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Nothing CMF Buds Neo vs Xiaomi Redmi Buds 6: 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 Buds 6
HearWiki score
84
74
Sound
7.4
7.3
Noise cancelling
7.8
7.3
Battery
9.0
8.4
Calls
7.8
7.2
Value
9.8
8.4
Price (USD)
$22
$43

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 6 (2024). The Nothing CMF Buds Neo edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid.

  • CMF Buds Neo20262 yr newer
  • Redmi Buds 62024
What differsCMF Buds NeoRedmi Buds 6

Platform

ANC type
Adaptive
Hybrid

Level on: USB-C, Custom EQ, Companion app.

Specifications

CMF Buds NeoRedmi Buds 6
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$22
$43
HearWiki score
84
74
Released
2026
2024
Availability
Sold new
Still sold new
Driver
12.4 mm dynamic
2-driver hybrid
Driver type
dynamic
hybrid
Driver size
12.4 mm
12.4 mm
Drivers per side
1
2
Frequency response
-
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance
-
16 Ω
Bluetooth
-
5.4
Codecs
-
SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing
-
Yes
Battery life
11 h
10 h
Battery life (ANC on)
-
6.5 h
Battery incl. case
52 h
42 h
Full charge time
10 min
120 min
Quick charge
10 min → 5.5 h
10 min → 4 h
Wireless charging
-
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
adaptive
hybrid
Transparency mode
-
Yes
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
Yes
Yes
Wear detection
-
Yes
Controls
-
touch
Weight
-
5 g
Case weight
-
43.2 g
Water resistance
-
IP54
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Microphones
4
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 Buds 6

The Redmi Buds 6 are a well-rounded budget TWS option that balances features and price, offering hybrid ANC, dual-device connectivity, and long total battery life. They deliver pleasant, capable sound with a comfortable fit, though call quality and ANC performance are decent rather than outstanding. For the price, they pack a lot of value for everyday listeners.

  • Pro:Strong value for the price
  • Pro:Good hybrid ANC for the cost
  • Pro:Long battery life with case
  • Con:Call quality is not very convincing
  • Con:ANC is good but not exceptional
  • Con:Sound lacks the special character of pricier models

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

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