If you’re looking for budget-friendly, feature-rich earbuds, then you’ve come to the right place.
The audio market is brimming with options that promise great sound quality, impressive features, and comfort, all without breaking the bank.
Two such options that stand out are the Nothing CMF Buds Pro and the Redmi Buds 5.
Both sets of earbuds come packed with advanced technology, such as active noise cancellation, high-quality drivers, and sleek designs, choosing between them is a tough decision.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into a comparison between the Nothing CMF Buds Pro vs Redmi Buds 5, exploring their features, performance, and value for money to help you decide which earbuds you should buy.
Nothing CMF Buds Pro vs Redmi Buds 5: Specs Comparison
| Feature | Nothing CMF Buds Pro | Redmi Buds 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3, AAC, SBC | 5.3, SBC, AAC codecs |
| Driver | 10mm Dynamic bass boost | 12.4mm drivers |
| Diaphragm | LCP + PU, Nothing Ultra Bass Technology | N/A |
| ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) | Up to 45dB, 2 modes | Up to 46dB, Light, Balanced, Deep options |
| Transparency Mode | Yes | Regular, Enhanced Voice, Enhance Ambient Sound |
| Water Resistance | IP54 for buds | IP54 for buds |
| Dimensions (Earbud/Charging Case) | 31.6 x 21.6 x 22.5mm / 58 x 58 x 24mm | 29.52 x 21.44 x 23.45mm / 61 x 50 x 24.60mm |
| Weight (Earbud/Charging Case) | 4.8g / 44.5g | 10.25g (Pair) / 42.47g |
| Battery Life (Playback) | Up to 11h (without ANC) / 6.5h (with ANC) | Up to 10h per earbud, 40h with the case, 8h with ANC |
| Battery (Charging Case) | 460mAh, 39h (without ANC) / 22h (with ANC) | N/A, 40h with the charging case |
| Fast Charging | 10 mins for 5 hours (without ANC) | Type-C, 5-minute charge for 2 hours of music |
| Additional Features | Low Lag Mode, Clear Voice Technology, Touch controls, Compatible with Android 5.1+ and iOS 13+ | EQ sound effects, Dual microphones with AI noise reduction, 8 customizable gesture controls, App support |
Nothing CMF Buds Pro vs Redmi Buds 5: In-depth comparison
Design and Build Quality
The Nothing CMF Buds Pro exudes a sleek and minimalist aesthetic, with a transparent charging case that showcases the internal components. The earbuds themselves are compact and lightweight, ensuring a comfortable fit for extended listening sessions.
On the other hand, the Redmi Buds 5 boasts an ergonomic in-ear design with glossy nano-coated decorative strips, adding a touch of elegance to the overall look.
Sound Quality
Audiophiles, rejoice! The Nothing CMF Buds Pro packs a punch with their 10mm dynamic bass boost drivers, featuring Nothing’s Ultra Bass Technology and an LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer) + PU (Polyurethane) diaphragm.
This combination promises a rich, immersive sound experience. Not to be outdone, the Redmi Buds 5 features 12.4mm dynamic drivers with a titanium diaphragm, promising an ultimate hi-fi sound experience.
Active Noise Cancellation
Both earbuds offer impressive active noise cancellation (ANC) capabilities. The Nothing CMF Buds Pro boasts up to 45dB of ANC, with adjustable modes for different noise levels, while the Redmi Buds 5 offers up to 46dB of noise reduction depth with Light, Balanced, and Deep options.
Transparency Mode
Staying aware of your surroundings is crucial, and both earbuds cater to this need with their transparency modes.
The Nothing CMF Buds Pro offers a single transparency mode, while the Redmi Buds 5 goes a step further with three options: Regular, Enhanced Voice, and Enhance Ambient Sound.
Call Quality
Clear communication is a must, and both earbuds have you covered. The Nothing CMF Buds Pro features Clear Voice Technology with three microphones and an Anti-wind noise structure, trained on over 100,000 noise models.
The Redmi Buds 5, on the other hand, employs dual microphones with AI noise reduction to resist wind noise up to 6m/s.
Battery Life and Charging
The Nothing CMF Buds Pro offers up to 11 hours of continuous music playback without ANC and up to 6.5 hours with ANC enabled. The charging case provides an additional 39 hours (without ANC) or 22 hours (with ANC) of battery life.
The Redmi Buds 5 promises up to 10 hours per earbud and up to 40 hours with the charging case, or 8 hours with noise reduction enabled.
Both earbuds support fast charging, with the Nothing CMF Buds Pro offering 5 hours of playback with a 10-minute charge, while the Redmi Buds 5 provides 2 hours of music with a 5-minute charge.
Connectivity and Customization
Both earbuds support Bluetooth 5.3, Google Fast Pair, and Xiaomi Earbuds App for customization options.
The Nothing CMF Buds Pro also offers Low Lag Mode, automatically enabled on Nothing smartphones.
Water and Dust Resistance
While both earbuds offer water and dust resistance, the Nothing CMF Buds Pro boasts an IP54 rating, while the Redmi Buds 5 has an IP54 rating for the earbuds only.
Pricing and Availability
The Nothing CMF Buds Pro are priced at $45 and come in Dark Grey, Light Grey, and Orange colors.
The Redmi Buds 5 are slightly more affordable at $35 and are available in Fusion White, Fusion Purple, and Fusion Black colors.
Where to buy?
| Model | Best Deal |
|---|---|
| Nothing CMF Buds Pro | View on AliExpress |
| Redmi Buds 5 | View on AliExpress |
Nothing CMF Buds Pro vs Redmi Buds 5: Which Should You Buy
So, both the Nothing CMF Buds Pro and the Redmi Buds 5 offer compelling features and performance.
If you prioritize superior sound quality, bass boost technology, and a sleek, minimalist design, the Nothing CMF Buds Pro might be the way to go.
However, if you’re on a tighter budget and value features like multiple transparency modes and a slightly longer battery life, the Redmi Buds 5 could be the perfect choice. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal preferences and budget.
You may also like to see:
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- Realme Buds Air 5 vs Buds Air 5 Pro
- Realme Buds Air 5 Pro vs Redmi Buds 4 Pro
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.
