Nothing Buds 2
Skullcandy Smokin' Buds S2TAW-R740
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
Skullcandy Smokin' Buds S2TAW-R740
Users generally appreciate the sound quality, comfort, and features like touch controls and multiple audio modes for the price. However, there are significant reliability concerns, with one reviewer reporting that the right earbud consistently fails within the warranty period, and another noting missing accessories like the charging cable. The touch sensitivity is also a common complaint, as it can cause accidental shutdowns.
Pros
- Great sound quality for the price
- Comfortable fit
- Touch controls
- Multiple audio modes (bass, podcast, music)
- Sleek design
Cons
- Right earbud fails within warranty
- Missing charging cable in package
- Touch sensitivity too high causing accidental shutdowns
- Not true noise cancelling
Scores
Specifications
| Nothing Buds 2 | Skullcandy Smokin' Buds S2TAW-R740 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | true wireless | true wireless |
| Ear Tips | — | S, M, L |
| Weight | 0.04 kg | 0.04 kg |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 11 mm★ | 6 mm |
| Drivers | 2★ | 1 |
| Freq Min | — | 20 Hz★ |
| Freq Max | 5 kHz | 20 kHz★ |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | — | 104 dB★ |
| Max SPL | — | 104 dB★ |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓ | ✓ |
| ANC Type | hybrid | adaptive |
| Transparency | ✓ | ✓ |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | 5.4★ | 5.2 |
| Multipoint | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Earbud Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 13.5 hrs★ | 8 hrs |
| Charge Time | 0.16599999368190765 hrs★ | 1 hrs |
| Fast Charging | 10 min for 7.5 hours playback | 10 min = 2 hrs |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Case Battery | ||
| Case Battery | 55 hrs★ | 20 hrs |
| Case Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless Charging | ✗ | ✗ |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mic Count | 6★ | 2 |
| NC Mic | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | ChatGPT | Other |
| Touch Controls | ✓ | ✓ |
| App | Nothing X | Skullcandy app |
| Volume Limiting | — | ✗ |
| Gaming Mode | ✓★ | — |
| Bone Conduction | ✗ | ✗ |
| Water Resistance | IP55 | IP55 |
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
Skullcandy Smokin' Buds S2TAW-R740
- Strong anc (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong build (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong social proof (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong connectivity (78th percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (17th percentile)17th %ile
Pricing
Skullcandy Smokin' Buds S2TAW-R740 offers 2.5x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 10 of 36 specs.
