I’ve spent countless hours testing wireless earbuds, from high-end models to budget-friendly options, and I’m always on the lookout for gear that punches above its price tag.

 The CMF Buds and CMF Buds Pro from Nothing’s sub-brand, CMF, caught my attention with their sleek designs and feature-packed profiles at wallet-friendly prices.

In this article, I’ll compare these two earbuds, breaking down their features, performance, pros, and cons to help you decide which pair suits your needs.

 Whether you’re a music lover, a commuter, or a casual listener, let’s find out which buds deliver the best bang for your buck.

Comparison Table: CMF Buds Vs. CMF Buds Pro

My Journey with CMF Buds and Buds Pro

As someone who’s always got earbuds in—whether I’m commuting, working out, or just chilling at home—I was excited to try out the CMF Buds and CMF Buds Pro. Both are part of Nothing’s budget-focused CMF sub-brand, which aims to deliver premium features without the premium price. I popped these buds in for weeks, testing them in real-world scenarios: noisy coffee shops, sweaty gym sessions, and long video calls. My goal? To figure out which of these earbuds offers the best value and performance for everyday users like you and me.

CMF Buds

The CMF Buds come in a square case with rounded corners, a refreshing departure from the typical round cases flooding the market. The case feels solid, with a matte finish that resists fingerprints but can pick up scratches if you’re not careful. There’s a silver-colored metal ring on one corner that rotates—purely for fidgeting or attaching a lanyard, which I found oddly satisfying to play with during boring meetings. The earbuds themselves are lightweight at 4.57g each, with a glossy stem and matte finish on the bud. They fit snugly in my ears, even during runs, thanks to the included silicone tips in three sizes.

CMF Buds Pro

The Buds Pro, on the other hand, sport a round case that feels a bit more generic but still sturdy. Like the Buds, it’s made of PC + ABS plastic with a matte finish, though the white version I tested showed some scuffs after a week of tossing it in my bag. The earbuds weigh slightly more at 4.77g each but feel just as comfortable, with a similar stem-style design. The fit is secure, and the IP54 rating on both models means they can handle sweat and light rain, which was a relief during my outdoor workouts.

Pros and Cons: Design

CMF Buds Pros:

• Unique square case stands out.
• Lightweight and comfortable for long wear.
• Fun, fidget-friendly rotating dial.

CMF Buds Cons:

• Case scratches easily.
• No IP rating for the case itself.

CMF Buds Pro Pros:

• Secure fit, ideal for active use.
• IP54 rating for earbuds.
• Sleek, minimalist case design.

CMF Buds Pro Cons:

• Round case feels less distinctive.
• White case prone to scuffs.

Sound Quality: Bass, Balance, and Beyond

CMF Buds

The CMF Buds pack a 12.4mm bio-fibre and TPU driver, delivering a bass-heavy sound that’s perfect for genres like EDM and hip-hop. Out of the box, the bass can overpower mids and highs, making vocals sound slightly recessed on tracks like Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy.” But the Nothing X app saves the day with its three-band equalizer. I tweaked the bass down to +2, mids to +4, and treble to +6, and suddenly, jazz and acoustic tracks had much better clarity. The Ultra Bass mode, with five levels, lets you crank the low-end to ear-rattling levels—great for gym sessions but overkill for classical music.

CMF Buds Pro

The Buds Pro use a 10mm liquid crystal polymer (LCP) and polyurethane (PU) driver, offering a V-shaped sound profile with punchy bass and sharp treble. I noticed better instrument separation compared to the Buds, especially on complex tracks like Radiohead’s “Everything In Its Right Place.” However, the mids are still a bit scooped, so vocals can feel distant without EQ adjustments. The Nothing X app’s Dirac Opteo preset helped balance things out, but there’s no Ultra Bass mode here, which I missed during high-energy workouts. The soundstage feels slightly wider than the Buds, making these a touch more immersive for movies.

Pros and Cons: Sound Quality

CMF Buds Pros:

• Bass-heavy sound, ideal for EDM and hip-hop.
• Customizable EQ via Nothing X app.
• Ultra Bass mode for extra low-end punch.

CMF Buds Cons:

• Bass can muddy mids without tweaking.
• Not as detailed for vocal-heavy tracks.

CMF Buds Pro Pros:

• Better instrument separation and wider soundstage.
• Dirac Opteo EQ for balanced sound.
• Crisp treble for detailed highs.

CMF Buds Pro Cons:

• No Ultra Bass mode.
• Mids need app tweaks for vocal clarity.

Active Noise Cancellation: Blocking Out the World

CMF Buds

The CMF Buds boast 42dB hybrid ANC, which does a solid job of muting low-frequency noises like traffic or air conditioning hums. In a busy coffee shop, it dulled the background chatter but struggled with sudden sounds like clinking cups or loud laughter. The Transparency mode is decent for quick conversations, but it amplifies ambient noise so much that music gets drowned out at higher volumes. I felt some ear pressure with ANC on, which was noticeable during long listening sessions.

CMF Buds Pro

With 45dB ANC, the Buds Pro edge out slightly, handling low-frequency noises just as well but also tackling some higher-frequency sounds, like office chatter, more effectively. On a noisy subway ride, they kept things quiet enough for me to enjoy a podcast without cranking the volume. Transparency mode works similarly to the Buds, but I found it less overwhelming. The ANC is more comfortable here, with less ear pressure, making these better for extended use.

