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Nothing CMF Buds Neo vs QCY MeloBuds Neo (T31): 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 Neo (T31)
HearWiki score
84
66
Sound
7.4
6.4
Noise cancelling
7.8
-
Battery
9.0
5.8
Calls
7.8
5.6
Value
9.8
7.6
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?

Half a step newer

Nothing CMF Buds Neo (2026) against QCY MeloBuds Neo (T31) (2024). The Nothing CMF Buds Neo edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.

  • CMF Buds Neo20262 yr newer
  • MeloBuds Neo (T31)2024
What differsCMF Buds NeoMeloBuds Neo (T31)

Platform

ANC type
Adaptive
None

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

Specifications

CMF Buds NeoMeloBuds Neo (T31)
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$22
$30
HearWiki score
84
66
Released
2026
2024
Availability
Sold new
Still sold new
Driver
12.4 mm dynamic
10 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
12.4 mm
10 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
-
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance
-
140 Ω
Sensitivity
-
96 dB/mW
Bluetooth
-
5.3
Codecs
-
SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing
-
Yes
Latency
-
68 ms
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
11 h
7 h
Battery incl. case
52 h
24 h
Full charge time
10 min
120 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
-
No
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
Yes
Yes
Wear detection
-
No
Controls
-
touch
Voice assistant
-
Yes
Weight
-
4 g
Water resistance
-
IPX5
Foldable
-
No
Detachable cable
-
No
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Microphones
4
4
Call noise reduction
Yes
Yes
Call NR technology
-
wind reduction

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 Neo (T31)

The QCY MeloBuds Neo (T31) are budget-friendly true wireless earbuds that prioritize battery life and practical features over noise cancellation. With around 7 hours of playback per charge and 24 hours total with the case, they deliver dependable stamina for the price. Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connectivity, and a low-latency game mode make them a solid choice for everyday listening and calls.

  • Pro:Long battery life of up to 7 hours per charge and 24 hours with the case
  • Pro:Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint for seamless device switching
  • Pro:Low-latency game mode for better audio sync
  • Con:No active noise cancellation or transparency mode
  • Con:Only SBC and AAC codecs, no aptX support
  • Con:Relatively high impedance may require more power from devices

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 NeoQCY MeloBuds Neo (T31)