True Wireless
Mpow M12
72Good
$25
Full review dataMpow M12 vs Nothing CMF Buds 2a: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Nothing CMF Buds 2a comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 78. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Nothing CMF Buds 2a - Great overall at around $42.
True Wireless
Nothing CMF Buds 2a
78Great
$42
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Mpow M12
Sound7.0
Battery6.5
Calls6.0
Value8.5
Nothing CMF Buds 2a
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling7.5
Battery7.0
Calls6.5
Value9.0
Specifications
| Spec | Mpow M12 | Nothing CMF Buds 2a |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $25 | $42 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2020 | 2024 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 12.4mm Bio-fibre |
| Driver size | 6 mm | 12.4 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 16 Ω | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.0 | 5.4 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | AAC, SBC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 5 h | 8 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 5 h |
| Battery incl. case | 25 h | 35.5 h |
| Full charge time | 120 min | 89 min |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 1 h | 10 min = 5.5 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | Yes |
| ANC type | none | feedforward |
| Transparency mode | No | Yes |
| Companion app | No | Yes |
| Custom EQ | No | Yes |
| Wear detection | No | No |
| Controls | touch | touch |
| Voice assistant | Siri and Google Assistant | Yes |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 9.6 g | 4.28 g |
| Case weight | - | 42.75 g |
| Water resistance | IPX8 | IP54 |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 2 | 4 |
What reviewers said
Mpow M12
The Mpow M12 delivers exceptional value in the ultra-budget true wireless category, pairing a comfortable, water-resistant design with practical features like USB-C and wireless charging. Its smooth, balanced sound with rich bass makes it a standout choice for everyday listening, though it lacks advanced features like ANC or app support.
- Pro:Excellent value for the price
- Pro:Comfortable and secure fit
- Pro:IPX8 waterproof rating
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:No app support or custom EQ
- Con:Limited to SBC and AAC codecs
Nothing CMF Buds 2a
The Nothing CMF Buds 2a deliver a compelling mix of solid audio performance, adaptive noise cancellation, and long battery life at a very accessible price point. They are a practical pick for budget-conscious listeners who want reliable everyday earbuds with app-based customization, though they come with some expected trade-offs in materials and features.
- Pro:Strong value for the price
- Pro:Adaptive ANC with 42 dB reduction
- Pro:Good battery life with case
- Con:Plasticky build quality
- Con:No in-ear detection
- Con:Limited codec support (AAC, SBC)
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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