True Wireless
Nothing CMF Buds 2a
78Great
$42
Full review dataNothing CMF Buds 2a vs Realme Buds Wireless 2: 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
Realme Buds Wireless 2
68Good
$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
Realme Buds Wireless 2
Sound6.5
Noise cancelling5.0
Battery8.0
Calls6.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Nothing CMF Buds 2a | Realme Buds Wireless 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $42 | $25 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 68 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2024 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 12.4mm Bio-fibre | 13.6mm Bass Boost Driver |
| Driver size | 12.4 mm | 13.6 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | - | 16 Ω |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.4 | 5.0 |
| Codecs | AAC, SBC | LDAC, AAC, SBC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 8 h | 22 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 5 h | 18 h |
| Battery incl. case | 35.5 h | - |
| Full charge time | 89 min | 50 min |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 5.5 h | 10 min = 12 hours (ANC off, AAC) |
| 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 | buttons |
| Voice assistant | Yes | Google Fast Pair / voice assistant support |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 4.28 g | 29 g |
| Case weight | 42.75 g | - |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IPX5 |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 4 | 1 |
| Call noise reduction | - | Vocplus AI Noise Cancellation for Calls |
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)
Realme Buds Wireless 2
The Realme Buds Wireless 2 is a budget-friendly neckband that packs impressive features like hybrid ANC, LDAC support, and multipoint connectivity for its price. It offers strong battery life, especially with ANC off, and a bass-forward sound profile, making it a solid value pick despite some compromises in noise isolation and audio delay. The companion app adds convenience, but the overall audio quality is just decent rather than exceptional.
- Pro:Long battery life, especially with ANC off
- Pro:Good value with LDAC, ANC, and multipoint support
- Pro:Comfortable neckband design with IPX5 water resistance
- Con:ANC is not very effective at blocking noise
- Con:Noticeable audio lag in some scenarios
- Con:Sound quality is average with a heavy bass focus
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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