Apple Beats Flex vs Nothing CMF Headphone Pro: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Nothing CMF Headphone Pro comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Specifications
| Spec | Apple Beats Flex | Nothing CMF Headphone Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $70 | $140 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 84 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2020 | 2025 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 40mm custom nickel-plated dynamic drivers |
| Driver size | 8.2 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | - | 16 Ω |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | Class 1 Bluetooth | 5.4 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.0 | 5.4 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | AAC, SBC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Latency | - | 120 ms |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 12 h | 100 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 50 h |
| Full charge time | 10 min | 120 min |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 1.5 h | 5 min = 8 h |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | Yes |
| ANC type | - | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | - | Yes |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | Yes |
| Controls | buttons | both |
| Voice assistant | supported | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 18.6 g | 283 g |
| Water resistance | none | IPX2 |
| Foldable | - | No |
| Detachable cable | - | Yes |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 1 | 5 |
| Call noise reduction | - | 3-mic ENC architecture |
What reviewers said
Apple Beats Flex
The Beats Flex are a budget-friendly neckband-style wireless earphone that emphasizes bass-heavy sound and easy Apple device pairing. They provide around 12 hours of playback with a quick charge feature, but lack water resistance, active noise cancellation, and premium codec support. Overall, they deliver solid value for casual listeners who prioritize convenience and punchy audio over balanced tuning.
- Pro:Affordable price with strong value
- Pro:Reliable 12-hour battery life with fast charge
- Pro:Simple pairing and controls for Apple users
- Con:Bass-heavy tuning with recessed treble
- Con:No water or sweat resistance
- Con:Limited codec support (only SBC and AAC)
Nothing CMF Headphone Pro
The CMF Headphone Pro from Nothing is a budget-friendly over-ear wireless headphone that punches well above its price point, offering a robust feature set including hybrid ANC, LDAC support, multipoint Bluetooth, and an impressive 100-hour battery life with ANC off. Its sound is lively and well-tuned for the price, while the build and controls feel solid for the cost, though some compromises exist in water resistance and EQ customization. Overall, it's a standout value pick for anyone seeking long battery life and capable noise cancellation without spending a fortune.
- Pro:Exceptional battery life of up to 100 hours
- Pro:Effective hybrid ANC for the price
- Pro:Supports high-quality LDAC codec
- Con:Basic IPX2 water resistance only
- Con:EQ customization is limited
- Con:Not foldable for easy portability
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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