Skip to content
HearWiki

Nothing CMF Buds Neo vs Xiaomi Redmi Buds 4 Lite: 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
  • Xiaomi Redmi Buds 4 Lite
HearWiki score
84
68
Sound
7.4
6.4
Noise cancelling
7.8
-
Battery
9.0
5.5
Calls
7.8
6.3
Value
9.8
7.8
Price (USD)
$22
$16

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 Buds 4 Lite (2022). The Nothing CMF Buds Neo edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds Custom EQ and Companion app.

  • CMF Buds Neo20264 yr newer
  • Redmi Buds 4 Lite2022
What differsCMF Buds NeoRedmi Buds 4 Lite

Platform

ANC type
Adaptive
None

Everyday features

Custom EQ
Yes
No
Companion app
Yes
No

Level on: USB-C.

Specifications

CMF Buds NeoRedmi Buds 4 Lite
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$22
$16
HearWiki score
84
68
Released
2026
2022
Availability
Sold new
Still sold new
Driver
12.4 mm dynamic
12 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
12.4 mm
12 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
-
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance
-
32 Ω
Bluetooth
-
5.3
Codecs
-
SBC
Multipoint pairing
-
No
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
11 h
90 h
Battery incl. case
52 h
120 h
Full charge time
10 min
90 min
Quick charge
10 min → 5.5 h
10 min → 2 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
-
3.9 g
Case weight
-
26.7 g
Water resistance
-
IP54
Foldable
-
No
Detachable cable
-
No
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Model code
-
M2231E1
Microphones
4
1
Call noise reduction
Yes
Yes
Call NR technology
-
AI 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

Xiaomi Redmi Buds 4 Lite

The Xiaomi Redmi Buds 4 Lite are ultra-affordable true wireless earbuds that prioritize practicality over performance. They offer a lightweight, IP54-rated design, Bluetooth 5.3, and a convenient touch control scheme, making them a decent pick for casual listening and commutes, though sound quality and features remain basic. Battery life is competitive for the price, with roughly five hours per charge and up to 20 hours total with the case, according to typical usage.

  • Pro:Very affordable price point
  • Pro:Lightweight and comfortable fit
  • Pro:IP54 water and dust resistance
  • Con:Sound lacks bass and can be thin
  • Con:No active noise cancellation or transparency mode
  • Con:Limited to SBC codec with no app support

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 NeoXiaomi Redmi Buds 4 Lite