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Nothing CMF Buds Neo vs OnePlus Nord Buds: 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 7 of 7 measures.

  • Nothing CMF Buds Neo
  • OnePlus Nord Buds
HearWiki score
84
65
Sound
7.4
6.8
Noise cancelling
7.8
-
Battery
9.0
6.6
Calls
7.8
6.2
Value
9.8
-
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

Nothing CMF Buds Neo (2026) against OnePlus Nord Buds (2022). The Nothing CMF Buds Neo edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds Custom EQ and Companion app.

  • CMF Buds Neo20264 yr newer
  • Nord Buds2022
What differsCMF Buds NeoNord Buds

Platform

ANC type
Adaptive
None

Everyday features

Custom EQ
Yes
No
Companion app
Yes
No

Level on: USB-C.

Specifications

CMF Buds NeoNord Buds
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$22
$35
HearWiki score
84
65
Released
2026
2022
Availability
Sold new
Still sold new
Driver
12.4 mm dynamic
2× 12.4 mm driver
Driver type
dynamic
-
Driver size
12.4 mm
12.4 mm
Drivers per side
1
2
Frequency response
-
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Sensitivity
-
102 dB/mW
Bluetooth
-
5.2
Codecs
-
SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing
-
No
Latency
-
94 ms
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
11 h
7 h
Battery incl. case
52 h
30 h
Full charge time
10 min
-
Quick charge
10 min → 5.5 h
10 min → 5 h
Wireless charging
-
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
No
ANC type
adaptive
none
Transparency mode
-
No
Companion app
Yes
No
Custom EQ
Yes
No
Wear detection
-
No
Controls
-
touch
Voice assistant
-
Yes
Weight
-
4.8 g
Case weight
-
41.7 g
Water resistance
-
IP55
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Microphones
4
4
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 Nord Buds

The OnePlus Nord Buds are a budget-friendly true wireless option that focus on delivering balanced, enjoyable sound with solid battery life and IP55 durability. While they lack advanced features like active noise cancellation and transparency mode, they offer reliable performance for the price, making them a decent all-rounder for everyday listening.

  • Pro:Balanced and airy sound quality
  • Pro:Good battery life with charging case
  • Pro:IP55 water and dust resistance
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:Microphone performance is below average
  • Con:No on-ear volume controls

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

Compare something else

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New comparisonNothing CMF Buds NeoOnePlus Nord Buds