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Nothing already represents one of the best values in audio, with a design-minded ethos and the kind of high-tech features that typically carry a high price tag. The brand’s CMF sub-label is even more affordable; it makes some of the best earbuds under $100, affordable smartwatches, and even budget Android smartphones.
But CMF had yet to break into over-ear headphones until now. CMF is releasing the Headphone Pro, which was announced on Sept. 30 and is available in the U.S. starting today. The release follows Nothing’s first over-ear headphones, the Headphones (1), which were released earlier this year.
Nothing CMF Headphones
$99.00
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Pros: Long battery life, comfortable fit, affordable price
Cons: Quirky design won’t be for everyone, audio quality isn’t showstopping
True to CMF’s poppy design language, these aren’t exactly the most understated headphones. They’re available in neutrals like black and light grey, as well as light green. But even the more understated colors are hard to miss, thanks to the bulbous, rounded design.
The headphones will also be available with replaceable ear cushions, which the brand says are “coming soon.” It’s a good sign for the longevity of the headphones, though Nothing seems more interested in pushing the customizability of the headphones. The earcups will be available in orange or light green, for a pop of color that contrasts with the black or light grey versions of the headphones.
As for the controls, Nothing borrowed from the tactile design it used on the Headphones (1), opting for satisfying clickable buttons and rollers. The quirkiest new feature, though, is the addition of an “energy slider.” The control lets you manually boost or reduce the bass, without digging into the EQ settings on the Nothing app.
While I didn’t test these headphones extensively, I put the energy slider feature to the test with the iconic bassline of The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” (which music nerds will be quick to point out is actually a pitched-down guitar, not a bass). The difference was immediately noticeable, and while the energy slider is arguably something of a gimmick, it’s still one that can come in handy for fine-tuning your sound on the go or at the gym.
As for the sound quality, it’s enjoyable for everyday listening, if somewhat lacking in clarity and detail. You can also play with the EQ further in the Nothing X app, and the headphones use Sony’s high-res LDAC codec. The headphones also feature a whopping 100-hour battery life, making them worth considering for travel.
The CMF Headphones are just the latest release from Nothing. Last month, the brand released the updated Nothing Ear earbuds, which feature a built-in microphone in the case. While the idea is undoubtedly interesting, either my imagination or the use cases are limited. For starters, you need to be wearing the earbuds to use the case, and the microphone won’t work with every app. That makes it hard to imagine exactly what the microphone would be used for, outside of maybe slightly clearer phone calls.
Of Nothing’s major releases of late, the CMF headphones are the more exciting of the two. Despite how crowded the over-ear headphone market is, the under-$100 market is considerably smaller, particularly in our post-tariff economy. That makes the latest CMF headphones well worth considering.
