CMF Buds Pro 2 Review: Is the Smart Dial Useful?

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The Short Version

Consider the Buds Pro 2 if you would actually use a controller on the charging case. That is the feature to picture in your daily routine before deciding whether this particular pair makes sense.

Do not buy them for the largest battery number alone. Codec choice and ANC make a substantial difference to the manufacturer's runtime figures. The case total also includes recharging breaks, rather than one uninterrupted listening session.

This review covers the CMF Buds Pro 2. CMF also sells similarly named models, including Buds 2 Plus and Buds 2a, so check the exact name on the offer. Our recommendation is based on documented features and buying compromises, rather than a comparative sound test.

CMF Buds Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds

The main hardware features are an 11mm bass driver paired with a 6mm tweeter, a Smart Dial on the case, and ANC advertised at up to 50dB. Those are specifications, rather than proof of better sound or stronger cancellation than another brand. Nothing's Buds Pro 2 product page.

The useful distinction is how you interact with them. If you dislike reaching for your phone or touching an earbud to change playback, an accessible case controller gives you another option. If your phone controls already suit you, the dial may add little.

We would shortlist them for buyers who want app customization and several ways to control playback. We would not choose them solely because “Pro” suggests a higher tier or two drivers sound more impressive than one.

Check Price on Amazon · $49 as of October 15, 2026 — check Amazon for the latest price.

Smart Dial: Configure It Before Judging It

The dial has no function by default. Nothing says to configure it in Nothing X. Available assignments include volume, playback, track changes, noise modes and call controls. It can also be temporarily disabled with a double-tap-and-hold gesture. Official Smart Dial instructions.

On a desk, the case could act as a small controller beside your keyboard. That is a plausible reason to prefer this design: you can keep the phone elsewhere while leaving the controller within reach. Try the layout with your normal workspace before deciding it is useful.

For walking or commuting, ask where the case will be. If it lives at the bottom of a backpack, retrieving it may be less convenient than using your phone or the earbud controls. You do not need to invent a new habit to justify a feature.

Start with a small set of assignments you will remember. More configurable gestures are helpful only when they save effort rather than create another control scheme to learn.

Battery: AAC and LDAC Are Different Decisions

Nothing's dedicated battery table gives these music-playback maxima:

The tests use 50% volume and a laboratory temperature of 25°C. These are manufacturer figures rather than independently verified runtime. Nothing's battery documentation.

Choose settings for the session you need to finish. For a long stretch away from the case, AAC may be a more practical starting point than enabling every audio option. For shorter sessions with easy recharging, the battery cost of LDAC may matter less.

Neither the largest case total nor a quick-charge headline answers the uninterrupted-listening question. If you regularly listen through a full working day, check the per-charge figure for your intended mode first.

LDAC, Dual Connection and App Settings

Nothing lists AAC, SBC and LDAC for this model. Supported formats.

Its LDAC instructions require a compatible phone and enabling High-Quality Audio through Nothing X. Nothing also recommends disabling dual connection when selecting a higher LDAC bitrate, to leave sufficient bandwidth. Its guidance confirms that iOS does not support LDAC. LDAC setup guidance.

For a phone-and-laptop workday, prioritize the connection behavior you need. For a dedicated music session on a compatible device, you can evaluate LDAC separately. Treat the available settings as choices rather than assume their maximum benefits all operate together.

There is another documented choice in the app: DIRAC OPTEO and High-Quality Audio cannot be enabled simultaneously because of sampling-rate limitations. Nothing offers six EQ presets plus a custom option. Equaliser documentation.

Try the settings with familiar music at a normal volume. A codec name or processing label does not establish which presentation you will prefer, and we have no measurements that settle that choice.

ANC, Fit and Everyday Use

The advertised ANC maximum should not be used to rank this model against another manufacturer's number. Test conditions, frequency and fit all affect what a headline can describe. We have not compared cancellation or microphone recordings.

During a return period, check whether the earpieces stay comfortable through a normal listening session and whether calls work adequately in your actual surroundings. If you keep adjusting the fit, address that before spending time on codec settings.

The earbuds have an IP55 rating. Nothing says the case is not waterproof and excludes swimming and shower use; it advises drying the earbuds before putting them back after sweat or splashes. Official resistance guidance.

The documented case-charging method uses USB-C. Keep that routine in mind alongside where you plan to use the dial. Charging instructions.

What to Compare Before Buying

Read our CMF Buds 2a review if ANC, app EQ and two-device connectivity may already cover your needs. Paying for a feature you will not use is a weak reason to move up a product range.

If you are weighing another model, our EarFun Air Pro 4 comparison and Nothing Ear (a) comparison provide more context. Compare their dated offers rather than assume a permanent price gap.

For the wider field, see ANC earbuds under $100.

FAQ

Why does the Smart Dial do nothing initially? Nothing says it needs setup in Nothing X. Assign its functions before evaluating whether the case controls suit you.

Does “43 hours” mean one continuous session? No. That figure includes case recharges and uses AAC with ANC off. The per-charge figures and other modes are separated in the table above.

Is LDAC necessary? No. It is an option for compatible source devices, with documented battery and connection trade-offs. Choose settings that fit your use.

Verdict

Our score: 8.1/10. The Buds Pro 2 are worth shortlisting for buyers who want an accessible case controller, app customization and optional LDAC. The Smart Dial is the clearest reason to consider this design specifically.

If the case stays in your bag, give that feature less weight. Choose on fit, the current offer and runtime in your intended mode; the longest headline battery figure is only one configuration.