The Nothing sub-brand, CMF, has launched the CMF Headphone Pro, the company’s second over-ear headphone model. Its predecessor, the Nothing Headphone (1), was the bigger and more expensive sibling that set the bar high in both sound quality and design for its range.
When I saw that the CMF Headphone Pro cost barely a third of the Headphone (1), I’ll admit it — I was expecting a noticeably inferior product. But once I tried them, the surprise was huge: the sound quality comes surprisingly close to its older brother, and while the design is simpler and the finishes more modest — clearly a strategy to cut costs and offer a more competitive price — the build quality feels surprisingly solid.
Throughout this review, I’ll be comparing both models to help you decide which one suits your needs better — and most importantly, your budget.
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Design, build and extra comfort
In terms of looks, the CMF Headphone Pro features a modern and discreet spherical design, perhaps a bit more youthful or generic, but with smooth and balanced lines. While plastic is the dominant material, I must highlight that they feel surprisingly sturdy and durable. Adjusting the headband or the earcups gives no sense of fragility — they feel built to handle daily use.
They come in three colors: black, white, and a distinctive teal green. A key highlight is the ability to swap the ear cushions, a very practical feature to maintain hygiene and extend the product’s lifespan. Comfort-wise, the earcups are softer and slightly larger than those on the Headphone (1). This gives me extra comfort, especially as someone who wears glasses and has larger ears. They fit perfectly and, in my experience, are even more comfortable than the Headphone (1) for long listening sessions.
As an extra touch, the headphones come with a nice velvet-like fabric pouch for storage and transport, along with the 3.5mm jack cable needed for wired connection.
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Physical controls and usability
The physical controls are functional and replicate almost all the actions of the pricier model, though the tactile feeling is a bit less refined. On the left earcup you’ll find the 3.5mm port, basic buttons, and a slider for bass and treble control. On the right, there’s the USB-C port (charging only), a customizable button, and the volume/playback wheel. They work well, but the sensation is less premium, which is an understandable trade-off. One small thing that could be improved is the lack of a visual indicator to quickly see whether the headphones are on or off.
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Surprisingly good sound
Sound is where the CMF Headphone Pro truly shines and surprises. In a direct comparison with the Headphone (1), it’s genuinely hard to notice major differences for a non-expert ear. The bass is deep, defined, and pleasant, and the overall sound curve feels well balanced. Although the equalizer isn’t advanced, the simple mode with preset styles (I personally recommend Pop, Techno, or customizing it yourself) already delivers very impressive audio quality.
The energy slider is my favorite feature, as it allows you to adjust bass and treble without distortion. At maximum, the bass gives a subtle vibration in the ear that makes listening more immersive, without muddying the sound. The treble is slightly more metallic than in the Headphone (1), but the difference is minimal. My conclusion is clear: the value-for-money in sound is unbeatable. Getting this level of quality for a third of the price of the Headphone (1) is quite an achievement.
One note, however, goes to the spatial mode. Personally, I don’t recommend it. When activated, it adds an echo or reverb effect that, in my opinion, reduces sound quality and isn’t pleasant to listen to.
As for Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), it’s solid and effective for everyday use — especially combined with music — though it doesn’t fully eliminate high-frequency noises. The transparency mode, on the other hand, feels less refined than on the Headphone (1). When trying to talk, I can barely hear my own voice, which can be uncomfortable. A very useful addition, though, is dual connection, which lets you switch between two devices (like your phone and your computer) without re-pairing.
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Impressive battery life
Battery life on the CMF Headphone Pro is simply excellent. They offer up to 100 hours of playback on a single charge, dropping to around 50 hours with ANC enabled. Fast charging is efficient — just 5 minutes gives you 4 hours of use, which is super convenient for last-minute forgetfulness. It’s a very reliable battery that lets you forget about charging them every day.
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Calls and connectivity details
Bluetooth calls work perfectly; voices sound clear, and only in very noisy environments do they become slightly robotic, though conversations remain stable. There are two usability details to note: they lack a wear sensor (so the music does not pause automatically when you take them off), and when using the 3.5mm jack cable, the headphones must be turned on, consuming battery. Also, the USB-C port serves one purpose only: charging.
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A great-sounding alternative at a very fair price
The CMF Headphone Pro is a product with an impressive price-to-performance ratio. For a very reasonable cost, you get audio quality that comes surprisingly close to the Headphone (1), outstanding comfort, customization options like swappable ear cushions and the energy slider, long battery life, and the benefit of dual connection. The compromises — such as the weaker transparency mode, less refined buttons, or more plastic materials — are entirely acceptable and secondary considering the huge savings.
If what you want is an advanced equalizer, or if the premium design and refined materials of the Headphone (1) have completely won you over, then those €300 will be a justified investment.
However, my clear choice would be the CMF Headphone Pro if you’re looking for surprisingly good sound performance, maximum comfort for long listening sessions (a point where, again, they beat their older brother), and long-lasting battery life — all without overspending.
@RuudHesp - Nothingtec.com
