Navigating Nothing’s CMF audio lineup feels like solving a puzzle with missing pieces. We’ve got the CMF Buds 2 Pro, which was launched a couple of months ago, and now the CMF Buds 2, Buds 2a, and the CMF Buds 2 Plus. It’s quite a confusing lineup, but the CMF Buds 2 Plus stands out as the most sensible pick, possibly even surpassing the pricier Buds 2 Pro, in my opinion.
Priced at a wallet-friendly ₹3,299 in India, these earbuds aim to deliver a solid experience on a budget. I’ve tested these using LDAC and Apple Music, paired via the redesigned Nothing X app, which worked flawlessly, by the way. So, do these buds clear the clutter? Let’s find out.
CMF Buds 2 Plus Price & Availability
The CMF Buds 2 Plus is priced at ₹3,299. It is available in two colorways—Blue and Light Grey. You can buy them via Flipkart, Myntra, Croma, and nearby retail stores.
Pros
- Budget-friendly with good build quality
- Decent sound with Pop preset.
- Redesigned, user-friendly Nothing X app.
- Solid connectivity
- Impressive battery life with quick charging.
- Nice case with lanyard support.
Cons
- Not-so-good ear tips.
- 3-band EQ is too basic or even useless.
- Mids and vocals aren’t great.
- ANC struggles with high-frequency noises.
CMF Buds 2 Plus Review: Sound
The CMF Buds 2 Plus, equipped with 12mm drivers, deliver a bass-forward sound. The default sound is bloated and muddy (Ultra Bass turned on by default), which doesn’t sound good at all. Thankfully, one of the presets, the Pop preset, is good.
The bass is here too, but it doesn’t overpower the mids to an extent that they take backstage, like with the rest of the presets. However, I feel like the vocals still sound slightly muffled, and the highs lack that bit of a sparkle.
The Nothing X app provides a 3-band EQ and, as mentioned earlier, presets like Rock, Electronic, and Classical, but these don’t sound great, so better stick with Pop. The EQ is frustratingly coarse, making precise adjustments nearly impossible. You might want to just use Wavelet instead.
For casual listeners, the Pop preset is plenty engaging, but audiophiles will crave more control. As in-ear buds, they offer decent passive isolation (when the fit is right), but there’s some sound leakage at high volumes, so mind your surroundings in quiet spaces.
CMF Buds 2 Plus Review: Design and Fit
Nothing’s design ethos shines through in the CMF Buds 2 Plus. The charging case is a compact beauty, boasting a soft-touch texture and tight panel gaps that feel premium for the price. The lid snaps shut with a satisfying clack, and an aluminum rotating dial serves as a fidget spinner or lanyard anchor (lanyard not included).
The earbuds feature capacitive stalks for touch controls, though I found them to work only 40% of the time. Plus, the quality of the ear tips could be better, as it often leads to issues related to comfort, fit, and even passive isolation. This can cause ear fatigue after just 1 hour of use.
CMF Buds 2 Plus Review: App and Features
The revamped Nothing X app (Android/iOS/web) is a highlight, with a sleek redesign featuring smooth animations and intuitive navigation. It’s a breeze to use, whether you’re on a CMF phone, Nothing phone, iOS, or any Android device, all features are fully accessible. Key options include:
- ANC Settings: On (three levels + adaptive), off, or transparency mode.
- Audio Presets: Pop, Rock, Classical, and Electronic,
- Ultra Bass: Adjustable from 1 to 5. Wouldn’t recommend going beyond 1, though.
- Touch Controls: Basic customization for taps (e.g., play/pause, skip track).
- Wear Detection: Pauses music when a bud is removed, resuming when reinserted.
The wear detection works reliably, adding convenience for quick pauses. However, the 3-band EQ is a letdown, as its broad adjustments lack nuance, and Nothing should consider adopting the 8-band EQ from their premium models. The touch controls are fully customizable, which would’ve been amazing if they worked at least 80% of the time but… they don’t.
CMF Buds 2 Plus Review: Microphones and Calling
The microphones on the CMF Buds 2 Plus are decent for the price, but you may encounter issues in noisy settings. In quiet or less noisy settings, the microphone performs well. The calling experience is also just decent.
CMF Buds 2 Plus Review: Connectivity
Tested with LDAC, the Buds 2 Plus deliver stable, high-quality audio with no dropouts, even in busy environments like cafes or trains. The SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs ensure broad compatibility, and dual connectivity allows smooth switching between different devices. It works regardless of the platform.
CMF Buds 2 Plus Review: Active Noise Cancellation
The claimed 50dB ANC performs well for the price, effectively muting low-frequency noises like engine rumble or office hums. Mid-range sounds, like conversations, are dulled but not eliminated, and high-frequency noises (e.g., keyboard clicks) sneak through, partly due to the subpar ear tips.
The transparency mode is also decent, making it easy to hold conversations without removing the buds. While the ANC is solid, competitors like the realme Buds Air 7 slightly outperform it in mid-range attenuation.
CMF Buds 2 Plus Review: Battery and Charging
The CMF Buds 2 Plus excels in battery life. With LDAC enabled, you can click up to 7.5 hours per charge, aligning with Nothing’s 8-hour claim. Switching to AAC with ANC off, expect even more. The case extends total playtime to over 30 hours, and a 10-minute quick charge delivers 3 hours of LDAC playback.
Review Verdict: Should You Buy the CMF Buds 2 Plus?
The CMF Buds 2 Plus emerge as the clear winner in Nothing’s tangled CMF lineup, offering a potent blend of sound, design, and value ₹3,299. The redesigned Nothing X app is a delight, and battery life is among the best in its class. The case’s design and lanyard compatibility are nice too.
However, the comfort could’ve been better, and the 3-band EQ feels like a missed opportunity for customization. The bass-heavy tuning may not suit everyone. For alternatives, you can consider the realme Buds Air 7.
Nonetheless, if you’re after budget-friendly earbuds with decent sound, long battery life, and a great app experience, the CMF Buds 2 Plus is a great choice.
Smartprix ⭐ Rating: 8.2/10
- Sound: 7/10
- Design and Fit: 8/10
- Apps and Features: 9/10
- Microphones: 7/10
- Connectivity: 9/10
- Noise Cancellation: 8.2/10
- Battery and Charging: 9/10
First reviewed in June 2025.
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