91
Trusted ReviewsTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Mar 5, 2026
“They're super affordable, packed with useful features, they sound great, the controls are brilliant, and they have monster battery life.”
By Luke Baker · Unrated, scored from textFull review
Headphones
Nothing Headphone (a)
Nothing · From $199
Release date Mar 5, 2026
82
Recommended
Based on 7 Critic Reviews
3 with a published score, 4 scored from text · How it works
Latest review Jul 3, 2026
Early score: only 7 reviews so far
3 Rave3 Positive1 Favorable
Critics' Take
Critics see the Headphone (a) as a stylish, long-lasting pair that costs about half as much as the Headphone (1). Battery life and the see-through design draw the most praise. Reviewers split on sound tuning and call the noise cancelling average, and several note cheaper materials than the flagship.
What critics loved
- Distinctive semi-transparent design
- Very long battery life
- Tactile physical controls
- Strong value under $200
Common gripes
- Noise cancelling is only average
- Plastic build feels cheaper than the Headphone (1)
- Sound can be muddy or bass-heavy
- Soft pouch instead of a hard case
- Design is divisive
Critic Scorecard
7 reviewsSort:
Weighted by outlet tier:Tier 1 outlet, weighted 100%100%Tier 2 outlet, weighted 75%75%Tier 3 outlet, weighted 40%40%Tier 4 outlet, weighted 20%20%
87
Reviews.orgTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Apr 16, 2026
“Nothing's new over-ear headphones cut a few corners when it comes to noise-canceling and material design, but make up for those subtractions with longer battery life and a more affordable price.”
By Fergus Halliday · Rated 4/5Full review
86
Recording NowTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%★ Editors' ChoiceJul 3, 2026
“At just $199 full retail, and down to $151 on sale, the Headphone (a) has jumped up to the top of my list for the sub-$200 class of wireless noise cancelling headphones.”
Page shows an overall 8.5 and an Editor's Choice badge, but does not state the scale, so no rating is recorded.
By Odi Productions · Unrated, scored from textFull review
84
Digital Reviews NetworkTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Apr 22, 2026
“They feel like they were made for normal people who just want something that looks good and works well, rather than people who want to analyse every detail of their music.”
By Julie Verbakel · Unrated, scored from textFull review
82
SoundGuysTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Mar 14, 2026
“If you’re not the pickiest customer when it comes to sound quality, then these are an easy win.”
By Christian Thomas · Rated 8.1/10Full review
81
PickrTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Mar 5, 2026
“Headphones tend to all look the same, but the Nothing Headphone (a) stands out on design, battery, and price.”
Pickr lists the price as $329 (Australian dollars).
By Leigh Stark · Rated 4.3/5Full review
Show 1 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
69
Tom's GuideTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Mar 22, 2026
“If you value comfort and design over “audiophile” sound, though, the Headphone (a) could be ideal for you.”
By Erin Bashford · Unrated, scored from textFull review
86
Recording NowTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%★ Editors' ChoiceJul 3, 2026
“At just $199 full retail, and down to $151 on sale, the Headphone (a) has jumped up to the top of my list for the sub-$200 class of wireless noise cancelling headphones.”
Page shows an overall 8.5 and an Editor's Choice badge, but does not state the scale, so no rating is recorded.
By Odi Productions · Unrated, scored from textFull review
84
Digital Reviews NetworkTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Apr 22, 2026
“They feel like they were made for normal people who just want something that looks good and works well, rather than people who want to analyse every detail of their music.”
By Julie Verbakel · Unrated, scored from textFull review
87
Reviews.orgTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Apr 16, 2026
“Nothing's new over-ear headphones cut a few corners when it comes to noise-canceling and material design, but make up for those subtractions with longer battery life and a more affordable price.”
By Fergus Halliday · Rated 4/5Full review
69
Tom's GuideTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Mar 22, 2026
“If you value comfort and design over “audiophile” sound, though, the Headphone (a) could be ideal for you.”
By Erin Bashford · Unrated, scored from textFull review
82
SoundGuysTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Mar 14, 2026
“If you’re not the pickiest customer when it comes to sound quality, then these are an easy win.”
By Christian Thomas · Rated 8.1/10Full review
91
Trusted ReviewsTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Mar 5, 2026
“They're super affordable, packed with useful features, they sound great, the controls are brilliant, and they have monster battery life.”
By Luke Baker · Unrated, scored from textFull review
Show 1 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
81
PickrTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Mar 5, 2026
“Headphones tend to all look the same, but the Nothing Headphone (a) stands out on design, battery, and price.”
Pickr lists the price as $329 (Australian dollars).
By Leigh Stark · Rated 4.3/5Full review
Quick Facts
- Drivers
- 40mm
- Noise cancellation
- Adaptive active noise cancelling
- Battery life
- Up to 75 hours with ANC on, up to 135 hours with ANC off
- Bluetooth
- 5.4
- Codecs
- LDAC, AAC, SBC
- Weight
- 310 g
- Water and dust rating
- IP52
- Colors
- White, black, pink, yellow
- Price
- $199 (US), £149 (UK)