Let's be real for a second. Most budget earbuds are incredibly boring. You walk into a store, and you're met with a wall of white plastic stems that look like Apple knockoffs or generic black beans that feel like they’ll crack if you sneeze too hard. Then Nothing’s sub-brand shows up. The CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 didn't just join the party; they brought their own speaker system and a weirdly satisfying physical dial. It’s strange. It’s loud. Honestly, it’s one of the few pieces of tech I’ve used lately that actually made me smile when I unboxed it.
Most people look at the sub-$60 price point and expect compromise. You usually trade away noise cancellation or sound depth. But Carl Pei’s team decided to cram dual drivers and 50dB of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) into these things. Is it perfect? No. Does it beat the AirPods Pro 2 in a clinical lab test? Probably not. But for the person who wants style and punchy bass without eating instant noodles for a month to afford them, these are a legitimate contender for the best value in 2026’s audio market.
That Smart Dial is actually useful (and a total fidget toy)
The first thing you notice isn't the earbuds. It's the case. It has this orange (or black/blue/grey) matte finish that feels more like a piece of high-end stationery than a gadget. But the star is the "Smart Dial." Usually, buttons on charging cases are just there for pairing. This one actually does stuff. You can rotate it to change volume, press it to skip tracks, or hold it to toggle your ANC.
I thought it was a gimmick. I really did. But then I found myself using it while the case was sitting on my desk, and it’s way more intuitive than tapping a tiny stem on your ear and accidentally triggering Siri. Plus, the tactile click? Pure dopamine. It’s the kind of hardware quirk that Nothing is becoming famous for.
Underneath that flashy exterior, the CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 use a dual-driver system. Specifically, an 11mm bass driver paired with a 6mm micro-tweeter. Why does that matter? Well, in cheap earbuds, one driver tries to do everything. It’s like asking a drummer to play the violin at the same time—it gets messy. By splitting the work, the bass stays deep and "thumpy" while the vocals don't get drowned out in a muddy mess.
Can budget ANC actually block out a jet engine?
Marketing teams love to throw around decibel numbers. "50dB Noise Cancellation!" sounds impressive on a box. In the real world, the CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 handle low-frequency hums—like a bus engine or an AC unit—surprisingly well. They use a "Smart ANC 2.0" system that supposedly adjusts to the shape of your ear canal.
I took these on a commute through a crowded train station. They didn't make the world silent. You’re still going to hear that one guy talking too loudly on his phone three seats away. However, they create a "bubble" of quiet that’s far better than what Samsung or Sony offers at this specific price range.
- Transparency Mode: It’s okay. It sounds a bit digital.
- Wind Noise: This is where they struggle a bit. If you’re cycling or running on a gusty day, the microphones sometimes struggle to keep up with the rushing air.
- The Fit: They are light. Really light. You can wear them for four hours and forget they're in.
The technical bits you actually care about
Let's talk specs without being boring. These support LDAC. If you’re an Android user with high-res files or a Tidal subscription, you’re getting significantly more data through the air than standard Bluetooth allows. iPhone users are still stuck with AAC, but that’s an Apple limitation, not a CMF one.
The battery life is a beast. You get about 6.5 hours with ANC on, and the case bumps that up to around 26 hours. If you turn ANC off—which, let's be honest, you won't—you can push that case total to over 40 hours. Fast charging is here too. Ten minutes in the case gives you about three hours of listening. That’s enough to get you through a gym session or a long walk if you forgot to plug them in overnight.
Spatial Audio and the Nothing X App
Nothing’s software is surprisingly clean. The Nothing X app is where you customize the CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2. You can remap the dial, change the EQ, and toggle "Spatial Audio."
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A word of caution on the Spatial Audio: it's not Dolby Atmos. It’s a software-based virtualization that tries to make the sound feel like it's coming from speakers in front of you rather than inside your head. It’s fun for movies, but for music, it can sometimes make the mid-range sound a bit hollow. I usually keep it off for Spotify, but I'll flick it on if I’m watching a Netflix show on my iPad.
One thing that really stands out is the "Ultra Bass" technology. You can scale it from 1 to 5. Level 5 is... a lot. It’s like standing next to a subwoofer at a festival. If you love EDM or Hip-Hop, you’ll vibe with it. If you’re listening to folk or classical, you’ll probably want to dial it back to level 2 so the acoustic guitars don't sound like they're being played through a brick wall.
Is there a catch?
Nothing is perfect, especially not at this price. The CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 have a few quirks that might annoy some people. The multipoint connection—which lets you connect to two devices at once—is great, but occasionally it gets confused if you have a notification on your phone while watching a video on your laptop. It takes a second or two to switch back.
Also, the matte finish on the case looks premium, but it can pick up scuffs if you throw it in a pocket with keys. If you get the bright orange ones, they're going to show dirt after a few months of heavy use. And while the IP55 rating means they're fine for sweat and a light drizzle, don't go dropping them in a pool. They aren't waterproof.
Comparing the rivals
If you look at the Realme Buds Air 6 Pro or the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC, the competition is fierce. The Soundcore probably has slightly better raw noise cancellation. The Realme might have a slightly flatter, more "accurate" sound profile.
But neither of them feels as "cool" as the CMF. There’s a certain design language here that feels intentional. It’s not just a product; it’s a statement. Most tech companies try to hide their budget roots by making things look "Pro." CMF embraces the fun. They use bold colors and weird shapes because they know their audience isn't looking for a corporate tool—they're looking for an accessory that happens to sound great.
How to get the most out of your CMF Buds
If you’ve already picked these up or you’re about to hit "buy," here is the actual expert advice for setting them up correctly. Don't just pair them and go.
First, do the ear tip fit test in the app. These earbuds rely heavily on a physical seal to make the ANC work. If you're using the wrong size silicone tip, the bass will leak out and the noise cancellation will feel weak.
Second, turn on LDAC in the settings if your phone supports it. It’s usually hidden under the "Sound Quality" menu in the Nothing X app. It will drain your battery a bit faster, but the clarity jump is noticeable if you're listening to high-quality tracks.
Third, customize that dial. I set mine so a double-click triggers my voice assistant and a long press toggles the low-lag gaming mode. The low-lag mode is actually decent—it brings the latency down enough that you won't notice a delay between the muzzle flash in Call of Duty Mobile and the sound hitting your ears.
The Verdict on Value
The CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 are a rare breed. They aren't trying to be the best earbuds in the world; they’re trying to be the best earbuds for the money. By focusing on dual drivers and a unique hardware interface, they’ve carved out a spot that nobody else is really occupying.
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They are punchy, loud, and distinctive. While the ANC isn't quite "hush the world" level, it's more than enough for most people's daily grind. If you hate the "Apple-clone" look and want something that actually feels like it was designed in 2026, these are a no-brainer.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your phone's Bluetooth settings to ensure LDAC is supported before purchasing if high-fidelity audio is your priority.
- Download the Nothing X app immediately upon unboxing to update the firmware; Nothing frequently pushes patches that improve ANC stability.
- Test the Ultra Bass settings at level 3 first; level 5 can cause distortion in tracks with already high gain.
- Keep the charging case away from loose metal objects to preserve the matte finish over time.