True Wireless
Nothing CMF Buds 2a
78Great
$42
Full review dataNothing CMF Buds 2a vs QCY MeloBuds A30: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Nothing CMF Buds 2a comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 78. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Nothing CMF Buds 2a - Great overall at around $42.
True Wireless
QCY MeloBuds A30
74Good
$25
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Nothing CMF Buds 2a
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling7.5
Battery7.0
Calls6.5
Value9.0
QCY MeloBuds A30
Sound6.5
Noise cancelling7.5
Battery8.0
Calls7.0
Value8.5
Specifications
| Spec | Nothing CMF Buds 2a | QCY MeloBuds A30 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $42 | $25 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 74 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2024 | 2026 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 12.4mm Bio-fibre | Dynamic driver |
| Driver size | 12.4 mm | 10 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 6.0 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.4 | 6.0 |
| Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Latency | - | 60 ms |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 8 h | 11 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 5 h | 6 h |
| Battery incl. case | 35.5 h | 50 h |
| Full charge time | 89 min | - |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 5.5 h | - |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| ANC type | feedforward | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | Yes | No |
| Wear detection | No | No |
| Controls | touch | touch |
| Voice assistant | Yes | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 4.28 g | - |
| Case weight | 42.75 g | 40.4 g |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IPX5 |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 4 | 8 |
| Call noise reduction | - | 8-mic noise reduction / clear calls |
| Microphone | - | Enhance vocals, reduce noise |
What reviewers said
Nothing CMF Buds 2a
The Nothing CMF Buds 2a deliver a compelling mix of solid audio performance, adaptive noise cancellation, and long battery life at a very accessible price point. They are a practical pick for budget-conscious listeners who want reliable everyday earbuds with app-based customization, though they come with some expected trade-offs in materials and features.
- Pro:Strong value for the price
- Pro:Adaptive ANC with 42 dB reduction
- Pro:Good battery life with case
- Con:Plasticky build quality
- Con:No in-ear detection
- Con:Limited codec support (AAC, SBC)
QCY MeloBuds A30
The QCY MeloBuds A30 are a budget-friendly pair of true wireless earbuds that prioritize practicality over audiophile performance, offering a well-rounded feature set for everyday listening and calls. They stand out in their price range with adaptive noise cancellation, LDAC support, Bluetooth 6.0, and solid battery life, making them a strong value pick for commuters and casual users. The sound is balanced and clear, while the eight microphones ensure reliable voice pickup for clear conversations.
- Pro:Deep and adaptive noise cancellation for the price
- Pro:LDAC codec support for high-resolution wireless audio
- Pro:Long battery life, especially with the charging case
- Con:Not tuned for critical or audiophile listening
- Con:No wireless charging or custom EQ options
- Con:Touch controls may require a learning curve
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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