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FiiO FW1 vs Nothing CMF Buds Neo: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the FiiO FW1 vs Nothing CMF Buds Neo, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.

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.

  • FiiO FW1
  • Nothing CMF Buds Neo
HearWiki score
-
84
Sound
-
7.4
Noise cancelling
-
7.8
Battery
-
9.0
Calls
-
7.8
Value
-
9.8
Price (USD)
$40
$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 FiiO FW1 (2020). The Nothing CMF Buds Neo edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against Feed-forward. It also adds Custom EQ and Companion app.

  • FW12020
  • CMF Buds Neo20266 yr newer
What differsFW1CMF Buds Neo

Platform

ANC type
Feed-forward
Adaptive

Everyday features

Custom EQ
No
Yes
Companion app
No
Yes

Level on: USB-C.

Specifications

FW1CMF Buds Neo
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$40
$22
HearWiki score
Not scored
84
Released
2020
2026
Availability
Discontinued
Sold new
Driver
balanced armature
12.4 mm dynamic
Driver type
balanced-armature
dynamic
Driver size
-
12.4 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
-
Bluetooth
5.0
-
Codecs
aptX
-
Multipoint pairing
Yes
-
Battery life
21 h
11 h
Battery incl. case
-
52 h
Full charge time
120 min
10 min
Quick charge
-
10 min → 5.5 h
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
feedforward
adaptive
Transparency mode
No
-
Companion app
No
Yes
Custom EQ
No
Yes
Wear detection
No
-
Controls
touch
-
Voice assistant
Google Assistant, Siri
-
Weight
4.3 g
-
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Microphones
1
4
Call noise reduction
Yes
Yes
Call NR technology
cVc 8.0
-

What reviewers said

FiiO FW1

The FiiO FW1 are true wireless earbuds built around a single balanced armature driver, offering a compact and lightweight design at just 4.3 grams per bud. They feature Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX support, feedforward active noise cancellation, and a total battery life of 21 hours with the charging case. Touch controls and multipoint connectivity add convenience, though the lack of app support and custom EQ limits personalization.

  • Pro:Lightweight and comfortable fit
  • Pro:Clear balanced armature sound
  • Pro:Supports aptX for better wireless audio
  • Con:No transparency mode
  • Con:No app support or custom EQ
  • Con:Single microphone may limit call quality

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.

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New comparisonFiiO FW1Nothing CMF Buds Neo