True Wireless
Nothing CMF Buds Neo
84Outstanding
$22
Full review dataNothing CMF Buds Neo vs QCY QS1: 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.
True Wireless
QCY QS1
50Weak
$32
Full review dataScore 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 QS1
HearWiki score
84
50
Sound
7.4
6.4
Noise cancelling
7.8
-
Battery
9.0
3.0
Calls
7.8
3.8
Value
9.8
-
Price (USD)
$22
$32
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
The Nothing CMF Buds Neo is 7 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. The platform is level; the newer hardware shows up in convenience features instead - the Nothing CMF Buds Neo adds USB-C. For 7 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- CMF Buds Neo20267 yr newer
- QS12019
What differsCMF Buds NeoQS1
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
Everyday features
Specifications
CMF Buds NeoQS1
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $22
- $32
- HearWiki score
- 84
- 50
- Released
- 2026
- 2019
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 12.4 mm dynamic
- 6 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 12.4 mm
- 6 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- -
- Frequency response
- -
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 32 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 108 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- -
- 5.0
- Codecs
- -
- SBC, AAC
- Multipoint pairing
- -
- No
- Wireless range
- -
- 10 m
- Battery life
- 11 h
- 4 h
- Battery incl. case
- 52 h
- 20 h
- Full charge time
- 10 min
- 120 min
- Quick charge
- 10 min → 5.5 h
- -
- Wireless charging
- -
- No
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- Yes
- ANC type
- adaptive
- -
- Companion app
- Yes
- -
- Custom EQ
- Yes
- -
- Controls
- -
- buttons
- Weight
- -
- 4.3 g
- Water resistance
- -
- none
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
- Microphones
- 4
- 1
- 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 QS1
The QCY QS1 is a budget-friendly pair of true wireless earbuds that delivers solid audio performance for the price, especially with AAC support for iPhone users. It includes active noise cancellation, though battery life is modest at 4 hours per charge, with the case extending total playtime to 20 hours. Physical buttons and a lightweight build make them a practical, no-frills option for those seeking an inexpensive wireless listening experience.
- Pro:Good value for the price
- Pro:AAC codec support for better iPhone audio
- Pro:Active noise cancellation included
- Con:Short battery life without case (4 hours)
- Con:No USB-C or wireless charging
- Con:No water resistance rating
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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