Is the Edifier NeoBuds Pro 3 worth the upgrade from the Nothing CMF Buds Neo?
Verdict
Downgrade
The Edifier NeoBuds Pro 3 actually scores 6.1 points below the Nothing CMF Buds Neo, so on aggregate review consensus this is a step backwards. The gains are concentrated in sound (7.4 to 8.4) and noise cancelling (7.8 to 8.3). You do give up ground on battery (9.0 to 7.1) and value (9.8 to 9.0). On paper: water resistance (IP54), drivers per side 1 to 2 and microphones 4 to 8. Worth checking: battery life goes 11 h to 9 h and full charge time goes 10 min to 60 min. And it costs $120 more for a lower score, which is hard to justify on the data alone. Only worth it if a specific feature above matters more to you than overall quality does.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound7.48.4
- Noise cancelling7.88.3
- Battery9.07.1
- Calls7.88.0
- Value9.89.0
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | CMF Buds Neo | NeoBuds Pro 3 | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 11 h | 9 h | |
| Water resistance | Not rated | IP54 | |
| Full charge time | 10 min | 60 min | |
| Driver size | 12.4 mm | 10 mm | |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 | |
| Microphones | 4 | 8 | |
| Quick charge | 10 min → 5.5 h | 15 min → 3 h | |
| Driver | 12.4 mm dynamic | 2-driver hybrid |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "CMF Buds Neo to NeoBuds Pro 3". 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.