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Nothing CMF Buds 2 vs Xiaomi Redmi AirDots 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 6 of 7 measures.

  • Nothing CMF Buds 2
  • Xiaomi Redmi AirDots 3
HearWiki score
82
53
Sound
7.7
4.3
Noise cancelling
7.8
-
Battery
8.8
6.0
Calls
6.5
5.0
Value
9.4
-
Price (USD)
$37
$26

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

Nothing CMF Buds 2 (2025) against Xiaomi Redmi AirDots 3 (2021). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the Nothing CMF Buds 2 brings Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.2 and ANC type Hybrid against None, while the Xiaomi Redmi AirDots 3 answers with Top codec aptX Adaptive against AAC. The Nothing CMF Buds 2 answers on convenience features: it adds Multipoint pairing, Transparency mode, Custom EQ and Companion app.

  • CMF Buds 220254 yr newer
  • Redmi AirDots 32021
What differsCMF Buds 2Redmi AirDots 3

Platform

Bluetooth
5.4
5.2
Top codec
AAC
aptX Adaptive
ANC type
Hybrid
None

Everyday features

Multipoint pairing
Yes
No
Transparency mode
Yes
No
Custom EQ
Yes
No
Companion app
Yes
No
Water resistance
IP55
IPX4

Level on: USB-C, Wear detection.

Specifications

CMF Buds 2Redmi AirDots 3
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$37
$26
HearWiki score
82
53
Released
2025
2021
Availability
Sold new
Still sold new
Driver
11 mm driver
9 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
11 mm
9 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance
-
16 Ω
Bluetooth
5.4
5.2
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive
Multipoint pairing
Yes
No
Latency
110 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
30 h
Full charge time
93 min
90 min
Quick charge
10 min → 4 h
5 min → 1.5 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
Yes
Controls
touch
touch
Voice assistant
Yes
Yes
Weight
4.5 g
4.6 g
Case weight
41.5 g
51 g
Water resistance
IP55
IPX4
Foldable
-
No
Detachable cable
-
No
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Microphones
6
1

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

Xiaomi Redmi AirDots 3

The Xiaomi Redmi AirDots 3 offer a long 7-hour battery life per charge and 30 hours with the case, plus solid Bluetooth 5.2 and aptX Adaptive support. While they mark an improvement over earlier models with USB-C charging, their larger fit, limited touch controls, and sound tuned more for speech than music make them a tough sell at their price point.

  • Pro:Long 7-hour single charge battery life
  • Pro:USB-C charging for convenience
  • Pro:Supports aptX Adaptive for better wireless audio
  • Con:Bulky case and earbuds compared to predecessors
  • Con:Limited touch controls
  • Con:Sound quality leans toward podcasts, not music

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

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