CMF Buds 2 and Buds 2 Plus Review: These Sub-3k Earbuds Sound Like Premium Audio

CMF by Nothing has made a bold statement with its latest audio launches alongside the Phone 2 Pro - the Buds 2 and Buds 2 Plus. Priced aggressively at ₹2,299 and ₹2,999 respectively, these TWS earbuds are aimed squarely at budget-conscious users who don't want to compromise on quality.

In a segment overflowing with specs-heavy but inconsistent performers, CMF's clean design and focus on tuning stand out. But beyond the surface, what do these earbuds offer - and more importantly, how do they perform across real-world scenarios like gym use, work calls, and streaming marathons? We tested both models extensively to find out.

PROS

• 60-hour battery (10 hours per charge)
• Spatial audio support
• Smart Adaptive ANC (50dB)
• 6-mic setup with wind reduction
• Custom 3-band EQ
• Good call quality

CONS

• Not best for gaming
• Subtle spatial audio differences

Design and Build: Subtle But Smart

There's a shared DNA running through both models - understated design, minimal branding, and ergonomic form. The Buds 2 come in a compact matte-finished case with a pill-like silhouette. It's lightweight, pocketable, and opens with a satisfying snap. The earbuds themselves are small, with short stems and an in-ear design that stays snug during workouts and long calls.

The Buds 2 Plus takes the same chassis and refines it further. The lid hinge feels sturdier, and the overall texture has a bit more polish. Both offer IP55 certification, which is more than enough for sweaty gym sessions or light drizzles. Even during a particularly long outdoor jog, the earbuds stayed firm and showed no signs of water-related hiccups.

Despite their price, nothing about the build feels cheap. In fact, for many users, these will look indistinguishable from earbuds costing twice as much. And even among the two, you won't know which one is the pricier variant as both look very similar except for the dial that is glossy on the Buds 2 and slightly metallic on the Plus. I personally like the glossy one more, and there's no reason for that.

Sound Quality: A Tale of Two Tunings

The CMF Buds 2 are surprisingly competent for their segment. Equipped with 11mm dynamic drivers and tuned with Dirac Opteo technology, they deliver a clean, balanced output. Vocals are crisp, mids are clear, and the bass - while not overpowering - is controlled and present. In acoustic and classical tracks, the separation is noticeable. There's a sense of clarity that makes these a pleasure to use for long music sessions or casual YouTube streaming.

Where the Buds 2 sound neutral and safe, the Buds 2 Plus push further. With the same 11mm drivers, but better processing and support for spatial audio, these earbuds offer a wider soundstage and deeper bass. While testing with high-quality tracks on Apple Music and Spotify, the difference was clear - instruments felt more distinct, low-end had more punch, and overall energy was higher. The Dirac tuning is retained, but the Plus benefits from additional tuning layers and enhanced codec optimization.

This difference becomes even more pronounced during video content. Watching Dolby Atmos-supported Netflix titles or playing fast-paced mobile games, the Buds 2 Plus offered a sense of directional audio that felt immersive, while the Buds 2 felt a little flatter in comparison. Let me also clarify that while this might read like there's a significant difference, I'd still say a layman might not spot them as I did. For their price, both are pretty solid sounding earbuds, but if you care for extra details, spend a little more and go for the Plus.

ANC and Call Quality: Surprisingly Capable, with a Clear Winner

Both models support Active Noise Cancellation - an increasingly common feature even in budget TWS. The Buds 2 claim up to 42dB of noise cancellation. In practice, they suppress low-frequency hums effectively - think air conditioners, fans, or low traffic rumble - but struggle with higher-pitched or dynamic sounds like people chatting or horns blaring. Still, for the price, the ANC is functional and useful for daily commutes.

The Buds 2 Plus are a significant upgrade here. Featuring Adaptive ANC up to 50dB and a six-microphone setup with Wind Noise Reduction 3.0, these earbuds intelligently adjust to your surroundings. In our testing, walking from a quiet office to a busy road triggered subtle shifts in the noise-cancellation profile. Calls were clearer, background noise suppression was more aggressive, and the wind filtering genuinely helped during outdoor use.

