Compare Nothing Headphone (a) vs CMF Headphone Pro

Most reviewers find the sound enjoyable and impressively capable for the price, especially after a little EQ work. Critical listeners still hear some loss of refinement versus pricier models.

Sound quality is the headline strength: most reviewers found it unusually good for the price, especially after light EQ or LDAC. Stock tuning can be bass-heavy, but the overall presentation is energetic, clean, and far better than typical budget expectations.

ANC and transparency can slightly alter the tonal balance, especially by changing bass weight, but the effect is described as noticeable rather than disastrous.

ANC preserves the underlying music surprisingly well in at least one detailed account. Noise reduction did not noticeably disturb timbre or detail, which is a useful advantage for listeners sensitive to ANC-related sound changes.

Turning ANC or transparency on can subtly change the sound signature, most noticeably by adding some bass weight.

ANC generally changes the sound very little. Reviewers who focused on this found timbre and EQ shifts modest enough that using noise cancellation did not meaningfully spoil the music.

The sound is lively and dynamic, with energetic playback that gives pop and electronic music plenty of momentum.

Dynamics are lively and energetic at normal listening levels, with good punch and excitement. Heavy bass at higher volume can soften attack and precision, so the strongest performance is not at maximum drive.

Passive isolation can be quite effective with a good seal, but glasses or fit issues can weaken it noticeably.

Passive isolation is consistently strong thanks to the large, well-sealing earcups. Even without ANC, the fit blocks a useful amount of surrounding noise and helps the active cancellation work more effectively.

Wind handling is inconsistent: some microphone tests suppress wind remarkably well, while another reviewer found wind routinely cut through during outdoor use.

Wind handling is mixed. One reviewer noticed more wind noise than on pricier models, while another found wind pickup fairly low, so outdoor call performance is not completely consistent.

Gaming performance is promising in the test that covered it, with clear positional cues and useful low-latency behavior.

Gaming performance is good for casual play, especially with the low-latency mode or a wired connection. Competitive gamers may still want lower latency and more specialized positional tuning.

The presentation can feel immersive for music, even if the dedicated spatial processing is less consistently liked.

Concert-mode spatial processing can create a convincing sense of space and immersion when it works well. That positive result is not universal across the broader spatial-audio impressions.

Spatial modes are mostly a mixed-to-negative extra: several reviewers hear hollow, processed, or echoey results, while a minority find the Concert effect useful for expanding the presentation.

Spatial audio is highly mixed and often the weakest software feature. Concert mode sometimes adds welcome width, but Cinema and other processing frequently introduce muddiness, harshness, echo, or an unnatural presentation.

Sound leakage is context-dependent: two reviewers noticed some bleed at louder levels, while another found virtually none.

Sound leakage is inconsistent across the small number of direct tests. Two reviewers found it low, while one long-term user considered it a serious privacy problem in quiet shared spaces.

Video use showed excellent sync in the tested cases, with reviewers reporting no noticeable Bluetooth lag during everyday playback and editing.

Latency is well controlled for video and casual gaming, especially in wired or low-lag modes. Reviewers who tested sync found speech, effects, and on-screen action aligned closely enough for normal use.

The tuning lands between balanced and consumer-friendly V-shaped depending on the reviewer, with bass and treble emphasis keeping it from being truly neutral.

The stock frequency balance is lively rather than neutral, usually with extra bass and elevated treble. EQ can make it substantially more balanced, but buyers seeking flat tuning should expect to adjust it.

Soundstage impressions are mixed. Some hear a notably open or wider-than-expected presentation, while others find it close, narrow, or only average for closed-back headphones.

Soundstage is respectable for a budget closed-back headphone, with several reviewers hearing more width than expected. Others still found it narrow compared with pricier over-ears, so it is good rather than truly expansive.

Bass is one of the most divisive traits: many enjoy its punch and sub-bass weight, while others find the default tuning boomy, muddy, or overly dominant.

