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Nothing CMF Buds Neo vs Xiaomi Redmi Airdots: 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
  • Xiaomi Redmi Airdots
HearWiki score
84
50
Sound
7.4
5.0
Noise cancelling
7.8
-
Battery
9.0
2.4
Calls
7.8
4.6
Value
9.8
-
Price (USD)
$22
$23

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 Xiaomi Redmi Airdots (2019). The Nothing CMF Buds Neo edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds USB-C and Companion app.

  • CMF Buds Neo20267 yr newer
  • Redmi Airdots2019
What differsCMF Buds NeoRedmi Airdots

Platform

ANC type
Adaptive
None

Everyday features

USB-C
Yes
No
Companion app
Yes
No

Specifications

CMF Buds NeoRedmi Airdots
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$22
$23
HearWiki score
84
50
Released
2026
2019
Availability
Sold new
Still sold new
Driver
12.4 mm dynamic
7.2 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
12.4 mm
7.2 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
-
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Sound signature
-
v-shaped
Impedance
-
16 Ω
Bluetooth
-
5.0
Codecs
-
SBC
Multipoint pairing
-
No
Battery life
11 h
4 h
Battery incl. case
52 h
15 h
Full charge time
10 min
20 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
-
Controls
-
buttons
Voice assistant
-
Google Assistant, Siri
Weight
-
4.1 g
Case weight
-
35.4 g
Water resistance
-
none
USB-C
Yes
No
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

Xiaomi Redmi Airdots

The Xiaomi Redmi Airdots are an affordable, compact pair of true wireless earbuds that prioritize style and ease of use over premium sound. They offer a comfortable fit, reliable Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, and a pocket-friendly charging case that boosts total playtime to 15 hours. While they handle video sync well and get loud, their audio tuning can feel harsh in the upper mids, and the microphone quality is below average.

  • Pro:Very affordable price
  • Pro:Compact and stylish design
  • Pro:Comfortable fit
  • Con:Sound can be fatiguing in upper mids
  • Con:Weak microphone performance
  • Con:Plasticky build

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 NeoXiaomi Redmi Airdots