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Nothing CMF Buds Neo vs OnePlus Buds Ace 3: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Nothing CMF Buds Neo comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Nothing CMF Buds Neo - Outstanding overall at around $22.

Score breakdown

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

Nothing CMF Buds Neo leads on 6 of 7 measures.

  • Nothing CMF Buds Neo
  • OnePlus Buds Ace 3
HearWiki score
84
64
Sound
7.4
6.6
Noise cancelling
7.8
7.0
Battery
9.0
9.0
Calls
7.8
7.0
Value
9.8
8.4
Price (USD)
$22
$35

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?

Half a step newer

Both shipped in 2026. The Nothing CMF Buds Neo edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid. It also adds Custom EQ and Companion app.

  • CMF Buds Neo2026
  • Buds Ace 32026
What differsCMF Buds NeoBuds Ace 3

Platform

ANC type
Adaptive
Hybrid

Everyday features

Custom EQ
Yes
No
Companion app
Yes
No

Level on: USB-C.

Specifications

CMF Buds NeoBuds Ace 3
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$22
$35
HearWiki score
84
64
Released
2026
2026
Availability
Sold new
Sold new
Driver
12.4 mm dynamic
12 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
12.4 mm
12 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Bluetooth
-
5.3
Codecs
-
SBC, AAC, LHDC
Multipoint pairing
-
Yes
Latency
-
47 ms
Battery life
11 h
13 h
Battery life (ANC on)
-
6.5 h
Battery incl. case
52 h
54 h
Full charge time
10 min
90 min
Quick charge
10 min → 5.5 h
5 min → 10 h
Wireless charging
-
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
adaptive
hybrid
Transparency mode
-
Yes
Companion app
Yes
No
Custom EQ
Yes
No
Wear detection
-
No
Controls
-
touch
Weight
-
4.8 g
Case weight
-
34.2 g
Water resistance
-
IP55
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Model code
-
OnePlus Buds 3
Microphones
4
3
Call noise reduction
Yes
Yes
Call NR technology
-
AI ENC

What reviewers said

Nothing CMF Buds Neo

The CMF Buds Neo deliver impressive value for around $22, combining a punchy, bass-forward sound with surprisingly effective adaptive ANC and marathon battery life of up to 52 hours with the case. They offer a comfortable, lightweight fit, app support with a custom EQ, and quick charging, though some premium conveniences like wear detection are absent. Overall, they stand out as a top budget TWS option for listeners who prioritize bass, battery, and noise cancellation over extra features.

  • Pro:Strong bass-heavy sound with good volume
  • Pro:Effective adaptive ANC for the price
  • Pro:Excellent battery life (up to 52h with case)
  • Con:No wear detection sensor
  • Con:Finicky touch controls at times
  • Con:No physical pairing button on the buds

OnePlus Buds Ace 3

The OnePlus Buds Ace 3 are budget-friendly true wireless earbuds that pack in hybrid active noise cancellation, a 12mm dynamic driver, and support for LHDC for higher-quality audio. They offer a long total battery life of 54 hours with the case, Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint, and touch controls, making them a solid value pick for everyday use and gaming thanks to a low-latency mode. With IP55 water resistance and a lightweight build, they're designed to be durable and comfortable for extended wear.

  • Pro:Strong hybrid ANC for the price
  • Pro:Excellent total battery life with charging case
  • Pro:Supports LHDC codec for high-res audio
  • Con:No wireless charging support
  • Con:No companion app or custom EQ
  • Con:Battery life drops significantly with ANC on

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 NeoOnePlus Buds Ace 3