Bass is powerful and fun, but opinions split on how much is too much. Several reviewers praised its punch once dialed in, while others found the stock low end bloated or overly dominant.

ANC itself avoids obvious hiss in one test, while another reviewer hears a moderate background hiss in the strongest mode.

Background hiss from ANC is present but usually modest. Some reviewers noticed thin white noise or a telltale hiss, while others found pressure and noise artifacts minimal.

ANC is widely considered good to very good for the price, especially on low-frequency travel noise. It usually trails premium Sony and Bose models and can let more voices or higher-frequency sounds through.

ANC is good for the price and strongest against steady low-frequency noise such as engines, fans, and traffic. It is not class-leading, and voices, sudden sounds, and higher frequencies are more likely to leak through.

Background-noise suppression can be impressively strong, including traffic, fans, and wind in some tests, but other reviewers found the voice processing less reliable.

Microphone noise reduction is better than the raw mic quality might suggest. Wind and steady background noise are often reduced effectively, though unpredictable noisy environments can still overwhelm speech cleanup.

Repairability takes a hit because replacement ear cushions are not officially sold, limiting an obvious wear-part replacement path.

Repairability is a standout advantage because the ear cushions twist off easily and can be replaced without tools. Reviewers repeatedly saw this as a genuine longevity benefit rather than just a color-customization gimmick.

The ear cushions cannot officially be replaced, which is a meaningful long-term ownership drawback.

Replaceable earpads are one of the most universally praised features. They twist off quickly, make color changes easy, and provide a practical way to replace the part most likely to wear out first.

USB-C is especially useful because it handles both charging and digital audio while retaining physical-control functionality in the tested setup.

USB-C is limited to charging, and one reviewer specifically disliked the lack of USB audio. Buyers wanting digital wired playback through the USB port will not get it here.

Headband adjustment works, but multiple reviewers find the slider friction, top-mounted sizing, or general adjustment process fiddly.

Headband adjustment is straightforward and offers enough range for larger heads. The slider generally stays where set, with reviewers describing the mechanism as easy and secure.

The included cables make a positive impression, with one reviewer specifically surprised by their high quality.

The accessory bundle is sparse. A 3.5mm cable and soft pouch are useful, but the missing charging cable or hard case left several reviewers feeling the package had obvious cost-cutting.

The cups rotate for around-the-neck wear, but one reviewer found the rectangular shells rub or knock together when rotated.

The earcups offer plenty of swivel and can rotate flat, which helps fit and neck-wearing. They do not provide the compact inward fold that some travelers may expect.

The glossy black finish can collect fingerprints and dust extremely quickly.

Smudge resistance depends heavily on finish. Matte versions resist fingerprints well, while glossy variants attract prints and can pick up visible scuffs more easily.

IP52 is useful for sweat and light drizzle, but reviewers consistently caution that it is not protection for heavy rain or serious water exposure.

Water protection is weak. The low IPX2 rating—or lack of a meaningful weather rating in one account—makes these better suited to light sweat than serious workouts or wet commutes.

The design remains conspicuous rather than discreet. Reviewers who want headphones that blend in caution that these are intentionally attention-grabbing.

The darker, more restrained colorways can work well for shoppers who do not want flashy headphones. One reviewer specifically saw the sedate styling as a useful alternative to Nothing’s more attention-grabbing designs.

The included cables are mostly praised as sturdy or high quality, although one reviewer questioned the strain relief.

The included analog cable works, but one reviewer found it noticeably short. It is fine for nearby laptops and handheld devices, less ideal for setups that need more reach.

The pads are not officially replaceable, and reviewers specifically note that Nothing does not sell replacement cushions.

The removable earpads are excellent, but the headband is not similarly replaceable. That asymmetry limits how far the modular repairability concept goes.

The thin headband padding can create pressure on the top of the head during longer sessions.

Headband padding is more divisive than the ear cushions. Some reviewers found it soft and comfortable, while others wanted more padding or felt the narrow band created pressure over time.

