Nothing Tech’s CMF subbrand is emphasizing a design-focused approach to its budget-friendly accessories, including chargers, smartwatches, and a trio of wireless earbuds.
After using a pair of CMF Buds at our office for a week, we found these eye-catching orange buds to deliver great audio quality and an exciting design, all at an attractively low price.
The CMF Buds boast Active Noise Cancelation (ANC) with a dedicated transparency mode, Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity with dual device pairing, and 12.4mm drivers tuned by Dirac. They also come with a programmable equalizer in the Nothing X app and offer over 35 hours of playback between the buds and their charging case.
Considering their affordable price tag, these orange buds may seem too good to be true, but they have proven to be a surprisingly strong choice.
Design
Design plays a pivotal role in the Nothing brand philosophy, which carries over to the CMF lineup. The CMF products bear similarities to those of Swedish electronics company Teenage Engineering. This connection is not surprising, as the Swedish studio is a founding partner of Nothing Tech and has been instrumental in designing Nothing products since the Ear (1).
Starting with the charging/carrying case, it stands out as unlike any other case we’ve seen. Our review unit comes in a vibrant orange hue that stands out in images and in real life. The design inspiration from Teenage Engineering is evident, from the bold color to the minimalist design and the rotating aluminum alloy dial.
While it would have been nice if the dial could control certain aspects of the buds, its sole purpose is to serve as a lanyard attachment point. Additionally, it doubles as a great fidget spinner when you need a diversion.
Aside from the dial, both the case and earbuds are constructed entirely from plastic to keep the weight down. The case lid feels sturdy and secures with a firm snap. The only downside is that the plastic case is prone to scratches – we noticed several light scratches on the bottom after just one day of use. The front features an LED status light for pairing mode and a USB-C charging port on the right-hand side.
The case measures 54.7 x 54.7 x 22.9mm and weighs just over 43 grams, while each earbud weighs 4.5 grams. The default size M ear tips provided a comfortable and secure fit during extended listening sessions. The earbuds feature touch controls on the top portion, with single, double, and triple taps all programmable within the Nothing X app.
Each earbud also houses 2 HD microphones, and the case carries an IP54 rating against water splashes and dust. The retail package includes a USB-C cable and replacement silicone ear tips.
Features and companion app
Despite their affordable price, the CMF Buds come packed with features, including Bluetooth 5.3, Active Noise Cancelation (ANC), transparency mode, dual device pairing, and wear detection sensors. The buds house 12.4mm bio-fiber drivers tuned by Nothing and Dirac. The partnership also introduces Ultra Bass Technology 2.0, which users can adjust or deactivate in the Nothing X companion app.
The Nothing X app stands out as one of the best-designed companion apps, featuring Nothing’s signature minimalist aesthetic and dot matrix font. Compatible with Android 5.1+ and iOS 13+ smartphones, Nothing smartphones receive an additional benefit of a dedicated low latency mode that complements Nothing’s Game mode.
Nothing X app with CMF Buds
One area where the budget-friendly nature of the CMF Buds becomes apparent is in the Bluetooth codec support, limited to transmitting audio via the legacy AAC and SBC codecs. High-bitrate codecs like LDAC, AptX Adaptive, or AptX Lossless are not supported, which may be expected in a budget earbud option.
The ANC provided by the CMF Buds covers up to 42 dB of noise at a frequency range of 2,900 Hz, with 4 onboard microphones offering AI Environmental Noise Cancellation during calls. Two holes at the bottom of the earbud stems help reduce wind interference.
The CMF Buds support Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair for easy connectivity. In-ear detection sensors allow the buds to pause media when removed and automatically resume playback upon reinsertion.
Performance and Sound Quality
The CMF Buds deliver a vibrant soundstage with punchy bass, characteristic of the Nothing earbud range. The 12.4mm drivers tuned by Dirac Audio offer decent sound output by default, though some users may find the bass overpowering. Fortunately, the Nothing X app allows users to create a custom EQ for a more balanced sound profile.
However, there is room for improvement in instrument separation, as the highs can get washed out and the mids may sound thin. Despite this, the CMF Buds offer a lively soundstage that suits electronic and hip-hop genres, with well-tuned high treble providing a counterbalance to the strong bass.
The buds offer a good volume level, with potent ANC helping to drown out unwanted noises in the lower frequency spectrum, a notable feature at this price point. The transparency mode, however, sounded muffled and did not effectively amplify nearby sounds. Disabling ANC resulted in improved sound clarity in the lows and mids, with the bass feeling less overwhelming.
During our testing with an iPhone 15 Pro and a MacBook Pro 14, dual-device pairing was functional but required manual media switching between devices. However, if you receive a call on your phone while listening on your laptop, the buds seamlessly transfer audio to the phone.
One issue encountered was the Nothing X app on the iPhone frequently requiring the buds to be disconnected and repaired after use with another device like a laptop. This issue may be addressed in future software updates.
Touch controls functioned effectively during our review, with the ability to customize gestures for volume control. Call quality was satisfactory in quieter environments but struggled to isolate the user’s voice in noisy surroundings.
In-ear detection worked as intended, pausing and resuming playback based on the presence of the earbuds in the ears. However, it was overly sensitive at times, pausing playback if the earbuds shifted slightly during activity, necessitating a change of ear tips for a better fit.
Bluetooth range was consistent with other wireless earbuds, up to 15 meters from the source device.
Battery Life
Each CMF Bud contains a 45mAh battery, with a 460mAh cell in the charging case. Charging is done via USB-C, as wireless charging is not supported. Nothing claims up to 8 hours of playback with ANC off and 5.6 hours with ANC/transparency mode on. The charging case extends these times to 35.5 hours and 24 hours, respectively.
In our tests, we achieved 4.5 hours of usage with ANC on at 50% volume, increasing to just under 7 hours with ANC off. A full charge takes 2 hours, with a 10-minute top-up providing 4 hours of usage. Charging via the case takes over an hour to go from 0-100%.
Verdict
The Nothing CMF Buds offer more than expected from their price tag, with a distinct design, comfortable fit, ANC, and a robust companion app. Along with reliable battery life, dual device pairing, and a user-friendly app, these wireless earbuds provide excellent value at $39/€39/£39/₹2,500, making them a top choice in their price range.
Featuring Nothing’s signature lively soundstage with powerful bass, the CMF Buds cater to a wide range of user preferences. Overall, these earbuds offer a compelling package at an affordable price, positioning them as a standout option in the market.
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