Nothing is back with a second set of full-size wireless over-ear headphones, and this time the pitch is pretty straightforward: more color, more bass, and a much lower price than last year’s Headphone (1).

The new model is called Nothing Headphone (a), and it launches at $199 / £149 / €159. Pre-orders start today (Thursday, March 5, 2026) through Nothing and select retail partners like Amazon, with open sales on March 13, 2026. A limited-edition Yellow version follows on April 6, 2026, alongside standard Black, White, and Pink options.

Nothing’s biggest claim is battery life. The company says the Headphone (a) can deliver up to 135 hours of playback with active noise cancelling turned off. That’s the kind of number you usually see on a spec sheet and immediately double-check.

Fast charging is part of the story, too: a five-minute charge is rated for up to five hours of listening. Real-world results will depend on volume, codec choice, and how often you use ANC, but the headline is clear: you’re supposed to charge these far less often than most wireless over-ears.

Nothing is positioning the Headphone (a) as a more affordable, more expressive alternative to Headphone (1). Here are the practical differences you’ll want to know:

• Lower price: $199 vs. the $299 launch price of Headphone (1)
• Lighter build: 310g (Nothing specifically calls out weight reduction)
• Sound direction: a bass-forward tuning, including AI-powered Dynamic Bass Enhancement
• Fewer mics for ANC: still rated to handle up to 40dB of noise reduction, but with “two fewer microphones” than Headphone (1)
• No KEF tuning: unlike Headphone (1), the Headphone (a) isn’t marketed as tuned by KEF

Design-wise, it keeps Nothing’s industrial look, but with rounded earcups and a more colorful finish rather than leaning as hard into the transparent styling.

Inside, the Headphone (a) uses 40mm titanium-coated drivers. Titanium coatings are typically used to stiffen the driver diaphragm, which can help reduce distortion at higher volumes, though the final sound still comes down to the full tuning and acoustic design.

For wireless audio, the big box to tick is LDAC support. In plain English: if you have an Android device that supports LDAC and you’re streaming high-quality files or services, LDAC can carry more data than basic Bluetooth codecs, potentially reducing compression artifacts. Nothing also notes hi-res wireless streaming up to 32-bit/96kHz via LDAC.

Nothing includes Active Noise Cancellation with multiple modes:

• Standard ANC for typical everyday noise reduction
• Transparency mode to let outside sound in (useful for walking or quick conversations)
• Adaptive / hybrid ANC, which adjusts noise cancelling in real time based on your environment and the fit of the headphones

On the call side, the Headphone (a) uses a three-microphone Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC) system with AI-based noise reduction meant to help keep your voice clearer in noisy places.

Nothing sticks with its physical control approach rather than relying only on touch gestures. On the earcups you’ll find:

• A roller
• A paddle
• A customisable button

That button can also be set up as a remote camera shutter trigger for your connected phone (configured through the Nothing X app). Nothing also says the button supports Channel Hop, a shortcut feature for switching between apps and functions more quickly.

In the Nothing X app, you can also tweak sound using an 8-band equalizer, and Nothing says you can share EQ presets via QR codes with the broader Nothing community. Android users also get Google Fast Pair support for easier setup.

Nothing says the Headphone (a) uses breathable memory foam ear cushions designed for longer listening sessions. There’s also an IP52 rating, meaning basic dust protection and resistance to light splashes, helpful for commuting, but not “toss it in the pool” protection.

The Nothing Headphone (a) is trying to win on the basics that matter day-to-day: battery life, ANC, practical controls, and a lower price, while keeping Nothing’s design language and adding more color choices. The big question for buyers will be how that bass-forward tuning and adaptive ANC perform in real use once our review lands.

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