If you frequently take calls outdoors or in noisy cafés, the Buds 2 Plus are the better bet. They're not just quieter - they're smarter.

Battery Life: One of the Best in Class

Battery performance is where CMF makes another strong case for itself. The Buds 2 offer up to 8 hours of playback on a single charge, and the case bumps this up to around 40 hours. In real-world use - mixed between ANC on/off, calls, and music - we managed about 6.5 to 7 hours per charge, which is still excellent for the segment.

The Buds 2 Plus raises the bar even further. With up to 10 hours on a single charge (ANC off) and 60 hours total with the case, they comfortably lasted an entire week with heavy use. A standout feature is the fast-charging support - a 10-minute charge can deliver nearly 7-8 hours of use, which is perfect for those who always forget to charge their gear before heading out.

Neither case supports wireless charging - a feature still rare in this price bracket - but the USB-C port ensures quick top-ups.

Smart Features and App Support: Same Foundation, Different Experiences

Both earbuds use the Nothing X app, available on Android and iOS. The app offers a clean, intuitive interface where users can update firmware, adjust touch controls, and switch between EQ presets.

The Buds 2 keep it simple. You get basic customization options - preset equalizers, tap gesture remapping, and toggle for ANC or transparency mode.

The Buds 2 Plus unlock more. A 3-band customizable EQ lets you fine-tune the sound. There's also a hearing test feature that personalizes the output based on your hearing sensitivity - an underrated feature that genuinely makes a difference for those with mild hearing variations between ears. The Plus also gives you more control over ANC settings, including toggling Adaptive ANC and spatial audio.

This layered experience gives the Plus a clear edge for users who like to tinker or want a more tailored audio setup.

Use Cases: How Do They Hold Up Across Real Life?

During almost a month of testing, both earbuds were put through common day-to-day use cases.

For workouts, both performed well - snug fit, water resistance, and lightweight design meant they stayed put and didn't cause ear fatigue. However, the Buds 2 Plus felt slightly better during treadmill runs due to their improved passive noise isolation.

For video streaming, the Plus again delivered a better experience - the spatial audio provided a wider, more engaging soundstage during movies and shows.

Gaming was decent on both, though not exceptional. There's noticeable latency on the Buds 2 in fast-paced titles like BGMI, while the Plus offered better response times - likely due to a more efficient Bluetooth chipset. Still, neither of these are marketed as low-latency gaming buds.

For calls, especially in noisy outdoor settings, the Buds 2 Plus clearly outperformed its sibling. Voices sounded clearer, with less background interference, and callers reported better clarity overall.

The Competition: How Do They Compare?

In the sub-₹4,000 range, the competition is fierce. Realme's Buds Air 5 offers strong ANC and similar tuning but doesn't match CMF's app polish. OnePlus Nord Buds 2 have great bass but are locked into the OnePlus ecosystem for key features like Dolby Atmos. Boat's Airdopes lineup offers attractive pricing and app control but often lacks tuning finesse.

The CMF Buds 2 hold their ground well as a neutral, clean-sounding daily driver. But the Buds 2 Plus manages to edge out rivals by offering smarter ANC, longer battery life, better tuning, and a more complete user experience - all without locking features behind a brand ecosystem.

Verdict: Which One Deserves Your Money?

Both earbuds are thoughtfully designed, tuned with care, and backed by a brand that seems genuinely interested in doing more than slapping specs on a box. The CMF Buds 2 is a no-brainer for users who want a clean, reliable experience at a budget price. It doesn't try to do too much - and that works in its favor.

But if you can stretch your budget by ₹700, the Buds 2 Plus is easily one of the most well-rounded earbuds in the under-₹4K category right now. From richer sound and smarter ANC to longer battery and personalized audio, it just feels like a more complete product - the kind that's designed not just to compete, but to lead.