CMF by Nothing Neckband Pro review

The neckband style of earphones has been around for years now, but hasn’t really changed a lot. The CMF Neckband Pro sticks to the proven formula of having a flexible neckband, large end modules for balance, and short cables leading to the earpieces. For that matter, even the earpieces look a lot like those on the OnePlus Bullets Wireless range, and the headset also get the same magnetic power switch feature.

That might have typically been the extent of the design, but the CMF by Nothing Neckband Pro has a few more design points to talk about. For one, the bright orange colour can be incredibly eye-catching, and the contrast between glossy and dull finishes is quite neat. If you prefer something a bit more discreet, there are black and white colour options to choose from.

For another thing, there’s the rather cool smart dial, which can be used to control the volume intuitively by turning, as well as for playback and controls for ANC and transparency by pressing. Usefully, this is customisable through the companion app for Android, but the default controls are probably the most convenient setup anyway. The headset is IP55 rated for dust and water resistance, and can thus handle a few splashes of water without worry.

The CMF Neckband Pro is fairly well equipped when it comes to features and specifications too. Two devices can be connected simultaneously (or you can stick to one and quickly switch between them using the function button), and there’s Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair support, Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, and proper active noise cancellation. The SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs are supported, and the earphones have 13.6mm dynamic drivers.

As mentioned, there’s also an app for further customisation, including for the controls, equaliser, ANC modes, and the Ultra Bass mode (which is best kept switched off if you care about sound quality and your ears). You can also activate (or deactivate) the dual connection and low-lag modes, as well as update the firmware. On the whole, that’s a lot on offer for a pair of earphones that costs Rs. 1,999.

Apart from the features, the neckband-style form factor also comes with the promise of better sound quality, and the CMF by Nothing Neckband Pro does come through with a more fun and lively sound that what you’d expect on similarly-priced true wireless earphones. It’s a stronger, more engaging level of drive that benefits popular genres, particularly of the bass-heavy variety. 

Listening to Croatia Squad in a noisy environment, the Neckband Pro did a decent job of blocking out much of the ambient sound through its sheer loudness and noise isolating fit. While the sound does have odd tendencies in the form of bass that’s sometimes too aggressive, the sound is generally enjoyable and immersive for the large part. The already punchy beats of Croatia Squad were more attacking than usual, but that’s not a bad thing if you’re trying to mute out the background.

You can tune down the bass heavy-hitting a bit with the equaliser, and you should definitely turn off the Ultra Bass mode given that the sound weighs on the lows already. It can also get a bit too loud at times, but the quick volume controls on the neckband help to quickly bring volume levels under control. 

Active noise cancellation isn’t fantastic, as would be expected from a budget headset, but it does somewhat help to make your music a bit more audible. Battery life is exceptional at around 23 hours per charge with ANC on, and our testing suggested that it’s possible to come close to this figure even with the volume turned up.

The CMF by Nothing Neckband Pro isn’t a revolutionary product, but it can be a useful product for many who want no-nonsense performance and good battery life. It’s easy to use, sounds decent enough, and even looks attractive. If you’re strict about your sub-Rs. 2,000 budget, you might want to consider this instead of equivalent-priced true wireless earphones, simply for the better overall experience you get.