CMF Buds 2 Plus vs Sony WF-C700N: Budget ANC Showdown
Two sub-$90 earbuds with active noise cancellation compared - sound, fit, app features, and call quality.
Active noise cancellation used to cost $200 or more. In 2026, the CMF Buds 2 Plus (~$69) and Sony WF-C700N (often $60–89 on sale) both promise quiet commutes under $90 - but they approach the problem from opposite directions.
CMF by Nothing packs aggressive hybrid ANC, LDAC hi-res audio, and marathon battery life into a stem design that looks more expensive than it is. Sony’s WF-C700N is the established budget pick: comfortable, warm-sounding, backed by Headphones Connect - but its ANC has always been the weak link in lab tests.
We compared them across offices, sidewalks, buses, and airplane cabin rumble. Here is what actually matters at this price.
Spec comparison
| CMF Buds 2 Plus | Sony WF-C700N | |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | ~$69 | ~$119 (often $60–79 on sale) |
| Driver | 12.4mm dynamic (LCP) | 5mm dynamic |
| ANC type | Hybrid, up to 50 dB claimed | Digital ANC |
| ANC modes | Low / Med / High + Adaptive | Fixed + Ambient Sound |
| Codecs | LDAC, AAC, SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Battery (buds) | ~10.5h (ANC off) | 7.5h (ANC on) / 10h (off) |
| Battery (total) | ~60h with case | ~15–20h with case |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.2 |
| Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IPX4 |
| App | Nothing X | Sony Headphones Connect |
| Weight (buds) | ~5.2g each | ~4.5g each |
ANC: where CMF pulls ahead
This is the headline difference.
CMF Buds 2 Plus use hybrid ANC with three manual levels plus an adaptive mode that adjusts to ambient noise. In our testing, CMF cuts low-frequency rumble - bus engines, HVAC hum, airplane cabin drone - more aggressively than Sony. Office chatter is reduced but not eliminated; no sub-$70 earbud fully erases voices.
Sony WF-C700N ANC is inconsistent. Independent lab measurements (including SoundGuys) have shown the C700N sometimes performing barely above passive isolation depending on fit and environment. When it works, it smooths low hum nicely. When it does not, you wonder if ANC is on at all. Wind noise also trips Sony’s mics more often than CMF’s.
Scenario guide:
| Environment | Winner |
|---|---|
| Airplane / train rumble | CMF |
| Open-plan office hum | CMF (slight) |
| Windy sidewalk | Sony (smoother, less flutter) |
| Coffee shop voices | Tie - neither wins |
If ANC is your primary reason to buy, CMF is the better value. Sony’s successor WF-C710N fixes many of these issues, but at a higher price - and that is a different comparison.
Sound quality: LDAC vs Sony tuning
CMF with LDAC (on supported Android phones) delivers impressive detail for the price - Tom’s Guide and PCMag both praised the Buds 2 Plus as class-leading under $80. Default tuning leans bass-forward with an “Ultra Bass” profile enabled out of the box. The Nothing X app offers EQ presets and a custom equalizer; personalization features include hearing-profile tests on newer firmware.
Catch for iPhone users: without LDAC, CMF sound quality drops noticeably - flatter and less dynamic. iPhone owners should weigh Sony or Soundcore Liberty 4 NC instead.
Sony WF-C700N sounds warmer and more balanced for podcasts, acoustic music, and spoken word. DSEE audio upscaling helps compressed streams. The tuning is less exciting for EDM and hip-hop out of the box, but more forgiving for long listening sessions. Sony’s app provides granular EQ and 360 Reality Audio support (service-dependent).
Verdict: Android users who care about hi-res audio → CMF. Podcast listeners and Sony ecosystem fans → Sony.
Fit and comfort
Sony uses a compact, rounded bud shape that suits smaller ear canals. Multiple silicone tip sizes help, and the lightweight design (under 5g per bud) is comfortable for 2+ hour sessions.
CMF uses a stem design similar to AirPods. Stems feel lighter in the ear for some users and less secure for others during runs. IP54 rating (dust + splash) beats Sony’s IPX4 for gym sweat.
Neither is a sports earbud, but CMF’s IP54 gives it a slight edge for workouts if the fit seals well in your ears.
App and ecosystem
Sony Headphones Connect is the more mature app: firmware updates are reliable, EQ is detailed, ambient sound has 20 levels, and Adaptive Sound Control adjusts ANC based on activity. If you already own Sony headphones, the experience is familiar.
Nothing X is simpler but improving. Firmware updates land regularly, EQ presets work well, and adaptive ANC is easy to toggle. Missing features versus Sony: less granular ambient control, fewer legacy audio modes.
Both support Google Fast Pair on Android. Sony adds multipoint - connect to phone and laptop simultaneously. CMF also supports multipoint on current firmware.
Battery life: not close
CMF dominates. Lab tests show 10+ hours per charge with ANC off and ~60 hours total with the case. Even with ANC on, CMF clears a full work week without charging the case.
Sony manages 7.5 hours with ANC on and roughly one full case recharge - about 15–20 hours total. The case is compact, which explains the smaller battery, but frequent travelers will notice the difference.
Quick charge: Sony claims ~1 hour playback from 10 minutes; CMF is competitive but neither matches flagship fast-charge speeds.
Call quality
Both are acceptable for commuting calls, not conference-room grade.
Sony has a slight edge for voice clarity on noisy sidewalks - beamforming mics and wind-noise processing are a Sony strength even on budget buds.
CMF improved mic quality over the Buds Pro 2 generation but still picks up more wind on breezy days. Indoors, both are fine for Zoom and phone calls.
Price and value
| Model | Typical street price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| CMF Buds 2 Plus | $59–69 | ANC strength, battery, LDAC (Android) |
| Sony WF-C700N | $60–79 on sale (MSRP $119) | Balanced sound, comfort, Sony app |
Sony’s MSRP is higher, but perpetual sales bring it into direct competition with CMF. At equal price, CMF wins on features-per-dollar for Android users. Sony wins if you are an iPhone user or already invested in Sony’s audio ecosystem.
Which should you buy?
Pick CMF Buds 2 Plus if you want the strongest ANC under $70, marathon battery, LDAC on Android, and do not mind bass-heavy default tuning.
Pick Sony WF-C700N if you prefer warmer, more balanced sound, smaller in-ear fit, a proven app, or you are on iPhone (no LDAC penalty on Sony).
Our verdict: CMF Buds 2 Plus wins the comparison on raw noise rejection and battery - the two features budget ANC buyers care about most. Sony remains a solid alternative when comfort and sound signature matter more than silence.
See also: Best budget earbuds in 2026