- Great sound with LDAC codec support
- Effective ANC and Transparency Mode
- Customizable via Nothing X app
- Long battery life with fast charging
- Comfortable, secure fit for all-day wear
- No smart dial feature like Buds 2 Pro
- Slight call quality drop in noisy environments
The CMF Buds 2 Plus, at ~$40, delivers impressive LDAC audio, effective ANC, and great battery life. Comfortable and customizable via the Nothing X app, they shine for sound and calls but lack the Buds 2 Pro’s smart dial. A top budget choice despite missing a USB-C cable.
I’ve tested plenty of budget-friendly earbuds this year, and the Realme Buds Air 7 stood out as a champ for its price—until the CMF Buds 2 PLUS came along.
Priced at around $40-$50, these earbuds from CMF by Nothing promise big features like LDAC audio and solid ANC without breaking the bank.
After two weeks of heavy use—blasting music, gaming, and taking calls in all sorts of environments—here’s my take on whether these earbuds live up to the hype and how they stack up in the crowded budget market.
CMF Buds 2 Plus Specifications
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Driver | 12mm LCP driver with N52 magnets |
| Audio Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC (Hi-Res Audio certified) |
| Noise Cancellation | 50dB Hybrid ANC, Smart Adaptive Mode, Transparency Mode |
| Microphones | 6 HD microphones with Clear Voice Technology 3.0, Wind Noise Reduction 3.0 |
| Battery Life | Up to 14 hours (ANC off), 61.5 hours with case; 10-min charge for 8.5 hours (with case) |
| Battery Capacity | 53mAh (per bud), 460mAh (case) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.4, Google Fast Pair, Dual Device Pairing |
| Durability | IP55 dust and water resistance |
| Weight | 4g (per bud), 52g (with case) |
| Features | Ultra Bass Technology 2.0, Spatial Audio Effect, Nothing X app, Low Latency Mode (105ms with Nothing OS), ChatGPT integration (Nothing phones only) |
| Colors | Blue, Light Grey |
The Unboxing Experience
The CMF Buds 2 PLUS arrives in a sleek, compact box that mirrors the minimalist aesthetic of its predecessor, the Buds 2.
The packaging is clean, with clear branding and a mention of LDAC high-resolution codec support, a key highlight. Inside, you’ll find:
- The earbuds and charging case
- A user manual
- Extra ear tips for a customized fit
- No USB-C cable (a noticeable cost-cutting measure)
While the absence of a charging cable might disappoint some, the overall unboxing experience feels premium for the price.
The ear tips cater to different ear sizes, ensuring a snug fit, but the lack of a carrying strap (despite a loop for one) is a minor letdown.
Design and Comfort
The first thing I noticed about the Buds 2 PLUS is how similar they look to the Buds 2. The charging case has that same matte finish that feels soft and satisfying in your hand.
At just 52 grams with the earbuds inside, it’s super portable—I tossed it in my pocket and barely noticed it.
The case has a cool rotatable knob, but unlike the Buds 2 Pro, it doesn’t double as a smart dial for controlling playback or volume. That’s a bummer, especially since the Pro’s smart dial is such a game-changer.
The earbuds themselves are featherlight at 4 grams each, with a stem-shaped design that mixes matte and glossy finishes for a sleek, modern look.
They fit securely in my ears, even during runs or workouts, and I had no issues with them slipping out.
The case has a Type-C port, a front battery indicator, and a reset button inside.
The hinges feel sturdy, and the magnetic earbuds snap in place without any wobble.
With IP54 water and dust resistance, these are built to handle a bit of sweat or a light drizzle.
Overall, the design is practical and stylish, though I kept wishing for that smart dial feature to elevate the experience.
Connectivity and Features
The Buds 2 PLUS come loaded with features that make them feel like a steal for the price.
They use Bluetooth 5.4 for rock-solid connectivity, and the Instant Wake and Pair tech means they connect to my phone the second I open the case.
Google Fast Pair made pairing with my Android phone a breeze, and I loved that I could connect to two devices at once with dual-device pairing—perfect for switching between my phone and laptop.
The earbuds also support in-ear detection, pausing music when I take them out and resuming when I pop them back in. It’s not flawless—sometimes there’s a half-second delay—but it works well enough.
One of the biggest upgrades over the Buds 2 is LDAC codec support, which delivers richer, high-resolution audio on compatible devices.
The 12mm LCP drivers are paired with SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs, and there’s even ChatGPT integration if you’re using a Nothing phone (sadly, I wasn’t, so I couldn’t test this).
