Hello All, it’s me Rajeev.
I received the CMF Headphone Pro through the Nothing Community Review Program. After using it every day for about 20 days, here’s my honest opinion.
I’m not an audio expert, but I enjoy listening to music. I pay close attention to sound signature, vocals, and bass. So, this review comes from a music lover’s perspective. I appreciate balanced sound and comfort for long listening sessions.
Design & Comfort
I’m using the dark grey color variant, and I must say it looks clean and minimal. Unlike the glossy finishes on other versions, this one has a matte texture. It doesn’t show fingerprints, but it can pick up scratches if you’re not careful.
The headphones are surprisingly light, even after hours of continuous use. This includes wearing glasses, which usually causes discomfort with many over-ear models. CMF nailed the comfort here.
The ear cushions are soft and removable, which is a big improvement compared to earlier Nothing headphones. You can easily replace or clean them, extending the lifespan and hygiene of the headset.
Controls & App Integration
The multifunction roller on the right earcup is really useful. It has a solid tactile feel and lets you adjust the volume, play or pause music, or skip tracks easily. It’s like the paddle-style control on the Nothing Headphone (1), which I actually prefer.
There’s also a customizable action button, a USB-C port, and on the left earcup, the Energy Slider for quick bass and treble adjustments.
However, the Energy Slider didn’t impress me much. The change in sound is quite subtle and not as precise as I hoped.
The Nothing X app integration is smooth overall. ANC, transparency, Personal Sound test (the best inclusion), and firmware updates all work fine. But when it comes to EQ customization, it feels incomplete. Unlike the Nothing Headphone 1, the CMF headphone Pro doesn’t let you create or save custom EQ presets. You can only use the basic presets, which limits flexibility for those who enjoy tuning their sound.
Sound Quality
The sound quality is good, especially for the price. It has a V-shaped profile with punchy bass and bright highs, but the mids are slightly less prominent. Vocals are clear, though they could benefit from a bit more warmth and presence.
The bass is well-controlled and not too boomy. You will definitely feel the thump in electronic or hip-hop songs. The treble adds a nice spark, but it can sometimes sound a bit sharp at higher volumes.
Overall, Audiophiles might notice the lack of midrange depth, but for most people, it’s enjoyable right out of the box.
Battery Life & ANC For the price, the Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) is surprisingly effective. It is perfect for flights or commutes because it effectively blocks low-frequency background noise. Although voices sound a little processed, the Transparency Mode functions fairly well.
Battery life really stands out — you can get up to 100 hours without active noise cancellation (ANC) and about 50 hours with it turned on based on cmf by nothing, I used it with ANC on. Personally, I’ve been charging it roughly every 8 to 9 days with daily use, which I find pretty impressive. And here’s a cool feature: just 5 minutes of charging gives you up to 4 hours of playback time — ideal for those quick boosts!
When it comes to build quality, you really can’t complain for the price. The matte plastic has a solid feel to it, though it doesn’t quite scream premium—something you can expect at this budget level.
These headphones come equipped with LDAC for high-resolution audio, which is a nice touch for Android users. Plus, they feature Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint connectivity, allowing you to connect to both your phone and laptop at the same time. It’s impressive to see these features included in this price range!
Verdict (After 20 days)
The CMF Headphone Pro is an excellent choice for everyday use, striking a nice balance between affordability, comfort, and impressive battery life. While it has its flaws—like the somewhat gimmicky Energy Slider and limited EQ options—it still stands out as a solid option in the budget headphone market at just £79.
Pros:
✓ Super lightweight and comfy (even if you wear glasses)
✓ Impressive battery life
✓ Ear cushions that you can remove
✓ Decent ANC for the price
✓ Sleek design with LDAC support
Needs Improvement
× The EQ customization options in the Nothing X app are pretty limited
× The sound can feel a bit off balance, with the mids not quite shining through
× The Energy Slider doesn’t really do much
× It’s easily prone to scratches
Thanks Nothing community, @Deepanshu_Saini_, Akis, CarlPei and community mods for having me in this programme.
What’s your thoughts 💭 on Cmf Headphone Pro, let me know in the comments.
