Nothing Headphones (a) Claim 135 Hours of Battery Life… So I Had to Try Them
There are a lot of headphones that promise big features for a decent price, but every once in a while something shows up that makes you stop.
That was me seeing the claim of 135 hours of battery life, because at that point it stops sounding like a feature and starts sounding like overkill in the best way possible.
Naturally, I had to try them and see if everything else could actually keep up.
First Impressions: Not Pretty, But There’s a Reason
I’ll be honest, these are not the best-looking headphones I’ve used. The design leans more functional than stylish, with a slightly bulky build that doesn’t really scream premium at first glance.
But the more you use them, the more it makes sense. At around 310 grams, they feel solid without being uncomfortable, and the larger earcups actually help with long listening sessions. It’s one of those designs that grows on you because it’s built around usability, not just looks.
Controls That Actually Feel Right
This is where things start to click. Instead of relying on frustrating touch controls, these use a physical roller for volume, and it just feels better.
You roll it for volume, press it for play and pause, and hold it to toggle noise cancellation. There’s also a paddle control for skipping tracks and handling calls, and once you get used to it, it feels surprisingly natural.
Nothing here feels accidental. Everything has a purpose, and more importantly, everything works consistently.
The Custom Button Is What Sets It Apart
Then there’s the button that actually makes these interesting.
It’s fully customizable through the app, and this is where the headphones start to separate themselves. Right now I’ve got it set as a camera shutter, which means I can take photos straight from the headphones.
It’s not something you’ll use all the time, but that’s not really the point. The point is that you can change it to fit how you use your device, which is something most headphones still don’t let you do properly.
Customization Goes Deeper Than Expected
The app is where everything comes together, and it goes way beyond basic controls.
You can tweak EQ settings like usual, but the standout feature is being able to import EQ profiles from other users. That means you can instantly switch sound profiles depending on what you’re listening to without having to fine-tune everything yourself.
It makes these feel less like a fixed product and more like something that adapts to you over time.
The Battery Life Changes How You Use Them
Up to 135 hours of playback with ANC off means you’re not thinking about charging these regularly. Even with ANC on, you’re still getting up to 75 hours, which is already more than most headphones in this range.
What’s interesting is how they’re actually pulling this off. Instead of relying on a single battery, these use a dual-core battery setup paired with a dedicated chipset, which helps manage power more efficiently, especially when features like active noise cancellation are running. That’s how they keep ANC running for long periods without draining the battery.
The fast charging helps too. A quick 5-minute charge gives you hours of playback, so even if you forget to charge them, it’s not really a problem.
At some point, battery life stops being something you even think about, and that’s what makes these feel different.
Sound Quality Holds Up
With everything else going on, I wasn’t expecting much from the sound, but it actually holds up.
The 40mm drivers with a titanium-coated diaphragm deliver a clean and balanced sound, and the wide frequency range gives it enough depth for everyday listening. It’s not trying to be studio-level, but it’s more than good enough for what most people need.
And with the EQ customization, you can push it closer to your personal preference without much effort.
The adaptive ANC goes up to around 40dB, which is solid for daily use like commuting or working in busy environments. It also has a transparency mode, so you can quickly let sound back in when needed.
On the connectivity side, Bluetooth 5.4 with dual connection makes switching between devices seamless. Support for AAC, SBC, and LDAC is a big plus if you care about audio quality, and features like low latency mode help round out the experience.
Full Specs Breakdown
Here’s a quick look at what you’re actually getting under the hood:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Weight | 310g |
| Driver | 40mm dynamic driver |
| Diaphragm | Titanium-coated PEN+PU |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz – 40,000Hz |
| Battery Capacity | 1060mAh |
| Playback (AAC) | Up to 135 hours (ANC off), 75 hours (ANC on) |
| Playback (LDAC) | Up to 90 hours (ANC off), 62 hours (ANC on) |
| Fast Charge | 5 minutes = 8 hours (ANC off) |
| Noise Cancellation | Adaptive ANC up to 40dB |
| Microphones | 4 total with AI call processing |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 with dual connection |
| Codecs | AAC, SBC, LDAC |
| Water Resistance | IP52 |
| Charging | USB-C, full charge in about 2 hours |
Final Thoughts
These headphones don’t win on looks, and that’s probably the first thing most people will notice. But once you start using them, it becomes clear that wasn’t the priority.
They’re built around control, customization, and battery life that genuinely changes how you use them day to day.
For $200, it’s hard to find something that offers this much flexibility without cutting corners somewhere else. And the fact that they still sound good on top of everything makes them even harder to ignore.
The only real downside is… you might forget where you left them, because you won’t be charging them anytime soon.
See you in the next article!
