Compare Nothing Headphone (1) vs JBL Tour One M3 Headphones

Reviewers liked that wired listening is covered with a 3.5mm jack, often alongside USB-C, making the headphones more flexible for planes and wired sources.

Reviewers valued the analog path mainly for travel and older sources, with the Smart Tx and included AUX/USB-C cabling making airplane and headphone-jack use more practical.

ANC was generally viewed as strong for the price and effective in everyday noise, though several reviewers said Sony, Bose, or AirPods Max still outperform it.

ANC was broadly praised as strong to excellent, especially for travel and commuting, but a few reviewers found it behind Bose or Sony or somewhat pressure-heavy.

Reviewers consistently praised the broad feature set, especially customization, spatial options, ANC controls, and app-driven extras.

The feature set was repeatedly described as loaded, next-gen, or unusually extensive for premium ANC headphones.

One reviewer specifically liked the slim profile because the headphones sit close to the head despite their bold styling.

The design was seen as understated and discreet rather than flashy, with some reviewers appreciating the low-profile look and others calling it unremarkable.

Background-noise reduction was mixed: lab-style and street testing praised attenuation, while some reviewers noted weaker handling of voices or sudden sounds.

Noise-canceling background hiss was specifically praised in one review, which found the headphones almost silent with ANC active.

One review found ANC changed the sound signature negatively, narrowing and muting more complex tracks.

One review preferred the sound with noise cancellation enabled, suggesting ANC can make the presentation fuller rather than worse.

One review said audio sounded best with ANC off because switching ANC on narrowed and muted the presentation.

Sound impact from ANC was mostly acceptable: one reviewer heard no sonic penalty, while another said turning ANC off made the sound thinner.

The six-month review praised the app for working on both iOS and Android, supporting strong Android usability.

Android setup received a positive note for Google Fast Pair, which made pairing quick and simple.

The app was one of the product’s strongest points, with reviewers praising its layout, speed, settings, and unusually deep EQ tools.

The JBL app was a major strength, described as comprehensive, user-friendly, class-leading, and packed with useful control and EQ options.

Low-latency mode was treated positively as a useful gaming/video feature for reducing delay.

Audio-video sync was a strength with the Smart Tx and wired-transmitter use, with reviewers reporting no discernible latency, no lag, or clean video sync.

Auracast was a weakness only by absence, with TechRadar saying the lack of LE Audio and Auracast keeps them from feeling fully future-proof.

Auracast support was treated as a forward-looking differentiator for shared listening, though its value depends on compatible devices becoming more common.

Wear/on-head detection was praised in early reviews as useful and working well, though related long-term Mac behavior was criticized elsewhere.

Wear-detection auto-pause drew criticism in one travel-heavy review for being too trigger-happy.

Auto power/sleep behavior drew criticism in long-term use, especially when connected to a Mac.

Auto-off behavior was seen as reliable, with reviewers noting the headphones and transmitter avoid unnecessary battery drain.

Bass impressions were split: some heard controlled punch and texture, while others described muddy bass or weak low-frequency precision before EQ.

Bass impressions were mixed: many reviewers praised its punch, richness, and control, while a few found stock bass boomy, bland, or overemphasized.

Battery life was one of the clearest strengths, repeatedly praised for 35+ hours with ANC and exceptional longevity without ANC.

Battery life was one of the clearest strengths, repeatedly described as long-lasting, class-leading, or exceptional for travel and extended use.

Bluetooth reliability was supported by positive connectivity evidence, including Bluetooth 5.3 range and dual-device support.

Bluetooth pairing and range received mixed feedback, with easy Apple/Android pairing in one test but weaker-than-expected wireless range in another.

Bluetooth 5.3 was described as up to date, giving the headphones a modern wireless baseline.

Build quality was broadly praised as solid, premium, and better than expected, though one reviewer worried about long-term headband durability.

Build quality was mixed: some reviews found it solid or durable enough, while others criticized cheap-feeling plastic or average construction for the price.

Wired hi-res and USB-C digital playback were viewed as useful extras, with reviewers noting clearer or lossless wired listening.

