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Nothing CMF Buds 2 vs QCY MeloBuds Neo (T31): 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 6 of 7 measures.

  • Nothing CMF Buds 2
  • QCY MeloBuds Neo (T31)
HearWiki score
82
66
Sound
7.7
6.4
Noise cancelling
7.8
-
Battery
8.8
5.8
Calls
6.5
5.6
Value
9.4
7.6
Price (USD)
$37
$30

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 QCY MeloBuds Neo (T31) (2024). The Nothing CMF Buds 2 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.3 and ANC type Hybrid against None. It also adds Wear detection, Transparency mode and Water resistance IP55 against IPX5.

  • CMF Buds 220251 yr newer
  • MeloBuds Neo (T31)2024
What differsCMF Buds 2MeloBuds Neo (T31)

Platform

Bluetooth
5.4
5.3
ANC type
Hybrid
None

Everyday features

Wear detection
Yes
No
Transparency mode
Yes
No
Water resistance
IP55
IPX5

Level on: Top codec, Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Custom EQ, Companion app.

Specifications

CMF Buds 2MeloBuds Neo (T31)
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$37
$30
HearWiki score
82
66
Released
2025
2024
Availability
Sold new
Still sold new
Driver
11 mm driver
10 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
11 mm
10 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance
-
140 Ω
Sensitivity
-
96 dB/mW
Bluetooth
5.4
5.3
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Latency
110 ms
68 ms
Wireless range
10 m
10 m
Battery life
13.5 h
7 h
Battery life (ANC on)
7.5 h
-
Battery incl. case
55 h
24 h
Full charge time
93 min
120 min
Quick charge
10 min → 4 h
10 min → 2 h
Wireless charging
No
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
No
ANC type
hybrid
none
Transparency mode
Yes
No
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
Yes
Yes
Wear detection
Yes
No
Controls
touch
touch
Voice assistant
Yes
Yes
Weight
4.5 g
4 g
Case weight
41.5 g
-
Water resistance
IP55
IPX5
Foldable
-
No
Detachable cable
-
No
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Microphones
6
4
Call noise reduction
-
Yes
Call NR technology
-
wind reduction

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

QCY MeloBuds Neo (T31)

The QCY MeloBuds Neo (T31) are budget-friendly true wireless earbuds that prioritize battery life and practical features over noise cancellation. With around 7 hours of playback per charge and 24 hours total with the case, they deliver dependable stamina for the price. Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connectivity, and a low-latency game mode make them a solid choice for everyday listening and calls.

  • Pro:Long battery life of up to 7 hours per charge and 24 hours with the case
  • Pro:Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint for seamless device switching
  • Pro:Low-latency game mode for better audio sync
  • Con:No active noise cancellation or transparency mode
  • Con:Only SBC and AAC codecs, no aptX support
  • Con:Relatively high impedance may require more power from devices

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

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