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Nothing CMF Buds 2 vs Skullcandy Smokin’ Buds®: 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
  • Skullcandy Smokin’ Buds®
HearWiki score
82
66
Sound
7.7
6.2
Noise cancelling
7.8
0.0
Battery
8.8
6.2
Calls
6.5
6.1
Value
9.4
8.5
Price (USD)
$37
$25

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 Skullcandy Smokin’ Buds® (2022). The Nothing CMF Buds 2 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.2 and ANC type Hybrid against None. It also adds Multipoint pairing and Water resistance (IP55).

  • CMF Buds 220253 yr newer
  • Smokin’ Buds®2022
What differsCMF Buds 2Smokin’ Buds®

Platform

Bluetooth
5.4
5.2
ANC type
Hybrid
None

Everyday features

Multipoint pairing
Yes
No
Water resistance
IP55
Not rated

Level on: Top codec, USB-C.

Specifications

CMF Buds 2Smokin’ Buds®
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$37
$25
HearWiki score
82
66
Released
2025
2022
Availability
Sold new
Still sold new
Driver
11 mm driver
6 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
11 mm
6 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance
-
16 Ω
Sensitivity
-
104 dB/mW
Bluetooth
5.4
5.2
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
No
Latency
110 ms
-
Wireless range
10 m
-
Battery life
13.5 h
8 h
Battery life (ANC on)
7.5 h
-
Battery incl. case
55 h
20 h
Full charge time
93 min
-
Quick charge
10 min → 4 h
10 min → 2 h
Wireless charging
No
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
No
ANC type
hybrid
-
Transparency mode
Yes
-
Companion app
Yes
-
Custom EQ
Yes
-
Wear detection
Yes
-
Controls
touch
touch
Voice assistant
Yes
Yes
Weight
4.5 g
-
Case weight
41.5 g
-
Water resistance
IP55
none
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Microphones
6
2

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

Skullcandy Smokin’ Buds®

The Skullcandy Smokin' Buds are an affordable true-wireless option that prioritize comfort and everyday usability over audiophile-grade sound. They deliver a neutral, serviceable audio profile with a secure fit and decent battery life, though they lack premium features like noise cancellation and multipoint connectivity. Overall, they're a practical, budget-friendly choice for casual listeners who value simplicity and comfort.

  • Pro:Comfortable and secure fit for extended wear
  • Pro:Neutral sound profile suitable for most genres
  • Pro:Good battery life with 8 hours per charge and 20 total with case
  • Con:Mediocre sound quality compared to higher-end models
  • Con:No active noise cancellation or water resistance
  • Con:Lacks multipoint support and aptX codec

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

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