Spot Reviews: The New NOTHING Headphones Prove That Pretty Things Can Perform, Too

(SPOT.ph) If something looks too good to be true, it probably is. When British tech brand NOTHING released their latest audio device, the Headphone (a), everyone was quick to want one for its retro-future transparent hardware in the dreamy pink colorway. Doubts regarding its audio quality emerged—after all, some pretty things don’t always hold up in the performance department. The aesthetic headphones beg to differ, and we gave it a fair shot with a review.

While NOTHING is known for transparent phones that blend function and a unique, modern aesthetic, it’s also no stranger to manufacturing sound devices. The NOTHING Headphone (a) is the third and latest drop in their headphone lineup, characterized by a lighter weight, fresher colorways, and a more affordable price point.

At P10,490, it’s cheaper than its predecessor—the Headphone (1) which retailed for P14,999 during release—making it an ideal option for those in the market for a new pair of headphones. It comes in the brand’s signature see-through design, with spatial audio, adaptive noise cancellation (ANC), Clear Voice Technology with three ENC mics, and up to 135 hours of battery life.

These pretty headphones first made waves during its release in March 2026 when it was seen on the heads of influencers. More than just a listening device, it also signalled its status as a fashion accessory, with the NOTHING Headphone (a) adding on to the overall vibe of an outfit. Like the brand’s phones, the headphones also come in a funky transparent design that makes it stand out.

We’ve tried both NOTHING phones and audio devices before so we know they can deliver, but some dismissed the Headphone (a) as being purely aesthetic. We got to try out the pink version of the NOTHING Headphone (a) and we’re happy to report that the haters are wrong.

The NOTHING Headphone (a) came in a sleek white box with the brand spelled out in gray dotted lines. Pretty standard packaging for a NOTHING device, as the gadget itself usually does the talking when pulled out from the box. Along with the headphones, there was also a USB-C charging cable, a standard 3.5mm audio cable for wired listening, and a simple unpadded drawstring pouch to protect the unit. There’s an instruction manual, too, of course, but we all know folks are likely to start reading it once a problem emerges.

Figuring the buttons and commands was easy enough, even without aid from the manual. All the control buttons were on the right ear, which included the power button, a roller, a paddle, and the bluetooth button. The power button was used to turn the unit on or off, pressing the roller was for play and pause, long pressing the roller toggled ANC, and actually rolling the roller adjusted volume. The thin paddle button was for skipping forward or for rewinding, and a long press of the bluetooth button enabled pairing. The charging port and headphone jack for wired listening were also on the right ear. A tiny light signalled whether it was on or off, in pairing mode, charging, or low on power.

There’s also a programmable button on the right ear cup of the device that serves multiple functions. A specific command can be assigned on the NOTHING X app, so the button can trigger actions like Channel Hop which switches between your paired devices, and even the Camera Shutter, which triggers your phone to snap a photo or start recording.

To connect the headphones, I had to press a small button on the inner right ear for two seconds so my phone could pair with it. It automatically connected every time after the initial pairing, which was a plus for me because that was the main draw of wired earphones. Those were plug and play, and the NOTHING Headphone (a) also did the same without too much prodding. The headphones disconnected when I went downstairs for water, but it reconnected when I went back up. I also walked around my room during virtual meetings and it stayed connected.

Apart from the standard audio listening, I also used the headphones for personal phone calls and video calls for work. I was crisp and clear every time I spoke or unmuted, so I never had to worry about my officemates misunderstanding me. It also did a pretty good job of reducing ambient noise so I wasn’t garbled or choppy even where there were construction sounds next door.

Perhaps the biggest win of these headphones was the stellar ANC performance. I usually play my music out loud as I work in my room, but since I had to test the device, I wore it everywhere around the house, in the car, and even when going out. Friends, officemates, and family struggled to talk to me or even get my attention because I seriously couldn’t hear them. At all. 

Even when I was on pause while choosing music, I couldn’t hear anything or anybody. Going into ANC was done with a press of the roller button and you know you’re in ANC because it plays some sort of vacuum sound effect. I’ve never been to space, obviously, but it’s how I imagine space to (not) sound like.

There’s also Transparency Mode which lets a bit of ambient noise in so you’re not entirely shut off from the world. This proved useful when I wanted to listen to music but had to remain attentive in case an officemate needed to talk to me.

