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Nothing CMF Buds 2 vs Redmi Buds Essential: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Nothing CMF Buds 2 vs Redmi Buds Essential, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.

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
  • Redmi Buds Essential
HearWiki score
82
-
Sound
7.7
-
Noise cancelling
7.8
-
Battery
8.8
-
Calls
6.5
-
Value
9.4
-
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?

New platform

Nothing CMF Buds 2 (2025) against Redmi Buds Essential (2020). The Nothing CMF Buds 2 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.2, Top codec AAC against SBC and ANC type Hybrid against None. It also adds Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Wear detection and Transparency mode.

  • CMF Buds 220255 yr newer
  • Buds Essential2020
What differsCMF Buds 2Buds Essential

Platform

Bluetooth
5.4
5.2
Top codec
AAC
SBC
ANC type
Hybrid
None

Everyday features

Multipoint pairing
Yes
No
USB-C
Yes
No
Wear detection
Yes
No
Transparency mode
Yes
No
Custom EQ
Yes
No
Companion app
Yes
No
Water resistance
IP55
IPX4

Specifications

CMF Buds 2Buds Essential
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$37
$35
HearWiki score
82
Not scored
Released
2025
2020
Availability
Sold new
Discontinued
Driver
11 mm driver
7.2 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
11 mm
7.2 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Bluetooth
5.4
5.2
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
No
Latency
110 ms
-
Wireless range
10 m
10 m
Battery life
13.5 h
18 h
Battery life (ANC on)
7.5 h
-
Battery incl. case
55 h
-
Full charge time
93 min
90 min
Quick charge
10 min → 4 h
-
Wireless charging
No
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
No
ANC type
hybrid
none
Transparency mode
Yes
No
Companion app
Yes
No
Custom EQ
Yes
No
Wear detection
Yes
No
Controls
touch
touch
Voice assistant
Yes
-
Weight
4.5 g
4 g
Case weight
41.5 g
35 g
Water resistance
IP55
IPX4
Foldable
-
No
Detachable cable
-
No
USB-C
Yes
No
Microphones
6
2
Call noise reduction
-
Yes
Call NR technology
-
noise-cancelling mic

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

Redmi Buds Essential

The Redmi Buds Essential are budget-friendly true wireless earbuds that focus on core functionality without extras. They feature a compact 7.2mm dynamic driver, Bluetooth 5.2 for stable connectivity, and a combined battery life of up to 18 hours with the charging case. With IPX4 water resistance and touch controls, they are a practical pick for everyday listening and calls, though they lack advanced features like active noise cancellation or app support.

  • Pro:Affordable price point
  • Pro:Lightweight and comfortable fit
  • Pro:IPX4 water resistance for workouts
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:Only SBC codec support
  • Con:No app or custom EQ

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

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New comparisonNothing CMF Buds 2Redmi Buds Essential