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Nothing CMF Buds Neo vs Redmi AirDots S: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Nothing CMF Buds Neo vs Redmi AirDots S, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Nothing CMF Buds Neo leads on 6 of 7 measures.

  • Nothing CMF Buds Neo
  • Redmi AirDots S
HearWiki score
84
-
Sound
7.4
-
Noise cancelling
7.8
-
Battery
9.0
-
Calls
7.8
-
Value
9.8
-
Price (USD)
$22
$14

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 Redmi AirDots S (2020). The Nothing CMF Buds Neo edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.

  • CMF Buds Neo20266 yr newer
  • AirDots S2020
What differsCMF Buds NeoAirDots S

Platform

ANC type
Adaptive
None

Specifications

CMF Buds NeoAirDots S
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$22
$14
HearWiki score
84
Not scored
Released
2026
2020
Availability
Sold new
Discontinued
Driver
12.4 mm dynamic
dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
12.4 mm
-
Drivers per side
1
1
Sound signature
-
bass-heavy
Bluetooth
-
5.0
Battery life
11 h
4 h
Battery incl. case
52 h
12 h
Full charge time
10 min
90 min
Quick charge
10 min → 5.5 h
-
Active noise cancelling
Yes
-
ANC type
adaptive
-
Companion app
Yes
-
Custom EQ
Yes
-
Water resistance
-
IPX4
USB-C
Yes
-
Model code
-
TWSEJ05LS
Microphones
4
-
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

Redmi AirDots S

These budget true wireless earbuds from Redmi deliver a punchy, bass-forward sound with a compact, secure fit. They’re built for everyday use with IPX4 sweat resistance and a charging case that extends total playtime to 12 hours, plus a low-latency game mode for better sync during mobile gaming.

  • Pro:Strong bass response for a lively sound
  • Pro:IPX4 rating protects against sweat and light rain
  • Pro:Bluetooth 5.0 for stable wireless connection
  • Con:Battery life is short at only 4 hours per charge
  • Con:No active noise cancellation for busy environments
  • Con:Charging takes 90 minutes, which is on the slower side

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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