The built-in DAC and hi-res wired playback were praised for improving stability, detail, resolution, and flexibility with USB-C or wired use.

Physical controls were a standout strength, widely praised for tactility and usability, although a few reviewers found the layout or paddle/roller behavior finicky.

Physical controls and buttons were generally praised as easy, certain, and well implemented, especially volume controls and tactile switching.

Cable quality was criticized because the included 3.5mm cable was only three-pole and could not carry microphone audio.

Case feedback was mixed: some praised protection and compactness, while others found it too large, cheap-feeling, or annoying to zip.

The carry case was consistently liked for being slim, compact, stylish, travel-friendly, and useful for storing accessories.

Charging was praised, especially the fast-charge claims and real-world usefulness before trips or commutes.

Charging feedback was mostly positive thanks to fast top-ups and reasonable full-charge times, though the separate Smart Tx adds another device to charge.

Clamping force was generally secure and comfortable, but PCMag found it tighter than preferred.

Clamp comfort was praised across reviews as snug, secure, and not too tight, supporting long sessions without squeezing.

Codec support was treated positively, with SBC/AAC/LDAC and high-res support helping the value proposition.

Codec support was viewed positively because reviewers noted LDAC, LC3, AAC, and SBC coverage as a useful or strong selection.

Comfort was usually positive over hours of use, but weight, heat, piercings, glasses, and headband pressure made it less universal.

Long-wear comfort was one of the strongest consensus areas, with many reviewers reporting hours of use, flights, or workdays without pain.

Connectivity was a major strength, with reviewers praising the mix of USB-C, 3.5mm, multipoint, and app/device support.

Connectivity options were a signature strength, with reviewers praising the ability to connect to phones, laptops, planes, older devices, and many sources.

Design was one of the most discussed strengths, repeatedly praised as distinctive, premium, and eye-catching, though also polarizing.

Design feedback was mostly positive for clean, understated styling, though it rarely reached luxury-level excitement.

The Smart Tx dongle split opinion: many called it unique, practical, or game-changing for travel, while others found it niche, costly, easy to lose, or unnecessary.

Long-term durability evidence was limited, but one reviewer worried about cosmetic dings from the rectangular cups.

Durability over time had limited but positive evidence, with one review noting no damage after weeks of bag carry and stress testing.

Ear cup padding was mostly praised for soft memory foam and a good seal, though a few reviewers felt pressure or heat.

Ear cup and headband padding were widely praised for softness, plushness, and comfort, with some caveats about heat or sweat over time.

Earpad heat and discomfort were raised in one review, which treated the fake leather as a comfort downside over longer wear.

Ecosystem perks were useful for Nothing Phone users, but some exclusive features limited broader appeal.

EQ customization was a standout feature, repeatedly described as powerful, granular, and sometimes essential for fixing the stock tuning.

EQ customization was a major strength, with reviewers praising the flexible 10- or 12-band EQ and the ability to noticeably improve the sound.

Launch features were viewed positively because the headphones offered several differentiating features beyond visual design.

Reviewers saw the launch feature set as unusually rich, especially the companion app, transmitter, personalization, ANC modes, and travel-focused tools.

Find My support was considered useful but basic, with reviewers noting it mainly plays a sound rather than offering smarter tracking.

Firmware support looked promising because a later Nothing X update added Personal Sound support.

Frequency-response evidence was mixed: some heard balanced tuning, while others found the default curve dark, uneven, or treble-recessed.

Frequency balance was generally seen as warm, rich, entertaining, or more balanced than many consumer headphones, with some tuning caveats.

Headband adjustability drew mixed but mostly positive feedback, with smooth adjustment praised and one top-mounted mechanism criticized.

Headband adjustability received positive feedback for accommodating different head sizes.

Headband padding was mixed: SoundGuys liked weight distribution, while The Guardian found the padding too thin after hours.

Headband padding was described as adequate for longer listening, supporting the broader comfort consensus.

Immersive audio was weak in TechRadar’s testing, where spatial effects added little and sometimes harmed movie or podcast playback.

Immersive audio quality was praised in flight/movie use, where the experience felt theater-like and more involving.

