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The CMF Clip Pro are comfortable, feature-rich open-ear earbuds, but their biggest trade-off is audible to people nearby: at higher volume, sound can leak enough to disturb others. That makes them a better fit for walks and situations where hearing your surroundings matters than for quiet offices, libraries, or shared rooms. I can’t claim personal testing here; the verdict below draws on the manufacturer’s specifications and independent reviews.
Why sound leakage is the problem to consider first
The Clip Pro sit around the ear rather than sealing the ear canal. That open-ear design leaves you more aware of nearby traffic and conversation, but it also provides little isolation from surrounding noise—and lets some of your audio escape.
RTINGS reports that nearby sounds remain clearly audible and that the earbuds leak quite a bit of audio, particularly at high volume in quiet shared spaces. Nothing Support gives a direct warning: “Our Nothing OWS Earbuds are of the near-ear open sound design, which may easily cause noise disturbance to people around when used at high volume.”
In practical terms, the issue is most relevant if you listen beside other people in a quiet room. If you need privacy, keep the volume modest or choose sealed earbuds. If hearing your surroundings is a priority while walking, the open design may be useful.
#1 Best Overall
- CMF 2026 New Open Ear Earbuds - Breaking the limits of compact & lightweight design, CMF Clip Pro is certified for Hi-Res Audio. Customized 10.8mm dynamic drivers give you crisp, energetic bass alongside crystal-clear highs.
- 5.92g Ultra-Light & Custom 3-Point Clip - Positioned perfectly for clear sound. By spreading pressure across three contact areas, they deliver a secure, slip-free fit with all-day comfort for any activity.
- Flagship Voice Pickup Unit (VPU) - Separates your voice from environmental noise in real time. With a 4 HD mic system, your voice stays clear and easy to hear, whether on a crowded street or in strong wind.
- More Than Smarts - Your earbuds are already exceptional, yet offer more. Spin or press the Smart Dial for intuitive control. Plus, you can explore Anti-Leakage Mode, Spatial Audio, custom EQs, and more in the Nothing X app.
- All-Day Playback - Enjoy up to 10 hours of continuous playback on a single charge (32.5h total). Powered by Bluetooth 5.4 for rock-solid stability, the Clip Pro supports Dual-Device Connectivity & Low Lag Mode.
What leakage prevention changes
Nothing says its leakage-prevention function can reduce sound escaping to nearby people, but warns that enabling it may change sound quality and volume. SoundGuys’ reviewer found the mode reduced leakage but made audio muffled in their listening. Treat that as one reviewer’s result, not a guarantee of how it will sound to everyone.
What the Clip Pro offer
Nothing Technology Japan announced the CMF Clip Pro on August 15, 2026, as CMF’s clip-style open-ear earbuds. The company lists a three-point clip with a flexible titanium-wire core, a 10.8 mm dual-magnet driver, and Ultra Bass tuning. Listed codecs are LDAC, AAC, and SBC; other features include Bluetooth 5.4, dual-device connection, low-latency mode, Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair, and a Smart Dial on the charging case. Each earbud has two HD microphones plus a voice pickup unit, and the earbuds are rated IP54 for dust and splash protection. These are manufacturer specifications, not independent confirmation of performance. Nothing Technology Japan’s launch announcement lists light grey, dark grey, and coral color options and a Japanese launch price of ¥12,800 including tax.
Rank #2
- CMF 2026 New Open Ear Earbuds - Breaking the limits of compact & lightweight design, CMF Clip Pro is certified for Hi-Res Audio. Customized 10.8mm dynamic drivers give you crisp, energetic bass alongside crystal-clear highs.
- 5.92g Ultra-Light & Custom 3-Point Clip - Positioned perfectly for clear sound. By spreading pressure across three contact areas, they deliver a secure, slip-free fit with all-day comfort for any activity.
- Flagship Voice Pickup Unit (VPU) - Separates your voice from environmental noise in real time. With a 4 HD mic system, your voice stays clear and easy to hear, whether on a crowded street or in strong wind.
- More Than Smarts - Your earbuds are already exceptional, yet offer more. Spin or press the Smart Dial for intuitive control. Plus, you can explore Anti-Leakage Mode, Spatial Audio, custom EQs, and more in the Nothing X app.
