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In an era where high-quality audio often comes with a hefty price tag, the Nothing CMF Buds are making waves as a budget-friendly solution for those looking to upgrade their wireless audio experience without breaking the bank. The Nothing CMF Buds promise impressive features at a fraction of the cost compared to more premium earbuds on the market. But do these budget buds deliver on their promises, or are they simply cheap and cheerful? Let’s dive into an in-depth review of the Nothing CMF Buds.
Unboxing the Nothing CMF Buds
When you first crack open the box, you’ll find the earbuds neatly tucked inside a compact carry case. The case is designed to be small and portable, ideal for slipping into a pocket or bag. Inside the box, you’ll also find three sizes of silicon tips—small, medium, and large—so you can customize the fit to suit your ear size. There’s also a quick user guide that directs you to the Nothing X app, which is essential for unlocking the full potential of these earbuds.
While the unboxing experience isn’t particularly flashy, it does include everything you need to get started. The earbuds themselves come in a choice of colors: black, white, and a vibrant radioactive orange for those who want to make a statement. However, unlike Nothing’s higher-end earbuds, these don’t come in the iconic transparent design that the brand is known for. Instead, the CMF Buds look a bit more standard, which may be a letdown for those expecting that signature Nothing look.
Build and Comfort
One of the first things you’ll notice about the Nothing CMF Buds is how light they are. This is great for comfort, especially if you plan on wearing them for extended periods. After a couple of hours, you might start to feel some ear fatigue, but the earbuds stay comfortable enough for short listening sessions. The build quality is, however, noticeably cheaper than more premium alternatives. The plastic construction feels lightweight and fragile, but that’s to be expected at this price point.
The included silicon tips do a good job of providing a snug fit, and the earbuds stay in place during most activities, including walking and light exercise. They’re not perfect for intense physical activity, though. If you’re eating or talking excessively, you might notice some movement, but they remain relatively secure. The standard tips that come pre-installed fit perfectly for most users, but you can always swap them out for a different size if needed.
In terms of durability, the CMF Buds are surprisingly rugged for their price. They have an IP54 rating, meaning they’re resistant to both water splashes and dust. This makes them a solid choice for everyday use, even in less-than-ideal weather conditions.
Pairing and Connectivity
The Nothing CMF Buds come equipped with Bluetooth 5.3, which ensures a stable and reliable connection. Pairing with devices was quick and easy on both Android and iOS devices, and the earbuds support Google Fast Pair, so you don’t have to fumble through the pairing process.
A standout feature of the CMF Buds is their ability to connect to two devices simultaneously. For example, you can connect the earbuds to your smartphone and laptop at the same time, allowing for seamless transitions between devices without needing to disconnect and reconnect.
The Nothing X App
To get the most out of the Nothing CMF Buds, you’ll need to download the Nothing X app. Available for both Android and iOS, the app lets you control various settings, such as battery life, audio customization, and noise control. It’s also where you’ll manage firmware updates and tweak touch controls.
The app offers a user-friendly interface and gives you full control over your listening experience. One of the most useful features is the ability to adjust the audio output. You can choose from various presets depending on your genre preference or dive into the custom settings to tweak the bass, treble, and mids. The app also provides an ultra bass boost option for those who love deep, punchy bass. It’s surprising how much impact this feature has, especially for a pair of earbuds at this price point.
Touch Controls
The Nothing CMF Buds feature touch controls, but they’re a bit different from the usual single-tap, double-tap, or swipe gestures you may be accustomed to. Instead, you’ll find double-tap, triple-tap, and press-and-hold actions. By default, double-tapping either earbud skips a track, triple-tapping goes back, and press-and-hold toggles between noise cancellation modes.
While the default setup is functional, it’s not ideal for pausing music or answering calls. Thankfully, you can customize the controls via the Nothing X app. For example, you can set double-tap to pause/play music, triple-tap for skipping tracks, and press-and-hold for accessing voice assistants or toggling noise control. The customization options make it easy to adapt the earbuds to your preferences, and the touch controls are generally responsive with clear haptic feedback when an action is registered.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
One of the most surprising features of the Nothing CMF Buds is the inclusion of active noise cancellation (ANC). While you won’t get the same level of noise reduction as more expensive models, the ANC feature does a surprisingly good job of blocking out background noise. It’s especially effective at reducing ambient traffic noise, making these earbuds great for listening to music or podcasts while commuting or walking in busy environments.
That said, if you find yourself on a crowded train or in a noisy environment, the ANC may not be enough to block out all distractions. The transparency mode, on the other hand, isn’t as effective. It still feels like you have something blocking your ears, which isn’t ideal if you need to interact with your surroundings frequently.
Sound Quality
As expected for budget-friendly earbuds, the audio quality of the Nothing CMF Buds isn’t going to compete with high-end options. However, they do a solid job for casual listening. The 12.4mm drivers produce clear vocals and adequate sound for podcasts and audiobooks. While the bass doesn’t pack a punch like premium earbuds, it’s not terrible either. The sound quality is well-balanced, with enough clarity for most genres of music.
For those who want to adjust the sound further, the Nothing X app offers audio customization with various presets and the ability to fine-tune the bass, treble, and mids. If you’re a bass enthusiast, the ultra bass boost feature is a welcome addition, delivering a deeper, richer low end when activated.
Microphone Quality and Calls
The Nothing CMF Buds are equipped with a quad-microphone setup, which ensures that your voice is clearly picked up during calls. The earbuds also feature clear voice noise cancellation technology, which helps reduce background noise during calls. In real-world tests, the microphone performed well in environments with moderate background noise. However, in extremely noisy situations, the earbuds may struggle to pick up your voice clearly.
Battery Life
The Nothing CMF Buds offer decent battery life, especially for their price. On a full charge, you can expect around 6 hours of playback with noise cancellation turned off. With active noise cancellation activated, the battery life drops to just under 5 hours, which is still reasonable for a budget pair of earbuds. The included carry case can recharge the earbuds three to four times, so you’ll get plenty of use before needing to plug the case back in.
Conclusion
Nothing CMF Buds offer great value for money. While they won’t blow audiophiles away, they provide solid audio performance, reliable connectivity, and impressive features like active noise cancellation and touch controls—all at an incredibly affordable price. The build quality may feel cheap, but considering the budget price point, it’s hard to complain. If you’re in the market for a pair of affordable wireless earbuds for casual listening, the Nothing CMF Buds are certainly worth considering.