Music quality was good for someone who doesn’t normally adjust levels and bass, and wired listening was also smooth. Its standard settings were consistent across different songs, artists, and genres, plus the spatial audio had me fully immersed during songs with multi-directional production and while listening to ASMR videos. It really made me feel like I was there in the venue. Still, if you’re the type to adjust levels according to your own preferences or to the demands of certain songs, tracks, and movies, the levels and the button controls of the NOTHING Headphone (a) could be adjusted on the NOTHING X app.

I didn’t need the app to enjoy or troubleshoot the headphones, which is a major win in my book. If it required the app to run, I would have been put off, but also realistically, people rarely read the manual or installed accompanying apps and much prefer to figure it out intuitively. Most of the functions I needed were available as default settings for the buttons, but it was nice to know I could take photos and videos with the programmable button, and even switch pairing from my work laptop back to my phone after a meeting.

When it came to battery life, I had a habit of charging all my devices every night, and doing so for the Headphone (a) gave me enough juice to run the entire day without having to recharge. The battery percentage was visible on the app, but again, I didn’t even really need the app to know it could last a day and more.

Basic controls led to a smooth, seamless listening experience with the NOTHING Headphone (a). Tactile buttons and mechanical commands diminished the room for error versus touch-driven commands from smaller, and more compact listening devices. A press of the smooth, roller button always delivered a play or a pause. A scroll of the same button increased or lowered the volume every time. Hands that meant to skip a song with the use of the paddle button will always get that feedback. 

Other brands and units take pride in the lack of buttons and champion smart touch, but using a device with tactile feedback was refreshing and removed wrong commands. While more compact listening devices offer portability and a sleek and smooth appearance, it doesn’t always register a touch accurately. One press is registered as two so instead of pausing a song, you end up skipping. Sometimes, you’re in bed and your arm or hair touches the device and it turns off active noise cancellation by accident.

Such cases barely happened for the NOTHING Headphone (a). It went into ANC, pause, play, skip, and rewind as I intended every time, plus using it in bed never triggered a wrong command by accident. The accompanying sound effects also helped in establishing that a command did, in fact, register. Going into ANC came with a corresponding sound effect, and even though the sharp silence informed me I was in ANC mode, that vacuum sound let me know the command came through.

The same could be said for bluetooth connectivity, which was super helpful if I couldn’t check my phone to see if it was truly connected. Not to say that weird, controversial noises or tracks will be played, but it is always a good idea to receive an aural cue that you’re connected so you don’t accidentally blast that emo-rock track or accept a very private call before the headphones are connected.

Living in a tropical country drastically changes how users interact with a product, and the same was true for the NOTHING Headphone (a). I tested out the device from April to May—some of the hottest months we’ve had so far this year—and the headphones had my ears sweating if I wasn’t at the office or in an air-conditioned area. I’m sure some headphone users have gotten used to this feeling, but the humidity was too much at times and I had to remove the headphones, even if the song was about to hit the chorus. It’s a very minor thing, but it might be a dealbreaker for some, especially for those with sensory issues.

Wearing makeup is also a major part of my routine for work, and some of it rubbed off on the headphones during my trial run. It wiped away in jiffy, but it revealed an issue. As pretty as the white and pink colorway is, its smooth, matte finish wasn’t exactly the easiest to keep clean. There was an accompanying drawstring pouch to protect the device from the elements and a bag’s other contents, but there could be moments you forget the pouch or use the device without paying it too much mind. A simple wipe and rub got most of the dirt away, but leaving dirt to settle for too long could make it permanent.

If you’re a first-time headphones user, the size might be a drawback. The part that covers the ear doesn’t fold into the headband, but instead lays flat. It was a little hard to configure around my work bag, so I resorted to hanging it on the straps of my tote instead, or wearing it around my neck. Not too much of a hassle, but definitely something to consider.

The NOTHING Headphone (a) is a pretty pair to put on, but it’s so much more than the points it adds to an ensemble. Turns out, it wasn’t too good to be true–you could have a darling pair of headphones that not only matched your style, but also delivered solid sound performance, great noise cancellation, and ease of use. One could argue that there are better headphones in the market, but at P10,490, it’s quite the steal in terms of performance and that aesthetic factor. Not to mention, it’s also available in more fun colorways like a soft blush pink and a vibrant yellow. And hey, if classic colorways is the way to go, they also have an all-black and white option.

Seasoned headphone wearers looking for a more unique, charming unit should definitely consider the NOTHING Headphone (a). It’s sure to stand out in a crowd and have people asking what brand you’re wearing. Headphones newbies won’t have any trouble figuring it out and it even converted me, a staunch wired earphones loyalist, to add it to cart.

The NOTHING Headphone (a) retails for P10,490 and is available on Shopee, Lazada, and the Digital Walker website.