Included accessories were considered generous, especially the USB-C, 3.5mm, USB-A adapter, pouch, and case setup.

Instrument separation ranged from crowded and unclear in negative reviews to solid detail and separation in more positive listening impressions.

Instrument separation was a clear strength in many reviews, with praise for clarity, spacing, and the ability to pick out details in busy tracks.

The integrated microphone setup was praised for making voices sound clear on calls.

LDAC support was consistently treated as a positive, especially for Android/high-res wireless listening.

LDAC was viewed positively for better fidelity, higher resolution, and stronger wireless sound quality.

LE Audio readiness was marked down because TechRadar noted the lack of Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast.

LE Audio evidence was limited but mildly positive, with one reviewer saying it worked well and another preferring LDAC.

Maximum-volume clarity was positive in CNET’s testing, with almost no distortion even at high volumes.

High-volume performance was split: one reviewer said composure fell apart at big volume, while another praised the ability to handle more volume clearly.

Microphone noise reduction was generally strong, with reviewers praising background suppression, though one noted echo/reverb issues.

Microphone noise reduction was a major strength, with reviewers praising wind handling, echo reduction, and background-noise filtering.

Call mic quality was mixed-to-positive: several reviewers heard clear calls, while others described the mic as merely fine, tinny, or robotic.

Call microphone quality was generally strong, often described as clear or high quality, though one review found it merely acceptable.

Midrange clarity was polarizing, with some praising vocals while others heard too much lower-mid darkness or underemphasized midrange.

Midrange clarity was mostly positive, especially vocals and detail, with a few reviews wanting fuller or clearer mids.

Multi-platform use was praised in long-term testing because the app works across iOS and Android with most features available on both.

Multi-platform compatibility was praised for letting the headphones connect through USB-C, USB-A, headphone jacks, and many device types.

Multipoint reliability was treated positively, with reviewers highlighting quick switching and two-device connection.

Multipoint reliability was mixed: one review noted stuttering and another noted limited device control, while basic support was present.

Passive isolation was a clear strength, with the ear pads and seal repeatedly helping noise reduction even before ANC.

Passive isolation was praised as impressive and helpful even before active noise cancellation was enabled.

Overall recommendations were mixed-positive: many reviewers liked the value and debut effort, but sound tuning and comfort kept it from universal praise.

Overall recommendations were generally positive, especially for travelers, feature seekers, and buyers who value comfort and flexibility.

Portability was mixed: the headphones lie flat and can pack neatly in some cases, but they do not fold up and remain large.

Portability was praised for folding, collapsing, and fitting into compact travel cases.

Premium feel was widely praised, with reviewers saying the headphones feel expensive, solid, and better than expected at the price.

Premium feel was a common weakness, with many reviewers saying the plastic design looked or felt less luxurious than rivals.

Preset EQ feedback was mixed, with some finding treble/bass presets useful and others saying presets were not enough or should be skipped.

Preset EQ quality was mixed: some reviewers liked or benefited from presets, while others disliked the presets or found bass-heavy modes too boomy.

Replaceable earpad evidence was weak-to-negative, with uncertainty around replacements and a long-term reviewer noting Nothing still did not sell them.

Replaceable earpads were a weakness in one review because the cups were not removable.

Replaceable pads/headband repairability was weakly supported only by criticism that the cups do not pop off for replacement.

Sensor evidence was positive but limited, with one reviewer identifying proximity sensing as useful hardware.

Sidetone/VoiceAware adjustment received a positive user preference note from one reviewer who liked hearing more of his own voice.

Smart listening features were positively supported by Personal Sound, which was described as a useful way to personalize tuning.

Smart listening features such as Personi-Fi, Smart Talk, hearing profiles, and ambient tools were useful overall but varied by feature.

Smart Pause performance was praised by TechRadar, which said wear detection and multipoint both worked perfectly once enabled.

Smart Pause performance was inconsistent: some reviews found auto-pause convenient, while others reported lag, false triggers, or missed pauses.

Smudge resistance was a weakness because the finish visibly picked up oil even if it wiped off easily.