Android pairing is especially smooth with Google Fast Pair, which worked seamlessly in the review test.

Android pairing and feature support are generally strong, especially with Fast Pair and LDAC. One microphone test found device-dependent behavior, so the experience is not perfectly consistent across every phone.

Once adjusted, the fit can stay securely in place while walking without unwanted shifting.

Fit stability is good for normal daily use and even some workouts, but not universally secure. Larger movements can shift the cups, and the bulky design is not ideal for intense exercise.

Fine detail is only average for the class: reviewers hear enough clarity for casual listening, but several note softer resolution and less precision than more expensive or hi-fi-oriented models.

Detail retrieval is strong for the price, especially after personalization or EQ. Reviewers heard subtle instruments and texture that cheaper headphones often miss, although true audiophile nuance is still limited.

Glasses compatibility depends on fit: one reviewer found little pressure on glasses, another found them comfortable over spectacles, while seal loss bothered a different tester.

Glasses wearers generally fare very well. Plush pads and manageable clamp pressure let multiple reviewers wear the headphones for long work or editing sessions without the usual frame pinch.

The plastic-heavy construction does not feel flagship-premium, and multiple reviewers notice the downgrade in material luxury compared with the Headphone (1).

Premium feel depends heavily on color and expectations. The design and finish can look far more expensive than the price, but glossy plastic and hollow-feeling parts remind some reviewers that this is still a budget product.

Treble is often praised for crispness and detail, but several reviewers also report sibilance or abrasive upper frequencies on certain tracks.

Treble is one of the more inconsistent areas. Some reviewers heard crisp detail and good extension, while others found the highs sharp, scratchy, muted, or lacking sparkle depending on tuning and volume.

Even when pushed loud, the headphones were praised for staying composed rather than falling apart with obvious distortion.

Clarity usually holds up well at higher volumes, with multiple reviewers reporting little obvious distortion. The main exception is bass-heavy playback, where punch and precision can soften when driven hard.

The preset options are useful starting points, with Balanced often taming excess bass and the bass-focused modes appealing more to listeners who want extra low-end weight.

The preset EQs are mixed. Pop is often the safest choice, while several other presets were criticized for extra boominess, thinness, or awkward tonal shifts.

The drawstring pouch is one of the most repeated complaints. Reviewers generally see it as flimsy or inadequate protection compared with a proper hard case.

The included soft pouch is better than nothing but feels basic. Reviewers repeatedly wished for a protective hard case, especially because the headphones do not fold compactly.

Overall sentiment is strongly positive, although not unanimous. Most of the explicit satisfaction comments are enthusiastic, while one reviewer remains clearly lukewarm on the sound.

Overall satisfaction is extremely high among reviewers who discussed ownership-like use. Several said the headphones replaced pricier daily drivers or delivered almost exactly what they wanted from an affordable over-ear.

The 3.5mm input is genuinely useful for wired listening, including plane use while keeping ANC active.

The 3.5mm input is a welcome fallback for zero-latency listening, laptops, older gear, and travel. A caveat is that the headphones still need power for wired playback.

Imaging is strong enough for positional gaming cues such as footsteps and gunshots to come through clearly.

Imaging is competent rather than exceptional. Directional placement can be surprisingly clear on some tracks, but the overall precision remains below dedicated higher-end headphones.

Vocals and mids are generally clear and well controlled, though a few reviewers hear recessed body or odd upper-mid emphasis in the stock tuning.

The midrange is generally competent, with vocals staying clear enough for everyday listening. A recurring caveat is that the bass can push mids backward or make them feel congested on busier tracks.

USB-C high-resolution playback can add a small improvement in separation and detail, though the reviewer considered the difference minor.

Hi-Res support is impressive for the price and works through the supported wired/wireless paths. Reviewers treated the certification as part of the unusually premium audio feature set.

