and I’ve been wearing them ever since.

Here’s why I’m a headphones guy now — at least a Nothing Headphone guy — and why I have no interest in wearing anything else.

Would you buy mid‑range headphones?

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Oh, How I Love Tactile Controls

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

I’m not going to lie — I almost bought headphones from Nothing a month ago. They were on a good sale, and I was looking for something I could wear all day long. I didn’t, though, partly because I wasn’t sure I could pull off the squircle design, and I regretted it every day until the Nothing Headphone A showed up. When I finally unboxed my pair, it was love at first sight.

A Designer’s Dream

There’s something about the Headphone A that’s an industrial‑design nerd’s dream. Unlike the Nothing phones, which only cosplay as having an industrial look, the Headphone A are all about manual controls. You’re not tapping or swiping, which makes it practically impossible to accidentally crank the volume or skip a track. Instead, you do everything — or almost everything — on the two physical controls shown above.

Reach‑Friendly Buttons

At first I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about that. I have longer hair, which tends to get in the way of my headphones, and I worried I wouldn’t be able to find the volume roller (top) or the playback paddle (bottom). After a short acclimation period the controls became second nature:

• Volume roller – smooth, responsive, with audible (but not haptic) feedback.
• Playback paddle – clicky and satisfying, never missed a command.

I’ve never once had an issue with either one, unlike literally every tap‑based control I’ve ever used.

More Physical Features

The Nothing Headphone A also include:

• A physical power toggle.
• An additional multifunction button on the same earcup as the other controls. By default it triggers my voice assistant, but it can also act as a remote camera shutter – handy if you like feeling like James Bond.

Colours and Finishes

The headphones come in four finishes:

I personally like the white pair for its exposed details, but the black version’s glossy finish is equally appealing.

Cables

Don’t expect the same transparent love from Nothing’s included cables. Both the USB‑C and 3.5 mm cords have boring, opaque ends.

Overall, the tactile, reachable controls and thoughtful design make the Nothing Headphone A one of the company’s brightest products to date.

It’s What’s Inside That Counts

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

As much as I like to be picky about how my headphones look, the truth is I’ll hardly ever see them—they’ll be on my head. Aesthetic appeal is mostly for onlookers, but I do appreciate the distinctive design of the Nothing Headphone A. It’s not every day you find a pair of cans that stand out.

Sound Quality

The real test of any headphone is how it sounds, and here Nothing delivers. I’m not an audiophile, so I can’t compare it note‑for‑note with high‑end models, but I’m genuinely pleased with the result.

• 40 mm titanium‑coated diaphragm – provides a clear, balanced sound.
• Wireless LDAC support – streams 24‑bit audio, which is a nice bonus for most listeners.

You could certainly get better fidelity from a pair that costs twice as much, but 95 % of my usage is streaming from YouTube or Spotify. For that, the Headphone A is more than adequate. If I ever want a little extra clarity, I can plug in the included 3.5 mm aux cable (still useful for devices that retain a headphone jack) – see the list of compatible phones here.

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

Active Noise Cancelling

Nothing’s ANC is surprisingly effective—much better than the earbuds I’m used to. The headphones offer three levels of noise cancellation, but I usually stay on the default setting in the Nothing X app. It mutes enough roadwork noise to let me enjoy a coffee run, yet I can instantly switch to transparency mode with a single button press when I need to stay aware of my surroundings.

Battery Life

The battery life is the headline feature. Nothing claims up to 135 hours of playback without ANC and 75 hours with it enabled. In real‑world use that translates to roughly three full days of continuous listening—more than enough for my needs. For perspective, that’s comparable to a month of usage for me, so I rarely have to charge them as often as I charge my Garmin watch.

Bottom Line

I’m aware that my enthusiasm is partly tinted by a “rose‑colored” perspective. True audiophiles may gravitate toward more premium options, but for everyday wear the Nothing Headphone A hits the sweet spot with solid sound, effective ANC, intuitive controls, and outstanding battery life.

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