True Wireless
Nothing CMF Buds 2a
78Great
$42
Full review dataNothing CMF Buds 2a vs QCY MeloBuds N50: 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 N50
72Good
$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 N50
Sound7.0
Noise cancelling6.5
Battery7.0
Calls7.0
Value8.5
Specifications
| Spec | Nothing CMF Buds 2a | QCY MeloBuds N50 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $42 | $25 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 72 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2024 | 2025 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 12.4mm Bio-fibre | dynamic |
| Driver size | 12.4 mm | 12 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | No |
| Latency | - | 68 ms |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 8 h | 6 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 5 h | 4 h |
| Battery incl. case | 35.5 h | 28 h |
| Full charge time | 89 min | - |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 5.5 h | 10 min = 2 h |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| ANC type | feedforward | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Wear detection | No | No |
| Controls | touch | touch |
| Voice assistant | Yes | supported |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 4.28 g | 4 g |
| Case weight | 42.75 g | - |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IPX4 |
| USB-C | Yes | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 4 | - |
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 N50
The QCY MeloBuds N50 are budget-friendly true wireless earbuds that pack in hybrid ANC, multipoint connectivity, and clear call performance for around $25. They offer a comfortable fit, customizable touch controls, and solid battery life, making them a standout value in the affordable segment despite some compromises. While they excel at delivering core features, they face stiff competition from slightly pricier rivals that may offer better overall sound or noise isolation.
- Pro:Excellent price-to-feature ratio
- Pro:Effective hybrid ANC for the cost
- Pro:Reliable multipoint connection
- Con:Sound quality lacks refinement compared to pricier options
- Con:Battery life is moderate rather than exceptional
- Con:Plastic build feels less premium
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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