CMF Buds 2 & Buds 2 Plus Review: Budget options that look cool and sound great

The Hindu

19-05-2025

Recently we saw that Nothing extended its CMF family with the launch of the CMF Phone 2 Pro. Alongside the phone, the company also introduced two new audio products — CMF Buds 2 and CMF Buds 2 Plus — clearly aiming to shake up the budget TWS space with solid features and a distinctive CMF touch. The CMF Buds 2 are priced at ₹2,699 while the Buds 2 Plus retail at ₹3,299, making them two of the most competitive wireless earbuds in their segment right now.
These earbuds are cut from the same design cloth but tuned to appeal to slightly different use cases— the Buds 2 being more straightforward and the Buds 2 Plus offering more polish and power. Let's break down how they perform in the real-world and where they hit—or miss—their marks.
Design
Both CMF Buds 2 and Buds 2 Plus carry the signature CMF design DNA — minimalist, modern, and thoughtfully crafted. The charging cases are compact yet stylish, featuring a mix of matte finishes and transparent dial wraps that give them a distinct, almost industrial flair. The Buds 2 Plus get extra polish with a soft-touch coating and sandblasted metal accents, while the Buds 2 lean more towards a clean, matte aesthetic with subtle metallic touches. In the hand, both cases feel premium — solid enough to toss into a bag or pocket without worry.
The earbuds themselves are lightweight, ergonomically shaped, and fit securely without causing fatigue. Even during long listening sessions or calls, the buds sit comfortably in-ear, which is ideal for workouts or commutes. Whether you're on a run or in a meeting, the fit remains snug without that typical in-ear pressure.
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Control-wise, both models come with responsive touch panels. A double tap skips tracks or answers calls, a triple tap takes you back, and a tap & hold toggles between ANC and Transparency Mode. The gestures work well, and for those who like customisation, the Nothing X app offers options to remap them to your liking.
In terms of durability, Nothing has done a commendable job. The earbuds are IP55-rated, making them resistant to sweat, dust, and the occasional splash — perfect for gym use or unpredictable weather. The charging cases have an IPX2 rating, which isn't waterproof but will survive minor drizzles or moisture exposure. Overall, both earbuds are built to handle daily wear and tear with confidence.
Connectivity
Both Buds 2 and Buds 2 Plus come with Bluetooth 5.4 and support Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair, ensuring a fast and frictionless connection experience. Pairing is as simple as opening the case near your phone — modern and intuitive, just as it should be in 2025.
With dual-device pairing, you can seamlessly switch between your phone and laptop, which is a huge convenience for multitaskers. We had no connection drops in our usage, and the 10-meter range held strong even through a couple of walls indoors.
Gamers will appreciate the Low Lag Mode, especially when used with a Nothing Phone, where latency drops to under 105 ms (Buds 2 Plus) and 110 ms (Buds 2).
Smart Features
With the Nothing X app, available on both Android and iOS, users get access to a host of useful features. You can customise EQ settings, remap touch controls, switch ANC modes, locate your earbuds, and apply software updates. Both earbuds also come with in-ear detection, so playback auto-pauses when you remove them, and resumes when you put them back in.
Also notable are the 'Find My Earbuds' feature — handy for the forgetful crowd — and LED status indicators on the case for quick battery checks.
Sound Quality
Sound quality is where these earbuds impress, especially for their price point. The CMF Buds 2 feature an 11mm PMI driver tuned with Dirac Opteo, delivering clean mids, deep bass, and well-separated highs. Music feels open, and vocals come through crisp, with Ultra Bass Technology 2.0 adding low-end punch without muddying the mix.
Step up to the Buds 2 Plus, and you get a slightly wider and more detailed soundstage. The 12mm LCP driver combined with LDAC support and Nothing's custom tuning brings Hi-Res Audio into the mix. If you're someone who streams lossless or high-bitrate audio, the Plus variant definitely shines brighter with more dynamic range and clarity.
Both models support Spatial Audio Effect, using HRTF (Head-Related Transfer Function) to simulate immersive 3D audio. While not as refined as what you might find on premium flagship earbuds, it adds depth when watching content or gaming.
ANC
On the ANC front, both buds pack in solid noise-cancelling chops. Buds 2 Plus offer up to 50dB hybrid ANC with Smart Adaptive Mode, while Buds 2 come close with 48dB hybrid ANC and Environmental Adaptive ANC. Both also support Transparency Mode for ambient listening when you need to stay aware.
In practice, I will say that in its range, the ANC on both earbuds is quite good. However, there is a small but consistent issue across both models: when ANC is turned on but no audio is playing, you can hear a faint 'air' or static sound in the background. It's not disruptive during playback but noticeable in silent moments.
Battery
Both models come with a good battery life. The CMF Buds 2 offer 13.5 hours of playback on a single charge, going up to 55 hours with the case (ANC off). A 10-minute top-up yields 7.5 hours of playback, which is impressive.
The Buds 2 Plus stretches even further, with up to 15.5 hours standalone playback and a whopping 61.5 hours with the case (AAC, ANC off). Even with ANC on, they manage a respectable 7.5 hours, and fast charging nets 8.5 hours with a quick 10-minute juice-up.
Both use USB-C and take under 95 minutes to fully charge — consistent and dependable.
Verdict
In a market full of me-too budget earbuds, Nothing's CMF Buds 2 and Buds 2 Plus manage to stand out, not just for their design, but for everything they offer at this price. Both models are easy to recommend, especially if you're on a budget and want something that looks cool, sounds great, and doesn't compromise on modern features. That one issue — the static hiss with ANC on, does take away from the experience slightly, but not enough to be a dealbreaker.