True Wireless
Nothing CMF Buds Neo
84Outstanding
$22
Full review dataNothing CMF Buds Neo vs QCY T17: 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 T17
64Good
$24
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 T17
HearWiki score
84
64
Sound
7.4
6.8
Noise cancelling
7.8
-
Battery
9.0
6.4
Calls
7.8
5.7
Value
9.8
5.9
Price (USD)
$22
$24
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 T17 (2021). The Nothing CMF Buds Neo edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.
- CMF Buds Neo20265 yr newer
- T172021
What differsCMF Buds NeoT17
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- None
Platform
Level on: USB-C, Custom EQ, Companion app.
Specifications
CMF Buds NeoT17
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $22
- $24
- HearWiki score
- 84
- 64
- Released
- 2026
- 2021
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 12.4 mm dynamic
- 6 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 12.4 mm
- 6 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- -
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 16 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 102 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- -
- 5.3
- Codecs
- -
- SBC, AAC
- Multipoint pairing
- -
- No
- Wireless range
- -
- 10 m
- Battery life
- 11 h
- 7.5 h
- Battery incl. case
- 52 h
- 26 h
- Full charge time
- 10 min
- 90 min
- Quick charge
- 10 min → 5.5 h
- none
- Wireless charging
- -
- Yes
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- Yes
- ANC type
- adaptive
- -
- Transparency mode
- -
- No
- Companion app
- Yes
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- Yes
- Yes
- Wear detection
- -
- No
- Controls
- -
- touch
- Voice assistant
- -
- Alexa, Siri, XiaoAI
- Weight
- -
- 4.2 g
- Case weight
- -
- 33.5 g
- Water resistance
- -
- IPX4
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Microphones
- 4
- 1
- Call noise reduction
- Yes
- Yes
- Call NR technology
- -
- 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
QCY T17
The QCY T17 are ultra-affordable true wireless earbuds that punch well above their price, offering a comfortable fit, clear V-shaped sound, and solid battery life in a compact case. They support SBC/AAC codecs, Bluetooth 5.3, and wireless charging, though they lack active noise cancellation and multipoint. With a lightweight design and touch controls, they're a practical pick for budget-conscious listeners.
- Pro:Very affordable price
- Pro:Comfortable and lightweight fit
- Pro:Clear, V-shaped sound
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:No multipoint support
- Con:Single mic limits call quality
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.