Nothing x KEF Headphones (1) review: A more affordable alternative to Apple's AirPod Max

A good pair of headphones is as critical as a phone and house keys when you’re stepping out of the house for any length of time - yes, even to do some gardening.

Forget them, and your ears will likely be at the mercy of pavement chuggers and tedious supermarket chat (Waitrose the universal exception, of course).

Now there’s a new pair on the block, and the chances of leaving them behind are pretty low, thanks to both the style and substance of these cans.

A collaboration between lifestyle and tech brand Nothing - tech geeks will recognise them for their line of see-through phones - and sound supremos KEF, Headphone (1) brings together the expertise and finesse of both British brands. On the face of it, the cordless design may be as linear as its name, but slip them on, and you’ll soon see that their audio punch is immediately apparent.

I tried them just before they released to see if they live up to the much-discussed hype.

Nothing x KEF Headphones key specs

• Design: over-ear
• Driver: custom-built 40mm dynamic
• Playback: 35 hours
• Charging time: 5min for 2.4hrs
• Jack: 3.5mm
• Materials: formed aluminium, PU memory foam, oil-resistant ear cushions
• Noise cancellation?: yes, ANC

(Nothing)

Design

The fresh launch is available in just two colours: black or white, which means they’ll go with just about everything. Nothing’s visual signature style is distinctive, favouring sleek lines and transparent casing to show off the hardware within, and these headphones follow the script.

They look pleasingly slimline, but it’s not at the sacrifice of comfort, which comes in the form of cushioning memory foam ear pads (which are also oil-resistant, so no sweaty ears after a listening sesh), an adjustable and padded over-ear frame made from lightweight aluminium and translucent windows on the outside of the cans displaying the cogs and wheels inside. They resemble cassettes, driving home the bold retro-futuristic aesthetic that Nothing is famous for.

A standout feature? These headphones integrate ChatGPT into the mix, allowing users to summon voice assistants at the touch of a button via the app. You can hear the latest headlines or capture thoughts into voice notes, reminders or just random ideas by saying it out loud in Nothing's Essential Space area, which the company says acts as a second memory.

Performance

Once charged and paired to the companion app via Bluetooth, sound is fully immersive and richly detailed thanks to KEF’s advanced engineering tuning tools.

Bass is satisfyingly deep, vocals crisp, and active noise cancelling means that all external din completely vanishes. If I closed my eyes, I could have been right there in the recording studio with Stevie Nicks herself.

Expect up to 35 hours of playback - useful if you’re facing a long journey - although if you’re out of time before you go, just five minutes of charging will deliver 2.5 hours of juice, which should be enough until you can track down your next plug point.

(Nothing)

Cost - are they worth the price?

Headphone (1) is undoubtedly made with a younger audience in mind, not least thanks to the cost.

At £299, they’re much kinder on the wallet than, say, a pair of Apple’s AirPods Max, a comparable wireless over-ear headphone that dances close to the £500 mark, while offering the same impressive level of performance heft. Chronic earbud losers will jump for joy too: they’re much harder to lose down the back of the sofa or in the void between the train and the platform.

The only downside? These headphones don’t fold, which might be annoying if you’re trying to pack light. But they come in a slim yet sturdy felt carry case that should slip into any backpack or weekend bag without fuss.

Read More

Best noise cancelling headphones 2025: Top picks for clarity

Best smart luggage of 2025: Clever cases with extra features

Nothing Ear (2) Headphones review: do the small but mighty earbuds live up to the hype?

Best turntables: Record players to get your vinyl sounding great

Best long haul flight essentials, from neck pillows to earplugs

Best party speakers for gatherings big and small, tried and tested

Nothing x KEF Headphones (1)

With rich detail and deeply immersive sound, Nothing's first-ever pair of over-ear headphones isn't the kind you'd want to leave behind in a hurry.

The design, a collab with music supremos KEF, has been lauded as an alternative to Apple's AirPod Max, only with a much more affordable price tag.

Expect up to 80 hours of glorious, immersive playback and active noise cancellation from these distinctive-looking cans, fitted with memory foam padding for all-day, all-night comfort.

Available in black or white.

Buy now £299.00, Nothing