The Nothing Headphone (1) were already a pretty complete set of headphones, with a distinct design, very well-implemented physical controls, and a battery life that stood out compared to many of their rivals. Now, the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro arrive to refine the formula with a more advanced sound system, superior noise cancellation, and new features that bring them closer to a more premium experience.
The question you're probably asking yourself is: are they really better in every way? After comparing their features and testing them, there's one thing that needs to be made clear from the start: the Headphones (1) Pro are more complete, but the Headphones (1) still have compelling arguments to remain a very interesting option.
Design and comfort: two very similar propositions
Nothing adds a truly transparent aesthetic to the Pro version, achieving an even more refined design with more premium materials than the Headphone (1). We have the physical controls that work so well on both models: the volume wheel, the track selector, and the power switch—a combination I prefer to relying on touch gestures.
In terms of weight, the differences are practically nonexistent: the Headphones (1) weigh 329 grams, while the Pro version comes in at 327 grams. On paper, the new ones are slightly lighter, but we're talking about a difference of barely two grams.
Where we do find changes is in the ear pads and the case. In my case, the Pro ear pads are especially comfortable, which is appreciated when you wear them for several hours.
The case is another matter. The Headphones (1) include a fairly large, rigid fabric case that protects the entire earbuds, while the Pro version uses a rigid plastic case that leaves the headband exposed and unprotected. The latter offers more robust protection, but it's also heavier: 383.5 grams compared to the original case's 264 grams. If you usually carry your headphones in your backpack, this is a detail worth considering.
Sound: the main selling point of the Headphone (1) Pro
Here we find one of the most important differences between the two models. The Headphone (1) features a single 40mm dynamic driver and acoustic tuning developed in collaboration with KEF, a combination that already offered a refined sound. The Headphone (1) Pro takes it a step further with a three-driver architecture per earbud: one dynamic driver dedicated to bass, another precision driver, and a third with xMEMS technology to reproduce treble.
This configuration, along with the sound tuning developed with Metropolis Studios, aims to offer more detailed reproduction and greater control over different frequencies. In addition, the Pro models incorporate custom sound, spatial audio with head tracking, and Flat EQ, a flat equalization profile that you can activate with a dedicated physical switch. It's an interesting combination for those who want to tailor the sound to their preferences or enjoy a more neutral playback experience without constantly opening the app.
🎧 Nothing Headphone (1) Pro Review
However, the original Headphones (1) already had a solid acoustic foundation and shouldn't be underestimated simply because of their simpler setup. The difference is that the Pro version offers a more ambitious architecture and more customization options, making them my choice if sound and its configuration capabilities are a priority.
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Noise cancellation: an improvement on paper, but not a revolution
Nothing has also improved active noise cancellation. The Headphones (1) boast a noise level of up to 42 dB, while the Pro version reaches 46 dB and features a total of ten microphones.
In my experience, the Pro version is an improvement in this area, but I don't think the leap is so significant as to say the originals are outdated. Both offer adaptive noise cancellation, a transparency mode (improved in the Pro version), and a four-microphone system for calls, so they remain very complete options for listening to music on public transport, working, or isolating yourself from ambient noise. If you already own the Headphones (1), I wouldn't upgrade to the Pro version solely for the noise cancellation; however, if you're buying new headphones, the Pro version is definitely the more advanced option.
Battery: Headphones win here (1)
This is one of the most interesting aspects of the comparison. The original Headphones (1) clearly win in battery life, especially if you use them with AAC and without noise cancellation activated. These are the official playback figures for both models:
| Battery Life | Headphone (1) | Headphone (1) Pro |
|---|---|---|
| AAC without ANC | 80 hours | 68 hours |
| AAC with ANC | 35 hours | 30 hours |
| LDAC without ANC | 54 hours | 53 hours |
| LDAC with ANC | 30 hours | 28 hours |
| Fast charging, 5 min without ANC | 5 hours | 4 hours |
| Fast charging, 5 min with ANC | 2.4 hours | 2 hours |
The original headphones can last up to 80 hours, twelve more than the Pro headphones. With noise cancellation enabled, the advantage remains at five hours, while with LDAC the differences are considerably smaller. They also offer faster charging, which is handy when you realize you're running low on battery just before leaving home.
🎧 Nothing Headphone (1) Review
In any case, both have more than enough battery life for several days of use, and I don't think either will disappoint in this regard. However, if you spend many hours a day listening to music and want to forget about the charger as much as possible, the original Headphones (1) are still the winners in this category.
Connectivity and additional features: the Pro models look to the future
In terms of connectivity, the Headphone (1) Pro once again takes the lead by incorporating Bluetooth 6.1, compared to the original model's Bluetooth 5.3, as well as LC3 compatibility for audio streaming. Both models retain dual connectivity, AAC, SBC, and LDAC codecs, and IP52 dust and water resistance. Therefore, the Headphone (1) Pro continues to offer the essential features we expect from headphones in this category and remains perfectly adequate for everyday use.
The most interesting difference for some users lies in the wired playback options. The Pro headphones support lossless USB-C audio up to 24-bit/192kHz, as well as high-resolution audio via the AUX cable up to 24-bit/96kHz. This expands their possibilities for those who listen to music from a computer or other compatible sources and want to take advantage of connections other than wireless. It's not an advantage that everyone will use, but it does add value if you're looking for more versatile headphones and want to take full advantage of their audio capabilities.
Which ones are better?
After testing both models extensively, my choice would depend on whether you already own the Headphone (1) or are looking for your first pair of Nothing headphones. The Headphone (1) Pro are the most complete, boasting a more advanced sound architecture, superior official noise cancellation specs, better-executed spatial audio, Flat EQ, a newer Bluetooth version, and lossless USB-C audio playback. If you're looking for the most advanced option of the two and want to make the most of these features, they are the ones I would go for.
However, the Headphones (1) retain a very interesting advantage in battery life and fast charging, in addition to offering a balanced combination of sound, noise cancellation, and physical controls. If you already own them, I don't see enough reason to upgrade to the Pro version unless you specifically want their new sound features or the improvements they include. The differences exist, but they don't represent a radical leap in every aspect, and the reduced battery life could be significant for some users.
My recommendation is clear: If you're going to buy new headphones and want the best that Nothing has to offer between these two models, I would clearly go with the Headphone (1) Pro. But if you find the Headphones (1) on sale, they're still a very sensible purchase, especially if you value battery life over extra features. The Pro version offers better performance, but the originals still have a lot to offer and don't need the Pro label to remain very capable headphones.
If you want to stay informed about the latest news and updates on Nothing and CMF products, you can follow me on X (@ruudhesp), Instagram (@ruudhesp) and TikTok (@nothingtec).
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