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Nothing CMF Buds Neo vs QCY T9S: 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 T9S
HearWiki score
84
53
Sound
7.4
5.9
Noise cancelling
7.8
-
Battery
9.0
3.4
Calls
7.8
5.9
Value
9.8
-
Price (USD)
$22
$40

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 T9S (2020). The Nothing CMF Buds Neo edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds USB-C and Custom EQ.

  • CMF Buds Neo20266 yr newer
  • T9S2020
What differsCMF Buds NeoT9S

Platform

ANC type
Adaptive
None

Everyday features

USB-C
Yes
No
Custom EQ
Yes
No

Level on: Companion app.

Specifications

CMF Buds NeoT9S
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$22
$40
HearWiki score
84
53
Released
2026
2020
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
1
Frequency response
-
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Sensitivity
-
104 dB/mW
Bluetooth
-
5.0
Codecs
-
AAC
Multipoint pairing
-
Yes
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
11 h
5 h
Battery incl. case
52 h
20 h
Full charge time
10 min
60 min
Quick charge
10 min → 5.5 h
-
Wireless charging
-
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
No
ANC type
adaptive
none
Transparency mode
-
No
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
Yes
No
Wear detection
-
No
Controls
-
touch
Voice assistant
-
Yes
Weight
-
5 g
Case weight
-
31.2 g
Water resistance
-
IPX4
Detachable cable
-
No
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 T9S

The QCY T9S are true wireless earbuds designed with sport wings for a secure fit, making them suitable for both active use and daily listening. They deliver a lively, uplifting sound profile and dependable call quality, though their feature set is basic with no noise cancellation or USB-C charging. With Bluetooth 5.0, AAC support, and multipoint connectivity, they offer solid versatility for budget-conscious buyers.

  • Pro:Secure sport-wing design for active use
  • Pro:Lively, energetic sound signature
  • Pro:Reliable call quality for conversations
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:Only 5 hours of battery per charge
  • Con:No USB-C charging port

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 T9S