The CMF Buds Pro 2 serve as the newest product in CMF’s growing audio collection which is part of the Nothing brand. The product launch introduces the CMF Buds Pro successors who deliver enhancements across multiple elements.
Design
The name CMF stands for Color, Materials, and Finish which we use to start our evaluation of the CMF Buds Pro 2 that display their distinct blue color.
The Buds Pro 2 and their charging case are primarily made of plastic, except for the tactile Smart Dial which has a solid metal ring. The earbuds and charging case display a matte finish which effectively prevents fingerprint marks and people highly prefer this finish because it stays cleaner than shiny plastic materials which easily show dirt.
The charging case and Smart Dial create an innovative experience for wireless headphones that distinguishes the CMF Buds Pro 2 from other in-ear headphone models. The Smart Dial functions as a remote control which lets users change volume levels while experiencing realistic haptic feedback. The device accepts single, double, and triple presses along with tap-to-hold function, and it enables users to define new functions through every press technique.
The charging case dimensions remain identical to the past CMF Buds model whereas each earbud weighs just 4.5 grams. We experience no difficulties when using these earbuds for multiple hours throughout our daily routine.
The upper part of the earbud contains a touch sensor which allows users to reset their functions for music playback, noise cancellation, and volume control. The retail package includes a USB-C cable for charging and a set of S and XL size silicone ear tips.
The addition of LDAC audio support enables users to stream music through multiple platforms that support this feature including Tidal HiFi and Amazon Music Unlimited and Deezer Premium. The new active noise cancellation system now reaches its maximum capacity of 50dB which improves upon the 45dB performance of the original CMF Buds Pro design. The product introduces another new feature which allows users to experience spatial sound.
The total battery capacity now extends to 43 hours of usage because the earbuds can operate together with the charging case. The system provides two functions which include detecting earbud use and stopping audio playback when users take out their earbuds.
The Nothing X app for iOS and Android offers users a valuable tool to access additional Buds Pro 2 features which allow them to reset earbud buttons and Smart Dials and create custom EQ profiles.
The Smart Dial stands out as the most attractive function of this product because it delivers excellent performance when users connect their devices to laptops. The Smart Dial provides excellent haptic feedback which we wish to see other companies adopt for their headphone products.
CMF Buds Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds with Smart Dial, 50dB Hybrid Noise Cancelling Earbuds Wireless Bluetooth 5.3, 11mm Bass with LDAC, 6 Hi-Res Audio Mics, 43H Playtime, Fast Charging Case, Dark Grey:
CMF Buds Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds with Smart Dial, 50dB Hybrid Noise Cancelling Earbuds Wireless Bluetooth 5.3, 11mm Bass with LDAC, 6 Hi-Res Audio Mics, 43H Playtime, Fast Charging Case, Orange:
CMF Buds Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds with Smart Dial, 50dB Hybrid Noise Cancelling Earbuds Wireless Bluetooth 5.3, 11mm Bass with LDAC, 6 Hi-Res Audio Mics, 43H Playtime, Fast Charging Case, Blue:
The Buds Pro 2 headphones enable you to use ChatGPT through Nothing smartphone headphones. The headphones provide IP55 protection against both dust and water splashes.
The CMF Buds Pro 2 showed exceptional connectivity performance during our testing process because it enabled users to switch between three devices which included MacBook Pro 14 and iPhone 15 Pro and CMF Phone 1. The system functioned properly because its dual device pairing and touch controls and wear detection features operated without any problems.
The headphones produce bass sounds which dominate their audio output while delivering high volume levels that most users will find satisfactory. The CMF Buds Pro 2 headphones offer users a better listening experience because they provide richer sound production and improved ability to distinguish different musical instruments compared to CMF Buds.
The Dirac Opteo EQ profile provides superior sound quality which we achieve through this built-in EQ option. The custom profile allows you to customize the EQ settings, but CMF restricted users to a three-band EQ system which differs from other earbud systems.
The spatial audio feature produces an immersive sound experience which users should activate because it delivers superior audio quality. The Buds Pro 2 headphones produce satisfactory sound quality, but their audio performance falls short of the detailed sound present in Realme Buds Air 6 Pro headphones, which we evaluated recently.
The active noise cancellation system provides adequate protection against low-frequency sounds which include air conditioning and fan noise, but it fails to reach the performance standards of expensive high-end headphones.
The Transparency mode functions poorly because it shows minimal effectiveness. The sound produces a hissing noise which people associate with most budget-friendly earbuds. The Buds Pro 2 headphones provide inconsistent call quality because the other person hears distorted audio from our side even during quiet times.
Battery Life
The CMF Buds Pro 2 product provides superior battery performance according to CMF because its users can enjoy 43 hours of playback through the combination of earbuds and charging case. The earbuds provide 11 hours of continuous use when users disable ANC, while the battery duration decreases to 6.5 hours when people activate ANC.
Our testing results showed actual performance which closely matched the specifications from the manufacturer. The CMF Buds Pro 2 operated for 6 hours and 15 minutes because we activated ANC at 50% volume and used all available features. The duration in LDAC mode with ANC activated dropped to 4 hours and 15 minutes.
The device charges through its USB-C port, which requires 70 minutes to completely charge the charging case. The case requires 60 minutes to charge the earbuds from a completely empty state to a full charge.
Conclusion
CMF is developing some of the best wireless earbuds in the budget segment, and the Buds Pro 2 is a sensible proposition. The earbuds provide dual drivers together with advanced active noise cancellation and spatial audio capabilities and extended battery operation. The charging case has a programmable Smart Dial which enables users to control volume levels and media playback and handle incoming calls. The product offers LDAC support and multi-point pairing which functions with its stylish design and various attractive color choices and provides users with access to premium earbuds from Apple and Sony and Samsung. TheCMFBudsPro2displayasubjectiveappearance becausesomepeoplefinditsboldcolorchoicesandminimalisticdesignattractive.
The upcoming releases need to address multiple areas which include custom EQ settings through full parameters and improved noise blocking abilities and better sound performance during transparent mode and enhanced calling experience. The $45 price requires us to accept the trade-off which leads us to look forward to CMF’s upcoming development of its next CMF Buds series product.
Tech Reviewer & Product Analyst
Định Bia has spent over 10 years testing consumer electronics with a focus on smart technology. He work as a product advisor at Biareview where he helped customers find the right devices for their needs. He personally tests every product featured on this site using a consistent evaluation framework covering quality, durability, and value. All reviews are based on experience, not influenced by the manufacturer.
