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Nothing CMF Buds 2 vs OnePlus Buds Ace 3: 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.

Score breakdown

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

Nothing CMF Buds 2 leads on 4 of 7 measures.

  • Nothing CMF Buds 2
  • OnePlus Buds Ace 3
HearWiki score
82
64
Sound
7.7
6.6
Noise cancelling
7.8
7.0
Battery
8.8
9.0
Calls
6.5
7.0
Value
9.4
8.4
Price (USD)
$37
$35

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?

Mixed generations

OnePlus Buds Ace 3 (2026) against Nothing CMF Buds 2 (2025). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the Nothing CMF Buds 2 brings Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.3, while the OnePlus Buds Ace 3 answers with Top codec LHDC against AAC. The Nothing CMF Buds 2 answers on convenience features: it adds Wear detection, Custom EQ and Companion app.

  • CMF Buds 22025
  • Buds Ace 320261 yr newer
What differsCMF Buds 2Buds Ace 3

Platform

Bluetooth
5.4
5.3
Top codec
AAC
LHDC

Everyday features

Wear detection
Yes
No
Custom EQ
Yes
No
Companion app
Yes
No

Level on: ANC type, Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Transparency mode, Water resistance.

Specifications

CMF Buds 2Buds Ace 3
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$37
$35
HearWiki score
82
64
Released
2025
2026
Availability
Sold new
Sold new
Driver
11 mm driver
12 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
11 mm
12 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
-
Bluetooth
5.4
5.3
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC, LHDC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Latency
110 ms
47 ms
Wireless range
10 m
-
Battery life
13.5 h
13 h
Battery life (ANC on)
7.5 h
6.5 h
Battery incl. case
55 h
54 h
Full charge time
93 min
90 min
Quick charge
10 min → 4 h
5 min → 10 h
Wireless charging
No
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
hybrid
hybrid
Transparency mode
Yes
Yes
Companion app
Yes
No
Custom EQ
Yes
No
Wear detection
Yes
No
Controls
touch
touch
Voice assistant
Yes
-
Weight
4.5 g
4.8 g
Case weight
41.5 g
34.2 g
Water resistance
IP55
IP55
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Model code
-
OnePlus Buds 3
Microphones
6
3
Call noise reduction
-
Yes
Call NR technology
-
AI ENC

What reviewers said

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

OnePlus Buds Ace 3

The OnePlus Buds Ace 3 are budget-friendly true wireless earbuds that pack in hybrid active noise cancellation, a 12mm dynamic driver, and support for LHDC for higher-quality audio. They offer a long total battery life of 54 hours with the case, Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint, and touch controls, making them a solid value pick for everyday use and gaming thanks to a low-latency mode. With IP55 water resistance and a lightweight build, they're designed to be durable and comfortable for extended wear.

  • Pro:Strong hybrid ANC for the price
  • Pro:Excellent total battery life with charging case
  • Pro:Supports LHDC codec for high-res audio
  • Con:No wireless charging support
  • Con:No companion app or custom EQ
  • Con:Battery life drops significantly with ANC on

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

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