Connectivity is unusually versatile, combining Bluetooth with USB-C digital audio and a 3.5mm wired option.

Connectivity is flexible and well executed, combining wireless codecs with wired 3.5mm listening and reliable pairing options. Reviewers generally found the overall connection setup solid.

The large ear cushions provide plentiful padding and enough room to keep ears from feeling cramped.

The ear cushions are consistently praised for being plush, soft, deep, and generously padded. Their thickness helps keep ears away from the inner hardware and supports long-session comfort.

Nothing-phone integration adds extra shortcuts such as Channel Hop, but some functions work best inside Nothing’s own ecosystem rather than equally across Android devices.

Ecosystem integration is mostly good but not perfectly even. Some advanced functions may lean more heavily on Nothing OS or Android, so buyers outside that ecosystem may not get identical feature parity.

The feature set works well across Android and iPhone, making the headphones a strong cross-platform option rather than a single-ecosystem accessory.

The headphones work well across Android, iPhone, Windows, and wired sources. Reviewers appreciated the broad compatibility, although some advanced features are stronger on Android/Nothing devices.

Automatic pause on removal is absent and repeatedly called out as a feature reviewers miss.

Wear-detection auto-pause is simply missing, and reviewers repeatedly noticed it. Most adapted by manually pausing, but it is one of the clearest convenience features sacrificed to hit the price.

Travel use benefits from the huge battery and competent ANC, with reviewers reporting comfortable multi-hour or flight use in favorable fits.

Travel use benefits from good comfort, long battery life, and cups that rotate flat. The main limitation is bulk, since the headphones do not collapse into a smaller shape.

One reviewer found the maximum loudness a little restrained and wanted a few more volume steps for very loud listening.

Maximum loudness is a recurring weakness. Several reviewers reached full volume and still wanted more output, although a minority found the available level perfectly adequate.

Instrument separation is usually described as clean and easy to follow, though it does not consistently reach the layering precision of more audiophile-focused rivals.

Instrument separation is a clear strength for the money. Reviewers often heard vocals, percussion, guitars, and layered elements distinctly, though dense tracks can expose the limits of the drivers.

Transparency is usable for conversation and awareness, but opinions range from natural and effective to boxy, dark, or slightly artificial.

Transparency mode is usable for quick conversations and awareness, but it is not consistently natural. Some reviewers liked its clear handling of nearby voices, while others heard a processed or slightly dull presentation.

Portability is a weak spot because the headphones do not fold inward and remain bulky in a bag, even though the cups can rotate flat.

Portability is compromised by the non-folding chassis. The cups rotate flat, but the headphones remain bulky in a bag and take more space than folding competitors.

The overall recommendation is strongly positive: reviewers repeatedly call these an easy recommendation, a great pick, or a no-brainer in their price class.

The overall recommendation is overwhelmingly positive, especially for shoppers around the $80–$100 range. Even reviewers with complaints about ANC, EQ, or build usually still viewed the package as easy to recommend at the right price.

LDAC can produce a cleaner, clearer presentation than standard AAC on compatible devices, and reviewers value seeing it at this price.

LDAC is widely appreciated and often improves clarity, texture, and bass control. The size of the improvement varies by listener, but reviewers consistently treated its inclusion as a premium feature for a budget headphone.

PCMag awarded the headphones its Editors' Choice for midrange noise-cancelling headphones.

The Headphone Pro earned strong external recognition in the supplied coverage, including an Editors’ Choice and a best-budget-headphone award. Those awards reflect how strongly it competes on overall value.

The advanced EQ is a standout feature, offering unusually deep frequency and Q-factor control for wireless headphones. It can substantially improve the stock tuning, though a few reviewers find it fiddly or constrained.

EQ customization is the biggest software compromise. The basic three-band controls can improve the stock tuning, but many reviewers wanted the more granular advanced EQ available on Nothing’s pricier headphones.

The smart feature set is broad and potentially useful, though one reviewer questions how often extras such as AI-oriented functions will matter in everyday listening.

