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Nectar Hive vs Nothing CMF Headphone Pro: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Nectar Hive comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 85. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Nectar Hive - Outstanding overall at around $197.

Score breakdown

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

Nectar Hive
Sound9.0
Value7.0
Nothing CMF Headphone Pro
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling8.5
Battery9.5
Calls7.5
Value9.0

Specifications

Specification comparison of Nectar Hive vs Nothing CMF Headphone Pro
SpecNectar HiveNothing CMF Headphone Pro
TypeOver-EarOver-Ear
Price (USD)$197$140
HearWiki score85 / 100 · Outstanding84 / 100 · Great
Released20222025
Audio
DriverElectrostatic40mm custom nickel-plated dynamic drivers
Driver size-40 mm
Drivers per side-2
Frequency response20Hz-7kHz20Hz-20kHz
Sound signatureBright neutral-
Impedance-16 Ω
Wireless
Bluetooth-5.4
Bluetooth version-5.4
Codecs-AAC, SBC, LDAC
Multipoint pairing-Yes
Latency-120 ms
Wireless range-10 m
Battery
Battery life-100 h
Battery life (ANC on)-50 h
Full charge time-120 min
Quick charge-5 min = 8 h
Wireless charging-No
Features
Active noise cancelling-Yes
ANC type-hybrid
Transparency mode-Yes
Companion app-Yes
Custom EQ-Yes
Wear detection-Yes
Controls-both
Design
Weight370 g283 g
Water resistance-IPX2
Foldable-No
Detachable cable-Yes
USB-C-Yes
Calls
Microphones-5
Call noise reduction-3-mic ENC architecture

What reviewers said

Nectar Hive

The Nectar Hive is a wired electrostatic over-ear headphone priced around $600, weighing just 370 grams. It delivers a bright neutral sound signature with a frequency response spanning 20Hz to 7kHz, offering a detailed and airy presentation that leans toward analytical clarity. This model earns high marks for its tonal balance and technical performance, making it a strong contender in its price bracket for listeners who prefer a crisp, revealing sound.

  • Pro:Excellent tonal accuracy and neutrality
  • Pro:Impressive technical detail retrieval
  • Pro:Featherweight design for comfort
  • Con:Bright tilt may be fatiguing for some
  • Con:Limited bass impact due to electrostatic nature
  • Con:Requires dedicated amplifier for proper use

Nothing CMF Headphone Pro

The CMF Headphone Pro from Nothing is a budget-friendly over-ear wireless headphone that punches well above its price point, offering a robust feature set including hybrid ANC, LDAC support, multipoint Bluetooth, and an impressive 100-hour battery life with ANC off. Its sound is lively and well-tuned for the price, while the build and controls feel solid for the cost, though some compromises exist in water resistance and EQ customization. Overall, it's a standout value pick for anyone seeking long battery life and capable noise cancellation without spending a fortune.

  • Pro:Exceptional battery life of up to 100 hours
  • Pro:Effective hybrid ANC for the price
  • Pro:Supports high-quality LDAC codec
  • Con:Basic IPX2 water resistance only
  • Con:EQ customization is limited
  • Con:Not foldable for easy portability

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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