Edifier ES850NB VS Nothing Headphone 1

Both the Edifier ES850NB and the Nothing Headphone 1 feature an over-ear fit, making them comfortable for extended listening sessions. The Edifier ES850NB weighs 265 g, while the Nothing Headphone 1 is slightly heavier at 329 g. This weight difference may influence how comfortable they feel for longer periods of use, with the Edifier being a bit lighter.

Both headphones come with a detachable cable and a tangle-free cable for ease of use. The Edifier ES850NB also includes a travel bag, which is a nice bonus for portability. The Nothing Headphone 1 also includes a travel bag, so both products offer this feature. However, the Nothing Headphone 1 is sweat-resistant, while the Edifier ES850NB does not list any water resistance, so the Nothing Headphone 1 may be a better option for workouts or outdoor use in sweat-prone conditions.

When it comes to design features, the Edifier ES850NB is foldable, making it more compact for storage and travel. In contrast, the Nothing Headphone 1 cannot be folded, which could make it less portable. Neither product is designed specifically for kids, and both have stereo speakers and a closed-back design, with no open-back configurations in either model.

Both the Edifier ES850NB and the Nothing Headphone 1 offer active noise cancellation (ANC) to enhance your listening experience by reducing unwanted background noise. In terms of frequency range, both products cover the same spectrum, with a lowest frequency of 20 Hz and a highest frequency of 40,000 Hz, ensuring a wide range of sound reproduction.

Each headphone features a 40 mm driver unit size, which is fairly standard for over-ear headphones, providing clear and balanced sound. Both also support spatial audio, allowing for an immersive listening experience. However, one notable difference between the two models is that the Nothing Headphone 1 includes passive noise reduction, while the Edifier ES850NB does not offer this feature.

Neither product uses a neodymium magnet, so the magnetic material is not a factor in either model's design. Overall, both headphones are equipped with similar core features like ANC, wide frequency range, and spatial audio support, but the addition of passive noise reduction in the Nothing Headphone 1 may provide a further layer of sound isolation compared to the Edifier ES850NB.

The Edifier ES850NB offers a longer battery life compared to the Nothing Headphone 1, with up to 92 hours of use, compared to the Nothing's 80 hours. When active noise cancellation (ANC) is enabled, the Edifier ES850NB still outperforms the Nothing Headphone 1, providing 53 hours of ANC usage versus the Nothing's 35 hours. Both products have a USB Type-C port for charging and a battery level indicator, making it easy to monitor battery status.

Neither product offers wireless charging or solar power options, and both have rechargeable batteries. Both headphones also lack removable batteries, so you will need to rely on charging for continued use.

While both models have strong battery performance, the Edifier ES850NB’s longer battery life, especially with ANC, may appeal to those looking for more extended listening time between charges.

Both the Edifier ES850NB and the Nothing Headphone 1 support wireless and wired connectivity, offering flexibility for different use cases. In terms of Bluetooth technology, the Edifier ES850NB is equipped with Bluetooth version 5.4, while the Nothing Headphone 1 uses Bluetooth version 5.3. The Edifier's Bluetooth version is slightly more recent, but the difference may not be noticeable in day-to-day use.

Both headphones support AAC and LDAC codecs, ensuring high-quality audio transmission, while neither includes aptX, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX Low Latency, aptX Lossless, or LDHC support. The Edifier ES850NB does not have fast pairing, whereas the Nothing Headphone 1 offers fast pairing, allowing for quicker connection with compatible devices.

Both headphones share a maximum Bluetooth range of 10 meters, and neither product supports Bluetooth pairing using NFC or Auracast. Overall, the Nothing Headphone 1 stands out slightly with its fast pairing feature, while both products offer similar core connectivity features such as Bluetooth and wired options.

Both the Edifier ES850NB and the Nothing Headphone 1 are equipped with a noise-canceling microphone and ambient sound mode, allowing for clearer communication and a more immersive listening experience. However, the Edifier ES850NB lacks in/on-ear detection, which the Nothing Headphone 1 includes. This feature in the Nothing model can automatically pause or play music when the headphones are removed or worn, adding a convenience factor not found in the Edifier.

Both headphones support multipoint connectivity, allowing them to connect to two devices simultaneously. Additionally, both models place the control panel on the device itself, rather than on the headphones, and can be used as a headset. Neither product features an in-line control panel.

In summary, the main difference in features between the two is the in/on-ear detection in the Nothing Headphone 1, which the Edifier ES850NB does not have. Both headphones share several similar functionalities, such as noise-canceling microphones, ambient sound modes, and multipoint support.