CMF Buds Neo Review: 35dB ANC, 52-Hour Battery and Incredible Value
Love it or hate it, Nothing has consistently proven it can build genuinely solid earbuds. Its sub-brand, CMF, played an even bigger part in making that quality accessible to budget buyers. The CMF Buds 2a became an instant crowd-pleaser precisely because they delivered impressive sound and everyday features without forcing anyone to stretch their wallet.
Now, the brand is pushing prices even lower.
Positioned below ₹2,000, the new CMF Buds Neo mark the most affordable way to enter the CMF catalog. Yet, being the cheapest pair does not mean they cut every corner. The spec sheet remains surprisingly packed, featuring 12.4mm dynamic drivers, Active Noise Cancellation, spatial audio support, customizable EQ profiles, dual-device pairing, and up to 52 hours of total battery life.
On paper, that is undeniable value. But with budget wireless earbuds flooding the market, impressive numbers on a box only go so far. The true test is whether the Buds Neo can capture the same practical magic that made the Buds 2a a runaway success.
CMF Buds Neo Review: Design and Comfort
Right out of the box, the CMF Buds Neo stay true to the distinct CMF visual identity. The charging case retains the signature squared footprint with smooth, curved edges, elevated by a smart two-tone finish that gives it plenty of character.
You can pick them up in Black, White, or Blue. The White edition is easily the most striking of the trio. Its shell sports a clean white exterior, which opens up to reveal a soft light-grey inner tray. CMF then injects bright orange touches throughout, including the Buds Neo branding, lending the case an energetic, fun vibe.
A circular dial sits on one corner to accentuate the contrast, paired with an integrated lanyard loop for attaching a wrist strap.
One notable hardware tweak is the omission of a physical pairing button on the cradle. Entering pairing mode now requires pressing and holding the stems of both earbuds together for five seconds. In another layout shift, the USB-C charging slot does not sit at the base. Instead, the bottom panel hosts the LED indicator light, while the charging port has been shifted to the right edge.
Because the case is slightly bulky and squarish, jamming it into a tiny coin pocket will feel tight, though it still slides into standard jeans pockets without issue.
The earpieces themselves stick to a classic extended-stem layout. On the White model, vivid orange silicone tips add an eye-catching contrast to the otherwise plain buds. Alternative tip sizes are supplied in the retail box, with the medium pair pre-installed.
Even if the earbuds themselves feel a bit plasticky compared to the solid case, they remain remarkably light and sit comfortably in the ear canal. The seal is secure enough that they stay firmly put even when you head out for a jog.
Flip the buds over, and you will see dual metallic contact points that meet the internal charging pins inside the case. While it is not my favorite charging arrangement, it remains standard practice across ring-box style cases. For everyday durability, the earbuds carry an IP54 rating against dust and splashes, while the charging case gets basic IPX2 water protection.
CMF Buds Neo Review: Connectivity and Controls
Setting up the CMF Buds Neo is painless. Powered by Bluetooth 6.0 alongside built-in support for Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair, linking them to an Android handset or a Windows machine takes just a couple of seconds. Multipoint pairing is also on board, letting you keep the earbuds hooked up to two different source devices simultaneously.
With no physical pairing switch on the case, manual setup requires a slightly different method. You have to seat both buds in the cradle and rest your fingers on their touch zones for five seconds. It is definitely less intuitive than a single click on an external button, which might trip up some buyers at first, but it operates smoothly once you get the hang of it.
Media management relies fully on touch inputs. Double-tapping advances your playlist, while a triple-tap jumps back to the previous track. A standard touch-and-hold toggles between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode, whereas a longer hold tweaks volume levels. You can reassign most of these actions within the companion app.
My main gripe with the control scheme is the complete omission of single-tap triggers. Even picking up an incoming phone call forces you to double-tap. Leaving that input out feels like an odd limitation given the available touch area. Automatic in-ear wear detection is missing here as well.
Diving into the Nothing X companion app unlocks the rest of the feature suite. It lets you tweak noise cancellation intensity, dial in custom audio curves, remap your gestures, and configure multipoint connections. There is a low-lag gaming toggle too, though its 120ms latency makes it better suited for casual play rather than intense competitive matches.
Crucially, the Nothing X app runs on both iOS and Android, so you get the full customization toolkit no matter your mobile platform.
CMF Buds Neo Review: Sound and Performance
Equipped with a single 12.4mm dynamic driver, the CMF Buds Neo deliver an audio profile that will instantly feel familiar to anyone who has tried CMF audio gear before. Audiophile-grade neutrality is clearly not the goal here. The sound signature leans warm and punchy, pushing a healthy dose of low-end rumble while leaving adequate headroom for vocals and higher frequencies to breathe without becoming muffled.
