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Nothing CMF Buds Neo vs QCY MeloBuds N20: 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
  • QCY MeloBuds N20
HearWiki score
84
74
Sound
7.4
6.8
Noise cancelling
7.8
6.9
Battery
9.0
7.5
Calls
7.8
6.0
Value
9.8
9.0
Price (USD)
$22
$30

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?

Same generation

Both shipped in 2026. These are the same generation of hardware - nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price.

  • CMF Buds Neo2026
  • MeloBuds N202026

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

Specifications

CMF Buds NeoMeloBuds N20
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$22
$30
HearWiki score
84
74
Released
2026
2026
Availability
Sold new
Sold new
Driver
12.4 mm dynamic
13 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
12.4 mm
13 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
-
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance
-
20 Ω
Bluetooth
-
6.0
Codecs
-
SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing
-
Yes
Latency
-
68 ms
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
11 h
10 h
Battery life (ANC on)
-
7.5 h
Battery incl. case
52 h
40 h
Full charge time
10 min
-
Quick charge
10 min → 5.5 h
10 min → 2 h
Wireless charging
-
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
adaptive
adaptive
Transparency mode
-
Yes
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
Yes
Yes
Wear detection
-
Yes
Controls
-
touch
Voice assistant
-
Yes
Weight
-
4.6 g
Water resistance
-
IPX4
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Microphones
4
6
Call noise reduction
Yes
-

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

QCY MeloBuds N20

The QCY MeloBuds N20 are a budget-friendly pair of true wireless earbuds that deliver a surprisingly robust feature set, including adaptive ANC, transparency mode, and Bluetooth 6.0 with multipoint. With a 13 mm driver and 6-mic setup, they offer solid sound and call quality, plus up to 40 hours of total battery life with the charging case. They're a strong value pick for anyone seeking essential features without breaking the bank.

  • Pro:Effective adaptive noise cancellation for the price
  • Pro:Long battery life: up to 10 hours on a single charge, 40 with case
  • Pro:Bluetooth 6.0 with multipoint for seamless dual-device connection
  • Con:No wireless charging support
  • Con:Limited to SBC and AAC codecs, no aptX
  • Con:Battery life drops to 7.5 hours with ANC enabled

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 NeoQCY MeloBuds N20