True Wireless
Haylou HQ5
60Average
$17
Full review dataHaylou HQ5 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.
True Wireless
Nothing CMF Buds Neo
84Outstanding
$22
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Nothing CMF Buds Neo leads on 6 of 7 measures.
- Haylou HQ5
- Nothing CMF Buds Neo
HearWiki score
60
84
Sound
5.4
7.4
Noise cancelling
4.8
7.8
Battery
4.4
9.0
Calls
5.0
7.8
Value
8.4
9.8
Price (USD)
$17
$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?
Same generation
The Nothing CMF Buds Neo is 2 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. The platform is level; the newer hardware shows up in convenience features instead - the Nothing CMF Buds Neo adds Custom EQ.
- HQ52024
- CMF Buds Neo20262 yr newer
What differsHQ5CMF Buds Neo
- Custom EQ
- No
- Yes
Everyday features
Level on: ANC type, USB-C, Companion app.
Specifications
HQ5CMF Buds Neo
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $17
- $22
- HearWiki score
- 60
- 84
- Released
- 2024
- 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
- 6.0
- -
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- -
- Multipoint pairing
- No
- -
- Wireless range
- 10 m
- -
- Battery life
- 4.5 h
- 11 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 4 h
- -
- Battery incl. case
- 20 h
- 52 h
- Full charge time
- 90 min
- 10 min
- Quick charge
- -
- 10 min → 5.5 h
- Wireless charging
- No
- -
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- Yes
- ANC type
- adaptive
- adaptive
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- -
- Companion app
- Yes
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- No
- Yes
- Wear detection
- No
- -
- Controls
- touch
- -
- Weight
- 4 g
- -
- Case weight
- 80 g
- -
- Water resistance
- IPX4
- -
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Microphones
- 4
- 4
- Call noise reduction
- -
- Yes
What reviewers said
Haylou HQ5
The Haylou HQ5 delivers adaptive active noise cancellation and a 10mm dynamic driver setup in a lightweight, IPX4-rated design, making it a compelling budget-friendly true wireless option. It supports AAC codecs, features a four-microphone system for clear calls, and offers a transparency mode for situational awareness, all at an accessible price point.
- Pro:Affordable price with adaptive ANC
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable fit
- Pro:AAC support for better audio on compatible devices
- Con:Battery life is modest at 4-5 hours per charge
- Con:No wireless charging or multipoint
- Con:No custom EQ for sound tuning
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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