Nothing Ear A10600078

The CMF Buds Pro 2 delivers shockingly good ANC and sound quality for around 56 CAD, with performance that rivals earbuds costing much more. The dual driver setup and six mics are genuinely impressive at this price. But battery life is among the worst we've tested, and comfort is mediocre. Buy these for short, noisy commutes where sound quality matters most, not for all-day wear.

Let's talk about that ANC first, because it's the headline feature and honestly, it's the reason to buy these. At the 86th percentile, the hybrid noise cancellation here is a standout. Nothing claims up to 50dB of reduction, and while we always take manufacturer numbers with a grain of salt, our testing data backs up that this is one of the better ANC implementations you'll find without spending serious money. For context, that puts it ahead of plenty of earbuds that cost two or three times as much. If you're on a noisy bus or working in a loud office, these will genuinely help you focus.

The sound quality is also strong, landing in the 84th percentile. That dual driver setup with the 11mm dynamic driver handling bass and the 6mm tweeter covering the highs gives the sound a sense of separation that single driver budget buds usually miss. The customer review mentions enhanced bass, and that tracks with the driver configuration. You're getting punchy low end without completely muddying the mids, which is a common failure point at this price. The Nothing X app gives you EQ control too, so if the stock tuning isn't your thing, you can dial it back. The mic setup with six HD mics also performs well above average for calls, which is rare for budget earbuds.

Stacked against the Sony WF-C700N, the CMF Buds Pro 2 actually wins on ANC and sound quality in our rankings, which is wild when you consider the Sony typically costs significantly more. The Sony has better brand recognition and likely better build quality, but if you're just looking at performance per dollar, the CMF is the more compelling buy. The Technics EAH-AZ80 is a different beast entirely, a premium flagship that beats the CMF in nearly every category, but it also costs several times more. That's not really a fair fight.

The Soundcore P31i and EarFun Air Pro 4+ are more direct competitors in the budget space. The EarFun Air Pro 4+ is a particularly interesting alternative because it tends to have much better battery life, which is the CMF's biggest weakness. If you need earbuds that last through a full workday without topping up, the EarFun is probably the safer bet. The SoundPEATS H3 is another budget option that might edge out the CMF on comfort and build, though it likely won't match the ANC performance. So the CMF Buds Pro 2 occupies a specific niche: best-in-class ANC and sound for the money, with compromises on battery and comfort.

At 56 CAD, these earbuds are aggressively priced. You're getting ANC that outperforms earbuds at double or triple the price, plus a dual driver setup that sounds genuinely good. The value proposition here is almost uncomfortable to argue with. If you're shopping on a tight budget and care about sound quality and noise cancellation above all else, this is one of the easiest recommendations we can make.

But value isn't just about the sticker price. The battery life being in the 2nd percentile means you'll be reaching for the charging case more often than you'd like. If you're someone who wears earbuds for long stretches, the comfort issues at the 28th percentile might have you reaching for something else entirely. So the real question is whether you're paying 56 CAD for great ANC and sound, or paying 56 CAD for a product that frustrates you in daily use. For shorter listening sessions, it's the former. For all-day wear, it might be the latter.

The Nothing Ear A10600078, or as the box actually says, the CMF Buds Pro 2, is one of those products that makes you do a double take. You get hybrid ANC rated up to 50dB, a dual driver setup with an 11mm woofer and 6mm tweeter, and six microphones, all for around 56 CAD. That's the kind of spec sheet you'd expect from earbuds costing three times as much. Nothing's budget sub-brand CMF is clearly trying to shake up the entry level true wireless market, and on paper, they've come out swinging.

But with budget audio gear, the spec sheet only tells half the story. Our database shows this thing ranks in the 86th percentile for ANC and 84th for sound quality, which is genuinely impressive for the price. The mic performance is also well above average at the 82nd percentile. So the core stuff you'd actually buy earbuds for, blocking noise, hearing music, taking calls, is all handled surprisingly well. That's not something we say often about earbuds in this price bracket.

Where things get dicey is everything else. The battery life is dead last in our rankings, sitting at the 2nd percentile. Comfort is mediocre at the 28th percentile, and build quality falls behind most competitors at the 34th. So you're getting flagship-level noise cancellation and sound in a package that might not last your whole commute and might not feel great after an hour. Whether that trade-off works for you depends entirely on what you value most.

If you're a fitness enthusiast, these are not your earbuds. The fitness score of 16.6 out of 100 is a real letdown, and the mediocre comfort ranking suggests they won't stay put during a run or gym session. Look at something with ear hooks or a more secure fit instead, like options from Soundcore or JLab that are designed for movement.

Also skip these if battery life is a dealbreaker for you. The 2nd percentile ranking means you'll be charging constantly, which gets old fast. If you need all-day battery for work or travel, the EarFun Air Pro 4+ or Sony WF-C700N are much better choices, even if they cost a bit more. The CMF Buds Pro 2 is for people who prioritize sound and ANC above everything else and are willing to accept the trade-offs.

If you want the best possible noise cancellation and sound quality for under 60 CAD, buy the CMF Buds Pro 2. It's that simple. The ANC performance alone justifies the price, and the dual driver sound is a genuine step above what you'd normally get in this bracket. For commuters who deal with constant background noise and want to actually enjoy their music, these are a fantastic choice. Just keep the charging case handy.

But if you're someone who wears earbuds for hours at a time, whether for work calls or long study sessions, the comfort and battery limitations will probably drive you nuts. The 2nd percentile battery ranking isn't just a number, it means you'll be interrupted by low battery warnings far more often than you'd like. In that case, look at the EarFun Air Pro 4+ or spend a bit more on the Sony WF-C700N. The CMF Buds Pro 2 is a specialist, not an all-rounder. Know what you're signing up for.