Is the SoundPEATS H3 worth the upgrade from the Nothing CMF Buds 2a?
Verdict
Meaningful upgrade
The SoundPEATS H3 scores 9.6 points above the Nothing CMF Buds 2a. That's a real improvement, though not the kind you'd notice on every track. The gains are concentrated in sound (7.0 to 9.0) and noise cancelling (6.8 to 8.1). You do give up ground on battery (7.5 to 5.3) and calls (6.4 to 5.6). On paper: codecs SBC, AAC to SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC, full charge time 89 min to 60 min and drivers per side 1 to 3. That costs $104 more, or about $11 per point of score - reasonable value for the jump. Worth doing if you're replacing anyway; harder to justify as a pure upgrade if what you have still works.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound7.09.0
- Noise cancelling6.88.1
- Battery7.55.3
- Calls6.45.6
- Value8.88.5
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | CMF Buds 2a | H3 | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC | |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IPX5 | |
| Full charge time | 89 min | 60 min | |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 3 | |
| Microphones | 4 | 6 | |
| ANC type | feedforward | adaptive | |
| Quick charge | 10 min → 5.5 h | 10 min → 2 h | |
| Driver | 12.4 mm driver | 3-driver hybrid | |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20 kHz | 20 Hz - 40 kHz |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "CMF Buds 2a to H3". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across true wireless and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.