Skip to content
HearWiki

Nothing CMF Buds Neo vs Tronsmart Onix Neo: 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
  • Tronsmart Onix Neo
HearWiki score
84
52
Sound
7.4
5.6
Noise cancelling
7.8
-
Battery
9.0
5.1
Calls
7.8
6.8
Value
9.8
-
Price (USD)
$22
$22

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

  • CMF Buds Neo20266 yr newer
  • Onix Neo2020
What differsCMF Buds NeoOnix Neo

Platform

ANC type
Adaptive
None

Everyday features

USB-C
Yes
No
Custom EQ
Yes
No
Companion app
Yes
No

Specifications

CMF Buds NeoOnix Neo
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$22
$22
HearWiki score
84
52
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
Impedance
-
16 Ω
Bluetooth
-
5.0
Codecs
-
AAC, aptX
Multipoint pairing
-
No
Wireless range
-
15 m
Battery life
11 h
7 h
Battery incl. case
52 h
24 h
Full charge time
10 min
50 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
No
Custom EQ
Yes
No
Wear detection
-
No
Controls
-
touch
Weight
-
3.6 g
Case weight
-
45 g
Water resistance
-
IPX5
USB-C
Yes
No
Model code
-
Tronsmart Onyx Neo
Microphones
4
-
Call noise reduction
Yes
Yes
Call NR technology
-
cVc 8.0

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

Tronsmart Onix Neo

The Tronsmart Onyx Neo is a budget-friendly true wireless option that prioritizes clear, bright audio and reliable call performance over responsiveness. While its touch controls feel unresponsive and laggy, it compensates with solid video sync and dependable voice clarity, making it a mixed bag for its price point. It offers a different sonic character than its predecessor but doesn't fully win over users seeking a polished experience.

  • Pro:Bright and clear sound quality
  • Pro:Excellent call quality
  • Pro:Good for video playback with minimal lag
  • Con:Sluggish touch controls
  • Con:Lacks overall polish
  • Con:Not an upgrade in sound over predecessor

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

Compare something else

Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.

New comparisonNothing CMF Buds NeoTronsmart Onix Neo