Nothing CMF Buds 2a

The CMF Buds 2a delivers 42dB hybrid ANC, multipoint Bluetooth 5.4, and a punchy 12.4mm driver for just $29. It's one of the best budget earbuds we've tested, with connectivity and ANC that rank near the top of the charts. The app is limited and the fitness score is rough, but for everyday listening on a budget, this is the pick. If you want better build quality or a more refined sound, step up to the Anker Space A40 or EarFun Air Pro 4+.

The 12.4mm bio-fiber driver is the star here. Nothing tuned these for bass, and it shows. Ultra Bass Technology 2.0 isn't just marketing fluff, it genuinely pushes low-end frequencies harder than most buds in this price bracket. The sound signature lands at 55th percentile overall, which is solidly middle of the pack. That's not a knock. For $29, getting sound that competes with earbuds costing twice as much is a win. Just know that if you're after a neutral, reference-style tuning, these aren't it. They're fun, they're punchy, and they lean into the bass.

The ANC is where things get interesting. The 42dB hybrid noise cancellation puts these at 93rd percentile for ANC performance, which is genuinely impressive for the price. It handles frequencies up to 2900Hz, so subway rumble and office chatter get knocked down effectively. But here's the catch: user reviews tell a slightly different story. The sentiment summary shows noise cancellation as a mixed theme, with some owners calling it mediocre. That's the gap between lab numbers and real-world experience. The ANC works, but it's not going to make you forget you're on a bus. The transparency mode also gets called out as mediocre, so don't expect AirPods-level passthrough.

The Soundcore P31i is probably the closest direct competitor. It's a solid budget bud with decent sound, but the CMF Buds 2a beats it on ANC performance and connectivity. The P31i's app is better though, with a more flexible EQ. If you care about tweaking your sound, Soundcore's software is the better experience. If you care about raw ANC and connection stability, the CMF wins.

The EarFun Air Pro 4+ and Anker Space A40 are the step-up options. Both cost more, but they deliver better build quality and more refined sound signatures. The Space A40 in particular has a reputation for comfort that the CMF Buds 2a can't match, with its 73rd percentile comfort score. The JLab JBuds Pods ANC is the budget alternative that's fine but unremarkable. And the Baseus Bass BP1 Pro is for bass heads who want even more low-end thump, though you'll sacrifice ANC quality to get it.

At $29 USD, the CMF Buds 2a is one of the easiest value recommendations we can make. The budget score of 75.7/100 puts it near the top of its class, and when you look at what you're getting, it's hard to argue. Hybrid ANC, multipoint Bluetooth, a big dynamic driver, and solid battery life for under $30 is the kind of deal that makes you wonder how Nothing makes any money on these.

Compare that to the competition. The Soundcore P31i and JLab JBuds Pods ANC both sit in a similar price range, but neither matches the CMF Buds 2a's combination of ANC performance and connectivity. The EarFun Air Pro 4+ and Anker Space A40 cost more and offer better overall polish, but you're paying for that. If you're shopping on a strict budget, the CMF Buds 2a is the value play. The CAD 25 and EUR 30 pricing tells the same story in other markets.

The CMF Buds 2a is Nothing's budget sub-brand doing what it does best: taking a spec sheet that reads like it belongs on something twice the price and cramming it into a $29 package. You get a 12.4mm dynamic driver, hybrid ANC rated at 42dB, Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint, and a case that'll keep them topped up for 35.5 hours total. On paper, that's a ridiculous amount of tech for the money.

Who's this for? Budget-conscious buyers who want big bass, decent noise cancellation, and don't want to think too hard about their earbuds. The 75.7/100 budget score in our database backs that up. It's also a sneaky good pick for mobile gamers thanks to the low latency mode tucked away in the Nothing X app, though the 74/100 gaming score suggests it's not going to replace a dedicated gaming headset.

But here's the thing. The fitness score is a rough 43.2/100, which tells you these aren't the earbuds to grab for a marathon training block. The IP54 rating handles sweat and light rain fine, but something about the fit or stability clearly isn't landing for active use. We'll dig into that later.

If you're a runner or gym regular, skip these. The 43.2/100 fitness score is one of the weakest areas of this product, and no amount of IP54 water resistance fixes a fit that doesn't stay put during movement. Look at something like the JLab JBuds Pods ANC or a dedicated sport earbud with wing tips instead.

Audiophiles and tinkerers should also look elsewhere. The 3-band EQ in the Nothing X app is genuinely limiting, and the bass-heavy tuning won't appeal to anyone chasing a neutral sound signature. The build quality at 34th percentile is also a concern if you're hard on your gear. If you want better app support and a more refined sound, the Anker Space A40 or EarFun Air Pro 4+ are worth the extra money.

If you're looking for the best $29 earbuds on the market right now, the CMF Buds 2a is the easy answer. The combination of 42dB hybrid ANC, multipoint Bluetooth 5.4, and that big 12.4mm driver is unmatched at this price. The sound is fun and bass-forward, the battery life is solid, and the connectivity is genuinely best-in-class. For everyday listening, commuting, and calls, these punch way above their weight.

But if you're a fitness person, look elsewhere. The 43.2/100 fitness score is a real red flag. The IP54 rating is fine for sweat, but the fit and stability clearly aren't there for running or intense workouts. Grab something with wing tips or a more secure fit instead. And if you're an audiophile who wants a neutral sound signature or a great app experience, the CMF Buds 2a will frustrate you. The 3-band EQ is limiting, and the bass-heavy tuning isn't for everyone.