True Wireless
Nothing CMF Buds Neo
84Outstanding
$22
Full review dataNothing CMF Buds Neo vs SSK BT03: 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
SSK BT03
50Average
$35
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
- SSK BT03
HearWiki score
84
50
Sound
7.4
6.3
Noise cancelling
7.8
0.0
Battery
9.0
3.0
Calls
7.8
4.5
Value
9.8
-
Price (USD)
$22
$35
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. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price. 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
- BT032019
Level on: USB-C.
Specifications
CMF Buds NeoBT03
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $22
- $35
- HearWiki score
- 84
- 50
- Released
- 2026
- 2019
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 12.4 mm dynamic
- -
- Driver type
- dynamic
- -
- Driver size
- 12.4 mm
- -
- Drivers per side
- 1
- -
- Bluetooth
- -
- 5.0
- Codecs
- -
- AAC
- Battery life
- 11 h
- 4 h
- Battery incl. case
- 52 h
- 24 h
- Full charge time
- 10 min
- -
- Quick charge
- 10 min → 5.5 h
- -
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- -
- ANC type
- adaptive
- -
- Companion app
- Yes
- -
- Custom EQ
- Yes
- -
- Controls
- -
- buttons
- Water resistance
- -
- IPX6
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Connector
- -
- USB-C
- 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
SSK BT03
The SSK BT03 is a budget true wireless earphone that delivers surprisingly energetic sound with punchy bass, a decent soundstage, and forward vocals for its price. Its design and case may feel overly bright or flashy, and the physical buttons and older Bluetooth version show its 2019 origins, but overall it offers solid audio value for around $35.
- Pro:Energetic, punchy bass response
- Pro:Forward and clear vocal presentation
- Pro:Good soundstage for the price
- Con:Design and case can look too bright or flashy
- Con:Only 4 hours of battery per charge
- Con:Physical buttons may be less convenient than touch controls
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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