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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-19 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2a — biggest strength: DIRAC co-tuned 12.4mm bio-fiber drivers, 42dB hybrid ANC, Bluetooth 5.4 with Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Quick Switch, and deep app-based customization.
• CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2a — biggest trade-off: It leans on the Nothing X app (and Nothing/CMF phones for some extras) to unlock its full feature set, which is more setup than a plug-and-play pair.
• QJF Touch Screen Earbuds — biggest strength: A touch screen built into the charging case that lets you control volume, skip tracks, switch EQ modes and locate earbuds without touching your phone — plus up to 60 hours total with the case.
• QJF Touch Screen Earbuds — biggest trade-off: Fewer published audio details (no stated driver size or noise-cancelling depth), so it's harder to judge sound quality from the spec sheet alone.
• Choose CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2a if you care most about sound tuning, call clarity and app control.
• Choose QJF Touch Screen Earbuds if you want case-side controls and maximum total battery life.
The Buds 2a is the more "engineered" pair of the two. CMF worked with DIRAC — an audio provider known for tuning in luxury vehicles — on 12.4mm bio-fiber dynamic drivers, and the spec sheet points to a warm, bass-forward soundstage with rich mids and what CMF describes as crisp, thundering bass. You can leave the tuning as-is or build your own EQ profile in the Nothing X app. On top of that sits 42dB hybrid active noise cancelling, which CMF positions as tuned for common daily scenarios rather than extreme isolation.
Calls are clearly a priority here. The Buds 2a uses four mics with ENC, "Clear Voice Tech" and "Wind Noise Reduction 2.0," and Bluetooth 5.4 handles the connection with Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Quick Switch for hopping between devices. Battery is solid rather than spectacular: 8 hours in the buds, 35.5 hours with the case, and a quick-charge that CMF says gives up to 2 hours of playback from a 5-minute top-up. It also carries an IP54 rating, a lanyard-ready case, and CMF's own "up to ~15 days of endurance" framing based on about 2 hours of use per day.
Who should buy it: Anyone who wants app-level control — custom EQ, adjustable ANC including a transparent mode, dual-device connectivity, a find-my-earbuds feature and a low-lag gaming mode — plus a design that's been refined across the CMF Buds line with multiple ear-tip sizes. If you own a Nothing or CMF phone, you can also pair the buds to reach ChatGPT for voice-activated assistance.
Who should skip it: If you hate installing companion apps, or if you simply want the biggest possible total battery number, the app-first approach and the 35.5-hour case figure may not be what you're after.
The QJF pair leads with a genuinely different idea: the charging case has a smart touch screen. From the case itself you can change volume, skip songs, toggle noise cancellation, pick an EQ mode and even locate the earbuds — all without pulling out your phone. For anyone who finds touch gestures on the buds fiddly, or who keeps their phone in a bag or pocket while commuting, that's a real convenience argument.
Battery is the other headline. QJF lists 6 hours of playback per charge and up to 60 hours total with the case, recharged over Type-C in about an hour. ANC is on board for reducing background noise, and the brand points it at work, office, travel and commuting. The fit side is covered by a lightweight in-ear design with an IPX5 waterproof and sweatproof rating, which makes it a reasonable pick for running, gym sessions and daily wear. Bluetooth 5.4 handles pairing, and the controls are touch-based on the buds as well.
Who should buy it: Frequent travelers, gym-goers and commuters who want to control playback and noise cancelling from the case, and who value a long total runtime between charges. The IPX5 rating and sweatproof claim suit workouts more explicitly than a general-purpose pair.
Who should skip it: If sound tuning is your top priority, the spec sheet is thinner here — impedance is 16 ohm, sensitivity 103dB and frequency response up to 20000Hz, but there's no stated driver size or ANC depth to compare against. If you want documented EQ customization and dual-device switching, the CMF pair is the more transparent option on paper.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for sound tuning and bass → CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2a (DIRAC co-tuned 12.4mm bio-fiber dynamic drivers, adjustable EQ).
• Best for call clarity → CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2a (four mics, ENC, Clear Voice Tech, Wind Noise Reduction 2.0).
• Best for total battery life → QJF Touch Screen Earbuds (up to 60 hours with the case vs 35.5 hours).
• Best for case-side control → QJF Touch Screen Earbuds (touch screen for volume, tracks, ANC, EQ and locating earbuds).
• Best for workouts → QJF Touch Screen Earbuds on paper (IPX5 waterproof and sweatproof); the CMF pair is IP54, which is splash-resistant, not sweat-focused.
• Best for a quick top-up → CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2a (up to 2 hours of playback from a 5-minute charge), though QJF's full case recharge is faster at about 1 hour.
• Best for app features and multi-device use → CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2a (Nothing X app, dual-device connectivity, low-lag gaming mode, find earbuds).
• Best for warranty confidence on paper → QJF Touch Screen Earbuds (2-year manufacturer warranty vs 1 year on the CMF).
If I were choosing for myself, I'd take the CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2a. The combination of a DIRAC-tuned 12.4mm driver, 42dB hybrid ANC, a four-mic call setup and genuine app-level customization is a more complete package for everyday listening, calls and commuting — and I'd happily trade some total battery hours for that. In my opinion, the QJF Touch Screen Earbuds make more sense as a second or situational pair: they're the better pick if the case touch screen and 60-hour total runtime are the features that actually matter to your routine. Either way, check the current price on Amazon before you commit, because the value call swings with whatever each pair costs the day you buy.
Not universally. The CMF pair wins on published audio specs, ANC depth and app features. The QJF pair wins on total battery life, case-side touch controls and a longer stated warranty. It comes down to which of those you'd actually use.
Which has better battery life, CMF Buds 2a or QJF Touch Screen Earbuds?
Yes, that's the core feature. The charging case has a smart touch screen for adjusting volume, switching songs, controlling noise cancellation, selecting EQ modes and locating the earbuds without using your phone.
On the spec sheets, QJF has the edge for workouts thanks to its IPX5 waterproof and sweatproof rating. The CMF Buds 2a is rated IP54, which covers dust and splashes rather than heavy sweat, so QJF is the more explicitly sport-oriented of the two.
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