Introduction
The CMF Buds Pro 2 by Nothing is stirring the tech community, and with good reason. Nothing, the brainchild of Carl Pei, has already disrupted the tech space with its minimalist design and innovative gadgets. Their second-generation CMF Buds Pro aims to enhance your audio experience without breaking the bank. But do they live up to the hype? This review will break down everything you need to know, from design to performance, and even give you insights on whether these buds should be your next purchase.
Design and Features
The first thing you notice about the CMF Buds Pro 2 is their design. Nothing has maintained its signature approach with a clean, minimalistic look. These buds sport a matte finish, which is a departure from the glossy exteriors seen on many other earbuds. This matte texture not only looks premium but also makes the earbuds resistant to fingerprints and smudges.
The buds have a compact design that fits comfortably in your ears. They are lightweight, ensuring you can wear them for long hours without any discomfort. The ergonomic design ensures a snug fit, making them perfect for workouts or long commutes. The in-ear tips are made of soft silicone, which adds to the comfort and blocks out ambient noise effectively.
The charging case deserves a mention too. It’s pocket-friendly and continues the minimalist design philosophy with a simple CMF logo on the front. The case also supports wireless charging, which is a nice touch at this price point.
One of the standout features is the touch controls. With just a tap, you can play/pause music, skip tracks, or answer calls. The controls are responsive, but they may take some getting used to if you are new to touch-based interfaces. The design also ensures that the controls don’t get triggered accidentally, which is a common issue with other earbuds in the market
Specifications
Specifications | Specification |
---|---|
Driver Size | 11mm |
Noise Cancellation | Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) |
Battery Life | Up to 7 hours (buds), 28 hours (with case) |
Charging | USB-C and Wireless Charging |
Water Resistance | IPX5 rating |
Bluetooth | 5.3 |
Color Options | Black, White |
Key Features
The CMF Buds Pro 2 comes packed with features that make it a strong competitor in the market. One of the key selling points is the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). These earbuds come equipped with state-of-the-art ANC technology that cancels out external noises, allowing you to immerse yourself in your music or podcasts. Whether you are in a noisy café or on a plane, the ANC feature works effectively, rivaling some of the premium brands out there.
Battery life is another strong point. You get up to 7 hours of playback time on a single charge, and with the charging case, you can extend it to 28 hours. This makes the CMF Buds Pro 2 perfect for long trips or a full day of listening without needing to recharge constantly. Additionally, the case supports fast charging, giving you an hour of playback with just a 10-minute charge.
Another noteworthy feature is the water resistance. The buds come with an IPX5 rating, which means they can handle sweat and light rain without any issues. This makes them ideal for workouts or outdoor activities. Pair this with their snug fit, and you’ve got yourself a reliable workout companion.
The Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity ensures a stable connection with minimal latency. Whether you’re streaming a movie or playing games, the connection stays strong without any noticeable delay. Pairing the earbuds with your devices is seamless, and they reconnect instantly once removed from the case.
Lastly, these earbuds also come with customizable sound profiles. Using the Nothing app, you can tweak the sound settings to match your personal preferences, be it boosting the bass or enhancing the treble.
Performance
Performance-wise, the CMF Buds Pro 2 delivers beyond expectations, especially at its price range. The sound quality is impressive, thanks to the 11mm drivers that produce deep bass, clear mids, and crisp highs. The audio output feels balanced, making these buds suitable for various music genres, from bass-heavy tracks to acoustic melodies.
The ANC feature is one of the strongest points of the CMF Buds Pro 2. When activated, it significantly reduces background noise, making it easier to focus on your music or podcast. While it may not match the ANC of premium earbuds like the AirPods Pro or Sony’s WF-1000XM4, it holds its own remarkably well, especially in moderately noisy environments like cafés or public transport.
Call quality is another area where these earbuds perform well. Thanks to the built-in microphones, voice clarity during calls is excellent. The noise-canceling feature ensures that your voice comes through clearly, even in noisy surroundings. Whether you’re indoors or outdoors, the call quality remains consistent, which is a big plus for those who take a lot of work calls on the go.
When it comes to latency, the CMF Buds Pro 2 excels, especially with its Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. Whether you’re gaming or streaming, there’s little to no lag, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted audio. This makes them a great option for those who frequently consume video content or play mobile games.
