If you’re torn between the CMF Buds 2 Plus and the Realme Buds Air 7 Pro, I’m here to help you pick the perfect pair for your needs.
Both are stellar value-for-money true wireless earbuds, packing premium features like active noise cancellation (ANC), high-resolution audio, and customizable apps for budgets under $100.
So let’s compare both and see which one is worth your money.
Price & Availability
The CMF Buds 2 Plus retails for around £55 ($70), making them slightly more affordable and widely available across the UK, EU, and US through major retailers like Amazon and the official CMF website.
The Realme Buds Air 7 Pro, priced at approximately £60 ($75), offer a bit more in features but are less readily available, particularly in the UK, where stock may be limited to select online platforms or Realme’s official store.
CMF Buds 2 Plus vs Realme Buds Air 7 Pro: Specs Comparison
| Category | CMF Buds 2 Plus | Realme Buds Air 7 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers | 12mm single liquid crystal driver | Dual-driver with dual DAC |
| Audio Codec | LDAC, AAC, SBC | LHDC, AAC, SBC |
| ANC | Yes, 3 strength settings + adaptive mode | Yes, 3 strength settings + adaptive + wind noise reduction |
| IP Rating | IP55 (sweat and water resistance) | Not specified (typically IPX4 or higher) |
| Battery Life (ANC Off) | 10+ hours | ~10 hours |
| Battery Life (ANC On) | 5.5–6 hours | 5.5–6 hours |
| Quick Charge | 10 mins for 8.5 hours | 10 mins for 10 hours |
| App | Nothing app | Realme Link app |
| Price | £55 (~$70) | £60 (~$75) |
Design and Comfort
The Realme Buds Air 7 Pro feature a robust semi-metallic case, a significant upgrade from the flimsier designs of the Buds Air 5 and 6 Pro, though its slogans feel a bit tacky. The earbuds have a short, rectangular stem with a shallow fit, offering improved comfort and stability over their predecessors, passing a 100 jumping jacks test with ease, ideal for workouts.
In contrast, the CMF Buds 2 Plus sport an elegant, square case with a cosmetic jog wheel and internal shoulders to secure the earbuds. Their longer, thinner stems prioritize comfort, feeling barely noticeable during extended wear, but they falter in stability, falling out after 61 jumping jacks, making them less suitable for intense exercise.
Both earbuds are portable, with the CMF’s square case being more compact than the Realme’s flatter, rectangular one.
Sound Quality
The Realme Buds Air 7 Pro deliver a bass-heavy sound profile with vibrant treble, perfect for EDM and hip-hop, but vocals and mid-range instruments often take a backseat, requiring EQ tweaks (reducing 30–50 Hz by 1–2 dB and boosting 1–3 kHz) to balance the sound. Their dual-driver setup ensures low harmonic distortion, even at high volumes, allowing aggressive EQ adjustments.
The CMF Buds 2 Plus, using a single 12mm driver and the default pop preset with ultrabass off, offer a bass-leaning but more open soundstage with elevated upper mids for clearer vocals, though imaging is less precise. Their harmonic distortion is higher, particularly in lower frequencies, but still competitive.
Both earbuds support high-resolution codecs (LHDC for Realme, LDAC for CMF) and offer spatial audio modes that add depth, with customizable EQ options via their respective apps.
ANC & Transparency Mode
The Realme Buds Air 7 Pro excel in ANC, particularly for low-frequency rumbles like those on public transport, reducing about 10 dB more noise than the CMF in a coffee shop test. Their wind noise reduction mode is effective but needs manual toggling to avoid ANC cutouts.
The CMF Buds2 Plus handle mid-frequency sounds, like voices, better but struggle with low-end noise, falling short of competitors like the Soundcore Liberty 4NC. In transparency mode, the CMF lets more ambient noise through with some white noise, ideal for cycling, while the Realme’s “enhanced voices” toggle isolates sounds better for conversations. However, the Realme’s auto-transparency feature (triggered by removing one earbud) was inconsistent.
Both offer three ANC strength settings and adaptive modes, with manual switching between ANC and transparency during calls.
Call Quality
In noisy environments like a busy commuter station, the Realme Buds Air 7 Pro provide clearer voice transmission, though their noise reduction can occasionally cut out words in a coffee shop setting.
The CMF Buds 2 Plus struggle more, with their noise reduction algorithm losing voice clarity in similar scenarios.
While both perform adequately, the Realme edges out slightly, though they don’t match the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 4 or even the Realme Buds Air 6 Pro for call quality. Both support seamless mode-switching during calls without interrupting the caller.
Other Features
Both earbuds offer multi-point connectivity, low-latency modes for gaming, and app-based customization.
The Realme Link app provides extensive control options, including swipe-based volume adjustment, wear detection, and auto-answer, but its AI translation feature (face-to-face and live modes) is slow and inaccurate, making it a gimmick.
The CMF’s Nothing app includes a Mimi-based hearing test, ear tip fit test, and “find my earbuds” feature, but its touch controls are laggy, and the volume control (double-tap-and-hold) is often disabled due to responsiveness issues.
The CMF’s IP55 rating ensures gym-friendly durability, while the Realme’s unspecified IP rating is likely IPX4 or higher.
Battery Performance
The CMF Buds 2 Plus slightly outperform the Realme Buds Air 7 Pro, offering over 10 hours of playback with ANC off (using AAC), compared to the Realme’s ~10 hours.
With ANC on, both deliver 5.5–6 hours, with the Realme slightly better when using high-resolution codecs. Quick charging is impressive: a 10-minute charge yields 8.5 hours for the CMF and 10 hours for the Realme.
Neither supports wireless charging, a standard omission in this price range, but both provide reliable single-use playback for daily needs.
CMF Buds 2 Plus vs Realme Buds Air 7 Pro: Pros and Cons
CMF Buds 2 Plus
Pros:
- Excellent comfort for long wear
- Affordable at £55 with wide availability
- IP55 rating for gym use
- Open soundstage with clear vocals
Cons:
- Weaker ANC, especially for low frequencies
- Poor stability during exercise
- Laggy touch controls
- Limited custom EQ options
Realme Buds Air 7 Pro
Pros:
- Strong ANC for low-frequency noise
- Better call quality in noisy settings
- Durable, improved case design
- Low-distortion drivers for EQ flexibility
Cons:
- Bass-heavy sound needs EQ tweaks
- Limited availability in some regions
- AI translation feature is ineffective
- Inconsistent transparency mode trigger
Final Verdict
The Realme Buds Air 7 Pro are the better all-rounder for most users, especially commuters and bass enthusiasts, thanks to their superior ANC, clearer call quality, and robust design. However, their bass-heavy sound requires EQ adjustments, and availability may be an issue in some regions.
The CMF Buds 2 Plus shine for comfort and affordability, with a more open sound profile and wide availability, but their weaker ANC and poor exercise stability hold them back. If you prioritize noise cancellation and call performance, go for the Realme Buds Air 7 Pro.
For casual listeners seeking comfort and value, the CMF Buds 2 Plus are a compelling choice, though they don’t match top competitors like the Soundcore Liberty 4NC.
Your decision hinges on whether you value commute-ready features or all-day comfort.
Best Deals:
- CMF Buds 2 Plus: View on AliExpress
- Realme Buds Air 7 Pro: View on AliExpress
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- CMF by Nothing Buds vs Realme Buds T300: Best Value Earbuds Pick?
- Realme Buds Air 5 vs Nothing CMF Buds Pro: Which to Choose?
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.
