Plugfones Guardian CY-1
Nothing Buds 2
What Buyers Say
Plugfones Guardian CY-1
The Plugfones are a budget-friendly hybrid of earplugs and earbuds, praised for their comfort, decent sound quality, and effective noise reduction in moderate environments. However, some users report durability issues, such as foam tips breaking off in the ear, and the audio jack can be loose. They are particularly popular among motorcycle riders and industrial workers for discreet music listening.
Pros
- Comfortable for long wear
- Decent sound quality for price
- Effective noise reduction in moderate environments
- Discreet design for workplace use
- Good for motorcycle riding
Cons
- Foam tips may break off in ear
- Audio jack can be loose
- Not effective for very loud noises
- No microphone or volume control
- Durability concerns with daily use
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
Scores
Specifications
| Plugfones Guardian CY-1 | Nothing Buds 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | — | true wireless |
| Ear Tips | Silicone & Foam (replaceable) | — |
| Weight | 0.02 kg★ | 0.04 kg |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | hybrid | dynamic |
| Driver Size | — | 11 mm★ |
| Drivers | — | 2★ |
| Freq Max | — | 5 kHz★ |
| Impedance | — | 32 Ω |
| Codecs | — | SBC, AAC |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓ | ✓ |
| ANC Type | — | hybrid |
| Transparency | — | ✓★ |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Bluetooth | — | 5.4★ |
| Multipoint | — | ✓★ |
| Earbud Battery | ||
| Battery Life | — | 13.5 hrs★ |
| Charge Time | — | 0.16599999368190765 hrs★ |
| Fast Charging | — | 10 min for 7.5 hours playback |
| Charging | — | USB-C★ |
| Case Battery | ||
| Case Battery | — | 55 hrs★ |
| Case Charging | — | USB-C★ |
| Wireless Charging | — | ✗ |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | — | ✓★ |
| Mic Count | — | 6★ |
| NC Mic | — | ✓★ |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | — | ChatGPT |
| Touch Controls | — | ✓★ |
| App | — | Nothing X |
| Gaming Mode | — | ✓★ |
| Bone Conduction | — | ✗ |
| Water Resistance | — | IP55 |
Pros & Cons
Plugfones Guardian CY-1
- Strong comfort (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong anc (74th percentile)
- Strong social proof (73rd percentile)
- Below average mic (12th percentile)12th %ile
- Below average connectivity (13th percentile)13th %ile
- Below average build (34th percentile)
Nothing Buds 2
- Strong mic (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong connectivity (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong battery (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong anc (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
Pricing
Verdict
Scores 91 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 17 of 32 specs.