The fit and comfort of the earbuds also contribute to their performance. Even during extended periods of use, the earbuds remain comfortable without causing ear fatigue. They stay securely in place, even during intense workouts, which adds to their versatility.
Pros and Cons
- High-quality sound with customizable profiles
- Effective ANC for the price rang
- Long battery life with fast charging capability
- Comfortable fit for long periods of use
- Water-resistant, ideal for workouts
- HTouch controls may take some getting used to
- ANC not as powerful as premium competitorsNo support for advanced audio codecs like aptX or LDAC
Latest Deals from Amazon
At the time of writing, the CMF Buds Pro 2 are available on Amazon at a competitive price of around $99, making them a great option for those looking for budget-friendly wireless earbuds with premium features. Keep an eye out for potential discounts during major sales events like Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day, where you might be able to snag them at an even lower price.
Should You Buy It?
The CMF Buds Pro 2 by Nothing is a solid choice if you’re looking for high-quality earbuds without spending a fortune. With features like Active Noise Cancellation, long battery life, and an IPX5 water resistance rating, these earbuds offer excellent value for their price. They may not have the advanced features of high-end competitors, but for most users, they’ll deliver a fantastic audio experience.
If you prioritize sound quality, a comfortable fit, and decent noise cancellation at an affordable price, then the CMF Buds Pro 2 is worth considering.
Final Thoughts
Nothing continues to impress with its range of minimalist yet feature-packed products, and the CMF Buds Pro 2 is no exception. These earbuds check many boxes, from design to performance, and are priced attractively for budget-conscious consumers. While there are a few areas where they fall short of premium alternatives, the overall experience is impressive for the price. They are perfect for casual listeners and fitness enthusiasts alike.
How We Test
To provide an accurate review, we put the CMF Buds Pro 2 through a series of real-world tests. This included using them in various environments like noisy cafés, quiet rooms, and outdoor spaces to assess the effectiveness of their ANC. We also tested their comfort by wearing them for long periods and used them during workouts to check how well they stayed in place.
We assessed sound quality by playing different music genres and listening to podcasts to get a well-rounded understanding of the audio performance. Finally, we tested battery life by using the buds continuously and monitored how long they lasted with and without ANC.
FAQs
Does the CMF Buds Pro 2 support wireless charging?
Yes, the charging case supports wireless charging.
How effective is the ANC on these earbuds?
The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) on the CMF Buds Pro 2 is quite effective, especially for its price range. While it may not match the performance of more expensive earbuds like the Sony WF-1000XM4 or AirPods Pro, it does a great job of reducing background noise in moderately noisy environments such as coffee shops or public transportation.
Can I use CMF Buds Pro 2 for workouts?
Yes, the CMF Buds Pro 2 are ideal for workouts due to their secure, ergonomic fit and IPX5 water resistance rating, which protects against sweat and light rain.
How long does the battery last with ANC enabled?
With ANC enabled, the CMF Buds Pro 2 offers around 5.5 to 6 hours of continuous playback on a single charge, and the total battery life, including the case, extends to about 24 hours.
Are the touch controls customizable?
The touch controls are not fully customizable, but you can manage certain actions like play/pause, skipping tracks, and answering calls using the default settings.
Does it support multipoint connection?
Unfortunately, the CMF Buds Pro 2 does not support multipoint connection, so you can’t connect to multiple devices simultaneously.
How fast is the quick charge feature?
The quick charge feature is quite efficient. Just 10 minutes of charging provides up to 1 hour of playback time.
Can I adjust sound settings through an app?
Yes, you can adjust sound profiles and tweak the equalizer settings using the Nothing app, which provides some level of audio customization.
Are there any color options for the CMF Buds Pro 2?
The CMF Buds Pro 2 comes in two color options: Black and White.
Does it support high-resolution audio formats?
No, the CMF Buds Pro 2 does not support high-resolution audio formats like aptX or LDAC. However, the sound quality is still impressive for the price.
Are the earbuds comfortable for extended use?
Yes, the lightweight and ergonomic design of the CMF Buds Pro 2 ensures they remain comfortable even after hours of use
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