Sometimes, picking a pair of headphones feels like an impossible choice. There are lots to choose from, and the barrier to entry is enough to send haptic chills down one’s spine. If there’s one thing that most can agree on, it’s that Apple’s AirPods Max are probably the standard for people considering headphones in the U.S., especially if you already own an iPhone. But AirPods Max are so damn expensive, right? Is it worth shelling out $550 for a pair of headphones when competitors like Nothing’s $300 Headphone 1 exist and offer good-looking AirPods alternatives for a price that undercuts Apple by $250?
There’s a lot to unpack in that question, but luckily, I’ve tested both for you (and a lot of other audio products) and can offer my sage guidance on where to throw hundreds of dollars if you need to save yourself from the scourge of subway sounds or your neighbor’s incessant singing. First, let’s start with the looks.
See AirPods Max at Amazon
See Nothing Headphone 1 at Amazon
Headphone 1 vs. AirPods Max: Design
At the risk of pointing out the obvious: AirPods Max and Nothing’s Headphone 1 look very different. While Apple’s super-popular headphones opt for a minimalist design, Nothing’s Headphone 1 have a retro-inspired look that riffs on cassette tapes of yore. Undoubtedly, you’ll have your own thoughts on which looks better—these things are subjective after all—but from a more objective standpoint, they also use different materials that make them feel noticeably different.
AirPods Max, for example, use stainless steel and anodized aluminum, which means two things: they feel more premium, and they’re also a little bit heavier—that’s just physics for you. Nothing’s Headphone 1 wins points for unique style, but they’re made mostly from plastic and a little bit of aluminum so they definitely feel a lot cheaper but are also a lot lighter. Which pair speaks to you is a matter of preference, but if you’re looking for a lighter carry, Nothing’s Headphone 1 has AirPods Max beat: the weight breakdown here is 329g compared to almost 385g.
The Headphone 1 have a retro-inspired design. © Raymond Wong / GizmodoNothing’s Headphone 1 also expand on AirPods Max’s hardware with a whole host of physical buttons that include a dedicated track skip/fast-forward/rewind paddle, a volume roller, and an on/off switch. AirPods Max have a crown for volume adjustment and pause/play and that’s it; to the frustration of many, there’s no on/off switch. The number of buttons on the Headphone 1 was a welcome surprise when I tested them out, and while I wish they were a little more refined and less finicky to use, they do set the Headphone 1 apart not just from Apple but from pretty much every brand of over-ear headphones.
Aesthetically, you’ll have to dig deep and figure out what you want out of a pair of headphones. If you want something that’s more of a fashion statement, the Headphone 1 are going to speak to you. If you want something that’s going to fade into the background, then AirPods Max are more your speed. Personally? I find AirPods Max to be a bit on the boring side, but I respect that not everyone cares about looking the part of a Brooklyn-based hipster. I’m opting for the Headphone 1 in this department for feeling lighter on my head and also bringing a design that I find exciting, sleek, and worth writing home about. Sorry, AirPods Max, stainless steel or not, the minimalism thing is a little bit tired.
Winner: Headphone 1
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