The Nothing X app is where the magic happens, letting me tweak everything from noise cancellation to EQ settings. Oh, and the battery life? It’s pretty darn impressive—more on that later.
Sound Quality
Let’s talk about the sound because, wow, these earbuds deliver. The 12mm LCP drivers produce loud, clear audio with no distortion, even at max volume.
I listened to everything from thumping EDM to soulful acoustic tracks, and the Buds 2 PLUS handled it all with ease.
The vocals are crisp, and the instrumental separation is solid, so you can pick out every beat and nuance.
The LDAC codec makes a noticeable difference on my Android phone, offering richer details compared to the Buds 2.
If you’re a basshead like me, you’ll love the Ultra Bass feature in the Nothing X app.
I cranked it up and felt the low-end punch without drowning out the mids or highs. The Spatial Audio Effects add a subtle echo to vocals, giving a slightly more open sound, though it’s not true surround sound.
One thing to note: sound leakage is minimal, but in super quiet settings, someone sitting close by might hear faint audio at 70% volume or higher.
Overall, the sound quality is a standout, especially for the price.
Noise Cancellation and Transparency
The Adaptive ANC on these earbuds is a pleasant surprise. In normal conditions, it blocks out about 90% of background noise—think humming fans or office chatter.
Even in traffic-heavy environments, it cancels 80-85% of noise, which is impressive for budget earbuds.
The Transparency Mode is just as good, letting in ambient sounds without that robotic vibe you sometimes get with cheaper earbuds.
I could have conversations or stay aware of my surroundings without taking the buds out.
Compared to the Buds 2, the transparency feels slightly better, but the ANC performance is neck-and-neck.
Gaming and Calls
I fired up PUBG Mobile to test the Low Lag Mode, and I was genuinely impressed. The latency is super low, and the stereo separation made it easy to tell where enemies were coming from.
Compared to the Buds 2, the PLUS feels a tad snappier, making it a great pick for casual gaming.
For calls, the six HD microphones with Clear Voice Technology and wind noise reduction shine.
In a quiet park, my voice came through crystal-clear, with a tester rating it 90% focused.
On a busy street with cars zooming by and wind blowing, it dropped to 75-80% clarity, but my voice was still understandable.
The wind noise reduction does a solid job, though loud traffic can cause slight vocal distortion. For the price, the call quality is excellent.
Battery Life
Battery life is where the Buds 2 PLUS really flexes. I got 8-14 hours of playback on a single charge (ANC off), depending on volume and codec.
With ANC on or at higher volumes, it’s closer to 8 hours, but that’s still solid.
The case provides 4-5 full charges, and fast charging is a lifesaver—10 minutes of charging gave me 6-8 hours of playback with the case.
Whether I was commuting or hitting the gym, these earbuds kept up without needing a recharge.
The Nothing X App
The Nothing X app is a game-changer, with a smooth interface that lets you customize everything.
I could check battery levels, tweak ANC settings, or choose between Low, Mid, High, or Adaptive ANC modes. The EQ options let me dial in my preferred sound—Pop, Rock, Electronic, or a custom mix.
The Personal Sound Profile feature was a fun surprise; after a quick hearing test, it tailored the audio to my ears, boosting clarity.
You can also remap touch controls, like setting a double-tap to skip tracks or a triple-tap to toggle ANC. The app’s versatility makes these earbuds feel premium.
My Verdict
After spending days with the CMF Buds 2 PLUS, I’m impressed. The sound quality, ANC, and battery life are fantastic for $40, and the LDAC support is a big win for audiophiles.
The gaming performance and call quality are reliable, and the Nothing X app adds a layer of customization that’s hard to beat in this price range.
But I can’t shake the feeling that CMF missed a chance to include the smart dial feature from the Buds 2 Pro—it would’ve made these earbuds a no-brainer.
If you’re looking for budget earbuds that punch way above their price, the CMF Buds 2 PLUS is a fantastic pick.
They’re not perfect, but they deliver where it counts. Compared to the Buds 2, the better battery life and LDAC support make the PLUS worth the slight price bump.
Want my honest take? These earbuds are a steal, and I’d happily recommend them to anyone hunting for quality audio on a budget.
What do you think—have you tried these yet? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and check out the links below to snag a pair!
Nick, the Co-founder of Earbuds Arena, is a seasoned freelance tech journalist with over ten years of experience covering wearables, apps, headphones, and gadgets. When he’s not immersed in the tech world, you’ll likely find him unwinding with video games, going for a run, or enjoying a game of soccer on the field.