The personalized hearing profile is one of the more successful smart features. Most reviewers found it useful or noticeably better balanced, although a few preferred the stock sound or experienced uneven results.

The Roller, Paddle, and physical buttons are one of the strongest points of agreement. Reviewers repeatedly call them intuitive, tactile, distinctive, and easier to use than touch controls.

Physical controls are a major part of the appeal: the roller is frequently praised as intuitive and more dependable than touch gestures. The Energy Slider is divisive, with some reviewers loving the instant adjustment and others calling it pointless or gimmicky.

Call quality is inconsistent across tests. Some reviewers hear clear, usable speech, while others report muffling, compression, or poor intelligibility in noisier conditions.

Call quality ranges from good to merely serviceable. Voices are generally intelligible, but several reviewers heard muffling or softness, while a few found the microphones impressively clear in quieter conditions.

The headphones pack in a broad modern feature set, and reviewers who discuss the software breadth consider it unusually rich for the price.

Advanced software features add real value, particularly personalized hearing calibration and customizable shortcuts. ChatGPT-style integration is more niche, while the hearing-based tuning was far more consistently useful.

Setup is consistently easy, with quick pairing and straightforward first-use behavior across the reviews that tested it directly.

Setup is exceptionally easy. Fast Pair, Swift Pair, and the clear Nothing X interface make initial pairing and ongoing configuration simple even for less technical users.

Nothing X is repeatedly praised as a clean, fast, capable companion app with unusually deep control over sound and headphone behavior.

The Nothing X app is a consistent strength. Reviewers describe it as clean, polished, easy to navigate, and unusually pleasant for a budget headphone companion app.

Bluetooth performance is a strength in the positive tests, with rock-solid connections, seamless switching, and no noticeable lag reported.

Bluetooth performance is one of the least troublesome parts of the experience. Pairing is quick, reconnection is dependable, and reviewers generally reported strong range with few dropouts.

The dedicated assistant control is appreciated as a convenient physical shortcut by the reviewer who discussed it.

Voice-assistant access is easy to map and responsive when used. The customizable action button adds flexibility for people who actually want assistant shortcuts on the headphones.

Mode-change audio cues are exceptionally clear and avoid the ambiguity or annoying spoken prompts found on some headphones.

The audible control feedback is playful and easy to understand. One reviewer specifically enjoyed the little sounds that confirm volume and button interactions.

Codec support is useful but not exhaustive: LDAC is a welcome inclusion at this price, while one reviewer wished Qualcomm codecs were also available.

The mix of AAC, SBC, and LDAC is unusually strong at this price. The broader codec support gives buyers flexibility, with LDAC standing out as the meaningful high-quality option.

Multipoint is generally easy and reliable once enabled, with reviewers praising quick switching between a phone and laptop or other paired devices.

Multipoint works very well for switching between a phone and computer. Reviewers repeatedly described device changes as smooth, quick, and useful for mixed music, meeting, and call workflows.

Value is a major strength across the review set. Reviewers repeatedly say the $199/£149 positioning delivers unusually strong battery, controls, features, and sound for the money.

Value for money is exceptional and the strongest point of consensus. Many reviewers felt the Headphone Pro competes with headphones costing substantially more, with sale prices making the recommendation even easier.

Clamping force is a recurring comfort concern. Some find the grip secure and well judged, but several describe it as too firm during extended wear.

Clamping force is mostly well judged but somewhat head-dependent. Some reviewers found it snug without pain, while others felt initial tightness or pressure that tended to ease with use.

At roughly 310g, the headphones are lighter than their predecessor but still heavier than many rivals, so some reviewers remain aware of the weight over time.

Despite their chunky appearance, the headphones feel relatively light and easy to wear. Reviewers often credited the 283g weight and balanced distribution for reducing fatigue over long sessions.

Early durability impressions are positive, including flexible headbands, a sturdier feel, and one harsh accidental-impact test that left no visible mark.

