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Nothing CMF Buds Neo vs TOZO T12: 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
  • TOZO T12
HearWiki score
84
74
Sound
7.4
6.8
Noise cancelling
7.8
-
Battery
9.0
6.0
Calls
7.8
5.2
Value
9.8
9.4
Price (USD)
$22
$17

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 TOZO T12 (2021). The Nothing CMF Buds Neo edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.

  • CMF Buds Neo20265 yr newer
  • T122021
What differsCMF Buds NeoT12

Platform

ANC type
Adaptive
None

Level on: USB-C, Custom EQ, Companion app.

Specifications

CMF Buds NeoT12
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$22
$17
HearWiki score
84
74
Released
2026
2021
Availability
Sold new
Still sold new
Driver
12.4 mm dynamic
10 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
12.4 mm
10 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
-
14 Hz - 20 kHz
Bluetooth
-
5.3
Codecs
-
SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing
-
No
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
11 h
11 h
Battery incl. case
52 h
48 h
Full charge time
10 min
120 min
Quick charge
10 min → 5.5 h
-
Wireless charging
-
Yes
Active noise cancelling
Yes
No
ANC type
adaptive
none
Transparency mode
-
No
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
Yes
Yes
Wear detection
-
No
Case weight
-
37 g
Water resistance
-
IPX8
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Microphones
4
-
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

TOZO T12

The TOZO T12 offers a budget-friendly true wireless experience with a spacious, open sound signature that's easy to enjoy. It provides long playtime per charge and a robust IPX8 water resistance rating, making it a practical pick for casual listeners. While it lacks advanced features like noise cancellation or multipoint, its app support and customizable EQ add value for the price.

  • Pro:Spacious, open sound
  • Pro:Excellent IPX8 waterproofing
  • Pro:Long battery life with case
  • Con:No ANC or transparency mode
  • Con:No multipoint connectivity
  • Con:Basic codec support

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

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