How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-17 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want the more versatile everyday earbud with stronger noise cancellation, a lower-latency mode for gaming, and a companion app that lets you tune the sound, choose CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2; if you need an over-ear headphone with longer battery life, a bigger driver, and a foldable design that's easier to share across devices, choose Monster Persona SE ANC.
• CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2 – biggest strength: 48dB hybrid ANC with an adaptive mode, plus a feature-rich app (EQ, Ultra Bass, Low Lag Mode) and 55H total playtime.
• Monster Persona SE ANC – biggest strength: 60H total playtime, 40mm drivers, and over-ear comfort with memory-foam protein leather earcups and a foldable frame.
• Monster Persona SE ANC – biggest trade-off: ANC is a simpler on/off button system (no adaptive mode), and the warranty is notably shorter than the CMF's.
• Pick CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2 if you want pocketable earbuds, app-based tuning, and the most aggressive noise cancellation.
• Pick Monster Persona SE ANC if you want long-session comfort, maximum battery, and a headphone you can fold and toss in a bag.
The Buds 2 is built around three things: noise cancellation, app control, and all-day use with quick top-ups. The headline spec is 48dB hybrid ANC spanning a 5200Hz frequency range, and CMF adds an Environmental Adaptive mode that adjusts the reduction level in real time based on your surroundings. On paper that's a more flexible noise-cancelling setup than a fixed on/off switch — useful on a commute where the noise floor keeps changing.
Sound leans bass-forward. An 11mm PMI dynamic driver is paired with Dirac Opteo tuning, and there's a 360° spatial audio effect using an HRTF-based algorithm for film and gaming. Battery is 13.5 hours per charge and 55 hours total with the case; a 10-minute top-up is rated at 7.5 hours of playback, which is the kind of number that matters when you forgot to charge overnight. Calls run through six mics with AI-powered Clear Voice Technology 3.0 and Wind Noise Reduction 3.0. IP55 means sweat and rain are fine.
The Nothing X app is the real differentiator: EQ adjustment, Ultra Bass, ANC levels, Low Lag Mode for gaming, and ChatGPT voice integration. It connects over Bluetooth 5.4.
Buy it if you want earbuds for commuting, workouts and gaming, and you like tuning your own sound. Skip it if you dislike in-ear tips, want over-ear comfort for long desk sessions, or you want the simplest possible controls without an app.
The Persona SE ANC is a traditional over-ear headphone, and its strengths follow from that form factor. The earcups use ultra-soft protein leather with memory foam padding, the headband is adjustable, and the whole thing folds for storage. If you wear headphones for hours at a desk, on calls, or through a long flight, that over-ear fit is the main reason to pick this one over any earbud.
Audio comes from 40mm hybrid drivers with Monster's "Pure Monster Sound" processing, tuned for deep bass with a balanced midrange and treble. ANC is a single-button system that Monster rates at blocking up to 98% of ambient noise. There's no adaptive mode and no companion app listed — you control it with physical buttons, which some people genuinely prefer over touch controls.
Battery is the standout: 60 hours in standard mode, dropping to 40 hours with ANC on. A 5-minute Type-C charge is rated at 4 hours of listening. Bluetooth 5.4 handles the connection with a 10-meter range, and it pairs automatically with devices it has seen before. It's compatible with phones, laptops, tablets and TVs.
Buy it if you want long-session comfort, maximum battery, and simple physical controls. Skip it if you need pocketable earbuds, adaptive noise cancellation, app-based EQ, or a longer warranty — this one lists only 3 months.
• Best for noise cancellation → CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2. 48dB hybrid ANC with a 5200Hz range and an adaptive mode beats a fixed on/off ANC button for changing environments.
• Best for battery life → Monster Persona SE ANC. 60H standard / 40H with ANC versus 55H total for the Buds 2 — and the Monster hits that without a charging case.
• Best for sound customization → CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2. The Nothing X app gives you EQ, Ultra Bass and ANC tuning; the Monster relies on its built-in tuning.
• Best for long-wear comfort → Monster Persona SE ANC. Over-ear memory foam cups and an adjustable headband are made for multi-hour sessions.
• Best for workouts and rain → CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2. IP55 water and dust resistance; the Monster sheet lists no IP rating.
• Best for gaming → CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2. Low Lag Mode plus spatial audio is aimed squarely at games and film.
• Best for portability → Monster Persona SE ANC (foldable) vs Buds 2 (pocketable). If you want something that disappears into a pocket, earbuds win; if you want a foldable full-size pair, the Monster wins.
• Best for warranty confidence → CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2. 1 year versus 3 months.
• Best for sharing across devices → Monster Persona SE ANC. Auto-pairing with phones, laptops, tablets and TVs makes it an easy grab-and-go headphone.
One thing worth noting: both use Bluetooth 5.4 and neither has a headphone jack. So the wired-versus-wireless question is settled — this is purely about form factor and features.
My Verdict
Based on the specs, yes. The Buds 2 lists 48dB hybrid ANC with a 5200Hz range and an adaptive mode, while the Monster uses a single-button ANC system rated at blocking up to 98% of ambient noise with no adaptive option.
The Monster Persona SE ANC: 60 hours in standard mode and 40 hours with ANC on, versus 55 hours total for the Buds 2 with the charging case. Per single charge, the Buds 2 is rated at 13.5 hours.
Correct. The Buds 2 works with the Nothing X app for EQ, Ultra Bass, ANC settings, Low Lag Mode and ChatGPT voice interaction. The Monster Persona SE ANC uses physical button controls, with no companion app listed.
Probably not the best pick. The data sheet lists no IP water or dust rating for the Monster, while the CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2 carries IP55 and is explicitly positioned for workouts and rain.
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