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Nothing CMF Buds 2a vs SoundPEATS H3: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the SoundPEATS H3 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: SoundPEATS H3 - Outstanding overall at around $130.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Nothing CMF Buds 2a leads on 4 of 7 measures.

  • Nothing CMF Buds 2a
  • SoundPEATS H3
HearWiki score
75
84
Sound
7.0
9.0
Noise cancelling
6.8
8.1
Battery
7.5
5.3
Calls
6.4
5.6
Value
8.8
8.5
Price (USD)
$26
$130

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

SoundPEATS H3 (2026) against Nothing CMF Buds 2a (2024). The SoundPEATS H3 is the newer platform here: Top codec aptX Lossless against AAC and ANC type Adaptive against Feed-forward. The Nothing CMF Buds 2a answers on convenience features: it adds Water resistance IP54 against IPX5.

  • CMF Buds 2a2024
  • H320262 yr newer
What differsCMF Buds 2aH3

Platform

Top codec
AAC
aptX Lossless
ANC type
Feed-forward
Adaptive

Everyday features

Water resistance
IP54
IPX5

Level on: Bluetooth, Multipoint pairing, USB-C.

Specifications

CMF Buds 2aH3
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$26
$130
HearWiki score
75
84
Released
2024
2026
Availability
Still sold new
Sold new
Driver
12.4 mm driver
3-driver hybrid
Driver type
-
hybrid
Driver size
12.4 mm
12 mm
Drivers per side
1
3
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance
-
28 Ω
Bluetooth
5.4
5.4
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Battery life
8 h
-
Battery life (ANC on)
5 h
-
Battery incl. case
35.5 h
37 h
Full charge time
89 min
60 min
Quick charge
10 min → 5.5 h
10 min → 2 h
Wireless charging
No
-
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
feedforward
adaptive
Transparency mode
Yes
-
Companion app
Yes
-
Custom EQ
Yes
-
Wear detection
No
-
Controls
touch
touch
Voice assistant
Yes
-
Weight
4.3 g
6 g
Case weight
42.8 g
-
Water resistance
IP54
IPX5
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Microphones
4
6
Call noise reduction
-
Yes
Call NR technology
-
cVc 8.0

What reviewers said

Nothing CMF Buds 2a

The CMF Buds 2a are budget-friendly true wireless earbuds that deliver solid audio performance, effective feedforward noise cancellation, and a host of practical features like multipoint connectivity and app-based EQ tuning. While the build feels a bit plasticky and some extras are missing, they offer exceptional value for the price, making them a top pick for cost-conscious shoppers.

  • Pro:Excellent value for the price
  • Pro:Strong sound with customizable EQ
  • Pro:Effective ANC for the cost
  • Con:Plasticky build quality
  • Con:No wireless charging
  • Con:Lacks in-ear detection

SoundPEATS H3

The SoundPEATS H3 are hybrid triple-driver true wireless earbuds that deliver impressive, detailed audio with strong adaptive noise cancellation, making them a standout value for music-focused listeners. They support a wide range of high-quality codecs, multipoint connectivity, and a compact, sport-friendly design, though battery life and call quality are not their strongest suits. Overall, they punch well above their price point in sonic performance while making some compromises in comfort and usability.

  • Pro:Excellent sound quality with precise bass and clear treble
  • Pro:Adaptive ANC performs well for the price
  • Pro:Supports aptX Lossless and LDAC codecs
  • Con:Battery life is below average, especially with ANC on
  • Con:Call quality is mediocre
  • Con:Comfort and passive isolation may not suit all ears

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

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New comparisonNothing CMF Buds 2aSoundPEATS H3