True Wireless
Haylou X1 2023
61Average
$20
Full review dataHaylou X1 2023 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 X1 2023
- Nothing CMF Buds Neo
HearWiki score
61
84
Sound
5.9
7.4
Noise cancelling
-
7.8
Battery
5.4
9.0
Calls
6.0
7.8
Value
6.4
9.8
Price (USD)
$20
$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 X1 2023 (2023). The Nothing CMF Buds Neo edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.
- X1 20232023
- CMF Buds Neo20263 yr newer
What differsX1 2023CMF Buds Neo
- ANC type
- None
- Adaptive
Platform
Level on: USB-C, Custom EQ, Companion app.
Specifications
X1 2023CMF Buds Neo
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $20
- $22
- HearWiki score
- 61
- 84
- Released
- 2023
- 2026
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Sold new
- Driver
- 2× 12 mm dynamic
- 12.4 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 12 mm
- 12.4 mm
- Drivers per side
- 2
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- -
- Impedance
- 32 Ω
- -
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- -
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- -
- Multipoint pairing
- No
- -
- Wireless range
- 10 m
- -
- Battery life
- 5.5 h
- 11 h
- Battery incl. case
- 24 h
- 52 h
- Full charge time
- 90 min
- 10 min
- Quick charge
- -
- 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
- Yes
- Yes
- Wear detection
- No
- -
- Controls
- touch
- -
- Weight
- 8.2 g
- -
- Water resistance
- IPX4
- -
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Connector
- USB-C
- -
- Microphones
- 1
- 4
- Call noise reduction
- Yes
- Yes
- Call NR technology
- ENC
- -
What reviewers said
Haylou X1 2023
The Haylou X1 2023 is a budget-friendly true wireless earbud that punches above its price with clear, balanced sound and a practical feature set. It offers Bluetooth 5.3, 12mm drivers for solid audio, and a total of 24 hours of playback with the charging case. With touch controls, app-based EQ, and IPX4 water resistance, it’s a dependable pick for everyday listening without breaking the bank.
- Pro:Good value for the price
- Pro:Clear audio with 12mm drivers
- Pro:Long total battery life with case
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:No multipoint connection
- Con:Single microphone only
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
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.