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Baseus W12 vs Nothing CMF Buds Neo: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Nothing CMF Buds Neo comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Nothing CMF Buds Neo - Outstanding overall at around $22.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Nothing CMF Buds Neo leads on 7 of 7 measures.

  • Baseus W12
  • Nothing CMF Buds Neo
HearWiki score
62
84
Sound
7.1
7.4
Noise cancelling
-
7.8
Battery
5.5
9.0
Calls
2.5
7.8
Value
-
9.8
Price (USD)
$25
$22

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Half a step newer

Nothing CMF Buds Neo (2026) against Baseus W12 (2022). The Nothing CMF Buds Neo edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds Custom EQ.

  • W122022
  • CMF Buds Neo20264 yr newer
What differsW12CMF Buds Neo

Platform

ANC type
None
Adaptive

Everyday features

Custom EQ
No
Yes

Level on: USB-C, Companion app.

Specifications

W12CMF Buds Neo
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$25
$22
HearWiki score
62
84
Released
2022
2026
Availability
Discontinued
Sold new
Driver
10 mm dynamic
12.4 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
10 mm
12.4 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
-
Impedance
32 Ω
-
Bluetooth
5.1
-
Codecs
SBC, AAC
-
Multipoint pairing
No
-
Latency
50 ms
-
Wireless range
10 m
-
Battery life
5 h
11 h
Battery incl. case
24 h
52 h
Full charge time
60 min
10 min
Quick charge
10 min → 2 h
10 min → 5.5 h
Wireless charging
No
-
Active noise cancelling
No
Yes
ANC type
none
adaptive
Transparency mode
No
-
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
No
Yes
Wear detection
No
-
Controls
buttons
-
Voice assistant
Google Assistant, Siri
-
Weight
4 g
-
Water resistance
IPX5
-
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Microphones
2
4
Call noise reduction
Yes
Yes
Call NR technology
ENC
-

What reviewers said

Baseus W12

The Baseus W12 offers a very pleasant, music-focused sound signature that makes it an excellent budget pick for casual listening, but its appeal is tempered by extremely limited on-ear controls and subpar call quality. With a compact, lightweight build and IPX5 resistance, it's a straightforward, comfortable option for those who prioritize pure audio enjoyment over features.

  • Pro:Very pleasant, musical sound for the price
  • Pro:Lightweight and comfortable fit (4g per bud)
  • Pro:IPX5 water resistance for workouts
  • Con:Limited physical button controls
  • Con:Poor microphone quality for calls
  • Con:No ANC or transparency mode

Nothing CMF Buds Neo

The CMF Buds Neo deliver impressive value for around $22, combining a punchy, bass-forward sound with surprisingly effective adaptive ANC and marathon battery life of up to 52 hours with the case. They offer a comfortable, lightweight fit, app support with a custom EQ, and quick charging, though some premium conveniences like wear detection are absent. Overall, they stand out as a top budget TWS option for listeners who prioritize bass, battery, and noise cancellation over extra features.

  • Pro:Strong bass-heavy sound with good volume
  • Pro:Effective adaptive ANC for the price
  • Pro:Excellent battery life (up to 52h with case)
  • Con:No wear detection sensor
  • Con:Finicky touch controls at times
  • Con:No physical pairing button on the buds

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

Compare something else

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New comparisonBaseus W12Nothing CMF Buds Neo