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Nothing CMF Buds Neo vs Tronsmart Onyx Apex: 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 7 of 7 measures.

  • Nothing CMF Buds Neo
  • Tronsmart Onyx Apex
HearWiki score
84
58
Sound
7.4
6.2
Noise cancelling
7.8
4.2
Battery
9.0
4.7
Calls
7.8
7.0
Value
9.8
-
Price (USD)
$22
$30

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 Onyx Apex (2021). The Nothing CMF Buds Neo edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid. It also adds Custom EQ and Companion app.

  • CMF Buds Neo20265 yr newer
  • Onyx Apex2021
What differsCMF Buds NeoOnyx Apex

Platform

ANC type
Adaptive
Hybrid

Everyday features

Custom EQ
Yes
No
Companion app
Yes
No

Level on: USB-C.

Specifications

CMF Buds NeoOnyx Apex
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$22
$30
HearWiki score
84
58
Released
2026
2021
Availability
Sold new
Discontinued
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
-
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance
-
32 Ω
Bluetooth
-
5.2
Codecs
-
SBC, AAC, aptX
Multipoint pairing
-
No
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
11 h
5 h
Battery incl. case
52 h
24 h
Full charge time
10 min
120 min
Quick charge
10 min → 5.5 h
10 min → 1.5 h
Wireless charging
-
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
adaptive
hybrid
Transparency mode
-
Yes
Companion app
Yes
No
Custom EQ
Yes
No
Wear detection
-
No
Controls
-
touch
Voice assistant
-
Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri
Water resistance
-
none
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Microphones
4
2
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 Onyx Apex

The Tronsmart Onyx Apex are budget-friendly true wireless earbuds with hybrid active noise cancellation, though the ANC isn't the strongest. They compensate with a usable transparency mode, solid call quality, and an engaging sound profile, making them a versatile pick for everyday listening. Priced around $30, they offer a balanced feature set including aptX support and a compact charging case.

  • Pro:Engaging and lively sound signature
  • Pro:Good call quality with dual microphones
  • Pro:Useful transparency mode for ambient awareness
  • Con:Active noise cancellation is not very effective
  • Con:No app support for customization
  • Con:No water resistance rating

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

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New comparisonNothing CMF Buds NeoTronsmart Onyx Apex