Nothing Buds 2
Sony PULSE Explore 1000044170
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 PULSE Explore 1000044170
The Sony Pulse Explore earbuds receive mixed feedback. Users praise the stylish design, comfortable fit, and long battery life, with some calling them a game-changer for gaming. However, complaints about frequent disconnections, mediocre sound quality compared to the Pulse Elite, and discomfort for some users are common. The proprietary PS Link dongle and inability to use generic earbuds are also criticized.
Pros
- Stylish design
- Comfortable fit
- Long battery life
- Great for gaming
- Easy pairing with PS5
Cons
- Frequent disconnections
- Mediocre sound quality vs Pulse Elite
- Uncomfortable for some users
- Proprietary PS Link dongle
- Cannot use generic earbuds
Scores
Specifications
| Nothing Buds 2 | Sony PULSE Explore 1000044170 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | true wireless | true wireless |
| Ear Tips | — | three extra pairs |
| Weight | 0.04 kg★ | — |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | planar magnetic |
| Driver Size | 11 mm★ | — |
| Drivers | 2★ | — |
| Freq Max | 5 kHz★ | — |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | — |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | — |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓★ | ✗ |
| ANC Type | hybrid | — |
| Transparency | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | 5.4★ | 5.0 |
| Multipoint | ✓ | ✓ |
| Earbud Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 13.5 hrs★ | 5 hrs |
| Charge Time | 0.16599999368190765 hrs★ | — |
| Fast Charging | 10 min for 7.5 hours playback | — |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Case Battery | ||
| Case Battery | 55 hrs★ | 10 hrs |
| Case Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless Charging | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mic Count | 6★ | 2 |
| 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
Sony PULSE Explore 1000044170
- Strong mic (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
- Strong connectivity (75th percentile)
- Strong social proof (73rd percentile)
- Below average battery (10th percentile)10th %ile
- Below average comfort (29th percentile)
- Below average anc (31st percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (33rd percentile)
Pricing
Nothing Buds 2
Sony PULSE Explore 1000044170
No current pricing available
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 12 of 32 specs.
