CMF Buds 2 Plus: Noise-canceling and LDAC earbuds for $69.

The CMF Buds 2 Plus are setting a new standard in the affordable wireless headphone segment. At just $69, they offer a range of premium features typically found only on more expensive models, including active noise cancellation (ANC) and support for the LDAC high-resolution audio codec. Thanks to their balanced performance and exceptional value, they are a worthwhile option in this price range.

Unique design and comfortable wearing experience.

The CMF Buds 2 Plus stand out right from the start with its square charging case featuring rounded corners and a unique rotating knob that doubles as a lanyard loop and a small entertainment accessory. The earbuds have a long stem design, providing a comfortable and secure fit for extended wear. A subtle design detail is the glossy circle on the right earbud and the rounded edge on the left, making them easy to distinguish.

The product meets IP55 water and dust resistance standards, making it resistant to sweat and light rain, suitable for sports activities. The touch-sensitive surface on the earcups allows control of functions such as skipping tracks, playing/pausing music, or activating the virtual assistant.

Main technical specifications

Outstanding active noise cancellation performance in its segment.

The active noise cancellation (ANC) technology on the CMF Buds 2 Plus is surprisingly effective for its price. The earbuds offer three noise cancellation levels (Low, Medium, High) and an adaptive mode that automatically adjusts to the surrounding environment. In real-world tests, the product effectively eliminates low and medium frequency noise, such as airplane engine sounds. While it can't completely eliminate high-frequency or intermittent sounds, the overall noise reduction is still very impressive, especially in crowded environments like cafes.

Transparency Mode works at a usable level, allowing users to hear surrounding sounds when needed, although the sound quality isn't entirely natural.

Powerful sound quality with LDAC codec.

Sound quality is a highlight of the CMF Buds 2 Plus, especially when connected to devices supporting the LDAC codec. The headphones deliver rich, engaging sound with deep bass and clear highs. At default settings, the bass is powerful and forceful, handling tracks with a lot of sub-bass well. The singer's vocals are reproduced with rich tonality and detail. Although the highs may lack a bit of sparkle in some acoustic tracks, users can improve this through EQ adjustments in the app.

The product also supports spatial sound, creating a more spacious musical soundstage in a subtle way, without the discomfort often found in many other headphone models.

Battery life and included apps

The CMF Buds 2 Plus offer decent battery life, with 7.5 hours of continuous listening with ANC on and a total of 33 hours when combined with the charging case. The charging case supports fast charging via USB-C, with just 10 minutes of charging providing 4.5 hours of use (with ANC off).

The headphones are managed via the Nothing X app (available on Android and iOS), offering many useful customizations such as noise cancellation, spatial sound, and Personal Sound Profiles. However, the equalizer (EQ) is still quite basic, only allowing adjustment of bass, mid, and treble without detailed frequency ranges.

In summary: A worthwhile choice.

The CMF Buds 2 Plus is a standout product in the budget wireless earphone segment. Combining an attractive design, comfortable fit, good sound quality, effective noise cancellation, and LDAC support, it offers exceptional value. While there are a few minor drawbacks, such as limited EQ and the lack of a charging cable, overall, it's one of the best noise-canceling earphones you can find under $70.