Practical ANC Headphones Built Around Battery and Comfort
Words: Vishal Pipraiya
The CMF by Nothing Headphone Pro takes an ambitious swing at redefining what budget over-ear headphones can offer. CMF packs adaptive active noise cancellation, high-resolution LDAC support, tactile physical controls and a modular swappable ear cushion design into a remarkably affordable package. With battery life figures that are rare at this price point and sonic tuning tools that let listeners tailor the signature sound, the Headphone Pro mostly hits the sweet spot for daily commuters and casual audiophiles alike.
Design and Comfort
The CMF Headphone Pro stand out for their thoughtful combination of practicality and personality. The headphones embrace a softly rounded silhouette with well-padded earcups and a cushioned headband that prioritizes everyday wearability. The CMF Headphone Pro is offered in three base colours: Dark Grey, Light Grey, and Light Green. A notable design feature is the swappable ear cushions, which can be removed and replaced quickly, with optional cushion colours such as orange available separately. This not only allows for customization of its looks but also extends the lifespan of the product, which is a noteworthy feature in this price segment. Weighing in at around 283 grams, the headset feels substantial without being fatiguing, and the earcups plush foam padding creates a comfortable seal. While the exterior is primarily plastic, the overall build gives confidence in day to day use. The absence of any official water resistance rating means sweat or light moisture exposure should be approached with caution. The earcups fold flat for easier storage, and the box includes a pouch to keep the headphones protected.
Noise Cancellation
The active noise cancellation is not class leading, but it is consistently effective in everyday scenarios. Low frequency sounds such as traffic rumble, air conditioning, and general office noise are noticeably reduced. Higher pitched sounds can still pass through, but the difference during commutes or long work sessions is substantial. Transparency mode allows external sounds in naturally when needed.
Sound
For music playback, the 40 mm dynamic drivers deliver a balanced and approachable sound signature, with enough low end presence to add weight without overwhelming vocals or higher frequencies. At higher volumes, the treble can feel a bit harsh on some songs, especially those with a brighter sound.
Call Quality
For voice calls, the CMF Headphone Pro performs reliably. Speech comes through clearly in quiet and moderately noisy environments, with voices sounding natural rather than overly compressed. The microphone array does a competent job of isolating the wearer’s voice from background sounds.
Battery & Connectivity
Battery life is one of the biggest strengths of the CMF Headphone Pro. CMF claims up to 100 hours of playback with noise cancellation turned off, and up to 50 hours with it turned on. In daily use, this means you can go several days without worrying about charging. Fast charging is also useful, with a short top up giving you hours of listening time, though a charging cable is omitted in the box. Dual device connectivity is supported, allowing the headphones to switch smoothly between a call on one device and media playing on another. The Headphone Pro also supports wired listening via an aux jack, with an aux cable included in the box for use when the battery runs low or when a wired connection is preferred.
Features and Controls
Physical controls, including a multifunction roller, an adjustable Energy Slider, and a customizable action button, sit intuitively under the fingertips and avoid the frustrations of touch only interfaces. The energy slider is a great feature allowing modulation of treble or bass and is something that makes it stand apart.
One noticeable omission is the lack of wear detection. While it does not affect core performance, it is a convenience feature that would have meaningfully improved the overall user experience.
Software
The nothing app interface is uncluttered and easy to navigate, with responsive controls and sensible defaults. Core controls such as physical button customization, noise cancellation modes including an adaptive one, spatial audio presets, and an equalizer are clearly laid out and responsive. A highlight of the app is its personalized sound tuning feature.
Verdict
The CMF Headphone Pro is a strong option for anyone looking to step into over ear active noise cancellation without paying flagship prices. Long battery life, comfortable fit, dependable ANC, and a feature set focused on real world usability make it appealing for commuters, remote workers, and students.
Buy For: Excellent battery life, effective ANC for the price, comfortable over ear fit, energy slider, swappable ear cushions.
Skip For: No wear detection
Rating: 4/5
MRP Rs.7,999, (Introductory price Rs. 6999/- + Bank Discounts), in.nothing.tech/products/cmf-headphone-pro
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