Putting on Ghost’s “Mary On A Cross,” the buds handle electric guitars and vocals quite well, even though the low frequencies clearly take center stage. The highs stay crisp enough without getting uncomfortably sharp when cranking up the volume.
The tuning shines brightest if your listening habits lean toward upbeat Bollywood numbers or Punjabi club tracks. Spinning the Dhurandhar and Manmarziyaan albums proved thoroughly enjoyable, with plenty of low-end kick that complements energetic, beat-driven arrangements.
Switching gears to acoustic tracks like Passenger’s “Let Her Go” or Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know” reveals where budget hardware meets its limits. Complex instrument separation feels somewhat constrained, though vocal clarity remains intact and there is still sufficient mid-to-high frequency detail for a satisfying listen.
Sound personalization is fairly flexible via the Nothing X companion app, which includes six preset curves alongside a custom equalizer. You also get a Bass Enhancement toggle with Off, Level 1, and Level 2 stages, though the stock profile already packs enough punch without needing extra amplification.
A static spatial audio mode is included to expand the perceived soundstage. Bluetooth codec support tops out at SBC and AAC, which remains completely reasonable for an entry-level pair.
Gamers get an optional Low Latency Mode that brings audio response times down to 120ms when enabled in the app. While that will not cut it for high-stakes competitive play, it keeps casual gaming and video playback properly in sync with the screen.
Ultimately, these earbuds prioritize fun and impact over clinical precision, making them well-suited for everyday, mainstream music listening.
CMF Buds Neo Review: ANC and Call Quality
Finding usable noise cancellation under ₹2,000 is usually wishful thinking, yet the Buds Neo pull it off surprisingly well. The hardware tops out at 35dB of ANC. You get three static strength levels to toggle between, plus an Adaptive mode that dials the intensity up or down on the fly as your environment gets louder or quieter.
In regular everyday use, the cancellation targets steady low-end drone quite well. The persistent hum of split ACs, ceiling fan spin, and muted traffic rumble all take a back seat. Obviously, people talking nearby and higher-pitched clatter will still bleed through, but that comes with the territory at this price point.
If you want to keep an ear out for what is happening around you, Transparency mode lets ambient sound filter back in without forcing you to pull a bud out. Switching modes happens straight from the touch sensors on the stems, while the Nothing X app lets you dig deeper into specific cancellation preferences.
The call setup holds its ground too. CMF squeezed in four HD mics (two on each earbud) alongside its Clear Voice noise-reduction algorithm to isolate spoken words from surrounding clutter.
Using them inside a quiet bedroom or home office gives you clean, natural-sounding audio with zero strain for the person on the other end. Step outside onto a busy road, and the mics still tame most regular street commotion, though sudden gusts of breeze and sharp traffic honks will occasionally poke their way into your call.
For basic phone chats, quick WhatsApp voice notes, and everyday Google Meet check-ins, these do the job just fine.
CMF Buds Neo Review: Battery Life
Battery performance is easily one of the strongest suits on these sub-₹2,000 earbuds. CMF put a 45mAh battery in each earbud, backed by a 460mAh unit in the charging case.
On paper, the company promises up to 11 hours of non-stop playback on a single run if you keep ANC turned off. Flick noise cancellation on, and that figure comes down to about 8 hours. Once you add the extra recharges sitting in the case, overall playback reaches 52 hours and 30 hours respectively.
You get fast charging support as well. A quick 10-minute top-up gives you roughly 5.5 hours of listening with ANC disabled, while juicing up the case and buds completely takes about 70 minutes over USB-C.
The one frustrating cut is inside the retail box: CMF skipped including a charging cable altogether. You have to hunt down your own Type-C wire, which feels like an annoying compromise even for a budget pick.
CMF Buds Neo Review: Verdict
If you have less than ₹2,000 to spend on a pair of TWS buds, the CMF Buds Neo check every box that actually matters. They look sharp in person, fit snugly without creating ear fatigue, and work seamlessly with the Nothing X app for a level of control you rarely find in this price range. Sound-wise, the warm, punchy low end is tailor-made for commercial pop, Bollywood hits, and Punjabi tracks.
The feature list is surprisingly generous too. Getting 35dB ANC with an Adaptive toggle, spatial audio support, custom equalizer control, multipoint pairing, and a 120ms gaming mode at this price is solid value.
Naturally, CMF had to cut some corners. You are stuck with standard SBC and AAC audio codecs, the 120ms gaming latency will not satisfy competitive players, pairing takes an extra step without a dedicated case button, and there is no Type-C charging wire in the box.
Still, none of these compromises take away from what the earbuds do best. CMF disrupted the budget tier with the Buds 2a, and the Buds Neo successfully bring that same high-value formula below the ₹2,000 mark. They are an effortless recommendation.
