CMF Buds 2 review: the sweet spot of sound and value

Published On: 14 May, 2025

CMF’s new earbuds lineup features three models: the Buds 2a, Buds 2, and Buds 2 Plus. I got my hands on the CMF Buds 2, which sits between the 2a and 2 Plus in terms of features and specifications. Priced at Rs 2,699, the new TWS buds cost Rs 500 more than the Buds 2a and Rs 600 less than the Buds 2 Plus. The Buds 2 also surpass the 2a with improved ANC, better microphones, longer battery life, enhanced durability, and more.

But do these strengths make the CMF Buds 2 a worthwhile choice, even without LDAC support and the 50db ANC offered by the Buds 2 Plus? Read on to find out.

Table of Contents

Design and comfort

The design of the CMF Buds 2 remains largely consistent with its predecessor, but the case has seen a few notable enhancements. The rotating wheel is now colour-matched with the rest of the body, and features transparent edges, adding a touch of sophistication. While the rotation feels smoother and more satisfying, it still serves no purpose beyond attaching a lanyard. Also, the CMF logo on the case has been replaced by the text ‘CMF by Nothing’. The front of the case has an LED light that tells you the battery, charging status, and pairing status.

The pairing button, previously located next to the LED light on the original CMF Buds 1, has now been relocated inside the case, positioned between the earbuds as they sit securely in their charging slots. The interior surface is also etched with the ‘Buds 2’ branding, while the underside of the lid displays all the necessary certification markings. The other aspects of the buds remain unchanged. You get a soft matte finish on the case, with nicely curved edges, which makes it easy to slip it in and out of your pockets. A USB Type-C port is positioned on the right spine of the case.

The CMF Buds 2 feature a stem-shaped design with silicone eartips that offer a secure fit and sit comfortably in the ears. Their ultra-lightweight build (4.5 grams/ earbud) allows for extended use without causing fatigue. However, they may not be ideal for gym or adventurous activities, as the earbuds tend to loosen and eventually fall out during vigorous movement. I frequently had to adjust the earbuds during workouts to keep them in place, which was frustrating as it often triggered the touch controls on the outer shell.

That said, for more typical day-to-day activities, such as walking, commuting, working at a desk, or relaxing at home, the fit is reliable and comfortable enough to wear for hours without issue. In addition to the pre-installed medium ear tips, small and large sizes are included in the box, allowing you to swap them out to find the best fit. One can test the ear tip fit test of the Buds 2 within the compatible Nothing X app.

The CMF Buds 2 are available in three colour options: Orange, Dark Black, and Light Green. We received the Light Green variant for review, which has a fresh, modern look but tends to pick up stains rather easily. Be that as it may, the squircle form factor of the case doesn’t cause the awkward bulge in your pocket. Moreover, with its total weight of 50.5 grams, the CMF Buds 2 are easy to carry.

Features and app connectivity

The CMF Buds 2 offer basic dust and splash resistance, courtesy of their IP55 rating. They’ve also undergone multiple quality control tests, suggesting a solid and durable build. In terms of connectivity, the Buds 2 are universally compatible with all Bluetooth-enabled devices, thanks to Bluetooth v5.4. They also support dual-device pairing, allowing you to stay connected to two devices at once. For quick and effortless setup, the earbuds feature Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair, enabling seamless pairing with nearby Android devices and Windows laptops. They also work with MacBooks and iPhones, with pairing initiated by a long press on the pairing button.

However, some features are exclusive to CMF and Nothing smartphones—most notably, ChatGPT integration. Similar to what we saw with the CMF Buds Pro 2 launched last year, a long press on the left earbud (customisable) can launch the ChatGPT app, provided it’s installed on the paired device. You can even interact with ChatGPT via voice chat, which works from the lock screen after all the necessary permissions are granted. That said, there’s currently no audio cue to indicate whether voice chat is actively listening. I also notice that ChatGPT has trouble listening to the query accurately, and its advanced voice mode has a limit of just 15 minutes per day. After the limit, the assistant switches to normal voice and inferior search queries.

You can customise this by changing the voice assistant to the ‘Default Assistant’ — which, on Android devices, is Google Gemini. This can be done through the compatible Nothing X app, which is also available for download by users of smartphones besides CMF or Nothing. The default assistant is better optimised than ChatGpt and can even tweak the settings on your smartphone using voice commands. The app is compatible with iPhones as well, and it works seamlessly. The interface is user-friendly and intuitive, with all the information laid out as cards.

