
Nothing CMF Buds 2a vs Xiaomi Redmi Buds 4: 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.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Specifications
| Spec | Nothing CMF Buds 2a | Xiaomi Redmi Buds 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $42 | $30 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 68 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2024 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 12.4mm Bio-fibre | 10mm dynamic driver |
| Driver size | 12.4 mm | 10 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | - | 32 Ω |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.4 | 5.2 |
| Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | No |
| 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 | 30 h |
| Full charge time | 89 min | 90 min |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 5.5 h | 5 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| ANC type | feedforward | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | Yes | - |
| Companion app | Yes | - |
| Custom EQ | Yes | - |
| Wear detection | No | - |
| Controls | touch | - |
| Voice assistant | Yes | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 4.28 g | 55 g |
| Case weight | 42.75 g | 50.5 g |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IP54 |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Model code | - | Redmi Buds 4 |
| 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)
Xiaomi Redmi Buds 4
The Xiaomi Redmi Buds 4 are an affordable pair of true wireless earbuds that deliver solid audio performance and effective noise cancellation for the price. They offer a comfortable fit, reliable call quality, and a total battery life of around 30 hours with the charging case. While they lack some premium conveniences like wireless charging or multi-device pairing, they remain a strong budget-friendly choice for everyday listening.
- Pro:Effective active noise cancellation for the price
- Pro:Comfortable and secure fit for extended wear
- Pro:Clear call quality and strong transparency mode
- Con:No wireless charging support
- Con:Lacks multi-device Bluetooth pairing
- Con:Battery life per charge is modest at 6 hours
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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