Nothing Buds 2
Skullcandy Ink'd+ Ink'd ANC
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 Ink'd+ Ink'd ANC
The Skullcandy Ink'd wired earbuds are overwhelmingly praised for their excellent sound quality and value at a low price point. Many long-term users have bought multiple pairs over years, citing comfort, good bass, and stylish design. However, some reviews note a decline in build quality with thinner wires, and one user reported the microphone failing after a few weeks. Overall, they are a top choice for budget-friendly wired listening.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality for the price
- Comfortable fit with multiple bud sizes
- Great bass with equalizer apps
- Stylish pastel colors
- Inexpensive and easy to replace
Cons
- Microphone quality degrades over time
- Build quality seems cheaper than previous models
- Thinner and shorter wire
- Not ideal for sleeping on hard pillows
- Bass could be stronger without equalizer
Scores
Specifications
| Nothing Buds 2 | Skullcandy Ink'd+ Ink'd ANC | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | true wireless | — |
| Ear Tips | — | S, M |
| Weight | 0.04 kg★ | 0.04 kg |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | — |
| Driver Size | 11 mm★ | 10 mm |
| Drivers | 2★ | — |
| Freq Min | — | 20 Hz★ |
| Freq Max | 5 kHz | 20 kHz★ |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | — | 92 dB★ |
| 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
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 Ink'd+ Ink'd ANC
- Strong social proof (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Strong comfort (72nd percentile)
- Below average connectivity (29th percentile)
- Below average sound (29th percentile)
- Below average anc (31st percentile)
- Below average build (34th percentile)
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 16 of 34 specs.