CMF Buds Review — Are These True Wireless Earbuds Worth It in 2025?

Here’s a detailed review of CMF’s earbuds — based on the Amazon listing you shared and other sources. I refer to them throughout as “cmf buds.” I also compare them to similar earbuds like Nothing 2A and Galaxy Buds Core / other popular “nothing headphones” alternatives.

🔊 Sound & Audio Performance

The cmf buds (specifically the “Buds 2” / “Buds 2a” line from CMF) deliver quite respectable sound quality for their price bracket. They use custom dynamic drivers — an 11 mm driver with PMI + PU diaphragm (some variants mention 12.4 mm bio-fiber drivers), tuned in collaboration with the audio specialists at Dirac.

The sound tends to have a good balance: solid bass, clear mids, and acceptable treble clarity. Their “Ultra Bass Technology” and Dirac tuning help when listening to bass-heavy music or watching action movies.

• They support common wireless audio codecs (AAC and SBC), ensuring decent compatibility and audio fidelity with most modern smartphones.

• There’s also spatial audio / “spatial effect” support (HRTF-based) in certain configurations — which can enhance immersion for movies, games, or cinematic music tracks.

Verdict: For everyday listening (music, videos, podcasts), cmf buds hold up well — offering a richer sound than entry-level earbuds and coming close to mid-tier performance, though don’t expect audio refinement on par with flagship wireless earbuds.

🎧 Features — ANC, Calls, Connectivity & More

cmf buds pack a broad set of features that make them versatile for daily use, commuting, calls, and workouts:

• Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): Up to ~48 dB of adaptive noise cancelling, with a “Transparency Mode” for ambient awareness. Good for suppressing city noise, commutes, or busy environments.

• Microphones & Call Quality: They include 6 HD microphones (3 per bud), along with “Clear Voice Technology 3.0” and wind-noise reduction — enabling clear voice calls even in noisy surroundings.

• Connectivity & Compatibility: Bluetooth version 5.4 ensures stable, low-latency connections. Dual-device pairing, quick setup (via Google Fast Pair or Microsoft Swift Pair), and seamless switching mean they work smoothly with phones, laptops or tablets.

• Battery Life: According to CMF specifications, with the charging case you can expect up to 55 hours playback (ANC off) or ~32 hours with ANC active. Single-charge playback is ~13.5 hours per earbud.

• Durability & Everyday Use: The buds have IP55 water/dust resistance rating (earbuds) — decent for sweat, splashes or light rain. They’re lightweight, compact, and designed for comfortable extended wear.

Verdict: As “all-rounder” wireless earbuds, cmf buds shine — offering a feature set more often seen in higher-priced models (ANC, multi-device connectivity, long battery, water resistance).

📱 Comparison: cmf buds vs Nothing 2A / Galaxy Buds Core / Other Nothing Headphones

• Compared with simpler earbuds, cmf buds’ ANC and Dirac-tuned drivers give them a clear edge in audio quality and isolation.

• Against models like Nothing 2A or Galaxy Buds Core: cmf buds may not match premium flagship-level audio fidelity, but they deliver very competitive sound and features at a lower price point. For users prioritizing value (good bass, ANC, long battery) over “audiophile-grade” tuning, cmf buds offer strong value.

• The design — minimal, clean aesthetic typical of Nothing/CMF — also aligns with what many buyers of “nothing headphones” look for: straightforward, modern, practical earbuds rather than flashy extras.

✅ Pros & ⚠️ Cons (Based on Real-World Use & Community Feedback)

Pros

• Balanced, detailed sound with good bass and clarity.

• Effective ANC and Transparency mode for daily commuting or travel.

• Long battery life and good charging case performance.

• Strong call quality thanks to multiple mics and noise reduction — handy for work, online meetings or calls while commuting.

• Solid build quality with water/dust resistance, and lightweight ergonomic design for comfort over hours.

• Reliable Bluetooth 5.4 connection, fast pairing, and dual-device support.

Cons / What to Watch Out For

From user feedback and community forums (especially when comparing different CMF/Nothing models):

• Some users reported issues with ANC performance — for example:

  “Whenever I enable anc it doesn’t work … audio is cutting in between for like 1–2 seconds.”

• A few mention battery imbalance between left and right earbuds, or faster battery drain than expected.

• Other users complain about charging issues (earbuds not always charging properly in case) or pairing problems.

• As with many value-driven earbuds — while sound is good for the price, it may not satisfy audiophiles expecting ultra-refined audio or studio-grade fidelity.

🧑‍💻 Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a well-rounded, feature-rich pair of wireless earbuds — and you don’t want to spend top-tier money — cmf buds are a strong candidate. They strike a balance between price, features, and everyday performance: offering noise cancellation, decent-to-good sound, comfort, long battery life, and reliable connectivity — all of which make them suitable for commuting, travel, workouts, calls, media consumption, or casual gaming.

That said, they’re not perfect. If you demand flawless ANC, zero audio dropouts, audiophile-grade sound, or flagship-class reliability — you might want to consider higher-end earbuds (perhaps from premium lines of Nothing or from other brands). But for their price and use-case, cmf buds deliver substantial value.