Nothing Buds 2
Sony WF-1000XM4
What Buyers Say
Nothing Buds 2
The CMF Buds 2 are widely praised for delivering excellent sound quality, effective noise cancellation, and a comfortable fit at an affordable price. Users highlight the rich bass, clear vocals, and solid ANC performance that rivals more expensive models. While some note the bass can be slightly overpowering and the touch controls have limited customization, the overall value is considered outstanding. The long battery life, USB-C charging, and premium build further cement these as a top budget choice.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality with rich bass
- Effective noise cancellation for the price
- Comfortable and secure fit
- Long battery life with USB-C charging
- Premium build and design
Cons
- Bass can be slightly overpowering
- Limited touch control customization
- Case lacks functional dial
- Case is somewhat bulky
- No Google Fast Pair support
Sony WF-1000XM4
The Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds receive high praise for their exceptional sound quality and noise cancellation, which many users describe as magical. However, the stock memory foam ear tips are a common pain point, causing discomfort and poor seal for some, leading several to replace them with silicone tips. Battery life and build quality are generally good, though the charging case feels flimsy and the left earbud may experience battery degradation over time. Overall, these are premium earbuds that excel in audio performance but require tip adjustments for optimal comfort.
Pros
- Exceptional sound quality
- Magical noise cancellation
- Comfortable fit with silicone tips
- Long battery life
- Durable build
Cons
- Uncomfortable stock foam ear tips
- Poor seal with foam tips
- Charging case feels flimsy
- Battery degradation on left earbud
- No simultaneous dual device connection
Scores
Specifications
| Nothing Buds 2 | Sony WF-1000XM4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | true wireless | true wireless |
| Ear Tips | — | Noise Isolation Earbud Tips |
| Weight | 0.04 kg | 0.04 kg★ |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 11 mm★ | 6 mm |
| Drivers | 2★ | — |
| Freq Min | — | 20 Hz★ |
| Freq Max | 5 kHz | 40 kHz★ |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 8 Ω |
| Hi-Res Audio | — | ✓★ |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | LDAC |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓ | ✓ |
| ANC Type | hybrid | adaptive |
| Transparency | ✓ | ✓ |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | 5.4★ | 5.2 |
| Profiles | — | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP |
| Multipoint | ✓ | ✓ |
| Earbud Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 13.5 hrs★ | 8 hrs |
| Charge Time | 0.16599999368190765 hrs★ | 1.5 hrs |
| Fast Charging | 10 min for 7.5 hours playback | 5-minute quick charge gives you up to 60 minutes of play time |
| Charging | USB-C★ | proprietary |
| Case Battery | ||
| Case Battery | 55 hrs★ | 24 hrs |
| Case Charging | USB-C★ | proprietary |
| Wireless Charging | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mic Count | 6★ | 4 |
| NC Mic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | ChatGPT | Alexa |
| Touch Controls | ✓ | ✓ |
| App | Nothing X | Sony | Headphones Connect |
| Gaming Mode | ✓★ | — |
| Bone Conduction | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Water Resistance | IP55 | IPX4 |
Pros & Cons
Nothing Buds 2
- Strong mic (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong connectivity (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong battery (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong anc (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
Sony WF-1000XM4
- Strong anc (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong mic (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong connectivity (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong sound (87th percentile)87th %ile
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 2 of 7 usage categories and 10 of 35 specs.