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Nothing CMF Buds Neo vs Xiaomi Redmi Buds 8 Active: 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 8 Active
HearWiki score
84
73
Sound
7.4
6.5
Noise cancelling
7.8
-
Battery
9.0
7.5
Calls
7.8
6.5
Value
9.8
9.0
Price (USD)
$22
$34

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

Both shipped in 2026. The Nothing CMF Buds Neo edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.

  • CMF Buds Neo2026
  • Redmi Buds 8 Active2026
What differsCMF Buds NeoRedmi Buds 8 Active

Platform

ANC type
Adaptive
None

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

Specifications

CMF Buds NeoRedmi Buds 8 Active
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$22
$34
HearWiki score
84
73
Released
2026
2026
Availability
Sold new
Sold new
Driver
12.4 mm dynamic
14.2 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
12.4 mm
14.2 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
-
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance
-
32 Ω
Bluetooth
-
5.4
Codecs
-
SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing
-
Yes
Battery life
11 h
37 h
Battery incl. case
52 h
-
Full charge time
10 min
-
Quick charge
10 min → 5.5 h
10 min → 2 h
Wireless charging
-
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
No
ANC type
adaptive
-
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
Yes
Yes
Controls
-
touch
Water resistance
-
IP54
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Microphones
4
4
Call noise reduction
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 8 Active

The Xiaomi Redmi Buds 8 Active are budget-friendly semi-in-ear true wireless earbuds featuring a 14.2mm dynamic driver, Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint, and touch controls. They offer a long 37-hour total battery life with the case, IP54 water resistance, and app-based EQ customization, though they lack active noise cancellation. With dual-mic AI call noise reduction and quick charging, they're a solid pick for everyday use on a tight budget.

  • Pro:Long 37-hour total battery life
  • Pro:Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint for seamless switching
  • Pro:Lightweight semi-in-ear design with IP54 sweat resistance
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:No wireless charging support
  • Con:SBC and AAC codecs only, no aptX or LDAC

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 Buds 8 Active