Blue Microphones Buds 2 Plus

The CMF Buds 2 Plus serve up flagship-level noise cancelling, LDAC streaming, and epic battery life for just $55. Call quality is best-in-class, and the bass-forward sound is a blast for modern music. A few control limitations and a chunky case are the only real downsides to an otherwise phenomenal budget buy.

Anc is the headline act here. When we measured it against our entire dataset, the CMF Buds 2 Plus landed in the 97th percentile for noise cancellation. In plain English, that means it blocks out droning engines, air conditioner hum, and street noise as well as buds costing $200 more. The 50dB rating is seriously effective on subways and flights, and the adaptive system automatically adjusts to your environment — though some owners note that in truly chaotic loud spaces like a busy airport terminal, it struggles a bit more than top-tier Sony models. Wind noise reduction 3.0 is a standout, making calls in breezy conditions remarkably clear; our mic testing placed them in the 97th percentile as well, which is best-in-class. That call clarity is a huge win for outdoor runners or anyone who takes work calls on the go.

Audio-wise, the 12mm LCP drivers push a warm, energetic sound that scored in the 89th percentile overall. Bass is deep and punchy, maybe a little too much for classical or jazz purists, but the Nothing X app includes a 5-band EQ and a personalized sound profile from a quick hearing test, so you can dial things back. Latency is low on Nothing phones (40ms), and HRTF-based spatial audio adds a cinematic width that's fun for movies and gaming. If you're after pristine neutrality, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 does better, but at $55, the CMF are shockingly good.

Stacked against the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4, the CMF Buds 2 Plus nearly match them in ANC intensity and absolutely destroy them on battery stamina, though Sennheiser's tuning is more audiophile-grade and the build feels more premium. The Sony LinkBuds Fit are more comfortable and have a more even sound out of the box, but they lack LDAC and their ANC is a step behind. JBL Endurance Peak 4 are better for runners who need a wingtip lock, but their call quality and overall audio performance are weaker. And the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro bring seamless Galaxy ecosystem tricks and a better transparency mode, but at over $200, they're in a different league financially. For the price, the CMF Buds 2 Plus lead on pure value and noise cancelling aggression.

At $55, the CMF Buds 2 Plus are an absurdly good value. You're getting ANC that scares $250 competitors, LDAC codec support, spatial audio, and a battery that outlasts many premium options. The EarFun Air Pro 4+ is a strong alternative at a similar price, but its noise cancelling doesn't hit the same heights. Samsung's Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers better integration with Android phones and a more refined touch experience, but at nearly four times the price, it's hard to justify the gap. If you want flagship noise blocking and lively sound without spending triple digits, these are hard to fault.

If you've been scrolling through endless true wireless earbuds under $100, the CMF Buds 2 Plus are about to make your decision a lot easier. At around $55, these buds come from Nothing's sub-brand and bring features you'd normally expect at three times the price: adaptive ANC rated at 50dB, LDAC streaming for Hi-Res audio, and a massive 61.5-hour total battery life when you count the case. We've been putting them through our database-driven gauntlet, and the numbers are honestly surprising for something this affordable. The noise cancelling sits in the 97th percentile of all buds we've tested, which puts it right up there with $250 flagships, and call quality is just as good thanks to six mics and some clever wind modeling. Build quality is also in the 91st percentile, with an IP55 rating that can handle rain and gym sweat without flinching.

What really seals the deal is the sound. The 12mm LCP drivers deliver a lively, bass-forward signature that makes pop, hip-hop, and EDM thump with energy. Hi-Res certification and LDAC support mean you can stream high-bitrate tracks if your phone plays along, and the Audiodo-powered hearing test creates a personalized EQ that genuinely improves clarity. You'll find many people asking "is the CMF Buds 2 Plus good for bass?" and the answer is a resounding yes — it's tuned for fun, not flat reference listening. If you're wondering "are the CMF Buds 2 Plus comfortable for long listening?" the ergonomic shape and soft-touch finish scored in the 70th percentile for comfort, which is above average; most wearers can go hours without ache. But the design isn't flawless, and we'll get to the control quirks that frustrate some users.

Skip the CMF Buds 2 Plus if you need full touch controls on both earbuds — the single-button left-bud-only setup means no volume down or track backward without your phone, which is a dealbreaker for some. Classical and jazz listeners who crave a neutral, detailed soundstage will also want to look elsewhere; the default tuning is very bass-forward, and while EQ helps, it doesn't transform the driver's character. If you must have wireless charging or a pocketable case, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Sony LinkBuds Fit are better but pricier alternatives.

Should you buy the CMF Buds 2 Plus? If you want killer ANC, lively sound, and LDAC on a shoestring budget, this is an easy yes. They punch so far above their price that it's almost silly. But they're not for control freaks — the lack of on-bud volume and track backward controls, plus the bulky case, will annoy anyone who likes leaving their phone in a pocket. For everyone else, these are a screaming deal that'll have you wondering why you ever considered spending more.