NJHL Review For You: CMF Buds Pro 2, Budget Earbuds with Epic Battery Life
- NJHL
- Jul 6
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 8
Priced at sub S$100, these earbuds from Nothing’s CMF brand have amazed me with battery life that lasts a couple of days without charging. Are they the perfect pick for us? Let’s dive in and compare them to the “all hail” Anker and SoundPEATS in the same price range!
Why the CMF Buds Pro 2
After almost a year of use, the CMF Buds Pro 2 have become my go-to for commutes, jogging and gaming. Their 50dB Hybrid ANC, 11mm dual drivers, and 43.7-hour total battery life (with case) deliver flagship-level performance at a budget price. The minimalistic design, paired with a customizable Smart Dial on the case, adds a fun, stylish vibe that’s TikTok or Instagram worthy. With IP55 dust/water resistance and Bluetooth 5.3, they’re built for Singapore’s humid hustle.
Key Specs
Audio: 11mm bass driver + 6mm tweeter, Hi-Res Audio Wireless, LDAC, Bass Enhance, Dirac Audio Tuning.
ANC: Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (up to 50dB, 4,000Hz).
Battery: 60mAh per bud, 460mAh case, 43.7 hours total (ANC off), 11 hours buds (ANC off), USB-C charging.
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, dual-device pairing, Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair.
Controls: Smart Dial (customizable), touch controls, Nothing X app.
Microphones: 6 mics, Clear Voice Technology 2.0.
Build: IP55, 4.9g per bud, 55.6g with case.
Colours: Orange, Dark Grey, Light Grey, Blue.
Price: ~S$50–S$100 (check Shopee for deals).
Source: nothing.tech/products/cmf-buds-pro-2.
Personal Experience: Battery Life That Wows
Having used these for a year, the battery life is the star. The buds last 11 hours (ANC off) per charge, and with the case, I get a couple of days without plugging in—perfect for my commutes and marathons. Compared to my iPhone 14 Pro’s battery, these earbuds outlast it by miles, needing only a quick 10-minute charge for 3–4 hours of use. Whether I’m blasting YouTube Music or Netflix in a noisy MRT, the 43.7-hour total battery life (ANC off) is a game-changer. Even with ANC on, I get ~7 hours per bud, beating many rivals.
Nothing X App: The Secret Sauce
The Nothing X app (available on iOS/Android) elevates the CMF Buds Pro 2 from great to exceptional. Here’s why it’s a game-changer for Singaporeans:
Custom EQ: Offers five presets (Balanced, Bass Boost, Treble Boost, Voice, Custom) and an 8-band equaliser. I tweaked the Custom EQ to amplify bass while keeping mids clear. This works magics! The app’s visual interface is sleek, easy to use and straighforward.
ANC Customization: Adjusts ANC strength (Low, Mid, High) or enables Adaptive mode, which auto-tunes noise cancellation for different environment and usage. I set High ANC for the WFH, but at cafe setting, blocking 80% of chatter, though high-pitched noises (waiter dragging the chair around me) sneak through.
Low-Lag Gaming Mode: Reduces latency to 60ms, syncing audio perfectly with COD gunfire. Compared to competitors’ 80–88ms, this is a gamer’s dream.
Smart Dial Mapping: Customise the case’s Smart Dial for volume, ANC toggles, or track skips. I set it to switch ANC modes while standing packed in the train—super convenient without touching my phone.
Find My Earbuds: Tracks lost buds with a map and sound alert, a lifesaver for forgetful me.
Firmware Updates: Keeps buds optimised. My year-old pair got a 2025 update improving call clarity. The support team really keeps the dice rolling.
NJHL Tip: Use the app’s Bass Enhance and low-lag mode for COD or Delta Force—it’s like hearing enemies sneak up in surround sound!
Audio Quality: Punchy and Clear
The 11mm bass driver and 6mm tweeter deliver rich, Hi-Res Audio (LDAC on top-tier Androids). Bass Enhance mode pumps up the beats, while Dirac Audio Tuning keeps vocals crisp for podcasts. The 50dB Hybrid ANC blocks MRT chatter or cafe noise, though it’s less effective against high-pitched sounds compared to Anker’s Liberty 4 NC. X users on tech forums praise the “balanced sound for S$50,” but audiophiles might miss Sony’s premium clarity.
Comfort and Design: Built for Singapore
At 4.9g per bud, the CMF Buds Pro 2 are comfy for long sessions or driving (not recommended though!). The IP55 rating handles Singapore’s humidity and sweat, ideal for outdoor runs. The Smart Dial on the case lets me tweak volume or ANC without my phone—super handy when driving, or during peak morning "sardine" train.
Features: Smart and Gamer-Friendly
ANC Modes: Adaptive, Transparency, and 50dB ANC for noisy Singapore commutes.
Nothing X App: Custom EQ, low-lag gaming mode (60ms latency).
Smart Dial: Programmable for volume, ANC, or playback—great for hands-free use.
Clear Voice Technology 2.0: 6 mics ensure clear calls, even in a windy environment.
NJHL Tip: Use low-lag mode for gaming, eg, PUBG, to sync gunfire audio perfectly
Comparison: CMF Buds Pro 2 vs. Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC vs. SoundPEATS Air4 Pro
Feature | CMF Buds Pro 2 | Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC | SoundPEATS Air4 Pro |
Price (Shopee 7.7 Celebration Sale) | |||
ANC | 50dB Hybrid, 4,000Hz | 49dB Adaptive, 3,000Hz | 48dB Hybrid, 3,000Hz |
Battery | 43.7h total (ANC off), 11h buds | 40h total (ANC off), 10h buds | 30h total (ANC off), 7h buds |
Audio | 11mm+6mm, LDAC, Dirac | 11mm, LDAC, Hi-Res | 13mm, AptX Lossless |
Build | IP55, 4.9g/bud | IPX4, 5.2g/bud | IPX4, 4.7g/bud |
Features | Smart Dial, 6 mics, dual-device | Adaptive ANC, 6 mics | Snapdragon Sound, 6 mics |
Latency | 60ms (gaming mode) | 80ms (gaming mode) | 88ms |
CMF Buds Pro 2: Best battery life (43.7h) and Smart Dial for hands-free control. ANC is strong, but Anker edges out in high-frequency noise. Look at the price on Shopee 7.7 Celebration Sale, and you know this is definitely a steal.
Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: Superior ANC for noisy environments, but shorter battery life (40h) and no unique controls like Smart Dial. Pricier.
SoundPEATS Air4 Pro: Lightweight and affordable, but weaker battery (30h) and latency (88ms) lag for gaming.
NJHL Take: CMF wins for battery life and value, Anker for ANC, SoundPEATS for budget-conscious random buyers.
Who’s It For?
Gamers: Low-latency mode and punchy bass enhance the gaming experience.
Students: 43.7-hour battery and ANC suit long study sessions or MRT commutes.
Grab Drivers: Smart Dial and IP55 make it ideal for hands-free operation.
Downsides: ANC struggles with high-pitched noises, and the case’s glossy finish needs cleaning regularly.
NJHL Verdict: 你就好咯?
After a year, the CMF Buds Pro 2 are a Budget Gadgets SG champ. The two-day battery life, somewhat acceptable ANC, and stylish design make them a no-brainer for Singaporeans.
Score: 8.8/10 – Stellar for battery and value, but ANC could improve.
Where to Buy: Shopee 7.7 Celebration Sale. Link here.
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