CMF Buds 2 vs CMF Buds 2 Plus: Which Budget Earbud Comes Out on Top?

If you’re on the hunt for true wireless earbuds that don’t burn a hole in your pocket but bring premium features, chances are you’ve come across CMF by Nothing. Their latest launches, the CMF Buds 2 and CMF Buds 2 Plus, have generated plenty of buzz in the affordable audio scene. As someone who’s skeptical of lofty claims but always excited about bang-for-your-buck gadgets, I spent a few weeks with both. Here’s my in-depth, honest take on how they compare, what shines, and what might make you cringe or cheer.

Table of Content

First Impressions: Design & Comfort

Both buds look strikingly similar at first glance. They carry CMF’s signature playful aesthetic—squared-off yet stem-style, a bit reminiscent of classic AirPods, but with a dash of boldness. The build feels solid for the price, with a smooth matte finish on both earbuds and cases. They’re lightweight, pocketable, and stay comfortably in the ear even during longer listening sessions.

• Colorways: The Buds 2 Plus sports options like Light Grey and Blue, while the Buds 2 comes in Dark Grey, Light Green, and Orange—a flash for every personality.
• Water Resistance: Both pack IP55 protection, so you can wear them confidently during sweaty runs or rainy commutes.
• Comfort: No issues with comfort for me, even after three-hour podcasts or extended playlists. They stay put during light workouts, though the fit might not be ideal for the most vigorous gym-goers.

Features at a Glance

Let’s lay out the core features side by side:

Audio Quality: Sound Signatures, Customization, and Pros & Cons

CMF Buds 2: The Value All-Rounder

The Buds 2 are tuned for a punchy, bass-forward experience—but not to the point where the lows swallow everything else. Thanks to the 11mm drivers and Dirac Opteo tuning, you get a surprisingly rich soundstage for this price segment. The bass is tight, the mids stay clear (unless you crank that bass up too high), and the highs have enough sparkle for pop, Bollywood, and podcasts alike.

• Ultra Bass Mode: Toggle this in the app and your playlist turns into a mobile rave—great for bass lovers, but can get overbearing.
• Clarity: Vocals and acoustic sections are handled well, but delicate instrument separation is not their strong point. If you crave absolute detail, you’ll want to look elsewhere.
• Spatial Audio: It’s fun, widening the listening experience, though results depend on the song. Sometimes it can push vocals too far back, so I left it off for most uses.

Cons: No LDAC support, which is worth noting if you’re an audiophile looking for high-res streaming. Also, caller voice quality is good 90% of the time, but struggles a bit in chaotic, noisy environments.

CMF Buds 2 Plus: A Step Up, or Sideways?

The Buds 2 Plus raise the game with 12mm LCP drivers and LDAC for Hi-Res Audio. The difference? You get a bit more depth, better instrument separation, and richer presence—especially if you have access to LDAC-enabled devices and high-bitrate tracks.

• Bass & Soundstage: The bass is more controlled than the standard Buds 2, with mids and highs cleaner and less prone to muddying. The “Classical” EQ preset on the Nothing X app made the biggest difference for me, dialing things into a more natural vibe.
• Personal Sound Profile: This Audiodo-powered feature gives you a hearing test and tailors audio to your specific ears. It’s not a gimmick—when done in a quiet place, it genuinely sweetens the sound, boosting faint details.
• App Experience: Both models use the same Nothing X app, but only Plus lets you save these custom profiles.

Cons: On default settings, the Plus buds can come off a little heavy-handed with bass in the “Pop” mode, and, ironically, the clarity advantage diminishes. Sometimes simplicity—the balanced, out-of-the-box tuning on the Buds 2—is more satisfying for everyday listeners.

Noise Cancellation & Transparency: How Much Peace Can You Buy?

• CMF Buds 2: Packs 48dB ANC—these easily cut out static hums of ACs, bus engines, and chatter, but don’t expect total silence on planes or in loud traffic. Adaptive mode is a plus, but results vary depending on your environment.
• CMF Buds 2 Plus: Nudges the ANC up to 50dB hybrid (wider frequency range), with adaptive and transparency modes. In normal city commutes, the difference felt subtle—slightly better at eliminating mid-frequency noise, but in very noisy spots neither is a match for true flagship ANC.

Both have transparency modes, important when cycling or needing to hear train announcements—these do their job, though the sound isn’t “invisible” as in top-tier buds.

Battery Life: Forget the Charger

Both models absolutely crush their competition when it comes to battery:

• Buds 2 Plus: Up to 14 hours per charge (buds only) with ANC off, and a whopping 61.5 hours total with the case.
• Buds 2: Very close, at 13.5 hours per charge and 55 hours with the case.

Quick charging is super convenient: 10 minutes in case gets you over 7 hours (Buds 2) or 8.5 hours (Buds 2 Plus) of playback—a rare find in this price range.

Call Quality & Connectivity

Both sets include six HD mics and are equipped with Clear Voice Technology and Wind Noise Reduction. Calls indoors were consistently crisp; outdoors, background noise was reduced but not fully gone. For most daily calls and Zoom meetings, both sufficed.

Connectivity was rock solid via Bluetooth 5.4. Fast Pair and dual-device pairing worked perfectly. No dropouts or lag during video calls or while gaming, and both offer a low-latency mode if you’re a mobile gamer.

The Everyday Experience

Pocketability: Both charging cases are compact and light—easy to slip into jeans or a small purse.

Ease of Use: Pairing is instant, controls are responsive, and the Nothing X app is surprisingly robust for something “budget.” Custom EQ, ANC settings, firmware updates—all easily managed.

Durability: IP55 rating handled sweat, dust, and a few light splashes without any issues. After three weeks of hard use, no scuffs or performance drop-offs to report.

Who Should Buy Which?

Go for CMF Buds 2 if:

• You want balanced sound with strong (but not overwhelming) bass.
• LDAC/Hi-Res isn’t a dealbreaker (Spotify, YouTube Music users especially).
• Your budget is tight but you demand leading features for the price.

Opt for CMF Buds 2 Plus if:

• You stream high-resolution audio or want the very best possible sound for your money.
• Personalized sound tuning matters to you.
• You’re a battery life enthusiast or plan to travel often, needing every last hour.

Final Verdict

For the price, both models are standouts in the sea of affordable TWS earbuds. The CMF Buds 2 will make most users totally happy—solid sound, legitimate ANC, fantastic battery life. The Buds 2 Plus throw in a little extra—LDAC for hi-res streaming, more customization, and a tiny bump in ANC and battery, making them a great pick for audio geeks or frequent commuters.

Neither is perfect—mic quality in chaotic places and the odd heavy-handed bass can disappoint. But for their respective prices, they are among the best value buys you’ll find right now.

So, whether you’re snagging your first wireless earbuds or want a feature-loaded backup pair, both the CMF Buds 2 and Buds 2 Plus deliver far more than you’d ever expect for the price.