Which Pair of ANC Wi-fi Headphones Wins?

If you’re lifeless set on a pair of Nothing headphones, you now have two choices: the $299 Headphone 1 or the $199 Headphone A. Like the corporate’s different audio choices, using a letter as a substitute of a quantity connotes just a few issues—a cheaper price tag, chief amongst them.

Like any budget-focused gadget, although, there are some tradeoffs it is best to be aware earlier than going out and shopping for the Headphone A based mostly on value, and having examined each pairs of wi-fi headphones extensively myself, I can let you know which one would possibly meet your expectations.

Headphone A vs. Headphone 1: Design

Normally, this class could be a straightforward one to award when Nothing is within the combine for the reason that firm is understood for its emphasis on design, however pitting Nothing towards itself makes issues slightly trickier. While each pairs of wi-fi headphones share the same look general, there are literally some main design variations price noting.

One of the largest variations is in shade. While the Headphone 1 are available simply black or white, the Headphone A broaden the colour choices to incorporate pink and yellow along with black or white, although the latter is restricted version, so should you’re studying this in a well timed style, maintain that in thoughts.

Though the Headphone A have the Headphone 1 beat on colours, the sting goes to Nothing’s flagship pair when it comes to intricacy. Unlike the simplified Headphone A, the Headphone 1 have extra particulars on the ear cups—a cassette motif. The costlier Headphone 1 additionally use totally different supplies, choosing aluminum on the ear cups, whereas the Headphone A are made solely of plastic.

Luckily, each pairs of wi-fi headphones include the array of buttons launched with the Headphone 1, together with the pill-shaped quantity wheel, a paddle for monitor skipping, and an on/off swap on the underside.

With these two pairs of wi-fi headphones, design might be the hardest class, as a result of every pair has one thing going for it that the opposite doesn’t have. I’m near calling this one a tie, however I’m going with the Headphone 1, simply because they really feel extra premium, and the cassette tape motif on the facet is actually eye-catching. If you’re actually into pops of shade, although, the Headphone A are an apparent choose, even when I really feel like they may have gone slightly additional in that division.

Winner: Headphone 1

Headphone 1 vs. Headphone 1: Sound

Looks are mighty vital in the case of Nothing’s wi-fi headphones, however sound continues to be the primary strategy to decide worth. While each pairs of wi-fi headphones use comparable 40mm drivers, the distinction right here is within the tuning. Nothing notably partnered with hi-fi firm KEF to tune the Headphone 1, whereas the Headphone A has no such collab.

Having listened to each pairs extensively, I can let you know that this discrepancy makes an enormous distinction. The Headphone A sound fairly good, however the Headphone 1 are nonetheless my most popular choose when it comes to sound by a big margin. The Headphone A sound muddier, particularly in midrange frequencies, whereas the Headphone 1 really feel as if they’ve an even bigger soundstage, letting mids, highs, and lows breathe. The low-end within the Headphone A sounds just a bit too artificially boosted for my style, too, which is the same grievance I’ve with CMF’s Headphone Pro (CMF is a sub-brand of Nothing, for the file).

This is all to say that the Headphone 1 positively have the superior sound, so should you’re okay spending $100 extra and sound is your largest issue, this ought to be a straightforward choose for you.

Winner: Headphone 1

Headphone A vs. Headphone 1: Comfort

It is likely to be simple to have a look at each pairs of Headphones and assume that they really feel the identical in your head, however variations in supplies do make for a barely different really feel. Both pairs have reminiscence foam cushions on the headscarf and ear cups, however as I discussed earlier than, the Headphone A are made solely out of plastic. That makes them really feel slightly bit cheaper, however it additionally makes them notably lighter. The Headphone A weigh 310g in comparison with the Headphone 1’s 329g, which isn’t a ton, however it’s extra noticeable in your head over lengthy intervals.

Other than that, the match is about the identical, which is to say good. I’ve no complaints with the consolation of both pair, however for the reason that Headphone A are lighter, I truly suppose they’ve a slight edge—you may put on these wi-fi headphones for hours and never get fatigued.

Winner: Headphone A

Headphone A vs. Headphone 1: Battery life and options

One of the largest promoting factors of the Headphone A is that it has a Big Boy Battery; Nothing is placing its battery cell the place its mouth is on this case. The Headphone A tout 135 hours with energetic noise cancellation (ANC) turned off and 75 hours with ANC on. That’s an enormous determine, interval, even outdoors the context of Nothing headphones. On the opposite hand, the Headphone 1 get 80 hours with ANC off and 35 hours with ANC on. That’s an enormous distinction, and for apparent causes, the purpose goes to the Headphone A right here.

With options, nonetheless, the scales are tipped within the different route. Both wi-fi headphones have principally the identical characteristic set, together with ANC, granular EQ within the Nothing X app, and hybrid ANC that may adapt to the extent of noise in your present surroundings, however the Headphone A don’t have arguably my favourite Nothing characteristic: personalised EQ. Why Nothing didn’t embody personalised EQ (a characteristic that adjusts sound to your particular listening to) is a thriller to me, however I do want it had been there.

With that stated, battery life continues to be extra vital than personalised EQ, and for that, the Headphone A get the nod right here.

Winner: Headphone A

Headphone A vs. Headphone 1: ANC

As I discussed earlier than, each pairs of wi-fi headphones have ANC, which is nice since you shouldn’t settle for something much less in these value ranges. When I reviewed the Headphone 1 again in June of 2025, I gave them optimistic marks for with the ability to block out an honest quantity of noise. They’re no competitors in comparison with Bose and its QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), however they’re nonetheless stable, and I don’t really feel like they’re missing in any means.

And the Headphone A? Well, you may just about simply copy and paste what I wrote above. The Headphone A’s ANC is pretty much as good because the Headphone 1 in my expertise, that means they had been capable of block out a great quantity of noise on the New York City subway and greater than sufficient in an workplace setting. It could be simple to name this one a tie because it technically is, however because you’re getting the identical stage of ANC because the Headphone 1 for a cheaper price, I’m going to must lean towards the Headphone A on this one.

Winner: Headphone A

Bottom line

While the Headphone A would possibly win extra classes (some by a really tight margin), for me, the Headphone 1 are nonetheless the superior pair of wi-fi headphones. Yes, the Headphone A have cool colours, longer battery life, they usually value $100 lower than the Headphone 1, however the classes that the Headphone 1 actually win are extra vital for my part. By going flagship, you’re getting a far superior sound and a extra premium construct. And despite the fact that the Headphone A embellish with colours, I feel Headphone 1 nonetheless look cooler because of the cassette aesthetic and aluminum.

Isn’t that what Nothing audio is all about on the finish of the day? Looking cool and delivering on sound? Do you, however for me, I feel the $100 premium is price it.