Pros and Cons: ANC

CMF Buds Pros:

• Solid 42dB ANC for low-frequency noise.
• Transparency mode for quick chats.
• Affordable price for ANC feature.

CMF Buds Cons:

• Struggles with sudden, high-pitched noises.
• ANC causes noticeable ear pressure.

CMF Buds Pro Pros:

• 45dB ANC handles a wider range of noises.
• More comfortable ANC experience.
• Better for noisy commutes.

CMF Buds Pro Cons:

• Transparency mode can overpower music.
• ANC not as strong as premium models.

Read More: My Thoughts On Tozo T6 Vs. Airpods

Battery Life and Connectivity: Staying Powered and Paired

CMF Buds

The CMF Buds offer 8 hours of playback with ANC off and 5.6 hours with it on, with the case extending that to 35.5 hours total. In my tests, I got about 7.5 hours without ANC during a mix of music and calls, which is impressive for the price. The dual-device pairing is a standout feature—I seamlessly switched between my phone and laptop without missing a beat. Bluetooth 5.3 ensures a stable connection up to 10 meters, and I had no dropouts even in crowded areas.

CMF Buds Pro

The Buds Pro last longer, with 11 hours (ANC off) and 6.5 hours (ANC on) per charge, and the case bumps that to 39 hours. I managed around 10 hours without ANC, which is fantastic for long days. However, the lack of dual-device pairing was a bummer—I had to manually disconnect from my phone to use my laptop, which felt like a step back. Bluetooth 5.3 kept things stable, and the Nothing X app’s Fast Pair made setup a breeze on Android.

Pros and Cons: Battery and Connectivity

CMF Buds Pros:

• Dual-device pairing for easy switching.
• Solid 35.5-hour total battery life.
• Reliable Bluetooth 5.3 connection.

CMF Buds Cons:

• Shorter earbud battery life than Pro.
• No high-resolution codecs like LDAC.

CMF Buds Pro Pros:

• Longer 39-hour total battery life.
• Fast Pair for quick Android setup.
• Stable Bluetooth 5.3 performance.

CMF Buds Pro Cons:

• No dual-device pairing.
• Slightly heavier earbuds.

Microphone Quality: Clear Calls or Background Buzz?

CMF Buds

With two mics per earbud, the CMF Buds deliver decent call quality. On a quiet call, my voice came through clear, but in windy or noisy environments, like a busy street, background noise crept in. The Nothing X app’s wind reduction helps, but it’s not foolproof. For casual calls or video meetings, they’re fine, but don’t expect crystal-clear performance in tough conditions.

CMF Buds Pro

The Buds Pro step it up with three mics per earbud, offering noticeably better noise filtering. During a call in a bustling café, my colleague said I sounded clear, with minimal background chatter bleeding through. Wind noise was still an issue, but the mics handled it better than the Buds. These are a solid choice for frequent callers or remote workers.

Pros and Cons: Microphone

CMF Buds Pros:

• Decent call quality in quiet settings.
• Wind reduction feature in app.
• Good for casual use.

CMF Buds Cons:

• Background noise in loud environments.
• Only two mics per earbud.

CMF Buds Pro Pros:

• Clearer calls with three mics per earbud.
• Better noise filtering in busy settings.
• Great for video calls.

CMF Buds Pro Cons:

• Wind noise still noticeable.
• Not as good as premium earbuds.

App and Features: Customization at Your Fingertips

Both earbuds use the Nothing X app, which is a standout for budget earbuds. It’s user-friendly, with a clean interface that lets you tweak EQ settings, customize touch controls, and run an ear-tip fit test. The Buds support dual-device pairing, which the Pro lacks, but both offer in-ear detection for auto-pause and resume. The Buds’ Ultra Bass mode is a fun addition for bass lovers, while the Pro’s Dirac Opteo EQ feels more refined. One quirk: the Buds’ case dial is just for show, which felt like a missed opportunity compared to the interactive dial on newer models like the Buds Pro 2.

Pros and Cons: App and Features

CMF Buds Pros:

• Dual-device pairing is a game-changer.
• Ultra Bass mode for customizable low-end.
• Intuitive Nothing X app.

CMF Buds Cons:

• Non-functional case dial.
• Limited codec support.

CMF Buds Pro Pros:

• Dirac Opteo EQ for balanced sound.
• Robust app with fit test and controls.
• In-ear detection works well.

CMF Buds Pro Cons:

• No dual-device pairing.
• No interactive case dial.

Real-World Use: Gym, Commute, and Chill

I took both earbuds through their paces in my daily routine. At the gym, the Buds stayed secure during sprints, and the bass-heavy sound kept me pumped for workouts. The ANC was decent for blocking gym chatter, but clanging weights still broke through. On my commute, the Buds Pro’s stronger ANC made train rides more bearable, though sudden screeches slipped past. For casual listening at home, both pairs shone, but the Buds Pro felt more immersive for movies, while the Buds were my go-to for bass-heavy playlists.

Read More: My Thoughts On TOZO T12 Vs. T12 Pro

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Final Thoughts

If you’re after versatility and dual-device pairing, the CMF Buds are hard to beat for $39. They’re perfect for bass lovers who want flexibility across devices without breaking the bank. But if call quality, longer battery life, and slightly better ANC are your priorities, the Buds Pro’s $49 price tag is worth the extra ten bucks. Both offer incredible value, but the Buds Pro feel like a more polished package for those who value clarity and comfort over multipoint connectivity.