The app allows you to customise various earbud settings, including touch controls, ANC, bass, Spatial Audio, in-ear detection, low lag mode, and the equaliser. While the low lag mode reduces latency to as low as 110ms when paired with a Nothing smartphone, particularly useful for fast-paced games, ensuring audio stays in sync with the action, the equaliser, aka EQ, offers customisation over the audio quality. The CMF Buds 2 boast as many as six pre-tuned presets, including the default Dirac Opteo, which uses patented correction algorithms to enhance vocals and instrument separation. Additionally, there is a ‘Custom’ EQ setting, which users can tweak based on their preference.

Audio quality and ANC

Let’s get to the heart of the matter — how do the CMF Buds 2 actually sound? These earbuds are equipped with 11mm PMI drivers, tuned with Dirac Opteo, along with N52 magnets and ‘high-purity’ copper wire, all aimed at delivering clearer, more powerful audio. For a more immersive listening experience, the Buds 2 feature 48dB hybrid ANC — an enhanced version of traditional active noise cancellation — capable of blocking out most background noise, significantly improving audio quality.

Users can manually adjust the ANC intensity to Low, Mild, or High, or opt for the ‘Adaptive’ mode, which automatically adjusts noise cancellation based on the surrounding environment. While the difference in levels may not be dramatic, Adaptive ANC is a handy option for those who like to keep their earbuds in even when no music is playing, as higher ANC levels can sometimes create a vacuum-like sensation that may cause discomfort or mild nausea. There’s also the option to turn ANC off entirely or switch to Transparency mode, which, I must say, performs impressively well. It allows ambient sounds to pass through naturally, keeping you aware of your surroundings while still enjoying the sound of the music.

Speaking of audio performance, the CMF Buds 2 support the standard AAC and SBC codecs, which are perfectly reasonable for their price range. These ensure respectable clarity, with the highs coming through crisp and detailed, and vocals sounding clean and well-defined in the default settings. For those who want the massy bassy appeal, enabling and adjusting the Ultra Bass feature in the Nothing X app is highly recommended. It significantly boosts the bass response, making the low frequencies in tracks like Fein!, Chauffeur, Bohemian Rhapsody, and Amplifier really pop and stand out in the mix.

The Dirac Opteo support uses advanced measurements to eliminate distortions such as echoes and unnatural tones, resulting in a more accurate and natural sound from the earbuds. While you can adjust this feature through the EQ settings in the app, it’s recommended to keep it enabled for a cleaner audio experience. If you enjoy punchy bass without sacrificing vocal clarity, I’d also suggest setting Ultra Bass to medium. The default tuning leans slightly towards the treble and vocals, which may be sharper than expected for some listeners.

The CMF Buds 2 also support spatial audio, which, once enabled, performs decently for the price, placing you at the centre of the soundstage to create a surround sound experience when watching supported movies or shows.

Battery life and calling

The CMF Buds 2 have a claimed battery life of up to 55 hours with the case and ANC turned off between charges. The individual bud is rated to last 13.5 hours and 8.5 hours with ANC disabled and enabled, respectively. I didn’t time the exact duration, but I can vouch for the long battery life of the earbuds. With a couple of hours of use each day, you can easily go nearly two weeks without needing to recharge, even with ANC on and volume levels between 50–80 percent.

When the time does come to charge the CMF Buds 2, you will not be disappointed. The buds support quick charging speeds, which can add up to 7.5 hours of playtime with just 10 minutes of charge.

For calls, the CMF Buds 2 feature a total of six microphones—three on each earbud—enhanced by Clear Voice Technology 3.0 and Wind Reduction Technology 3.0. Despite this, call quality remains average, with voices sounding somewhat muffled and background noise occasionally creeping through. However, in quiet environments, the Buds 2 manage to deliver a satisfactory experience, making them a reliable option for meeting and conference calls.

Verdict

In essence, the CMF Buds 2 are a well-rounded pair of earbuds with solid ANC, good sound quality (especially with bass enhancement), long battery life, and a comfortable design without breaking the bank. While they may lack the LDAC support for high-res audio, offer an underwhelming calling experience, and are not the most feature-rich for the price, the earbuds still stand out with effective noise cancellation, decent spatial audio, and a feature-rich app, making them a solid mid-range choice for everyday use.