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Nothing CMF Buds Neo vs OnePlus Nord Buds 2r: 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 Nord Buds 2r
HearWiki score
84
68
Sound
7.4
5.9
Noise cancelling
7.8
-
Battery
9.0
7.4
Calls
7.8
5.8
Value
9.8
8.3
Price (USD)
$22
$18

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 2r (2023). The Nothing CMF Buds Neo edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.

  • CMF Buds Neo20263 yr newer
  • Nord Buds 2r2023
What differsCMF Buds NeoNord Buds 2r

Platform

ANC type
Adaptive
None

Level on: USB-C, Custom EQ, Companion app.

Specifications

CMF Buds NeoNord Buds 2r
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$22
$18
HearWiki score
84
68
Released
2026
2023
Availability
Sold new
Still sold new
Driver
12.4 mm dynamic
12.4 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
12.4 mm
12.4 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
-
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Sound signature
-
bass-heavy
Impedance
-
16 Ω
Sensitivity
-
111 dB/mW
Bluetooth
-
5.3
Codecs
-
SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing
-
No
Latency
-
94 ms
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
11 h
8 h
Battery incl. case
52 h
38 h
Full charge time
10 min
-
Quick charge
10 min → 5.5 h
10 min → 2 h
Wireless charging
-
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
No
ANC type
adaptive
none
Transparency mode
-
Yes
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
Yes
Yes
Wear detection
-
No
Controls
-
touch
Voice assistant
-
Yes
Weight
-
4.3 g
Case weight
-
38.1 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 2r

The OnePlus Nord Buds 2r are an ultra-affordable true wireless option that deliver surprisingly robust, bass-forward audio and excellent battery endurance for the price. They skip active noise cancellation to keep costs down, but include a transparency mode, IP55 rating, and customizable EQ for a practical budget-friendly experience. While not feature-packed, they offer solid sound and long playback for everyday use.

  • Pro:Strong bass-heavy sound with large 12.4mm drivers
  • Pro:Exceptional battery life of up to 38 hours with charging case
  • Pro:Lightweight and comfortable with IP55 water resistance
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:No wireless charging or multipoint connectivity
  • Con:Basic build and feature set compared to pricier rivals

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 Nord Buds 2r