While Nothing’s phones receive a lot of praise, I’m particularly intrigued by the brand’s earbuds. The ear (1) and Ear (2) models set a high standard, and the CMF sub-brand is carrying on that momentum. I had the opportunity to try out the CMF Buds last year and found them to be the top entry-level earbuds available. With the Buds Pro 2, Nothing is taking things to the next level.
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Similar to the CMF Buds, the Buds Pro 2 boast a striking design that sets them apart. While most brands offer the standard black or white options, Nothing’s vibrant orange and blue colors are designed to catch the eye.
The design is well thought out; the case is conveniently pocket-sized and securely holds the buds. The dial on the case is a nice touch, serving as a control surface for music playback and volume adjustment. It’s a unique feature that adds to the overall appeal of the earbuds.
The earbud design is also impressive; the glossy shell combined with the matte textured stalk allows for easy gesture controls and minimizes smudges. The lightweight design ensures comfort even during long listening sessions.
The Buds Pro 2 offer good connectivity and can be customized using Nothing X, similar to other earbuds from Nothing. You can adjust sound settings, gesture controls, and toggle spatial audio with ease. I had no trouble connecting them to the Pixel 9 Pro XL, Find X8 Pro, or the Vivo X200 Pro.
However, what really sets the Buds Pro 2 apart is the sound quality. With an 11mm driver and a 6mm tweeter, the buds were expertly tuned by Nothing. In my experience, these are the best budget earbuds in terms of sound quality, on par with much more expensive products. While the Creative Zen Air earbuds also impressed me, Nothing’s buds offer a more dynamic and engaging sound.
Overall, the Buds Pro 2 stand out for their exceptional sound quality, which rivals that of much pricier earbuds. The Ultra Bass mode adds extra depth to the low end, while the Custom sound mode allows for fine-tuning of bass, mid, and treble. With features like the Dirac mode for automatic sound optimization, these earbuds cater to various genres.
The Buds Pro 2 also offer decent noise isolation, which helps block out lower-frequency ambient noise. Additionally, they come with extra features like Google Fast Pair, IP55 ingress protection, dual device connectivity, in-ear detection, and a low-latency mode.
Another noteworthy feature is the spatial sound, which enhances the overall audio experience. While the Buds Pro 2 do a commendable job,