Nothing Buds 2
KZ ZST
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
KZ ZST
These budget in-ear headphones deliver exceptional sound quality with deep bass and clear highs, earning high praise from music lovers. However, users consistently report a constant background hiss when powered and a poor microphone, making them unsuitable for calls or gaming. The build quality and comfort are generally well-regarded, though some find the fit bulky.
Pros
- Exceptional sound quality
- Deep and punchy bass
- Clear highs and mids
- Solid build quality
- Comfortable fit
Cons
- Constant background hiss when powered
- Poor microphone quality
- Uncomfortable for small ears
- No carrying case included
- Cable pulls head when snagged
Scores
Specifications
| Nothing Buds 2 | KZ ZST | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | true wireless | — |
| Ear Tips | — | S, M, L |
| Weight | 0.04 kg★ | 0.06 kg |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | hybrid |
| Driver Size | 11 mm★ | 10 mm |
| Drivers | 2 | 2 |
| Freq Min | — | 20 Hz★ |
| Freq Max | 5 kHz | 20 kHz★ |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 18 Ω |
| Sensitivity | — | 106 dB★ |
| Hi-Res Audio | — | ✓★ |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | KZ ZSN PRO in Ear Gaming Earphones, Hybrid Technology 1DD 1BA Drivers Wired Earbuds Comfortable Noise Cancelling Gaming Earbuds Headphones for Cell Phone Android Women Men Girl (Blue with Mic) |
| 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
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
KZ ZST
- Strong social proof (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong sound (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong user sentiment (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Strong anc (73rd percentile)
- Below average build (34th percentile)
Pricing
KZ ZST offers 1.2x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 12 of 35 specs.