Setup and software simplicity were praised through Google Fast Pair, an easy app, and automatic pairing behavior.

Software and setup simplicity were praised through the app’s easy design and broad customization access.

Sound quality was the most divisive area: some loved the tuned or EQ-adjusted sound, while many criticized the default tuning as dark, flat, or compressed.

Sound quality was mostly praised as clear, punchy, detailed, or excellent, though several reviewers wanted EQ or found stock sound less exciting.

Soundstage was often criticized as narrow or compressed, though a few reviewers heard decent width after tuning or in positive listening sessions.

Soundstage was generally above average or expansive, but not universally deep or as spacious as some higher-end rivals.

Spatial audio was mixed: some found it useful for movies and broad device support, while others called it weak, limp, or harmful to music.

Spatial audio was divisive: some reviewers loved the movie immersion, while others found it echoey, disappointing, or merely decent.

Fit stability was praised where reviewers described a secure fit without excessive tightness.

Fit stability was praised in limited evidence, with snug clamp distribution keeping the headphones secure while walking.

Streaming-service integration was criticized in long-term use because Channel Hop/favorites behavior felt confusing.

Repairability evidence was mixed-to-negative: The Guardian noted replacement cushions, but a long-term reviewer criticized the soldered battery.

Sustainability materials were a weakness because The Guardian said the headphones were not made with recycled materials.

Touch controls were mixed, ranging from responsive and intuitive to oversensitive, limited, or unreliable in some testing.

Transparency mode was generally usable and often natural enough for conversations, but several reviewers found it less natural than Apple, Bose, or Sony.

Transparency mode was generally praised as natural or effective, with some minor caveats about hiss, muffling, or not matching Apple’s best tone.

Travel friendliness was mixed-to-negative because battery life is good but the case is bulky and the headphones do not fold up.

Travel friendliness was one of the strongest themes, driven by comfort, battery life, compact folding, the case, and the Smart Tx airplane use case.

Treble clarity was a common weakness in negative sound reviews, with several reviewers hearing recessed, dull, or less crisp highs.

Treble was praised for clarity, sparkle, and air in several reviews, though some found it bright, edgy, or close to harsh.

USB-C was praised as a useful wired audio and charging option, especially for modern devices and lossless playback.

USB-C was positively tied to high-resolution wired use and data transfer, making the headphones more flexible than Bluetooth-only models.

Value was generally positive because the headphones undercut major rivals while offering strong build, controls, battery, ANC, and EQ, though weak default sound hurt value for some.

Value opinions were split: some reviewers called them strong value, while others thought the price, transmitter cost, and plastic feel hurt the equation.

Voice assistant integration was positively supported through the customizable button and Gemini/assistant access.

Voice prompts and feedback split reviewers sharply: one loved the mode sounds, while others found cues uncomfortable, awful, loud, or jarring.

Voice prompts and feedback were mixed, with useful tap feedback in one review and overly loud or annoying prompts in others.

Volume output was criticized by reviewers who wanted more headroom or found the roller caused accidental loud jumps.

Volume output had limited but positive evidence from one reviewer who found gaming audio loud and clear.

Water/sweat resistance was praised as rare for premium over-ears, though PCMag cautioned that IP52 is still limited.

Water/sweat resistance was a weakness overall because reviewers noted no official IP rating, even if one tester found incidental moisture did not stop them.

Wear detection auto-pause was criticized in long-term Mac use, where the reviewer said over-ear detection was god-awful.

Wear-detection auto-pause was criticized in one review for false triggers during flight use.

Wear detection performance was poor in one long-term Mac test, where it reportedly never worked.

Wear-detection performance was inconsistent, with one reviewer turning it off after repeated frustration.

Weight comfort was mixed: reviewers often found them wearable, but their 329g weight was repeatedly noticed against lighter Sony/Bose options.

Weight comfort was strongly positive, with reviewers repeatedly praising the light feel and reduced head or neck strain.

Wind handling was mixed: some mic suppression impressed reviewers, while ANC or voice noise gating struggled in wind.

Wind handling was praised in calls, ANC, and outdoor use, with reviewers noting wind resistance and reduced wind noise.