- All-Day Playback - Enjoy up to 10 hours of continuous playback on a single charge (32.5h total). Powered by Bluetooth 5.4 for rock-solid stability, the Clip Pro supports Dual-Device Connectivity & Low Lag Mode.
How the earbuds perform beyond leakage
Sound quality
Reviews broadly describe a bright presentation, but they differ in the details and reflect different listening conditions. RTINGS says treble is emphasized and can sound harsh, with limited bass. SoundGuys likewise describes the sound as bright and spacious but light on bass; its reviewer found bass enhancement could introduce distortion. Notebookcheck found the sound reasonably clean at moderate volumes, but reported reduced clarity and overdriven deep bass at higher levels.
The listed LDAC support may matter to listeners who want that codec, but codec availability alone does not establish that these earbuds will sound better for every listener. Fit, volume, the open design, and personal preference also shape the experience.
Rank #3
- CMF 2026 New Open Ear Earbuds - Breaking the limits of compact & lightweight design, CMF Clip Pro is certified for Hi-Res Audio. Customized 10.8mm dynamic drivers give you crisp, energetic bass alongside crystal-clear highs.
- 5.92g Ultra-Light & Custom 3-Point Clip - Positioned perfectly for clear sound. By spreading pressure across three contact areas, they deliver a secure, slip-free fit with all-day comfort for any activity.
- Flagship Voice Pickup Unit (VPU) - Separates your voice from environmental noise in real time. With a 4 HD mic system, your voice stays clear and easy to hear, whether on a crowded street or in strong wind.
- More Than Smarts - Your earbuds are already exceptional, yet offer more. Spin or press the Smart Dial for intuitive control. Plus, you can explore Anti-Leakage Mode, Spatial Audio, custom EQs, and more in the Nothing X app.
- All-Day Playback - Enjoy up to 10 hours of continuous playback on a single charge (32.5h total). Powered by Bluetooth 5.4 for rock-solid stability, the Clip Pro supports Dual-Device Connectivity & Low Lag Mode.
Battery life
The battery figures vary by source and test, so they should not be treated as a single guaranteed runtime.
| Source | Reported battery life | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing Technology Japan | Up to 10 hours per charge; up to 32.5 hours total with the case | Manufacturer claim in its August 15, 2026 Japanese launch announcement. It also claims a 10-minute charge provides up to four hours of playback. |
| SoundGuys | Nine hours | Reviewer test with LDAC enabled; results depend on test conditions. |
| Notebookcheck | Around eight hours | Reviewer-measured result; the publication date was not established in the cited passage. |
| RTINGS | A little over six hours | RTINGS’ comparison testing; the publication passage describes continuous battery life as relatively short. |
These independent results come from different methods and settings, so they are not directly interchangeable. The maker’s figures are “up to” claims; actual playback time can vary with use and configuration.
Rank #4
- 50dB Adaptive Hybrid ANC: CMF Buds Pro 2 ANC earbuds automatically detect noise leakage between the earbuds and your ear canal to ensure optimal noise cancellation performance. With smart ambient sound recognition, they keep you alert during runs and focused in transparency mode.
- Smart Dial & Dual Connection: Customize volume, tracks, and noise modes directly via the smart case dial. Bluetooth 5.4 enables seamless multipoint connectivity, while 120ms low latency gives you a competitive edge in gaming—making these a top choice for Bluetooth earbuds.
- Dirac-Tuned Dual Drivers: Equipped with an 11mm ultra-bass driver and a 6mm tweeter, these noise cancelling earbuds support LDAC lossless audio transmission for rich, detailed sound. Dynamic Bass Boost 2.0 further refines the rhythm, creating an immersive listening experience.
- 6 HD Mics for Clear Voice: Compared to traditional wireless earbuds, the CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 triples the audio transmission rate and offers Hi-Res Audio support, preserving sound clarity. AI-enhanced microphones featuring Clear Voice Technology 3.0 ensure natural voice pickup and excellent call quality.