Long-term durability has limited direct testing, but one extended-use account reported the controls and functions still performing like new. That is encouraging, though broader longevity remains less established than short-term build impressions.

Long-session comfort is highly head-dependent. Many reviewers wore them for hours or flights comfortably, while others needed breaks because of pressure, weight, or heat.

Comfort is one of the strongest recurring positives. Most reviewers could wear the Headphone Pro for hours, flights, work sessions, or editing without major fatigue, though a few head shapes experienced pressure after extended use.

Despite the move to more plastic, build quality is generally rated as sturdy and better than the price suggests. The construction feels less luxurious than flagship models but not broadly flimsy.

Build quality is better than the price suggests but still clearly plastic. Some reviewers found it solid and confidence-inspiring, while others heard creaks or felt the shell was cheap and hollow.

The retro-futuristic, transparent styling earns substantial praise for being distinctive and fashion-forward. It is deliberately bold, so buyers who prefer conventional headphones may not share that enthusiasm.

The playful rounded design stands out from generic black budget headphones and earns broad praise. Color preferences vary, but reviewers frequently called the look fresh, distinctive, attractive, or surprisingly premium for the price.

The revised swivel hinges were specifically described as sturdier than the predecessor's.

The hinges drew limited but positive comments. Reviewers who discussed them found the mechanism solid and stable rather than loose or fragile.

Fast charging is excellent: several reviewers highlight that just a few minutes on USB-C can provide hours of playback.

Fast charging is excellent for everyday use. A five-minute top-up commonly delivers several hours of playback, making low-battery situations easy to recover from.

Battery life is the clearest consensus strength. Reviewers repeatedly call the 75-hour ANC figure and roughly 135-hour maximum class-leading, with real-world use generally supporting the claim.

Battery life is outstanding and arguably the product’s most consistent strength. Real-world testing repeatedly supported very long runtimes, with roughly 40–50 hours with ANC common and much longer endurance available with features reduced.

Heat buildup is a recurring comfort weakness. The synthetic pads and closed design can make ears or the sides of the head warm, especially during longer sessions or workouts.

Heat buildup is a recurring comfort tradeoff. The plush sealed cups can make ears warm during long sessions or exercise, and the low water-resistance rating makes sweaty workouts a poor match.

Wear-detection auto-pause is missing, an omission reviewers consider surprising at this price.

Personalized tuning created an uneven left-channel result for one reviewer, making the presentation feel unbalanced. That reviewer preferred the sound with the personalized profile disabled.

The launch feature set is unusually generous for the price, with LDAC, Hi-Res support, spatial modes, personalization, ANC, and customizable controls. Reviewers often described the package as closer to premium than entry-level.

Find My is basic rather than precision tracking. It can play a sound to help locate nearby headphones, but it does not provide AirTag-style directional finding.

Competitive gaming gets no dedicated sound-profile presets. The headphones can still game well through wired or low-latency modes, but there is little specialization for positional competitive play.

The integrated microphone array can capture speech clearly in favorable conditions, although broader call-quality tests are more mixed.

The missing wear sensor is a clear hardware omission because the headphones cannot detect removal for automatic pause behavior.

There is no sidetone-style feature to feed your own voice back during calls. Because passive isolation is strong, one reviewer found that omission noticeable when speaking.

Xbox use is only partial: wired game audio works, but the reviewer could not get the headset microphones to function through the controller setup.

Automatic power behavior is limited. One reviewer specifically called out the lack of the hoped-for auto-off behavior as a notable feature omission.

Bluetooth 5.4 is a modern implementation and was viewed positively for current-device support. Real-world pairing and range were strong enough to make the newer radio feel useful rather than merely a spec-sheet upgrade.

There is no automatic Smart Pause when the headphones are removed, and reviewers explicitly criticize that omission.

Wear-detection performance is effectively absent because the headphones do not detect removal for automatic pausing.