If your budget is under $100, then two quality earbuds worth considering are Nothing’s CMF Buds Pro 2 and Soundcore Liberty 4 NC.
The Liberty 4 NC is about $40 more compared to the Buds Pro 2. But do the CMF Buds have any chance to justify this price gap, or which one is the better contender for your next audio pair?
In this article, we’ll dive deep into a comparison of these two popular earbuds, examining their features, sound quality, battery life, and overall value to help you make an informed decision.
Table of Contents
Price and Availability
CMF Buds Pro 2:
- Cost: $59
- Colors: Dark Grey, Light Grey, Orange, Blue
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC:
- Cost: $99
- Colors: White, Light Blue, Navy Blue, Pink, Black
The CMF Buds Pro 2 are the more budget-friendly option, priced at $59. They come in four color choices to suit different tastes. For those willing to spend a bit more, the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC are priced at $99, offering a wider range of five color options.
Best Deal:
CMF Buds Pro 2: View on AliExpress
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: View on AliExpress | View on Soundcore
CMF Buds Pro 2 vs Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: Specs Comparison
| Feature | CMF Buds Pro 2 | Soundcore Liberty 4 NC |
|---|---|---|
| Noise Cancellation | Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation up to 50 dB | Adaptive ANC 2.0, reduces noise by up to 98.5% |
| Drivers | 11mm bass driver + 6mm micro-planar tweeter | 11mm drivers |
| Audio Codecs | AAC, SBC, LDAC | Hi-Res Wireless and LDAC technology |
| Sound Customization | Custom EQ, Dirac Opteo™, Ultra Bass Technology 2.0 | Full adjustable EQ with Hear ID 2.0 |
| Battery Life | Up to 43 hours (with case, ANC off), Up to 11 hours (buds only, ANC off) | Up to 50 hours (with case), Up to 10 hours (buds only) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3, Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair | Bluetooth 5.3, Fast Pair, Multi-point connection |
| Water Resistance | IP55 (buds) | IPX4 |
| Call Quality | Clear Voice Technology 2.0, 3 mics in each bud | 6 mics with AI algorithm for crystal clear calls |
| Additional Features | Transparency Mode, Ear tips fit test, In-ear detection, Low Lag Mode | Adaptive ANC adjusts to ears and environment in real-time |
Design and Comfort
CMF Buds Pro 2 has a sleek, AirPods-style look with long stems. The charging case is square with soft edges showing off a special Smart Dial for easy use. You can get them in Dark Grey, Light Grey, Orange, and Blue. They don’t weigh much and feel good to wear for a long time.
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC also has stems, but you can choose from five colors like Velvet Black and Pastel Pink. The case is wider than usual looking like a stretched-out egg. While they’re not the most comfy earbuds you’ll find, you can still wear them for hours without too much trouble.
Sound Quality
CMF Buds Pro 2 has an 11mm bass driver and a 6mm micro-planar tweeter giving these buds good sound. The bass hits hard, and you can hear the vocals . They work with LDAC to stream high-quality audio, and you can adjust the sound in the app to get it just right.
Liberty 4 nc, on the other hand, sounds better than you’d expect. Their 11mm drivers create a well-rounded sound with smooth middle tones and clear high notes. But sometimes the bass can be too much. They also support LDAC and Hi-Res audio, and the app lets you tweak the sound a lot.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
The CMF Buds Pro 2’s hybrid ANC has an influence on noise reduction up to 50dB. It handles constant low frequencies well but falls short with voices and higher pitches. The transparency mode allows you to stay aware of your surroundings.
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC The ANC isn’t top-tier, but it’s decent for its price point. You can pick from adaptive options or customize it yourself, and it blocks low-frequency sounds. Like the CMF, it has trouble with higher frequencies. The transparency mode outperforms many others giving you the option to hear everything or focus on voices.
Battery Life and Charging
CMF Buds Pro 2 provides 6.5 hours of listening time with ANC enabled increasing to 11 hours when disabled. The case extends the total usage to 39 hours. A quick 10-minute charge yields 7 hours of playback.
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Just beating its rivals, these earbuds give you 8 hours of listening with noise cancellation on, and up to 10 hours when it’s off. The charging case boosts the total to a whopping 50 hours. A swift 10-minute charge gives you 4 hours to enjoy your music.
Extra Features
CMF Buds Pro 2’s standout feature is the Smart Dial on the case, allowing for easy volume and playback control. They also offer customizable touch controls, an ear tip fit test, and IPX5 water resistance.
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC packs features like multipoint connectivity, wireless charging, and Google Fast Pair. The app offers extensive customization options, including a personalized EQ setting called HearID.
CMF Buds Pro 2 vs Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: Pros and Cons
CMF Buds Pro 2
Pros:
- Affordable price at $59
- Smart Dial on case for easy control
- Punchy bass
- Comfortable for long wear
- IPX5 water resistance
Cons:
- Bass can be overwhelming
- ANC struggles with high frequencies
- Limited color options
- Shorter battery life than competitor
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
Pros:
- Excellent sound quality for price
- Adaptive ANC
- Long battery life (50 hours total)
- Wireless charging
- More color options
Cons:
- More expensive at $99
- Bass can be overpowering
- Echo during calls
- Touch controls can be finicky
CMF Buds Pro 2 vs Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: Which Should You Buy?
If you’re on a tight budget and want the best value for your money, go for the CMF Buds Pro 2. At $59, they offer impressive features like good sound quality with punchy bass, decent ANC, and the innovative Smart Dial for easy control. They’re also more water-resistant (IP55) and comfortable for long wear.
However, if you can stretch your budget to $99, the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC offers some significant advantages. They provide better overall sound quality, adaptive ANC that adjusts to your environment, and substantially longer battery life (50 hours total vs. 39 hours). They also come with premium features like wireless charging and multipoint connectivity.
Choose the CMF Buds Pro 2 if:
- You’re looking for the best bang for your buck
- You prefer a unique design with the Smart Dial feature
- Water resistance is important to you (IP55 vs IPX4)
- You’re okay with fewer color options
Choose the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC if:
- Sound quality is your top priority
- You need longer battery life
- You want adaptive ANC for better noise cancellation in various environments
- Additional features like wireless charging and multipoint connectivity are important to you.
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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.
