Nothing’s sub-brand CMF makes affordable tech products with a twist, and it recently released its first pair of over-ear headphones, the CMF Headphone Pro. This new launch follows Nothing’s Headphone 1 from earlier this year but features a more subdued design and comes with a much lower price tag.

## Pricing and Expectations

The CMF Headphone Pro retails for just $99, with recent sales knocking the price down to as low as $84. Personally, I tend to consider the sweet spot for over-ear headphone pricing to be around $300, which is what Nothing’s mainline headphones cost. Going into testing the Headphone Pro, I lowered my expectations accordingly. However, I quickly realized these headphones come with far fewer compromises than their competitors.

They align perfectly with Nothing’s ethos, offering thoughtful design, tactile controls, physical ports, and modularity. Even when switching from pricier headphones like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 or earbuds like the AirPods Pro 3, I was surprised to discover how easily the CMF Headphone Pro could become my daily driver.

## Design and Comfort

Nothing is known for its distinctive design, both in its mainline products and CMF variants, and the CMF Headphone Pro are no exception. They sport a glossy plastic finish complemented by a metal slider for adjusting the headband. The light green model I tested looks closer to teal or blue, which works well for these headphones.

The plastic used is reminiscent of the classic iPod era—not cheap, but solid and stylish. Both the ear cushions and headband are soft, and the ear cushions are interchangeable thanks to a twist-lock system. However, replacements need to be purchased separately.

One minor design caveat is a visible gap between the headphone chassis and the cushions, which can make the headphones feel slightly unfinished and may cause confusion when swapping out cushions.

## Controls and Features

True to Nothing’s style, the CMF Headphone Pro comes loaded with physical controls and ports. There is a USB-C port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, two buttons, a slider, and a multi-function roller.

The “Energy Slider” acts as an on-headphone EQ, allowing real-time adjustments to bass or treble intensity without needing the app. Meanwhile, the multi-function roller controls volume, ANC modes, and playback.

While having dedicated buttons for each function might have been more intuitive, the roller proves to be very reliable and user-friendly—more so than some capacitive controls on pricier headphones I’ve tested.

## Sound Quality

When I think of sub-$100 headphones, I usually expect a tinny sound profile without clear separation or substantial bass. The CMF Headphone Pro completely dispels that stereotype.

These headphones feature 40mm drivers with nickel-plated diaphragms designed to reduce distortion and enhance clarity. The drivers are paired with a 16.5mm copper voice coil, precision bass duct, and a dual-chamber design.

The result is a balanced sound signature. The bass is present but not overwhelming, unlike Nothing’s Headphone 1 or Ear 3. Mid and high frequencies aren’t as crisp as on premium models but are importantly not piercing or overly bright.

In fact, despite having top wireless headphones around, I found myself switching to the CMF Headphone Pro with no hesitation. Sure, I would choose superior sound quality and ANC on more expensive models, but I never felt like I was missing out here.

Additional features include LDAC support up to 990 kbps for high-res Bluetooth audio and a Personal Sound profile that tailors audio output based on your hearing of individual frequencies.

## Noise Cancellation and Battery Life

The CMF Headphone Pro offers “Hybrid Adaptive ANC” with three levels of noise-canceling intensity. For the price, ANC performance is solid, effectively dampening external noise—once your music volume passes about 75%, surrounding sounds become nearly imperceptible.

Transparency mode is less impressive; voices are not as clear as I would prefer. While you can hold a quick conversation with transparency mode on, it’s best done with music paused.

Battery life is perhaps the most impressive aspect of these headphones. They last up to 100 hours with ANC off and drop to around 50 hours when ANC is on. Both figures are outstanding at this price point.

## Should You Buy the CMF Headphone Pro?

As someone who values superb sound quality and is willing to invest in premium audio gear, I understand wanting to spend more for better performance. That said, the CMF Headphone Pro covers the essentials extremely well.

At $100, they offer a solid set of features that most users need: decent sound quality, effective ANC, Spatial Audio, Hi-Res Audio support, long battery life, and a headphone jack. I’ve tested both cheaper headphones like the OneOdio Focus A6 and far pricier ones, and the Headphone Pro strikes an ideal balance for budget-conscious buyers.

While there is room for improvement, there are no major compromises or dealbreakers—a rare find in sub-$100 over-ear ANC headphones.

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### FAQ

**Who owns CMF?**
CMF is a sub-brand of Nothing, focusing on affordable and stylish devices spanning smartphones, smartwatches, and headphones. Nothing CEO Carl Pei announced in September 2025 plans to spin off CMF as a subsidiary headquartered in India.

**What’s unique about the controls on the CMF Headphone Pro?**
They feature a combination of buttons, sliders, and a multi-function roller that provide tactile, reliable control. Additionally, the ear cushions are interchangeable (sold separately), allowing for some modular customization.

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The CMF Headphone Pro proves that affordable does not mean settling for less. With its thoughtful design, solid feature set, and surprisingly good sound quality, it is an excellent choice for anyone looking to get quality over-ear headphones on a budget.
https://www.androidcentral.com/accessories/headphones/cmf-headphone-pro-hands-on