Nothing Buds 2
Sony WF-1000XM5
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
Sony WF-1000XM5
The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds receive mixed feedback. Many users praise the excellent sound quality, effective noise cancellation, and comfortable fit, making them great for travel and workouts. However, a significant number of complaints focus on Bluetooth connectivity issues, poor ANC compared to previous models, and fit problems that cause discomfort or earbuds falling out. Battery life and case charging also draw criticism, with some users experiencing defects. Overall, while the audio performance is often lauded, reliability and fit concerns prevent a higher rating.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- Effective noise cancellation
- Comfortable fit
- Great battery life
- Customizable app
Cons
- Bluetooth connectivity issues
- Poor ANC compared to previous models
- Fit problems causing discomfort
- Earbuds fall out easily
- Case battery drains quickly
Scores
Specifications
| Nothing Buds 2 | Sony WF-1000XM5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | true wireless | true wireless |
| Ear Tips | — | XS, S, M, L |
| Weight | 0.04 kg | 0.01 kg★ |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 11 mm★ | 8.399999618530273 mm |
| Drivers | 2★ | 1 |
| Freq Min | — | 20 Hz★ |
| Freq Max | 5 kHz | 40 kHz★ |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | — | 102 dB★ |
| Hi-Res Audio | — | ✓★ |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | AAC, LC3, LDAC, SBC |
| Surround | — | Dolby Atmos |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓ | ✓ |
| ANC Type | hybrid | adaptive |
| Transparency | ✓ | ✓ |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | 5.4★ | 5.3 |
| Profiles | — | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP |
| Multipoint | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wired Connector | — | USB Type C |
| Range | — | 10 m★ |
| Earbud Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 13.5 hrs★ | 8 hrs |
| Charge Time | 0.16599999368190765 hrs★ | 2 hrs |
| Fast Charging | 10 min for 7.5 hours playback | 3 Minutes for 1 Hour |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Case Battery | ||
| Case Battery | 55 hrs★ | 24 hrs |
| Case Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless Charging | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mic Count | 6 | 6 |
| NC Mic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | ChatGPT | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Touch Controls | ✓ | ✓ |
| App | Nothing X | Sony Headphone Connect App |
| Volume Limiting | — | ✗ |
| Gaming Mode | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bone Conduction | ✗ | ✗ |
| Water Resistance | IP55 | IPX4 |
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
Sony WF-1000XM5
- Strong connectivity (100th percentile)100th %ile
- Strong sound (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong mic (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong anc (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (12th percentile)12th %ile
Verdict
Both products are closely matched - Nothing Buds 2 wins 6 specs while Sony WF-1000XM5 wins 7.