Haylou GT5 vs Nothing CMF Buds 2a: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Nothing CMF Buds 2a comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 78. 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 | Haylou GT5 | Nothing CMF Buds 2a |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $25 | $42 |
| HearWiki score | 62 / 100 · Average | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2021 | 2024 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic driver with polymer resin diaphragm | 12.4mm Bio-fibre |
| Driver size | 7.2 mm | 12.4 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 16 Ω | - |
| Sensitivity | 97 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.0 | 5.4 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | AAC, SBC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Wireless range | 10 m | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 4 h | 8 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 5 h |
| Battery incl. case | 24 h | 35.5 h |
| Full charge time | 120 min | 89 min |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 60 min playback | 10 min = 5.5 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | Yes |
| ANC type | none | feedforward |
| Transparency mode | No | Yes |
| Companion app | No | Yes |
| Custom EQ | No | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | No |
| Controls | touch | touch |
| Voice assistant | voice assistant support | Yes |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 3.9 g | 4.28 g |
| Case weight | - | 42.75 g |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IP54 |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 2 | 4 |
What reviewers said
Haylou GT5
The Haylou GT5 is a budget-friendly true wireless earbud pair that focuses on practical everyday essentials rather than premium extras. It offers solid battery life, wireless charging, and a low-latency mode, making it a competent choice for entry-level users who want reliable performance without a high price tag. While its sound and features are decent for the cost, they don't aim to compete with higher-end models.
- Pro:Very affordable price point
- Pro:Wireless charging support
- Pro:Decent battery life with the charging case
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Sound quality is average, not outstanding
- Con:No companion app or custom EQ
Nothing CMF Buds 2a
The Nothing CMF Buds 2a deliver a compelling mix of solid audio performance, adaptive noise cancellation, and long battery life at a very accessible price point. They are a practical pick for budget-conscious listeners who want reliable everyday earbuds with app-based customization, though they come with some expected trade-offs in materials and features.
- Pro:Strong value for the price
- Pro:Adaptive ANC with 42 dB reduction
- Pro:Good battery life with case
- Con:Plasticky build quality
- Con:No in-ear detection
- Con:Limited codec support (AAC, SBC)
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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