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Nothing CMF Buds Neo vs Skullcandy EcoBuds™: 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 6 of 7 measures.

  • Nothing CMF Buds Neo
  • Skullcandy EcoBuds™
HearWiki score
84
68
Sound
7.4
7.6
Noise cancelling
7.8
-
Battery
9.0
5.5
Calls
7.8
4.5
Value
9.8
7.3
Price (USD)
$22
$28

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 Skullcandy EcoBuds™ (2024). The Nothing CMF Buds Neo edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.

  • CMF Buds Neo20262 yr newer
  • EcoBuds™2024
What differsCMF Buds NeoEcoBuds™

Platform

ANC type
Adaptive
None

Level on: USB-C.

Specifications

CMF Buds NeoEcoBuds™
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$22
$28
HearWiki score
84
68
Released
2026
2024
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
-
105 dB/mW
Bluetooth
-
5.2
Codecs
-
SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing
-
No
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
11 h
8 h
Battery incl. case
52 h
-
Full charge time
10 min
-
Quick charge
10 min → 5.5 h
10 min → 2 h
Wireless charging
-
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
No
ANC type
adaptive
-
Companion app
Yes
-
Custom EQ
Yes
-
Controls
-
touch
Voice assistant
-
Yes
Weight
-
23.6 g
Water resistance
-
IPX4
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Microphones
4
2
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

Skullcandy EcoBuds™

The Skullcandy EcoBuds are an affordable, lightweight pair of true wireless earbuds that focus on delivering solid sound and core functionality without extra frills. They offer a comfortable fit, touch controls, and an IPX4 rating for sweat and splash resistance, making them a practical pick for everyday listening on a tight budget. While they lack advanced features like active noise cancellation or a companion app, their straightforward design and decent battery life provide good value for the price.

  • Pro:Solid default sound tuning for the price
  • Pro:Lightweight and comfortable fit
  • Pro:IPX4 water resistance for workouts
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:No companion app for customization
  • Con:Charging case doesn't provide extra battery on the go

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

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