- 43-Hour Total with Fast Charging: Enjoy up to 10 hours of playback on a single charge and 43 hours total with the charging case. A 10-minute quick charge delivers 3 hours of playback—perfect for non-stop gaming, sleep, travel, and commuting. The IP55 waterproof design ensures durability and allows for a quick post-swim rinse.
Calls
Call impressions are mixed in wording but point to potential limitations. RTINGS says voices can sound distorted and distant, especially in challenging noise. Notebookcheck found speech intelligible but described the caller’s voice as harsh and metallic. SoundGuys reported that noise rejection struggled in its street and windy-condition samples. Those are reviewer findings, not a prediction that every call will sound poor; frequent callers should weigh them alongside the open-ear convenience.
Fit and comfort
RTINGS describes the fit as comfortable and lightweight, Notebookcheck found it secure, and SoundGuys reported comfort over several hours. SoundGuys also said sweat made the earbuds slide for that reviewer. Clip-style fit is personal, so these accounts cannot establish that the earbuds will feel secure or comfortable for everyone.
Best Value
- 50dB Adaptive Hybrid ANC: CMF Buds Pro 2 ANC earbuds automatically detect noise leakage between the earbuds and your ear canal to ensure optimal noise cancellation performance. With smart ambient sound recognition, they keep you alert during runs and focused in transparency mode.
- Smart Dial & Dual Connection: Customize volume, tracks, and noise modes directly via the smart case dial. Bluetooth 5.4 enables seamless multipoint connectivity, while 120ms low latency gives you a competitive edge in gaming—making these a top choice for Bluetooth earbuds.
- Dirac-Tuned Dual Drivers: Equipped with an 11mm ultra-bass driver and a 6mm tweeter, these noise cancelling earbuds support LDAC lossless audio transmission for rich, detailed sound. Dynamic Bass Boost 2.0 further refines the rhythm, creating an immersive listening experience.
- 6 HD Mics for Clear Voice: Compared to traditional wireless earbuds, the CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 triples the audio transmission rate and offers Hi-Res Audio support, preserving sound clarity. AI-enhanced microphones featuring Clear Voice Technology 3.0 ensure natural voice pickup and excellent call quality.
- 43-Hour Total with Fast Charging: Enjoy up to 10 hours of playback on a single charge and 43 hours total with the charging case. A 10-minute quick charge delivers 3 hours of playback—perfect for non-stop gaming, sleep, travel, and commuting. The IP55 waterproof design ensures durability and allows for a quick post-swim rinse.
Who should consider them—and who should look elsewhere
- Consider them if you want an open-ear clip-on design and value awareness of nearby sounds, or if the listed features such as multipoint and LDAC suit your needs.
- Look elsewhere if you need strong isolation, private listening in quiet shared spaces, or consistently dependable call quality in noisy conditions.
- Check your priorities if battery life is decisive: independent review results range from a little over six hours in RTINGS’ comparison to nine hours in SoundGuys’ LDAC-enabled test, under differing conditions.
How they compare with other clip-on options
RTINGS compares the CMF Clip Pro with Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, Shokz OpenDots 2, and SoundPEATS PearlClip Pro. Its comparison says Bose offers longer battery life and better microphone performance than the CMF, while the CMF has LDAC and multipoint. RTINGS describes SoundPEATS as more budget-conscious and shorter-lived, and Shokz as a more expensive clip-on option. Prices and availability change, so verify current listings before deciding.
Use the comparison to match a product to what matters most, rather than choosing on codec support alone:
- Call quality and battery: RTINGS favors Bose over CMF on those comparison points.
- Codec and device switching: CMF’s listed LDAC and multipoint may appeal if you specifically need them.
- Price: RTINGS characterizes SoundPEATS as the more budget-conscious choice and Shokz as more expensive; check current regional prices.
- Listening environment: With open-ear clip-ons, decide how much ambient awareness—and how much sound leakage—you can accept.
Price and availability depend on region
Nothing Technology Japan’s August 15, 2026 announcement gives a launch price of ¥12,800 including tax in Japan. Nothing’s Canadian storefront showed CA$139 and sold out when accessed; that is a time-specific Canadian snapshot, not a universal price or an assurance of current stock.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
