CMF by Nothing has made a name for itself by doing two things well: keeping prices aggressive and making design feel fun rather than generic. With the launch of the CMF Headphone Pro in India, the brand is stepping into a more demanding category, over-ear headphones, where comfort, sound quality, battery life, and noise cancellation all matter just as much as aesthetics.
An entry-to-midrange over-ear option priced at Rs 7,999, the CMF Headphone Pro is also Nothing’s first attempt at a modular headphone design, unlike the Nothing Headphone (1), the brand’s more premium offering. On paper, CMF’s Headphone Pro promises a lot: adaptive ANC, spatial audio, LDAC support, a massive 100-hour battery life, and physical controls that go well beyond the usual buttons. After spending some time with the headphones, here are my early impressions.
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Design: unmistakably CMF
The CMF Headphone Pro does not try to blend in. The modular design language is front and centre, with colourful interchangeable ear cushions that can be swapped for both comfort and personal style. This is easily one of the most distinctive-looking over-ear headphones in its price range.
What stands out most is the physical control system. Instead of relying entirely on touch gestures, CMF has added an Energy Slider to adjust sound tuning in real time, a multi-function roller for volume and playback, and a customisable action button. These controls feel deliberate and tactile, and they instantly make the headphones feel more engaging to use than many gesture-heavy competitors.
Noise cancellation and spatial audio
The CMF Headphone Pro uses hybrid adaptive ANC that can reduce noise by up to 40dB. The system automatically adjusts between three levels based on your surroundings, rather than forcing you to manually switch modes every time you move environments.
In brief indoor testing, the noise cancellation was effective (also due to effective passive cancellation, with the earcups sealing the ears well) at reducing low-frequency hums from fans and air conditioning, while voices were softened rather than completely erased. This tuning should work well for commuting and office use, though real-world testing in traffic and public transport will paint a clearer picture.
Sound quality: tuned for clarity and flexibility
Inside the CMF Headphone Pro are 40mm dynamic drivers with nickel-plated diaphragms, paired with a dual-chamber acoustic design. The headphones support LDAC over Bluetooth and are Hi-Res certified for both wired and wireless playback.
Out of the box, the sound signature leans towards a balanced, slightly energetic profile rather than heavy bass. The Energy Slider, one of the more interesting features I’ve seen on a pair of headphones, lets you shift emphasis between bass and treble on the fly, which is more intuitive than digging into EQ menus. This should be especially useful when switching between music, movies, and podcasts. But I’ll have more to share about its actual performance in my detailed review.
Battery life: the headline act
Battery life is arguably the CMF Headphone Pro’s biggest flex. With ANC turned off, CMF claims up to 100 hours of playback at 50 percent volume. Even with ANC enabled, the headphones promise up to 50 hours, which is still well above average for the category.
Fast charging is equally impressive. A five-minute charge can deliver up to four hours of playback with ANC on, and a full charge takes under two hours via USB-C. The ability to top up directly from a smartphone also adds a layer of convenience for travel.
If these claims hold up in real-world use, battery anxiety simply will not be part of the CMF Headphone Pro experience.
Connectivity, calls, and ecosystem integration
The headphones use Bluetooth 5.0 and support Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Fast Pair, making them easy to connect across devices. They also support low-latency modes, which should help with video watching and casual gaming.
For calls, CMF has equipped the headphones with three microphones and Clear Voice Technology, along with wind-resistant mesh to reduce outdoor noise. Call clarity indoors is solid, and voices come through cleanly without sounding overly compressed.
The Nothing X app acts as the control hub, allowing you to manage ANC levels, EQ, spatial audio, personal sound profiles, and firmware updates. The app works on both Android and iOS, which is important for a product positioned as ecosystem-agnostic.
Early thoughts
The CMF Headphone Pro looks like a solid addition to the brand’s audio portfolio. CMF is trying to redefine what an affordable over-ear headphone can offer in terms of design, controls, and battery life.
There are still open questions around long-term comfort, ANC consistency outdoors, and how the sound tuning holds up across genres. But on first look, the CMF Headphone Pro looks ambitious, thoughtfully designed, and refreshingly different.
Priced at Rs 7,999, the CMF Headphone Pro could be one of the most compelling over-ear options for sub-Rs 10,000 headphone users who want a fun-looking design that stands out, along with solid audio and ANC without paying a premium. You could get it for as low as Rs 6,999 on Flipkart with offers.
A full review, with detailed sound impressions and real-world battery testing, is on the way.
