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Haylou GT3 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.

  • Haylou GT3
  • Nothing CMF Buds Neo
HearWiki score
65
84
Sound
6.6
7.4
Noise cancelling
-
7.8
Battery
3.7
9.0
Calls
4.8
7.8
Value
5.8
9.8
Price (USD)
$27
$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 Haylou GT3 (2021). The Nothing CMF Buds Neo edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds Custom EQ and Companion app.

  • GT32021
  • CMF Buds Neo20265 yr newer
What differsGT3CMF Buds Neo

Platform

ANC type
None
Adaptive

Everyday features

Custom EQ
No
Yes
Companion app
No
Yes

Level on: USB-C.

Specifications

GT3CMF Buds Neo
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$27
$22
HearWiki score
65
84
Released
2021
2026
Availability
Still sold new
Sold new
Driver
7.2 mm dynamic
12.4 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
7.2 mm
12.4 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
-
Impedance
32 Ω
-
Bluetooth
5.0
-
Codecs
SBC
-
Multipoint pairing
No
-
Wireless range
10 m
-
Battery life
28 h
11 h
Battery incl. case
-
52 h
Full charge time
150 min
10 min
Quick charge
-
10 min → 5.5 h
Wireless charging
No
-
Active noise cancelling
No
Yes
ANC type
-
adaptive
Transparency mode
No
-
Companion app
No
Yes
Custom EQ
No
Yes
Wear detection
No
-
Controls
touch
-
Voice assistant
Yes
-
Weight
3.9 g
-
Case weight
33.3 g
-
Water resistance
IPX4
-
Foldable
No
-
Detachable cable
No
-
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Connector
USB-C
-
Balanced connection
No
-
Microphones
1
4
Microphone type
MEMS
-
Call noise reduction
Yes
Yes

What reviewers said

Haylou GT3

The Haylou GT3 are budget-friendly true wireless earbuds that deliver a punchy bass and clear vocal reproduction, making for an engaging listening experience at a low price. They offer a long total battery life with the charging case and a secure IPX4 rating, though they stick to basic SBC codec and lack active noise cancellation. Overall, they are a solid pick for those prioritizing sound character over extra features.

  • Pro:Strong, engaging bass response
  • Pro:Clear vocal clarity
  • Pro:Long total battery life with case
  • Con:Only SBC codec support
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:No transparency mode or multipoint

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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