The CMF Buds Neo are positioned as an affordable entry point into CMF’s wireless audio lineup, bringing a combination of distinctive design, useful audio features and everyday practicality at a budget-friendly price.
Design & Build
The first thing that stands out about the Buds Neo is their distinct dual-tone industrial design. CMF has kept its recognizable design language while giving the earbuds and charging case a compact, modern look.
The design feels different from many conventional budget TWS earbuds, which makes the Buds Neo visually appealing even at this price point.
Sound Quality
The Buds Neo feature 12.4mm dynamic drivers, designed to deliver an engaging listening experience with strong, energetic sound.
They should be well suited for everyday listening, including music, videos, podcasts and casual gaming. The larger drivers also give CMF plenty of room to tune the earbuds for a fuller sound.
For users who prefer to fine-tune their listening experience, settings can be managed through the Nothing X app, including supported audio customisation options.
Adaptive ANC
One of the biggest features of the Buds Neo is Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation, with noise cancellation rated at up to 35dB.
This makes the Buds Neo more versatile than a typical entry-level pair of wireless earbuds. ANC can be particularly useful in environments with consistent background noise, such as during travel, commuting or while working.
The important point is that the 35dB figure represents the maximum claimed cancellation capability; actual performance depends on the environment and ear fit.
Spatial Audio
The Buds Neo also support static spatial audio, which is designed to create a wider and more immersive listening experience.
It can be useful particularly when watching supported content, although it shouldn’t be confused with head-tracked spatial audio found on some more expensive earbuds.
This gives the Buds Neo more flexibility than a basic plug-and-play budget TWS pair.
Calls
For calls, the Buds Neo use four microphones, with an environmental noise-cancellation algorithm designed to improve
Battery Life
Battery life is another major highlight, with up to 52 hours of total playback claimed with the charging case.
The earbuds also support fast charging, with a 10-minute charge providing around 5.5 hours of playback according to the specifications.
For everyday users, this means you shouldn’t have to worry about charging the case frequently.
Durability
The earbuds carry an IP54 rating, providing protection against dust and water splashes.
This makes them better suited for everyday use and light workouts, although the charging case has a lower protection rating, so it should still be kept away from water.
Verdict
The CMF Buds Neo are not trying to be the most premium TWS earbuds on the market. Instead, they focus on bringing useful features to a much more accessible price point.
You get 12.4mm dynamic drivers, adaptive ANC up to 35dB, static spatial audio, Bluetooth 6.0, four microphones, IP54 protection and up to 52 hours of claimed total playback.
What makes them particularly interesting is the combination of CMF’s distinctive design and features that are usually associated with more expensive earbuds.
At ₹1,999, the CMF Buds Neo make a strong case for themselves as an affordable everyday TWS option, especially for users who want good features without spending too much.
Best for: Everyday music, travel, calls, videos and users looking for ANC and a distinctive design at an affordable price.
