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JBL Live Beam 4 vs Nothing CMF Buds Neo: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the JBL Live Beam 4 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 85. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: JBL Live Beam 4 - Outstanding overall at around $240.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Nothing CMF Buds Neo leads on 3 of 7 measures.

  • JBL Live Beam 4
  • Nothing CMF Buds Neo
HearWiki score
85
84
Sound
9.2
7.4
Noise cancelling
7.8
7.8
Battery
9.0
9.0
Calls
6.8
7.8
Value
8.2
9.8
Price (USD)
$240
$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. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price.

  • Live Beam 42024
  • CMF Buds Neo20262 yr newer

Level on: ANC type, USB-C, Custom EQ, Companion app.

Specifications

Live Beam 4CMF Buds Neo
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$240
$22
HearWiki score
85
84
Released
2024
2026
Availability
Still sold new
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 - 40 kHz
-
Impedance
16 Ω
-
Sensitivity
98 dB/mW
-
Bluetooth
6.0
-
Multipoint pairing
Yes
-
Battery life
12 h
11 h
Battery life (ANC on)
10 h
-
Battery incl. case
-
52 h
Full charge time
120 min
10 min
Quick charge
10 min → 4 h
10 min → 5.5 h
Wireless charging
Yes
-
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
adaptive
adaptive
Transparency mode
Yes
-
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
Yes
Yes
Controls
touch
-
Voice assistant
Yes
-
Weight
9.7 g
-
Case weight
73 g
-
Water resistance
IP55
-
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Microphones
6
4
Microphone type
beamforming
-
Call noise reduction
Yes
Yes

What reviewers said

JBL Live Beam 4

The JBL Live Beam 4 are feature-packed wireless earbuds that deliver lively, well-balanced sound and a snug, secure fit, all wrapped up in a distinctive charging case with a built-in touchscreen for quick control. While they boast long battery life, adaptive noise cancellation, and multipoint connectivity, their call clarity and noise suppression aren't class-leading, and the spatial audio implementation falls short of expectations. Still, for the price, they offer a compelling mix of versatility and performance for everyday listening.

  • Pro:Excellent sound quality with punchy bass and clear highs
  • Pro:Comfortable, secure fit for extended wear
  • Pro:Innovative touchscreen case adds convenient control
  • Con:Call quality is mediocre in noisy environments
  • Con:Adaptive noise cancellation is not the strongest in its class
  • Con:Spatial audio mode sounds artificial and lessens immersion

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

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New comparisonJBL Live Beam 4Nothing CMF Buds Neo