Nothing Buds 2
Shokz OpenDots ONE
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
Shokz OpenDots ONE
Users are overwhelmingly positive about the sound quality and comfort of the OpenDots One, especially for activities like running where awareness of surroundings is important. A few reviewers note issues with call quality and touch controls, but overall the product is praised for its unique design that doesn't interfere with glasses or cause ear irritation.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- Comfortable and stable fit
- Safe for outdoor use with ambient awareness
- Does not interfere with eyeglasses
- No ear irritation
Cons
- Poor call quality
- Difficult touch controls
- Hard to open case with one hand
- Not suitable for loud environments like subways
Scores
Specifications
| Nothing Buds 2 | Shokz OpenDots ONE | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | in-ear | open-ear |
| Wearing Style | true wireless | clip-on |
| Ear Tips | — | none (open-ear, no ear tips) |
| Weight | 0.04 kg★ | 0.05 kg |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 11 mm★ | — |
| Drivers | 2 | 2 |
| Freq Min | — | 100 Hz★ |
| Freq Max | 5 kHz | 20 kHz★ |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | — |
| Sensitivity | — | 97.5 dB★ |
| Hi-Res Audio | — | ✗ |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓★ | ✗ |
| ANC Type | hybrid | — |
| Transparency | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Profiles | — | SBC, AAC |
| Multipoint | ✓ | ✓ |
| Range | — | 10.100000381469727 m★ |
| Earbud Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 13.5 hrs★ | 10 hrs |
| Charge Time | 0.16599999368190765 hrs★ | 1 hrs |
| Fast Charging | 10 min for 7.5 hours playback | 10min=2hrs |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Case Battery | ||
| Case Battery | 55 hrs★ | 40 hrs |
| Case Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless Charging | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mic Count | 6★ | 1 |
| NC Mic | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | ChatGPT | Siri, Google Assistant |
| Touch Controls | ✓ | ✓ |
| App | Nothing X | Shokz App |
| Volume Limiting | — | ✗ |
| Gaming Mode | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Bone Conduction | ✗ | ✗ |
| Water Resistance | IP55 | IP54 |
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
Shokz OpenDots ONE
- Strong social proof (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong connectivity (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong battery (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Strong sound (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Below average anc (31st percentile)
- Below average build (34th percentile)
Pricing
Nothing Buds 2 offers 7.1x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 10 of 38 specs.
