Plugfones Guardian EX1
Nothing Buds 2
What Buyers Say
Plugfones Guardian EX1
The Plugfones are a budget-friendly hybrid of earplugs and earbuds, praised for comfort, decent sound, and effective noise reduction in moderate environments. However, some users report durability issues like foam tips breaking off in the ear, and the noise blocking may not suffice for extremely loud settings. The loose audio jack is a minor but recurring annoyance.
Pros
- Comfortable for long wear
- Decent sound quality for price
- Effective noise reduction in moderate noise
- Discreet design for workplace use
- Comes with carrying case
Cons
- Foam tips may break off in ear
- Noise reduction insufficient for very loud environments
- Loose audio jack causes intermittent sound
- No microphone or volume control
- Low-end bass not prominent
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
Scores
Specifications
| Plugfones Guardian EX1 | Nothing Buds 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | — | true wireless |
| Weight | 0.04 kg | 0.04 kg★ |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | hybrid | dynamic |
| 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★ |
| 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
Plugfones Guardian EX1
- Strong anc (73rd percentile)
- Strong social proof (73rd percentile)
- Strong comfort (72nd percentile)
- Below average mic (12th percentile)12th %ile
- Below average connectivity (12th percentile)12th %ile
- Below average build (34th percentile)
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
Pricing
Nothing Buds 2 offers 1.7x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 18 of 31 specs.
