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Nothing CMF Headphone Pro vs Philips Fidelio L3: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Nothing CMF Headphone Pro comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Nothing CMF Headphone Pro - Great overall at around $140.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Nothing CMF Headphone Pro
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling8.5
Battery9.5
Calls7.5
Value9.0
Philips Fidelio L3
Sound7.0
Noise cancelling6.5
Battery8.0
Calls6.0
Value7.5

Specifications

Specification comparison of Nothing CMF Headphone Pro vs Philips Fidelio L3
SpecNothing CMF Headphone ProPhilips Fidelio L3
TypeOver-EarOver-Ear
Price (USD)$140$121
HearWiki score84 / 100 · Great68 / 100 · Good
Released20252020
Audio
Driver40mm custom nickel-plated dynamic driversdynamic
Driver size40 mm40 mm
Drivers per side22
Frequency response20Hz-20kHz7 Hz - 40,000 Hz
Impedance16 Ω16 Ω
Sensitivity-103 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth5.45.1
Bluetooth version5.45.1
CodecsAAC, SBC, LDACSBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD
Multipoint pairingYesYes
Latency120 ms-
Wireless range10 m-
Battery
Battery life100 h38 h
Battery life (ANC on)50 h32 h
Full charge time120 min120 min
Quick charge5 min = 8 h10 min = 2 h
Wireless chargingNoNo
Features
Active noise cancellingYes-
ANC typehybridadaptive
Transparency modeYesYes
Companion appYesYes
Custom EQYesYes
Wear detectionYesYes
Controlsbothboth
Voice assistant-voice assistant support
Design
Weight283 g360 g
Water resistanceIPX2none
FoldableNoYes
Detachable cableYesYes
USB-CYesYes
Calls
Microphones52
Call noise reduction3-mic ENC architecturedigital echo & noise reduction

What reviewers said

Nothing CMF Headphone Pro

The CMF Headphone Pro from Nothing is a budget-friendly over-ear wireless headphone that punches well above its price point, offering a robust feature set including hybrid ANC, LDAC support, multipoint Bluetooth, and an impressive 100-hour battery life with ANC off. Its sound is lively and well-tuned for the price, while the build and controls feel solid for the cost, though some compromises exist in water resistance and EQ customization. Overall, it's a standout value pick for anyone seeking long battery life and capable noise cancellation without spending a fortune.

  • Pro:Exceptional battery life of up to 100 hours
  • Pro:Effective hybrid ANC for the price
  • Pro:Supports high-quality LDAC codec
  • Con:Basic IPX2 water resistance only
  • Con:EQ customization is limited
  • Con:Not foldable for easy portability

Philips Fidelio L3

The Philips Fidelio L3 are premium over-ear wireless headphones with hybrid active noise cancellation, offering a long 38-hour battery life (32 hours with ANC on) and support for high-quality LDAC and AAC codecs. They feature a comfortable, foldable design, multipoint Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, and a companion app with a custom EQ, making them a versatile choice for both travel and daily use at a budget-friendly price.

  • Pro:Excellent battery life, even with ANC enabled
  • Pro:Supports LDAC for high-resolution audio streaming
  • Pro:Comfortable and foldable design for portability
  • Con:No water resistance rating, so not ideal for workouts
  • Con:Heavier than some rivals at 360 grams
  • Con:Only two microphones for calls, which may be average for voice quality

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

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