Skip to content
HearWiki

Nothing CMF Buds Neo vs Wavefun WavePods: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Nothing CMF Buds Neo vs Wavefun WavePods, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.

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
  • Wavefun WavePods
HearWiki score
84
-
Sound
7.4
-
Noise cancelling
7.8
-
Battery
9.0
-
Calls
7.8
-
Value
9.8
-
Price (USD)
$22
$33

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 Wavefun WavePods (2023). The Nothing CMF Buds Neo edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.

  • CMF Buds Neo20263 yr newer
  • WavePods2023
What differsCMF Buds NeoWavePods

Platform

ANC type
Adaptive
None

Specifications

CMF Buds NeoWavePods
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$22
$33
HearWiki score
84
Not scored
Released
2026
2023
Availability
Sold new
Discontinued
Driver
12.4 mm dynamic
11 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
12.4 mm
11 mm
Drivers per side
1
-
Impedance
-
16 Ω
Bluetooth
-
5.3
Codecs
-
AAC
Battery life
11 h
15 h
Battery incl. case
52 h
-
Full charge time
10 min
-
Quick charge
10 min → 5.5 h
-
Active noise cancelling
Yes
No
ANC type
adaptive
-
Companion app
Yes
-
Custom EQ
Yes
-
USB-C
Yes
-
Model code
-
Wavefun XBuds
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

Wavefun WavePods

The Wavefun WavePods are budget-friendly true wireless earbuds with a secure ear-hook design, ideal for active use. They offer Bluetooth 5.3, AAC codec support, and a long 15-hour battery life, powered by 11mm dynamic drivers for punchy sound. While lacking active noise cancellation, they include a low-latency game mode for improved audio sync during gaming.

  • Pro:Secure ear-hook design for stability
  • Pro:Long 15-hour battery life
  • Pro:Bluetooth 5.3 with AAC codec support
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:Budget build quality may feel less premium
  • Con:Limited to AAC codec, no aptX or LDAC

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.