True Wireless
KZ S1 Hybrid
42Weak
$25
Full review dataKZ S1 Hybrid vs Nothing CMF Buds 2: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Nothing CMF Buds 2 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 82. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Nothing CMF Buds 2 - Outstanding overall at around $37.
True Wireless
Nothing CMF Buds 2
82Outstanding
$37
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Nothing CMF Buds 2 leads on 6 of 7 measures.
- KZ S1 Hybrid
- Nothing CMF Buds 2
HearWiki score
42
82
Sound
6.0
7.7
Noise cancelling
-
7.8
Battery
2.7
8.8
Calls
4.5
6.5
Value
-
9.4
Price (USD)
$25
$37
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?
New platform
Nothing CMF Buds 2 (2025) against KZ S1 Hybrid (2020). The Nothing CMF Buds 2 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.0 and ANC type Hybrid against None. It also adds Multipoint pairing.
- S1 Hybrid2020
- CMF Buds 220255 yr newer
What differsS1 HybridCMF Buds 2
- Bluetooth
- 5.0
- 5.4
- ANC type
- None
- Hybrid
- Multipoint pairing
- No
- Yes
Platform
Everyday features
Level on: Top codec, USB-C.
Specifications
S1 HybridCMF Buds 2
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $25
- $37
- HearWiki score
- 42
- 82
- Released
- 2020
- 2025
- Availability
- Discontinued
- Sold new
- Driver
- 2-driver hybrid
- 11 mm driver
- Driver type
- hybrid
- dynamic
- Driver size
- -
- 11 mm
- Drivers per side
- 2
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Impedance
- 24 Ω
- -
- Bluetooth
- 5.0
- 5.4
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- SBC, AAC
- Multipoint pairing
- No
- Yes
- Latency
- -
- 110 ms
- Wireless range
- 20 m
- 10 m
- Battery life
- 3 h
- 13.5 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- -
- 7.5 h
- Battery incl. case
- 9 h
- 55 h
- Full charge time
- -
- 93 min
- Quick charge
- -
- 10 min → 4 h
- Wireless charging
- -
- No
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- Yes
- ANC type
- -
- hybrid
- Transparency mode
- -
- Yes
- Companion app
- -
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- -
- Yes
- Wear detection
- -
- Yes
- Controls
- touch
- touch
- Voice assistant
- -
- Yes
- Weight
- 10 g
- 4.5 g
- Case weight
- 45 g
- 41.5 g
- Water resistance
- -
- IP55
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Microphones
- 1
- 6
What reviewers said
KZ S1 Hybrid
The KZ S1 Hybrid is a budget-friendly true wireless earphone that pairs a dynamic driver with a balanced armature in each side for improved detail and clarity. It offers a compact, lightweight design with touch controls and a USB-C charging case, making it a solid value pick for those seeking a hybrid sound on a tight budget. Battery life is modest at around three hours per charge, with the case extending total playback to roughly nine hours.
- Pro:Hybrid dual-driver setup adds clarity and detail
- Pro:Very affordable for the sound quality offered
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable fit at just 10g per bud
- Con:Short battery life of only 3 hours per charge
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:No multipoint connection support
Nothing CMF Buds 2
The Nothing CMF Buds 2 are an exceptional budget true-wireless option, packing a surprisingly rich feature set for their low price. They deliver engaging sound, robust battery life, and effective hybrid ANC, making them a top-value pick for most listeners.
- Pro:Excellent value for the price
- Pro:Strong battery life with ANC off
- Pro:Effective hybrid active noise cancellation
- Con:Call performance weak in noisy settings
- Con:ANC and gaming latency not class-leading
- Con:No wireless charging support
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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