Overall, I’m highly satisfied with the CMF (by Nothing) Buds Pro, which I find appropriately priced at €49.
Before diving into the details about the headphones themselves, let me touch on the packaging, which pleasantly surprised me. The packaging is a slim and sturdy paper casing with a molded design. It gives off an environmentally conscious vibe, although this aspect needs further confirmation.
The casing, with its cylindrical shape (58mm in diameter, 23mm in height), boasts good quality but is slightly larger compared to competitors in the same price range. The aesthetics match the headphones themselves, sporting a delightful matte finish that I particularly enjoyed.
Regarding the buds, the pairing process is incredibly easy with the companion app, and switching between phones was the quickest experience I’ve encountered. You simply open the case, launch the app, click on “reconnect,” and you’re all set. This feature is fantastic for those who share the buds across different devices but don’t own multi-link capable headsets.
Speaking of the app and software, both Android and iOS versions exhibit similar aesthetics and functionality. However, Android seems to provide slightly more accurate battery reporting for each Bud and the case.
At less than 5 grams each, the buds feel light and comfortable in the ears.
Audio quality from the Buds Pro aligns well with what you’d expect in this price range; decent but not exceptional volume and equalization. The microphones perform admirably, handling some environmental noise effortlessly. In typical street noise (around 70 dB), background noise becomes audible but doesn’t interfere with voice clarity. You’d need an exceptionally noisy environment to significantly impact call quality (audio samples could be provided).
CMF (Nothing) advertises 45dB of active noise cancellation and 6.5 hours of continuous listening (11 without ANC). The case offers 3 to 4 full charges. The ANC performs adequately but, as anticipated in this price range, doesn’t excel. Activating ANC or transparency mode involves a long press, and the buds emit a satisfying prompt upon activation.
In terms of functionality, it’s intriguing how the headphones automatically pause music (and conserve battery) when not worn. Personally, I encountered some challenges with the controls, as I prefer physical buttons over touch controls. However, this observation is nothing out of the ordinary in this regard.
Overall, I’m impressed by the battery performance, as I’ve yet to completely discharge the buds despite hours of continuous usage. Even leaving the buds outside the case overnight doesn’t pose any issues in the morning.
To sum up, I find the CMF Buds Pro to be excellently crafted for their price range. They’ve become my primary headset, setting aside a couple of pricier alternatives.
