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JLab JBuds Mini True Wireless Earbuds 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.

  • JLab JBuds Mini True Wireless Earbuds
  • Nothing CMF Buds Neo
HearWiki score
75
84
Sound
6.8
7.4
Noise cancelling
-
7.8
Battery
5.4
9.0
Calls
5.7
7.8
Value
7.8
9.8
Price (USD)
$40
$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 JLab JBuds Mini True Wireless Earbuds (2023). The Nothing CMF Buds Neo edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.

  • JBuds Mini True Wireless Earbuds2023
  • CMF Buds Neo20263 yr newer
What differsJBuds Mini True Wireless EarbudsCMF Buds Neo

Platform

ANC type
None
Adaptive

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

Specifications

JBuds Mini True Wireless EarbudsCMF Buds Neo
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$40
$22
HearWiki score
75
84
Released
2023
2026
Availability
Still sold new
Sold new
Driver
6 mm dynamic
12.4 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
6 mm
12.4 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
-
Impedance
16 Ω
-
Bluetooth
5.3
-
Codecs
SBC
-
Multipoint pairing
Yes
-
Latency
200 ms
-
Wireless range
9 m
-
Battery life
5.5 h
11 h
Battery incl. case
20 h
52 h
Full charge time
150 min
10 min
Quick charge
10 min → 1 h
10 min → 5.5 h
Active noise cancelling
No
Yes
ANC type
-
adaptive
Transparency mode
Yes
-
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
Yes
Yes
Wear detection
No
-
Controls
touch
-
Voice assistant
Yes
-
Weight
6.6 g
-
Case weight
18.5 g
-
Water resistance
IP55
-
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Microphones
2
4
Microphone type
MEMS
-
Mic sensitivity
-38 dBV
-
Call noise reduction
Yes
Yes
Call NR technology
2-mic ENC
-

What reviewers said

JLab JBuds Mini True Wireless Earbuds

These ultra-compact true wireless earbuds pack a surprising amount of functionality into a tiny, budget-friendly shell. With Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint support, and an IP55 rating, they offer solid everyday performance, though they rely on the basic SBC codec. The sound is punchy for the size, and battery life is respectable at 5.5 hours per charge, extending to 20 hours with the case.

  • Pro:Extremely small and lightweight design
  • Pro:Solid bass and clear sound for the price
  • Pro:Multipoint connection and IP55 water resistance
  • Con:Only supports SBC codec, no AAC or aptX
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:Call quality is acceptable but not outstanding

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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New comparisonJLab JBuds Mini True Wireless EarbudsNothing CMF Buds Neo